I am increasingly convinced that many of the challenges facing enrollment driven institutions of higher education are the same challenges facing the church. By identifying these challenges, I believe that leaders from both areas can collaborate on new ideas and innovative approaches to stay relevant. Here I’m going to outline 7 key challenges that I have identified.

Before I pose these questions, I will preface this by saying that there are some obvious differences between the two groups-most obviously the mission for each. I am processing this primarily from a business administration viewpoint, and thinking of areas where the two can learn from each other.

Enrollment/Attendance - How do you get more people in seats? The majority of enrollment driven institutions are facing declining enrollment as a result of fierce competition, hesitance to take on school debt, and questions about ROI. Likewise, the majority of churches are growing slower than the community around them or are experiencing negative growth. Both areas have a distinct challenge to be agile in a changing world.
Marketing - How does your organization get its message out and how does it stand out in a flood of other choices? How do you set yourself apart from your competition as an organization, when other alternatives may be perceived to be easier - such as non-attendance?
Assimilation/Onboarding - How do you get people to take the next steps? In a church, this may be considered a next steps ministry, in higher ed, this is orientation and advising. How do you connect with people once they have completed this, and continue to engage them?
Discipleship/Teaching - How do you get people to get excited about self-study of either course material or the Bible? In higher ed we say we want people to learn how to learn or ‘commit to lifelong learning’. Are there strategies that can cross-pollinate?
Retention - How do you keep people at your organization? Both the church and higher ed need people to ‘stick’, as this is key to maintaining a growth trajectory. How can you eliminate barriers to people sticking around - can you facilitate better connection, better resources, mentorship opportunities, etc. to keep people coming back?
Leadership Development - How do you support, train, and encourage leaders? In the church, many people in leadership roles are there simply because they were willing to step up and volunteer, and may not have received any formal training and little guidance. The same can be said for higher ed - many department chairs, committee leaders, and even academic cabinet have had nothing but on-the-job training after they agreed to take the role.
Building a community that attracts people - How do you get people to buy in and invest their time in your community?

What other challenges do you see for both communities? How can the two come alongside each other and share ideas, tips and strategies? Where do the two diverge?