I believe that a key success factor of any church-based college ministry is it’s ability to get college students physically present in local churches. In my experience, students who attend local churches while they are in college are much more likely to find churches in whatever location they call home after college. As far as I’m concerned, if a student is serving Jesus in a local church after they leave my ministry, I’ve done my job. Here’s a few thoughts on how and why to get students into local churches while they’re at college.
Why?
In his book, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe, Pastor Mark Driscoll states: “Disciples know that though the church is imperfect, Christ calls them to strengthen it by their presence rather than criticize it in their absence…Those who ignore the church, criticize the church, despise the church, or even harm the church must seriously question whether they truly love Jesus and are his followers, since true Christians love and serve the church because Jesus does.”
Woah. What he is saying is, true disciples of Christ will find their way into local churches, swallowing their pride if need be, in order to love the people and institution that their Savior died for in love. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, but Christians will surely find their way into churches. As long as our students are connected to the living church, we can be assured of their continued spiritual growth, even after they leave our care.
Studies have shown that the choices students make at college will shape their habits for the rest of their lives. With this in mind, it’s important to encourage the spiritual discipline of church attendance in our college students while they’re still at college.
How?
Model it.
Todd Cavanaugh, the Executive Director of BASIC College Ministries says, “You can’t teach what you don’t know, and you can’t preach where you won’t go.” I love that. If you want your college students to commit to a life of church fellowship, commit to it yourself first. Your students won’t go if you aren’t.
Preach it.
Preach the importance of church attendance at your large group meetings. As a personal favor for me, please inform them that sitting in their dorm rooms on Sunday mornings while listening to Christian podcasts is not a valid substitution for corporate worship in a local church.
Provide options.
Not all of your students will love your church. Your students should be given a few options to suit their worship style preferences. However, I strongly recommend visiting a church and speaking with the pastor before you send your students to that church, just to ensure that the gospel is being preached.
Give rides.
By giving rides to your local church(es), you’ll make it as easy as possible for college students to get there. This way, you’ll be able to ensure that every student who wants to get to church will have the means to do so.
Give them a place to serve.
Talk with your pastor about ministries that could use some college students serving in them. I’m willing to bet that your pastor would really appreciate the extra energy and passion that college students would provide to any ministry within the church. On the flip side, when college students take responsibility for various tasks within the church, they’re much more likely to commit to that church family. For example, the student who plays electric guitar in the worship band on Sunday mornings is much more likely to attend church than the student who doesn’t have a place to serve.
What are some other ways that you help funnel college students to local churches? I’m interested in your ideas!