5. Church
It is the none or casual attendance of church that quickly erodes vibrant faith. If church is treated like an optional extra or a gym membership it becomes just another student consumer choice. Invariably those school leavers who decide to take a holiday from church during the student years rarely go back.
I believe one of the elements that could transform our universities is that of seeing every school leaver equipped with a vision for what it means to be part of a local church at university. It is much more than attending a few meetings, it is around a value of commitment to God’s people and making a contribution to that community and the corporate vision. More often than not, that now includes reaching the university.
A new student who chooses to commit to a local church straight away takes some of the power out of the other battlegrounds. They are no longer contending alone but part of a body who are committed to their success and wholeness.
Advice for youth workers
Discuss theologically and practically why it is important to be a committed member of a local church. Help them find a local church in their place of study through studentlinkup.org.
Advice for churches near universities
Fewer than 1% of students attend church in most UK cities, if you are situated within 5 miles of a university start a student ministry – Christian students and those on a journey to faith need churches of all shapes, sizes and flavours!
More information on talking these battlegrounds and on resourcing, preparing and connecting school leavers to churches can be found at studentlinkup.org
Read the other blogs in the series:
Loneliness - A Christian Fresher’s 5 Biggest Battlegrounds
Alcohol - A Christian Fresher’s 5 Biggest Battlegrounds
Sex - A Christian Fresher’s 5 Biggest Battlegrounds
