What does Student Work look like in your city? As Freshers find home in local churches and student work starts up again, how can student workers best support new and returning students, and how can students live out the hope of Jesus this year?
With the announcement of a new 3-tiered system in England, it can be difficult to know how best to welcome and serve students. To help, we have collated ideas and tips in line with which tier you find your city in. Wherever you find yourself, know there is hope in Jesus, opportunity to be explored, and a purpose for the church now and always.
Risk Level: Medium
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Continue to meet: with six allowed to meet in homes and students missing community, continue to meet in small groups in homes or other places you feel comfortable. For ideas and help on how to lead unmissable small groups, click here.
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Raise up new leaders: with more opportunity to multiply small groups comes increased responsibility to raise up new small group leaders. Which students are pursuing relationship with Jesus? Which students are remaining accountable? Which students want to grow? Spend time with these students and call out the leadership gifts they gave.
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Coffee Coupons: students can meet other students or leaders for coffee. A friendly face will help them to find a home away from home. Why not take current and new students out for coffee to see how they’re really doing? Why not partner with a local coffee shop to create pre-paid coffee coupons, so that students can meet with other students before a service or in the week? This not only blesses students as they navigate the uncertainty of university, but releases students to take responsibility to welcome and lead each other.
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Invite students to try church: COVID secure church services are safe and fun spaces for students to meet one another. Many are craving community or wanting to try something new.
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Student events: events in COVID secure venues are permitted. Why not partner with a local coffee shop or bar to host a meet and greet with other students or families within church?
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Ask students to serve: with many students’ eyes opened to injustice locally and globally, there is an openness to serve and make a difference in their city. Does your church run a Foodbank that they could help with? Do you partner with local charities they could serve in? In a time of challenge, serving could not only give some purpose and opportunity to bring hope, but also help them to invest long-term in their new city.
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Healthy rhythms: although the banana bread and sourdough making phase may have ended, it is still important for students to adopt healthy rhythms. How are you encouraging them to start and maintain spiritual disciplines? How are you helping them to love reading their Bibles and spending time in worship? How are you encouraging a healthy lifestyle? Running an event or releasing a series to support students could be a great way to encourage this.
