Finding a Church in College

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Finding a church in college is hard. It's hard transition to a new place and a new church.  For most students this is the first time they've had to find a church on their own. Just because it is hard or may feel awkward at times doesn't mean it's not worthy.  In fact, most things in life that are worth it are hard and have some awkward moments. Many students don't embrace this and end of up not plugging into a church.

Look at what Scripture says though.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV)
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We've been given a great promise - a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and if we are going to continue to grow then it takes up meeting together.  Here are a few things I always share with our incoming freshmen as school starts.


THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN LOOKING FOR A CHURCH

  • You won't find your "home" church, but you will find a great church here. Maybe you're from a megachurch in the metroplex.  You probably have more people at your church than in this county.  You won't find your home church here, but you have to look for things you like'd about your home church and you can find it here in a church. Maybe you're from a country church where everyone knows you. Guess what? Not everybody here is going to know everything about you and your parents.  It's unfair to expect them to after the first visit.  Find a place where people want to get to know you though and by the time you graduate they will know you and your parents!
  • Find Your Church - don't go where you friends want to go or where your parents expect you to go. How great the church is, isn't directly connected to how many college students go or don't go there.
  • It usually takes time and that's ok. Just because you visit a church and don't like it doesn't mean there aren't churches for you.  You've had a bad meal before but you didn't give up on eating?  it takes several visits to several churches to get a feel for it.  That can take time.
  • You have to be there to be known.  If you are constantly going home you are going to miss out and will never feel a part of it.  Tell your old youth minister that you've got to find a home church in college and tell him to find someone else to work with the youth.  Stay here over the weekends.
  • Wear an apron, not a bib.  Aprons and bibs are made from the same cloth.  One a baby wears and the other a waiter wears.  One communicates that you need someone to do something for you, then other asks what you can do for that person.  Find a church you can wear an apron and serve.  Don't be a consumer, don't wear a bib.


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