As the Pastor for Students and Families at Grace Fellowship one of the most exciting parts of my job is watching elementary kids transform into middle schoolers. It’s watching middle schoolers transform into young adults as high schoolers, and, last but not least, it is in watching high schoolers transform in to adults as they head off into the world.
The vision for our student ministry is to fan the flames of the affections of the students, their families, and all team members towards the all-satisfying beauty of Jesus Christ. We do this in partnership with the parents of the students and this is a process that should continue even as a student leaves the ministry and heads off to college.
Where Should You Go to College?
There are many factors that come into play in deciding where a high school graduate should attend college. Does the school offer the major I want? Is the school close to home? Or, better yet for some, is the school far away? Is it a massive state school or a much smaller private school? Does the school have the extra-curricular activities that will make for a great experience over the next four years?
Am I a legacy student which will grant me certain perks that I wouldn’t have if I went to another school? How much financial aid or scholarships are they willing to award? Are any of my friends going to this school?
All of these questions are good and right to ask yourself. In fact, I would encourage a person to have a list and actually write out the answers to them so they can see the results. Often, though, it is only after a graduate has made this decision that he considers, if at all, what I think may be the most important question when considering choosing a college.
Is There a Good, Solid, Bible-Preaching Church Nearby?
There are any number of colleges that can and will meet the need of nearly any and every student. But, there are not nearly so many that have solid, Bible-preaching churches nearby that will aid in the transition. By transition, I mean the transition both to living away from home, probably for the first time with massive freedoms, and also the transition into adulthood.
Without the body of Christ around to encourage, help, support, and even rebuke, then it will be much harder for the Christian young man or woman to grow in their affections towards Christ. With the new found freedoms, seemingly limitless options available, and professors who may be hostile to a Christian worldview, many young Christians find the first year of college very trying and difficult.
Jesus Christ died in order to save His bride, the church, and it is to the Christian’s peril to neglect finding, joining, worshiping, and serving in a local expression of that body. And, if the thought of what church that might be was the last option to consider on your list, then you may end up holding the proverbial ‘bag’ when you show up to school and seek to find a good, solid, Bible-preaching church that is nowhere to be found.
How Can I Find a Good Church?
Fortunately, thanks to the internet, there are any number of good resources available so that every soon-to-be college student can have a very good idea as to what types and qualities of churches there are around the colleges they are looking at attending.
I believe that this search should be at the top or very near the top of any young adult’s college search. After all, what good will a fine degree from a stellar institution be if, after four years, you have floundered in your faith because you never found and plugged in to a local church?
The college years can be some of the greatest and most exciting years of a person’s life. They can also serve to help forge and solidify a young adult’s faith if the college experience if done in connection with membership in and service to a local church. As you consider which college you may attend, whether that is one year from now or in five years, make sure you spend ample time figuring out which ones have strong local churches to which you can connect.
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