Subscribe to the Networkchurches that embrace college-age people
I’ve been thinking lately (and most of the time it doesn’t even hurt) about churches that college-age people are attracted to. I’ve been asking two questions: What characteristics does a church need to have in order to allow college-age people to feel a part of it? and What are some ways in which churches reach out to college-age people, outside of a “college ministry?”
So, in other words, you can change those questions to ask: what is it about some churches that draw college-age people into them? Again, I’m NOT talking about a college-age ministry – I’m asking this in regards to the church as a whole.
I would love to know your thoughts…what is it about your church that college-age people click with? Or, if you’re bold enough, what is it about your church that they DONT click with – so we can make sure we don’t do it…
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We started something called “Open Home” at our church, which is where our College & Careers group is invited over to the home of a church member or family for Sunday lunch, and then we hang out for a few hours afterwards playing games usually. I imported the idea from my church in England which had a thriving college population (but was also located next to a university.) The idea is for the group to get to know each other, and to get to know families in the church they wouldn’t normally have spoken to–the relationship building is the key component. We are brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of age, so spending time together like a family seems like a good idea.
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We’re doing this every other Sunday and people seem to like it. But it’s hard to know if it’s “working” yet bc we our College & Careers group only started in June. We have one new girl so far. We’ve noticed that some of the group has started hanging out outside of church though, so that seems like a good sign!
I’ve ‘overseen’ the college ministry at our church for 6+ years. After two good-hearted, well-intentioned couples spent 3-4 years with them as teachers and encouragers, nothing was really happening with the group. But after finding a high-quality teacher and telling the collegians to organize their own social stuff, the group is blossoming and attracting students that aren’t regular attenders! There is now a sense of growth and health that wasn’t there before.
I believe that in order to keep rollin’ we’ll need to find other adults who are willing to enter their lives as my wife and I and the high-q teacher have. While the traditional orientation of our church can dishearten some, the relationships usually trump the format. Personal attention through a lunch on campus or dinner at our house goes a long way. One more thing, spontaneous activities, or ones that appear that way, go over very well with our group.
Great questions Chuck! I look forward to reading other stories.