One of the very first things you should do when you start at university is to find a good church. Why?
Well, for most people it’s really hard living away from home for the first time. With the challenges and excitement of Freshers’ events, new friends, studies, societies and sports teams, it’s all too easy to get distracted and carried away with other things and find yourself either hiding your faith or soon drifting away from your faith.
Here are two important reasons for seeking out a good church:
1. Fellowship
God does not intend for us to be just individual believers in isolation, but to be part of a wider Christian community in which we can both grow and mature in our faith, and help to serve others. When you are far away from your home and family, it’s so important (and such a blessing) to have a church family who can support you in your faith and to whom you can belong.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
2. Accountability
The Bible warns us: Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place (Proverbs 27:4).
When you go to Uni, you will leave your home, your ‘nest’, for the last 18 or so years and enter a different world with new spiritual dangers as well as opportunities.
Leaving home means losing much of the day-to-day practical accountability from family, whilst at the same time taking on much greater independence. Having the spiritual guidance, encouragement and care of wise church elders within a new church family is therefore vitally important during this time of transition which can test as well as strengthen your faith as you learn to live for God on your own.
What should I look for in a church?
It’s important to find a church which will help your faith to grow – one which prioritizes clear biblical teaching and can help you to mature as a Christian. Is the Bible taught faithfully? Does the worship help people focus on praising God? Or is it self-focussed or more like a concert? Is the church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality biblical? Do they seek to share the gospel clearly and would you feel confident inviting non-Christian friends to the services?
It’s worth doing your homework on finding a good church before you go to (or even apply for) university. Ask your minister, parents or other trusted Christians if they can make a recommendation. This may narrow down the search and allow you to settle into a good church more quickly. You could also join the Christian Union Facebook groups for Freshers, which often have useful information about local churches – some also run Getaways for Freshers before the start of term which can be a brilliant way of making a few Christian friends before starting Uni.
Pray that the Lord will help you to commit to a good bible-teaching church quickly and try to avoid wasting too much time “church-shopping” in your early weeks. Remember no church is perfect (or exactly the same as your home church!).
It’s really helpful to be part of the Christian Union, although CUs are not churches and cannot replace being part of a church. Rather CUs have special access and opportunities on campus that a local church would not have so easily, so do get involved so you can make the most of this unique opportunity to share the good news about Jesus with students who may have never heard it taught clearly before.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
