When I was a college student in Holland, Mich., there were about 35 congregations affiliated with the Reformed Church but there was only one Presbyterian church and it was so small that it met in a house (it now has more than 500 members.) At that time it was actively interested in students and reached out with energy and concern, offering us Sunday morning rides and inviting us into homes on a regular basis.
How does your church minister to college and university students?
If your congregation is in a college town the task may be simplified. Reach out like the church in Michigan did. Set up fellowship groups and classes specifically for students. Assign a committee or staff member exclusively to student ministry. Put up posters on campus inviting them to worship with you.Work with the administration or the chaplain to establish or support Christian programs on campus, if that is permissible. Invite students who are homesick to come and visit you and have a home-cooked meal.
If your church is not located in a university setting the chances are that a viable ministry is still open to you. College students in your own congregation might like to know that you are thinking of them throughout the academic year and keeping them in your prayers. Why not send them a care package that contains homemade cookies or other goodies, a gift card to a fast food restaurant, or credit at the campus bookstore? Invite them to take part in services when they come home, have a special party for them during Christmas break, ask the pastor if she or he would take them out for pizza and see how they are doing. Assign an elder or a deacon to email each of your students at least once a month to let them know that the church is interested in what is happening. And don’t forget to stay in touch with their parents too and keep in mind how much it is costing them and what it is like to have your children away from home. A little understanding (or sympathy in regard to the tuition) is always appreciated.
Even churches that do not have students as members can still be involved in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ministry of higher education. Prayers for students, professors, and administrators in colleges and universities near you can have a powerful effect. Or why not take out the 2007-2008 Presbyterian Planning Calendar (p. 66) and pray by name for a different Presbyterian educational institution, secondary school, or theological seminary each Sunday? Find out about campuses that have Presbyterian chaplains and pray for them or write to them to express your support (see the on-line campus ministry locator at https://www.pcusa.org/collegiate/campusministrylocator.htm) or contact your presbytery to see which college and university programs it supports. The Presbyterian College Chaplains Association and the Presbyterian Association of Collegiate and Higher Education Ministries (www.pachem.org/whoispachem.html ) provide additional information. Support Presbyterian seminaries by taking up the annual Theological Fund Offering.
We know how formative the period of higher education is in the lives of our young people and how difficult it can be at times to reach them. We know how much the church needs their bold questions, their innovative ideas, and their creative suggestions, not only now, but most certainly in the years to come. It is important for them to know that they are not forgotten and that keeping in touch with them is a top priority in the church’s ministry.
EARL S. JOHNSON JR. is pastor of First Church in Johnstown, N.Y. and adjunct professor of religious studies at Siena College.
