In religion, no need to be alone
'Church' not just club, provides strong spiritual backbone for students
By: Paul Bowers - Pleading the First
Posted: 10/27/08
So you're a Christian. So you're in college.
Where is your church?
According to a 2006 UCLA study, only 54 percent of college students nationwide who as freshmen called themselves "born again" described themselves the same way four years later. Call it a mere change of terminology if you want, but we've all seen it happen: people abandon their faith during college.
Regardless of the words you use to identify your doctrine, you no doubt felt the first pressures early in your freshman year. With distractions every weekend and an academic atmosphere that often regards your faith as folly, it's no wonder that so many students take the route of Peter and deny knowing Jesus.
What, you may ask, does a church have to do with this? Isn't faith a personal matter?
Yes, but flying solo is not a wise choice. I know. I've spent a lot of time seeking God on my own terms, neglecting to labor alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ.
What I've learned is that rugged individualism is not a Biblical concept - it's just American. You may have your theology cornered, but it takes a church to help you live it out.
A church is more than a club and more than a social gathering. In fact, if we are to believe the book of Acts, the Church as a whole is a movement of breathtaking scope.
It's a powerful thing when people worship God together. Christ has promised us he'll be there when we gather in his name (Matthew 18:20), and a church is just such a gathering.
In a church, I've found people far wiser than me, people who make the Scriptures come alive in sermons and in Bible studies. We learn from each other. College students especially should know the value of this.
In a church, I've found people who are willing to share their lives with me. And while I'm at times reticent to share my struggles, I've found people who will drag them out of me.
A church is a place where people hold each other accountable and build each other up. We hone each other's faith as iron sharpens iron, and then we engage the world around us.
A church is also a place where you learn how to serve. Just as Christ washed his disciples' dirt-caked feet, we as believers have the chance to humble ourselves before each other.
And just as importantly, there's an entire city out there that needs love. There are students far from home, children without role models and people without beds at night - and churches across Columbia are working to serve them all.
If you're a follower of Christ on this campus and you don't have a church to call your own, look around. Open doors are everywhere.
Peter's denial wasn't the end of his story, nor does it have to be the end of yours. We can always come to God again. The good news is that we never have to do it alone.