It is clear from history that Christian Unions have had a deep and lasting impact on the growth of the church in the United Kingdom. Many in positions of influence in church and society came to faith or had their first experiences in leadership as students. This influence literally extends to the ends of the earth as student and graduate ministry has been pioneered on every continent and many other CU graduates serve today in cross cultural mission.

“For many in my generation CU was critical in challenging us to mission, equipping us for mission and exposing us to mission. Through my time in CU I was given a solid bible base, a world vision and the tools for prayer, personal evangelism and discipleship. I have seen both as a student and since, students come to faith who have gone on to make a significant contribution to the life of the church at home and abroad. These are significant years.”
Colin Sinclair, Church of Scotland Minister, Chair of Spring Harvest Council, Chair of Scripture Union International

We believe that Christian Unions are vital as the church seeks to reach this generation of students with the gospel. UCCF: the Christian Unions is a missionary agency on campus. Christian Unions work best with the enthusiastic support of local churches who are pro active in encouraging students reaching students for Christ.

UCCF encourage local staff to build good relationships with church leaders and it is our hope that addressing some Frequently Asked Questions may encourage more of these local and national conversations as together we seek to make disciples in the student world.

What is a Christian Union?

A Christian Union is a mission team made up of students who are working together to evangelise their fellow students in their University or College. It is said that the CU is the only society on campus that exists for primarily non-members. These witnessing communities of students work in cooperation with local churches.

What is the relationship between church and CU?

UCCF: The Christian Unions promote involvement in a local church as the lifelong and primary place of Christian community, teaching, discipleship and pastoral care. Our vision is to see students united around the gospel providing an effective and powerful witness on campus. We promote involvement in a Christian Union as a short term (3 or 4 year) mission team to students. See also, ‘CUs and the local church’.

What are the aims of a CU?

Christian Unions are all about helping students in their witness to Christ. Living for Jesus and speaking for Jesus where he has put them.

How does CU work?

Any mission team needs time to prepare, train and pray together. This is normally done through the CU main meetings or the CU small/ cell group. This ‘team time’ is central to the evangelistic effectiveness of the group. It enables them to refocus on God, to grow in their understanding of the gospel and to apply scripture to student culture.

Diagram showing how CU “Team Time” resources mission

Why student led CUs? (Part 1)

We believe that the work place is the vital arena for reaching this generation for Christ. Students have a unique opportunity in their “work place”; they are living in close community with people whose ideas and characters are being formed. Students have access because they are part of this community. The chance to work together and learn from people from different church traditions and backgrounds is a fantastic opportunity. There is also huge benefit in students uniting to achieve maximum impact on campus and demonstrating gospel unity to their friends.

Christian Unions are uniquely placed to engage with apologetic issues from an academic perspective. This credible witness is key to connecting with many students through lunch bars, debates and guest lectures.

UCCF also provides specialist expertise to students and churches on applying faith to student life ; course, relationships, money,  and time and on helping Christian students with the tough transitions from school to university, and university to work.

We firmly believe that training students through Christian Unions for a life of mission and leadership with a strong commitment to local church is essential for the long term health of the local church.

Christian Unions bring new Christians into churches.

‘The 2005 Durham mission was Fab! About a dozen people trusted in Christ during the week, with a further 100 people attending a six week follow up course. It was fantastic to see students who were saved during the mission baptized into the local church – brilliant’
Student from Durham

Why Student led CUs? (Part 2)

Student Leadership has some pragmatic advantages. Student societies must be led by students. Student leaders have a right to be on campus and a place in the university or college community.

UCCF Christian Unions are committed to student leadership as a principle. It is our philosophy that training, trusting and supporting student leaders empowers students now and develops leaders for the future.

‘There are two main ways of running student work. One is to have it heavily supervised by outside parachurch leaders or organised piecemeal by the local churches. I have seen that in many places and it is pretty fragmented and ineffectual. Nor does it breed leaders among students who have become too dependent on their elders. The other way is to smash denominational barriers and have the students do it themselves, with some outside encouragement. This is the model adopted by UCCF. I believe it to be the better way. And UCCF does grow some mighty men and women who have gone through the fire of taking initiatives and making policy in their CUs.’
Revd Canon Dr Michael Green

We recognise that the way student leadership works has changed considerably over the 75 years of our history but believe that investing in generations of emerging leaders is a key part of our calling as a movement which continues to bear fruit.

What’s a Doctrinal Basis and why do you have
one?

The Doctrinal Basis forms the core convictions of our ministry. They are the truths that we love and celebrate, the foundation for all our ministry and the basis on which students, staff, volunteers, churches and supporters partner with us.

The Doctrinal Basis is not just a piece of paper it is our anchor to stop us from drifting, the very foundation we build on and the fuel for the furnace of our evangelism.

We firmly believe not only in the doctrinal basis but in the concept of a doctrinal basis. In a world that values lack of certainty and clarity we are defined by the biblical gospel. Christian Unions unite people from all backgrounds around the central truths of the gospel. We are boldly and unashamedly confessional in our approach to biblical truth. See also our article Why Do We Have A Doctrinal Basis?.

How UCCF: The Christian Unions can serve the Local
church:

• We can train students in mission and leadership.
• UCCF Staff  can give advice or input on your church student work.
• UCCF summer mission teams can serve your church by facilitating student mission abroad.
• We can provide student world prayer and news from around the UK and internationally.
• We can link up your young people going away to University or College with a local Christian Union.
• We publish a number of excellent resources that can serve the local church in a variety of ways:
  • PURE
  • www.bethinking.org

How the local church can help UCCF: The Christian
Unions:

• You can commission’ students to CU mission teams.
• Many CU leaders benefit from special support in prayer and pastoral care.
• We greatly appreciate prayer for CU’s students and staff and for internationals.
• Strong local financial support is enabling us to put more staff on the ground.
• You can tell us how we can do better and work with us to reach the hundreds of thousands of students in Great Britain who know little of Christ.

Email us at the UCCF office and let us know how we can better serve and partner with you.