People start their journey to finding a church in different places. Some find a church because they are looking for friends or a friend takes them along. Some are seeking answers to their questions. Others still have found churches that could help them grow in specific areas of struggle.
Rosie said: “At one time in my life I was wrestling with doubt. I wanted space to figure it out without any pressure. I chose a church where I could hide at the back and no one would know who I was.”
Everyone will have a different starting place for finding a church but then discover, like Rosie did, that church can be a place where you can be known and loved.
The local church is the place where you can find lifelong community and growth in your walk with Jesus.
Let’s be real: university life means independence and freedom, but it also brings a lot of new experiences, pressures and challenges that are impossible to face alone. The friendship and guidance found in a safe church community can make all the difference. Personal spiritual growth is a community project.
It might be that the Christian Union at your university is running a ‘Church Search’ event to help people find a church. They’re a great way to make friends with others in the same situation. They might also have a website you can look at! One of the best ways is simply meeting people at CU, asking which church they’re a part of, and seeing if you can go with them. Some churches might have welcome events put on and others might invite you for lunch. Make the most of these chances to meet people.
You may never have been to church before, which makes this an exciting first step! Or you might be prepared with a list of things about a church that are essential to you and other things which are just preferences. Either way:
No local church is perfect (and neither are we). Be willing to appreciate things that are different to what you’re used to. Take the opportunity to learn.
It may not be wise to visit every church, so which few churches are you going to visit for the first few Sundays? While you are visiting, be considering which one you want to settle into.
Each week at a church is different. Churches can change. It’s impossible to know everything about a church on your first visit. But when you have a hunch about a church you’d like to join, visit them a few more times to get a more rounded view of what they are like as you begin to settle.
A friend I met at university in CU told me she asked three questions when she was looking for a church, which she called the 'Three Bs'. They don’t cover everything, but they’re a start. I still recommend this to students I work with:
It’s essential to know that a church believes the Bible, teaches it, and seeks to follow it. Be open to how churches might express that differently, but aim for somewhere that loves the truth of the Bible and aims to live it out.
Can you see yourself making friends, being cared for, and being a part of this community? Can you see yourself meeting people who you would not otherwise get a chance to speak to? Can you see yourself getting involved on a team helping with different parts of church life?
The reasons you answer yes or no to this might differ depending on who your friends are. Would they feel welcomed, awkward, or alienated? Would they hear enough about Jesus to understand more of the gospel?
As well as these three Bs look for a church that will care for your soul. Which means finding a church which will help you grow in faith, hope and love as you follow Jesus.
If you’ve been a part of a church before moving to university and can think of someone whose advice you appreciate, then maybe drop them a message and ask their opinion.
The Christian Union at your university can be a diverse group of people from different churches uniting to help each other introduce students to Jesus. That’s incredible!
We’ve got a whole paper on what makes CU different to a church. Among other reasons, in church you can find things in common with someone three times your age, you can help teach younger generations, you can get to know families who can feed you meals, you can get out of the student bubble and you can get involved with your church’s service to the community outside your university. The local church is the place you can call home which you don’t have to leave at graduation.
When you graduate, it’s a privilege to still support the CU from a distance but, whichever church you’re in it will be your primary place of ministry and discipleship. The habits you set now as part of a church will serve you for the rest of your life, no matter where you end up.
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