College Students: Get Involved in a Local Church

I am thankful that there are several solid, evangelical campus ministries at FSU. They have a love for Christ and his Word, and this comes out in all sorts of ways. They proclaim the truth of God's Word for right belief and practice even when it goes against the cultural winds. They evangelize without gimmicks. They use their strategic position on campus to do spiritual good.  The other thing a good campus ministry does is point college students to the local church.

The local church is the priority for every believer. Here are three reasons this is the case (I quote these from an article at Radical.net entitled "College Students: Don't Take the Frisbee. Feast at the Church's Table").

1. Jesus chose the church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus tells Peter, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus loves the church, his people, in a very special way; for proof, look no further than the cross (Eph 5:25). There are some great campus ministries out there that God is using in mighty ways. But he uniquely promised to build and sustain his church. There will come a day when Christian clubs are no more. But the church will never fail. Why would you not commit yourself to the thing that Jesus himself instituted and promised would endure?
2. You need the church. College is a trying time in many regards. Temptations are abundant, time is scarce, and pressure is high. This is precisely why you need the grounding and accountability of regular corporate worship in a community of believers who are committed to loving each other. And while there are campus ministries that seem to fit this bill, there are some non-negotiables that make a local church distinct – communion, baptism, a pastor who is accountable to God for his flock, and the wisdom of multiple generations, just to name a few.
3. The church needs you. Though our individualistic culture would tell you otherwise, college isn’t just about doing what’s good for you. Think of the void that would exist in churches if everyone between the ages of 17 and 23 left. Local churches need the energy and zeal of the college crowd; your perspective is invaluable. Also – and this may sound obvious, but – you are in the best position to reach your campus with the gospel. This is the work of the church, and it happens best through its student members. Without you, the church would be incomplete, and its mission would be hindered.

A healthy campus ministry is a blessing to Christian students and the campus. If you can, be involved in one (I can help you evaluate if it is a healthy one). Don't hop from one to another seeking "what's in it for me." 

At the same time, realize that a campus ministry is not a replacement for full-out involvement in your local church (and a healthy campus ministry will tell you that). The first step in that is to commit formally to a local body of believers by becoming a member of that body. Then, get to know the older generation in your church, serve in the nursery, encourage a middle-schooler, let a family "adopt" you while you are away from your natural family.