Finding a Church Community in College and Beyond
By: Kyla Schnell
There are pros and cons to the thriving Christian communities at Hillsdale. Yes, they provide much-needed support to overworked college students and local people in need, but they also acclimate us to a world where there are endless Bible studies, worship nights, and church services to pick from. The rest of the world isn’t typically like that, and that adjustment is HARD. Here are some things I’ve learned, both from my own experience and the advice of spiritual mentors.
1. Identify Your Priorities
Instead of setting impossibly high expectations, figure out what you need from a church home. Do you want a strong community of young adults, or would you be fine with just a few? Do you find your main spiritual food from Bible studies, worship nights, or reverent Sunday services? What would stand out in a church’s mission statement? Identify a few priorities and use those as your Sunday service litmus test.
2. Be Brave
Nobody’s going to drag you to church but yourself. Put on a cute outfit, give yourself a pep talk, and go introduce yourself to some people or schedule a one-on-one with your priest or pastor. If they’re friendly then you’ve taken a step towards a church home, and, well, if they’re standoffish or hostile, then you don’t want to join that community anyway. It won’t hurt.
3. Don’t Limit Yourself To Friends Your Age
Friends shouldn’t be limited to just twenty-somethings because having older spiritual mentors can support your faith – and help you integrate into a new community – in unique ways. Don’t shun that women’s council or crafting circle; more than likely, those women will be thrilled to see a young person showing interest.
4. Support Your Faith First . . .
When I met with my priest for the first time to introduce myself, I talked about how I wanted to give back to my church through service. He didn’t discourage that attitude but emphasized that I should focus on finding spiritual support first. Remember we can’t pour from an empty cup.
5. . . But Give Back, Too
It can be easy to get tunnel vision about what I can get from my church. Don’t forget to consider how beautiful and rewarding it is to give back. Identify your strengths and find a ministry to utilize them, like the church choir or leading a youth group.
6. Take Initiative
Consider how you can help fill holes in your church community. If you wish something new was available, chances are other people do too. Find a women’s Bible study program to lead or a local charity to volunteer with, and talk to your pastor or priest about putting it in the weekly bulletin.
7. Give It Time
My priest advised me to wait at least six months before I evaluated whether his church was the right one for me. Integrating into a new community takes time and it can’t be rushed. There will be awkward conversations and events where you don’t meet anyone, and that’s okay.
8. Most Importantly, Trust God
Don’t forget to ask God to lead you to the community He wants you in. He has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11) and He will not abandon you in your time of need (Isaiah 41:10). Be faithful to God, and He will be faithful to you.
