Tis the season of new beginnings, particularly for those stepping into University life. Eager-eyed, innocent freshers are wandering around campus wondering if they'll find a Church they can call home. Others may just be looking for a fresh start. What will they find? Do you feel a list coming on? Here's six ways you can welcome students to your church.
1. Start late
Everyone loves a generous, late start service. If you're pitching your service for a 9am start, then good luck. Make time for those who struggle with mornings (most normal people), or those who simply like to faff. At University I once attended a church that was so relaxed it began services at 12 noon. You might think that made it impossible to be late for, but you'd be wrong.
Ideally devise an entry to the church that doesn't force latecomers to be publicly paraded in a walk of shame. Students will likely be intimidated by the mass gathering of new people, so remember the value of a warm, personal welcome. Even if they sprint for the door at the service's close, don't let them go. Pin them down if necessary, and show them how much Jesus loves them. Thats what *real* community is about, right?
2. Offer free food
A no brainer of course, where there is free food, students will go. A student lunch is a great way to offer a free feast as well as get people talking. And what would church be without homemade baked goods? A lesser vessel, thats for sure. Many churches are upping their coffee game, switching from instant coffee to at least something involving a cafetière. Its probably a bit shallow and sad, but coffee quality could be a make or break for some. And why think small? If the Lord provides, buy an industrial espresso machine and show the students how relevant you are.
3. Show them family
Students will want to connect with other students, but they'll be missing out if they never get to know any other demographics. Church can be one of the few places where students find both elderly wisdom and the delightful joy of kids, so embrace that, and arrange events so that they actually get to know each other. As they grow up in the church, invite them into your homes and show them a life beyond beans on toast and their dubious student digs. Church is meant to be family, so show they're welcome and give them a proverbial hug.
4. Be cool, but don't try to be cool
"You do you," is generally the kind of terrible advice you expect to see on some millennial motivational T-shirt, but it might be worth considering for your church too. Whatever your style, embrace that, and don't waste time trying to be 'cool' or play the songs you think will get the young people in. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try and do things well and thoughtfully, but since students rave about 'authenticity' so much, they'll probably be able to see if you're faking it. Use your first few weeks of term to show them what your church is about. If they find a church thats new, unfamiliar, or just a bit 'out there', they might just love it. After all, who wants to be mainstream?
5. Get connected
Add them on Facebook! Follow them on Instagram! Snapchat them through the service! Okay, maybe not. But social media has fundamentally changed the way we interact, and church doesn't need to sell out to engage with that. If you can get a working, interactive page on Facebook, excellent, it'll be a great way for people to know whats happening. Email is probably the best way to keep in touch. Some people like a #hashtag so they can live-tweet the service, but maybe thats a bit #toofar.
6. Love them
Students can be notoriously late, hard to get hold of, and unreliable. I say that as a recent graduate. They're only human, but from time to time you may find them frustrating! Nevertheless, they're scared and alone and they need your help. Be patient with them, love them, and show them what family looks like.
