Christmas: College, Church, And A Changed Life

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and celebration with the Church. It is a time to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, and churches often hold special programs to remind their congregations of the significance of Jesus' arrival over two thousand years ago. For college students, in particular, Christmas can be a time of change and impact, as they navigate their faith away from home. Churches can play a crucial role in reaching and influencing college students during this time, by providing consistent leadership, integrating them into the wider church community, and offering mentorship opportunities. With creative programs and a focus on the true meaning of the season, Christmas can be a transformative time for individuals and congregations alike.

Consistent leadership

One of the two most common killers of college ministry is the continual turnover of leadership. If the church staff person assigned to collegiate ministry is continually changing or leaving, it has a huge negative impact. When your Bible study or Sunday School teachers are different every year, it is a ministry killer. Any time there is a change in leadership, students are lost in the transition. No one realizes some students from the year before are not there anymore. Relationships are the currency God uses most frequently. A rotating door in your college ministry leadership will never get your ministry to its fullest possibility.

Provide consistent ongoing leadership. Ensure that the church staff assigned to collegiate ministry remains the same, fostering stable relationships with students. This consistent leadership will help students feel valued and supported, knowing that they are not forgotten and that the church is committed to their spiritual growth. It will also enable the ministry to build upon its foundations year after year, rather than starting anew each time.

Make students part of the church as a whole. Involve college students in various aspects of church life, such as having them play in the worship band, lead in prayer, or usher. This will develop their sense of belonging and awareness of their role in the broader church community. It will also train and prepare them for future service and leadership roles within the church. By integrating them into the whole church, you can foster a long-term commitment to the church, even after they graduate.

Connect students to adult mentors in the church. Students can benefit from the wisdom and guidance of adult mentors who have navigated similar life paths. They can learn about healthy family dynamics, see how Christians conduct themselves in various professions, and gain valuable insights from their mentors' experiences. The church can facilitate these connections by hosting events or creating mentorship programs that pair students with adult members.

Student leaders

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and church. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and the significance of his arrival over two thousand years ago. As a student leader, there are several ways in which you can contribute to making this Christmas meaningful for your peers and the wider community. Here are some detailed suggestions:

Consistent Leadership and Mentorship

One of the greatest challenges faced by college ministries is the continual turnover of leadership. As a student leader, you can commit to providing consistent, ongoing leadership by being actively involved in your church's ministry. This could mean taking on more responsibility, such as leading Bible studies or mentoring younger students. By doing so, you will foster meaningful relationships and create a sense of stability within the ministry.

Student Involvement and Empowerment

Encourage your peers to be excited about their faith and to invite their friends to join in. Student leaders have a unique ability to reach and influence their peers in ways that others may not. Organise social events, Bible studies, or worship nights that cater specifically to college students. Empower your fellow students to use their gifts and talents within the church, whether it be through music, prayer, or other forms of service.

• Integration into the Wider Church Community
• Biblical Teaching and Discipleship

Ensure that your peers are grounded in the Word of God. Organise Bible studies or discipleship groups that focus on studying Scripture, rather than solely relying on Christian books. As a student leader, you can also set an example by prioritising your own personal Bible study and spiritual growth. Additionally, encourage students to seek out adult mentors within the church who can provide guidance and wisdom as they navigate their college years.

Outreach and Mission

Christmas is an excellent time to focus on outreach and giving back to the community. Student leaders can organise or participate in various outreach activities, such as bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, toy drives, food or coat drives, or even a social media challenge with a focus on serving others. By doing so, you will not only spread Christmas cheer but also embody the true spirit of the season by helping those in need.

Special Christmas Events

Work with your church leaders to organise special Christmas events that will create lasting memories for your fellow students. This could include a movie night, a cookie decorating party, a Secret Santa gift exchange, or a Christmas potluck dinner. These events will foster community, provide an opportunity for students to invite their friends, and create a sense of belonging within the church.

Remember, as a student leader, your enthusiasm, commitment, and creativity can make a significant impact on the lives of your peers. By following these suggestions, you can help create a Christmas that is not only fun but also meaningful and life-changing for those around you.

Student inclusion

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and church. It is a time when people come together to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. For college students, Christmas can be a time of change and new opportunities. Here are some ways that your church can include students and make them feel valued during the Christmas season:

Provide consistent ongoing leadership

The continual turnover of leadership can be a negative for any college ministry. By providing consistent leadership, you can ensure that students are not lost in the transition and that relationships are fostered.

Train and empower student leaders

Encourage students to take ownership of their faith and invite their friends to join. This will multiply the impact of your college ministry and reach students that you may not be able to reach yourself.

Include students in the whole church

While it may be tempting to segregate students into a separate ministry, this can actually be detrimental to their long-term commitment to the church. Instead, involve them in various aspects of the church, such as having them play in the worship band or lead prayers. This will develop their awareness of college ministry and train them for service in churches in the future.

Teach the Bible

Make sure that your college ministry studies the Bible, even if you are also offering other Christian books. The Bible is the foundation of our faith, and it is important for students to engage with it directly.

Connect students with adult mentors

College students can benefit from the wisdom and guidance of adult mentors in the church. This is especially true for those with poor family backgrounds or those who are entering new fields of study or work. Mentors can provide a sense of support and encouragement that will be invaluable to students during this time of transition.

Refer them to a local church

If your church has students who are away at college, consider referring them to a local church in their area. This can provide them with a sense of community and support while they are away from home. It can also be an opportunity for them to explore new spiritual activities and service projects.

Connect them electronically

Stay connected with your graduating students by creating a group text or social media page. This will help maintain a sense of spiritual identity and community even after they have left high school. It also provides a platform for students to support each other and share their joys and struggles.

Bible teaching

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and the Church. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and share the significance of Jesus' arrival over two thousand years ago. Here are some ways in which Christmas can change your life, with a focus on Bible teaching:

• Teach the Bible: While there are many great Christian books that college students can read, it is important to ensure that your college ministry studies the Bible. Make sure that your ministry is grounded in the Word of God and that students are equipped with a solid understanding of Scripture.
• Connect Scripture to Life: Christmas is a time to reflect on the true meaning of the season: the birth of Christ. Use this opportunity to teach about God's glory and human glory, and the connection between the power of God and the pride of mankind, as seen in the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David.
• Encourage Biblical Apologetics: Teach students how to defend their faith using Scripture. Equip them with a solid understanding of biblical apologetics so that they can confidently share their faith with others.
• Model Biblical Principles: Christmas is a time to reflect on the principles found in Scripture, such as healthy relationships, Christian ethics, and basic theology. Model these principles in your own life and encourage students to do the same.
• Apply Scripture to Current Events: Help students see how Scripture is relevant to their lives today. Encourage them to share how God is working in their lives and how their spiritual activities and service projects are impacting their decisions.
• Study Prophetic Fulfillment: Christmas is a great time to study the prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled by the birth of Christ. This can strengthen students' faith and help them see the reliability of Scripture.
• Explore the Gospel: Focus on the gospel message of hope and salvation found in Christ. Teach students how to share this message with others, especially during the Christmas season when many people are more open to spiritual conversations.

Adult mentors

College students who leave home enter a new world of opportunities and influences, and maintaining their connection with the church can be challenging. Here are some ways in which adult mentors can help:

Connect Students to Adult Mentors in the Church

Students want to learn from and enjoy the wisdom of those who have been there and done that. Students with poor family backgrounds want to see how healthy families work. Students going into business, medicine, teaching, etc. want to see how Christians do their professions. The number one thing a college ministry church has to offer that no campus-based ministry can provide is the abundance of adult mentors. One church has a monthly student lunch hosted by a different group of adults who eat with and visit with the students. This is a simple but profound idea.

Provide Consistent Ongoing Leadership

The continual turnover of leadership can have a huge negative impact on students. When Bible study or Sunday School teachers are different every year, students are lost in the transition. Relationships are the currency God uses most frequently. A rotating door in your college ministry leadership will never get your ministry to its fullest possibility.

Train and Empower Student Leaders

Give time, effort, and priority to developing students who will lead out in the ministry. It is the great multiplier of college ministry. Students can reach students that a college minister or volunteers can never reach.

Make Students Part of the Church as a Whole

Ask students to play in your worship band, or have them lead in prayer. They can usher. Involving college students in these ways will develop a greater awareness of college ministry in the church as a whole. It will train and develop students for service in churches in the years to come. Many youth leave church following high school graduation because they were only part of the youth group, not part of the whole church.

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