A recent Barna study reveals the disturbing fact that most Christians remain quite unsure of the goal and process of growing in Christ. When asked to articulate their idea of spiritual maturity, 80 percent said they believe it mostly entails “keeping the rules.” Although most want to move forward in their journey with Christ, the majority do not know what their church or pastor expect from them or how to go about that growth.
The report is less than encouraging and certainly begs the question of campus ministers, as well. What do we want to see happen in the lives of students during their years connected with our ministries? Do we have a clear idea of what spiritual maturity looks like in the life of a college student? Do they know?
Most of us have mission statements about transforming the lives of students, but I wonder if we are doing better than the average church when it comes to helping students move forward in maturity during these formational years. Given the lack of direction in the average pew, it certainly warrants some time and thought.
Toward a Christian Worldview
A key mark of maturing in the faith during the college years is moving from a set of rules to a worldview reflecting faith in Jesus Christ. Worldview thinking involves helping students define their faith not just in terms of what they do not do, but in terms of the things that matter to God: grace, truth, justice, love. It means connecting one’s story with God’s story.
Purity matters; so does humility, grace and concern for the poor. Christian maturity begins to embrace a way of thinking in which all things matter and belong to the King. Loving God requires much more than keeping the rules. It involves love of neighbor and surrender of self. It involves seeing people as God sees them and longing for redemption to be worked into every aspect of life.
Ownership of Their Faith
For many students, college can be a time of considerable disequilibrium. Beliefs are challenged; new ideas encountered; and boundaries tested. Developmentally, these emerging adults are moving through a lot of transitions. During this process, students often struggle with their inherited beliefs. As one minister put it to me, many will lay down their parents’ religion in order to take up their own faith. This can be a messy process. Some will push hard against not only rules and behaviors but also against whether the love and grace of God can be trusted.
As ministers, we can come alongside this struggle and help them ask the tough questions, seek answers and gain confidence in the God of grace and truth revealed in Scripture. As they struggle, they will begin to embrace a faith that is truly their own.
Faith Matters in Real Life
While following Christ is much more than rules and behaviors, actions that flow from faith matter to God. We need to help students integrate faith into their lives in matters of moral purity. Their bedrooms, Internet habits, Friday night plans and academic integrity all matter to God. Faith must affect these decisions, too.
Loving God simultaneously impacts one’s major, choice of career, dating relationships and life at home with parents. So does the world outside the bubble of college, including concerns for creation, the poor and for justice. These, too, are part of loving and following Christ. Our job is to help young believers move toward maturity by connecting these dots with the God of grace revealed in Scripture.
