Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/81

Contributor - Roland Van Oostveen

Title - Students and the Church: Reciprocating Relationships

Topic - Youth

Do our local Reformed Churches view university and college students from other Reformed Church backgrounds as a meaningful potential to their church and in need of a special ministry? Do they recognize the hassles, beefs and hang-ups of these young people? Have they provided a place for them in their church? Do they know how to minister to this group? What should the relationship of the church be to this transient group? I believe these questions are not discussed enough or dealt with in churches that are in cities that have these institutions in them. I would like to approach the subject from the viewpoint of a student and then look at the response which could be made by the church.

The importance of belonging to or participating in a local church is often not stressed enough to the youth in the church today. The young people who go outside of their parent's sphere of influence to a post-secondary institution should approach the local church near their school and expect to find Christian fellowship and support there. Fellowship and support plus Biblical teaching are needed by every Christian who wants to mature in his faith. It is essential that the student is able to find these in the local church.

The teachings of the church are directly confronted in the classrooms of today's universities and colleges. Evolutionary thinking has permeated not only the text books used, but has overflowed into the everyday philosophies of the average unchurched student. Everywhere, the idea that man should grab all he can for himself and at the same time ensure that his genes are passed on to succeeding generation, is all pervading. These are the facts that students face very day. The student needs a secure basis of thought and teaching from which he may ascertain the extent to which the philosophies taught are relevant and applicable to his life, it at all. This is where the local church can step in.

The local church has a responsibility to these young people which has, I feel, been lacking in our churches. There should be an atmosphere of welcome and acceptance of the youth in the churches. Too often strangers to our churches are turned off by the coldness shown to them by the members of the church who make little effort to welcome to talk to them.

Here are some suggestions which might be followed by members of the local church to include the students into the activities of the church:

- invite the youth over for coffee, even if you feel a generation older than them; - invite them for dinner (they may need a good homemade meal);

- inquire as to how the students are making out - be interested - try! - offer rides to those with no transportation;

- get the young people involved in teaching Sunday School or catechism, assisting in a service with music, etc.;

- try any other method of showing encouragement and interest in their Christian walk!

The young people on a university campus give a church a splendid opportunity for unique outreach to the university community. This is one area which could be expanded into by our churches. Any efforts by the youth in their ministry on the campus should be encouraged and aided as much as possible.

In my four years as a student at the University of Guelph, I truly appreciated the times when I was invited to coffee and dinner by the members of the Guelph Reformed Church. I was also glad that I was able to attend the services and have an opportunity to share with the congregation. I hope that other students will be sustained by their local churches and that the relationship will be reciprocatory in that the students can aid the church with their talents and that the church can help the students in their Christian walk.

Note: Roland Van Oostveen has recently graduated from the University of Guelph where he has been actively involved in I.V.C.F. and in outreach to other students. He has remained very involved in the Reformed Church by serving as Vice-President of the Ontario Youth Executive and in work with the local church. We wish him well as he journeys to Victoria, B.C. and know that he will be a valuable asset to the people out there. We will miss you, Roland.

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