The Most Important Priority When Choosing a College

There's lists all over the internet for parents and students alike on choosing colleges. It's a big step for most kids (and parents as well). Factors include accreditation, majors offered, location, facilities, class sizes, and (often the most important in our day and age) cost. While these factors are all important, none of these are the most important.

The most important is this: is there a strong church that coincides with my convictions within driving distance of this school?

I was very discouraged when I came to college about the way my fellow students were encouraged to "try out new things" when it came to their faith. They are encouraged to church hop, to "discover themselves," to "find out what they believe." While I understand that students should be able to visit a few churches and settle them, the real result of such an attitude is that many of my classmates either didn't commit to a church before sophomore year or are still church hopping.

I take issue with this for a number of reasons. One, by the time an individual is eighteen, if they have been raised in a godly Christian home, they should already be grounded in their faith, not still trying to "find out what they believe." Two, how we are being fed spiritually is much more important than how we are being fed academically. While academics are very important, the church is even more important. The church will be (hopefully) a student's source of support. It will give them a place where they can be encouraged by people of different ages and backgrounds. And most of all, it will help them in their spiritual walk in this transition in life.

While Bible studies and student support groups on campus may be helpful, they will never and can never replace the fellowship of the saints in the body of the church. If you're a parent of a future college student, I encourage you to help them find possible church homes around their schools of interest. If you're a future college student, when you look up schools, also see if there is a church you may be interested in joining in proximity to the campuses. If you're a current college student, it's time to commit and see not only how a congregation can fill your needs, but how you can contribute to them as a member of the body.