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By John Longhurst
Thousands of Canadian Christian youth graduated from high school this year. Many
of them are going on to further studies. I wonder: How many of them were
encouraged to attend a Christian school?
Surveys at Canadian Mennonite University routinely show that friends, family and
church have the greatest influence when it comes to choosing a college. I understand the key role played by parents. And who wouldn’t want to study at the same school as friends? But what role can the church
play?
Church & college
Church members played a very important role in my case. After high school,
Christian colleges were not on my radar. But then some adults at my church
asked me: “Have you considered going to Bible college?”
Actually, no, I hadn’t. It wasn’t until people I admired mentioned it that the thought entered my mind. As a
result, I gave Mennonite Brethren Bible College a try. It was the best decision
I ever made. Not only did it give me an excellent education, it set me on my
life’s course – providing me with a strong and abiding faith.
Does that sort of thing happen today? I hope so. I try to suggest it to youth at
my church. Not one has ever said it’s none of my business. They may not be headed for a Christian school; but they
don’t seem to mind if someone takes an interest in their decision.
Formative years
And it is a big decision. In The Fabric of Faithfulness, Steven Garber notes that the college years are extremely formative.
Decisions are made, he writes, “that are determinative for the rest of life. [These years] are a time for the
settling of one’s convictions about meaning and morality . . . One then settles into life with those convictions as the shaping
presuppositions and principles of one’s entire life.”
Decisions young people make about where to study are important for the future of
the church. I’m worried that the church won’t be respected if its members aren’t able to thoughtfully, biblically and Christianly participate in the great
issues of our time.
And where will the members of tomorrow’s church learn to engage their world as Christians? At Christian universities
and colleges.
It’s there they can discover what it means to follow Christ as a lawyer, doctor,
teacher, scientist, business person or engineer. It’s where they will learn how Christians should deal with thorny ethical and moral
issues, or how Jesus would have them respond to a world filled with war,
violence, hunger, sickness and pain.
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Even just a year spent learning in a Christian environment can help prepare them
for future studies, and to know how to give good reasons for their faith.
Empty pulpits?
Then there’s the issue of empty pulpits. Over the next 10 to 15 years, thousands of
Canadian pastors are set to retire. Where will their replacements come from?
Pastors don’t drop magically out of the air and into pulpits; they have to be prepared for
ministry. A Christian college or university is an important first step.
Are you concerned about the future of the church? If yes, there are at least three things you can do.
* You can encourage youth to consider studies at Christian colleges and
universities.
* You can encourage your church to help pay the tuition of students who choose
Christian schools.
* You can give to Christian schools. They will appreciate your help during these
trying economic times.
Do you care about the future of the church? If the answer is yes, what better
way to show it than by encouraging young people to study at a Christian college
or university?
John Longhurst directs sales and marketing for Mennonite Publishing Network
(mpn.net).
August 2009
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