As a student at Oklahoma Christian University who is not a member of the Church of Christ, I have noticed many things that are different at this school than what I am used to at my home congregation. At my church back home we do worship with instruments and for those who personally know me, we do clap.
One thing I have noticed at Oklahoma Christian, and appreciate, is the different chapel opportunities for certain groups of people, or people with certain interests. There is the Black Student Union chapel on Mondays, Women’s chapel and Ready to Speak chapel on Tuesdays, Mission’s chapel on Wednesdays, Seeker’s chapel on Thursdays, Spanish chapel on Fridays, and many others that focus on various interests.
Even with all of these chapel options, one thing has struck me as odd; there is no chapel for students who are not members of the Church of Christ.
I know some people might be outraged by this idea of denominational recognition on this campus and tell me that I knew what I was coming to when I applied to a Church of Christ-affiliated school. Other students might be indifferent to this idea, not caring if another chapel section was added or not.
“Another denominational chapel would be awesome to have, but I think the university should remain a Christian institution,” freshman Mary Simpson said. “…[Oklahoma Christian] should become more other-denominationally friendly.”
Because this university has amazing programs like engineering, nursing and science, more students who are not affiliated with the Church of Christ flock to Oklahoma Christian in hopes of being the best in their field when they graduate. Even with all of this said, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Oklahoma Christian is very big on club unity and efforts to unify the campus, however, you do not see that unity within denominations around campus because there is such a strong emphasis on the Church of Christ. I think the first step in denominational unification around campus is to have a separate chapel once a week for students who do not attend a Church of Christ church.
Rachael McGowan is a sophomore at Oklahoma Christian University.
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