Finding a church home makes all the difference

One of the most common pieces of advice that you hear as a Christian college student is that you need to get plugged into a local church. While it may be a tired phrase, it’s relevant and it’s intentional.

Finding a church home while you’re in college is important. One survey found that 70 percent of young adults drop out of the church. 80 percent of those who drop out said they did so unintentionally.

I did not find my church home until my junior year of college. My freshmen and sophomore year, I was a floater. I church-hopped every Sunday and Wednesday, and I couldn’t force myself to find a place where I could feel I could grow spiritually and be involved.

For two years I blamed the local churches for my feeling of being an outsider. Every campus minister that I met, every student who helped lead the college ministry, every person who introduced themselves to me and constantly invited me to come back, they were all doing their part. They were all playing their role. They were doing all they could do, but I never gave anything back.

Finding a church home is an important aspect of your college life, but it’s also an investment you must be willing to make. Finding a church home where you feel like you belong involves opening up, reaching out and becoming vulnerable with those around you.

In Edmond alone, there are more than 100 churches of all denominations. There’s a church home for you out there. There’s a place where you belong. There’s a group of believers who are ready to meet you, embrace you and grow with you.

You won’t find your church home by tagging along with your friends every week. That might get your toes in the water, but unless you feel comfortable with an entire congregation – more than just the college ministry group – then you’ll never feel at home.

Don’t become a statistic, be involved in a local church. Find your home. You would be surprised at the opportunities and connections that come through finding a place where you belong.

Jake Whiteley is a senior at Oklahoma Christian University and is opinions editor of The Talon.