A recent study challenges the conventional wisdom that going off to college results in students leaving their faith. Researchers at The University of Texas found that those who never went to college had the highest rates of decline in church attendance (76.2 percent), diminished importance placed on religion (23.7 percent), and disaffiliation from religion (20.3 percent), while those who obtain a bachelor’s degree had the smallest drop in all three categories.
Specifically, 19% of Evangelical Protestant young adults report a decline of importance of religion, while 62% admit a decline in church attendance. It appears that students still see the value of their faith after college life, but American individualism has led them to under appreciate the importance of practicing their faith with others.
Did they measure participation in parachurch organizations, like InterVarsity? I mean, the "church" is where believers gather together around Christ, not the big Sunday meetings, per se.
Actually it phrased it “religious services” so I am assuming it would include parachurch things as well. I think the survey is meant to indicate what happens after college, not what happens during it – so I’m not sure how many are involved in InterVarsity, etc. after they leave campus.
While I agree that church is not Sunday morning meetings under a steeple, there is a difference between parachurch ministries and the church. One is useful, the other is essential. While different individuals founded different ministries, Jesus founded and established the church as His body on the earth. Believers should be actively involved in a local fellowship of Christians. Parachurch organizations are fine to add to the church, but they should never replace the church.
here is a difference between parachurch ministries and the church. One is useful, the other is essential.
Yes, but I would argue that parachurch ministries do a better job of being the church than many churches do, and I think the distinction is somewhat unnecessary. I think they accomplish the basics, i.e. discipleship, fellowship, worship, which is really more than most people get from their own church.
Of course, I also think that small group attendance is more important than Sunday attendance in the Christian life, and if people have to choose, I would recommend small group.
So what do you guys think of this?
Pope
I think I agree with Al Mohler and Martin Luther on this one.
Al Mohler:
And I also agree with Martin Luther
I do think parachurches do a good job at a lot of things and I'm not knocking them at all. But I think we do a disservice when we downplay the organization that Jesus founded and the one that Scriptures says He died to redeem unto Himself. Parachurch organizations should assist the church, not replace them.
I agree that small groups are important, but they are important within the framework of the church. Just because most churches do a bad job at it doesn't mean the church is still not worth saving. Jesus thought it was.
We should have both small group fellowship and discipleship along with corporate times of worship and teaching – both are needed and both Biblical.
As to the Pope, I thought about posting about it, but as seeker said everyone else basically conveyed my thoughts. It doesn't really affect me that much and it doesn't surprise me.
I think it's good for the Catholic church to have a strong conservative leader there. While I wish they would recognize what I believe are the doctrinal errors in their theology, I would rather them be full-on Catholics than wishy-washy non-committals with no real theology.
What I am trying to say is that parachurches ARE church, in most cases.
I would say from my experience, most college age people do leave behind church, and even their faith. Hard to think about what Christ did for you, and all the stuff that goes along with it when you are drunk or in math class or a lab. :-p
So I think that is fairly normal and to be expected.
I do think it is possible to stay a christian and go to church while away at college. Just that most people don't.
I am not following the conversation about parachurches. I guess I don't understand the term.
I have always been under the impression that when Jesus said "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am.." meant that a *crowd* doesn't constitute a church, but what *any amount* of people are doing and heading themselves under. :)
As far as the pope, I really don't pay much attention to him, honestly, not being a catholic.
My two cents: I don't think you need organized religion to have a relationship with "God" (I only put it in quotes because I don't want to confine the concept to the Christian definition). Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, are irrelevant.
I will soon be posting my two sermons on finding your calling, one of which addresses the issue of church membership and “organized religion.” I should post on it as well.