Leaving the UCCF office in Oxford over the past few weeks has become an occupational hazard.
‘Trashings’ are in full swing and if you’re not careful you can get caught in the crossfire of silly string, shaving foam and champagne. Finalists are celebrating finishing their last exam and their time at university.
Starting the rest of their lives
This summer, thousands of Christian students will graduate from university and start the rest of their lives. It is a time of great transition: new job, status, city and church await so many of them.
Many students leave university ready to take on the world and make their mark. Full of enthusiasm and expectation, they are excited at the possibilities of where God will take them next and how he will use them. However, the reality of life after university can be a shock and without the accountability structures enjoyed by so many students, graduation can be a time of vulnerability.
1. Get welcoming them!
It’s a big transition, but one we can all help with. As with anyone, the best thing we can do for graduating students is to welcome them into a loving church family where they are discipled and helped to know and love Jesus more from the Bible.
And here are a further six ways you and your church can look out for graduating students over the coming months.
2. Get them serving
Whether they’re new to your church or attended as a student it’s great to get graduates serving, so clearly advertise opportunities to do this. You’ll enable them to make the most of their gifts and will help them to feel that they are part of the church family more quickly. With all their recent experience they are well placed to be involved in student work – perhaps supporting their old Christian Union – however don’t limit them to that; try to involve them in all areas of church life.
3. Get them in a small group
Many graduates are excited about the possibility of being part of a wider church family, enjoying fellowship with people of all ages and stages. Make it clear and easy for them to join these existing communities so they can start to make friends outside of student circles. ‘It can be a lonely time when most of your student friends are suddenly far away’, says recent graduate Alicia. ‘The most helpful thing for me transitioning from “student” to “normal person” at church was being encouraged to join a small group.’
4. Get praying for them
If you have students in your church, the chances are a few will be leaving you this summer. Commit to staying in touch with one or two you have got to know personally, and support them through the transition into their new church. Why not also get them up front in a service to tell the whole church family what they’re up to next and how you can pray for them.
5. Get to know them
It takes time adjusting to life outside a university context and settling into new places and routines. Individually getting to know each new graduate who arrives at our church will help us to understand the unique challenges and opportunities they’re facing, and will help them to feel cared for. Invite someone into your home to chat and pray about how they’re finding life after university.
6. Get them prepared
Whether you run a training day for all your graduating students or simply have a chat with a graduate you know at the end of a service, share your experience and wisdom. From how to live for Christ in the workplace, to what to do with all the money they now earn, to managing unemployment, you can help graduates think through the big issues from a biblical perspective. ‘Transition’, UCCF’s resource for graduating students, has been put together to give students a head start as they face the different changes, challenges and opportunities that graduation brings. Encourage graduates you know to get their copy from uccf.org.uk/final-year.
7. Get learning from them
I am constantly challenged by the boldness of students in evangelism and their wholehearted desire to live for Christ. There’s plenty we can learn from students, from creative ideas for evangelistic events, to the big issues being discussed on campus. Listen to their experiences, consider whether there’s anything we can learn from thems and be encouraged by their enthusiasm.
