Are We Bribing College Students to Come to Church?

A friend who was not meaning to be critical asked me recently, "Are we bribing college students to come to church?".  The question came as a result of some special events we had recently which involved meals.  We also always have good coffee and snacks available in our University Center where our Sunday and Wednesday events occur.

I must admit this is a question that I wrestle with occasionally. As I lead a church college ministry that was large a few years ago and then declined significantly over a period of time, we are in an intentional re-building of our ministry.  We have hosted Sunday Lunches for university students and we have had Pancake and Bacon Night at our Wednesday collegiate event.

I am convinced that food will not cause a college student to go somewhere they do not want to go.  But, I do feel food is an important tool.  There are two things food helps us accomplish.

1. FOOD EVENTS GIVE OUR CORE STUDENTS AN EASY INVITATION FOR FRIENDS.
A few years back the Kentucky Baptist Campus Ministers did a survey of students in 5 states asking why they attended a campus religious event the first time.  The top three answers were:
3.  Free Food
2.  An appealing event
1.  Someone invited me.
Actually, those three answers can roll into one answer.  I want to make it easy for students to invite their friends.  I was sitting in the campus union with one of our students when a friend of his walked by.  My student said, "Hey, are you going to eat pancakes with me tomorrow night?".  He was referring to our Pancakes and Bacon night following our large group Bible study and worship event.  Students will invite, if it is something they think is appealing and gives them an easy invitation.

2.  FOOD AFTER AN EVENT HELPS STUDENT HANG OUT AND VISIT.
If students do not feel known and cared for, they will not return. We all are aware of how technology has in many ways caused students to not be able to relate as well face to face. They have a difficult time beginning new friendships.  Often students attend a Christian event and leave quickly when it is over to avoid awkward conversations.  Food gives everyone a reason for hanging out and getting to know those around them.  I actually believe that people are more open and transparent when eating.  If some sort of snack or food afterwards promotes hanging out and conversation, it has done well. God uses relationships.  Relationships are the currency through which God works.

Most students I deal with can get all the food they want on campus by simply sliding their card at no additional cost.  Free food is not a big draw.....BUT,  a friend saying, "Come go with me to...." has powerful appeal.  If you want your core students to invite their friends, have things that are easy for them to invite their friends to attend.

If your students are not inviting their friends, perhaps you need to think about your events.  Are we bribing...NO...but we are helping our students easily invite their friends.....AND it works.  AND, they get in the habit of inviting.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but ENCOURAGING one another.." Hebrews 10:24-25