Should College Students Be Encouraged to Join a Church?

There is discussion among our College Ministry Tribe about the value and need to encourage students to actually "join" a church.  Some years ago, as students left home churches to come to college, they were told to "move your membership to college".  Now, many churches encourage them not to do this as they feel it causes them to lose touch with their home church. So, why waste your breath talking about something they have been told not to do?  Plus, others would say students are so transient that it does not matter whether they "officially" join.

Many churches now do not continue the practice of people "walking the aisle" to join the church.  Rather, new people go through a membership class or some churches simply add someone's name to the role after they have attended so many times.

For those of us who serve in or work with churches who still function in a somewhat traditional manner, we still talk about and encourage joining.  We see it as a part of teaching students about being connected and serving as Christians...not just regular "visitors".

The church where I serve offers four ways that anyone can join.  They are by Profession of Faith, Statement (previous membership in a like church), Transfer of Letter, or Watchcare (for those who are already Believers).  Watchcare was designed for students.  It does not transfer their membership from a previous church, but indicates their commitment to and identifying with our church.  Interestingly, we have seen many students use this as an intermediate step and then actually joining a year or two later or following graduation.

But, a new development has made it more complicated and confusing to students.  Different ones now say, "I don't know for sure where my membership is.".  Multiple students have indicated their family moved different times, etc.  While others say, "We moved from a traditional church to a contemporary church and I'm not quite sure if we ever were officially members.". Another said, "I belonged to a church plant that went defunct.".

So, it is more complicated than it has ever been.  However, I still land on the side of talking about and encouraging students to "join" a church...not just attend.  As we become more and more of a "buffet society" where we pick and choose what we want and do not want,  commitment is an issue.  We see that more in those who attend our churches.  Encouraging joining is one way we can teach students about committing to and serving the Lord through a church...not just showing up and taking whatever is appealing off the buffet.

Do you talk about "joining"?  Or, what ways are you encouraging and teaching college students commitment to a body of Believers?