Recent studies, surveys and articles about the number of college freshmen, who had previously been active in church, dropping out in college have been alarming. Some say 9 out of 10. Others say it is more like like 7 out of 10 seniors active in church in high school make no spiritual connection in college. I personally subscribe to the 7 out of 10 number. Part of what makes it makes it difficult to get an active figure on is an accurate picture if a high school senior was "active" in church or if they really disappeared their 10th grade year. Many youth ministry experts say this is more accurate and that the number of seniors who walk across church stages on Senior Sunday is a false picture.
So, why do those who were active all through high school tend to disappear?
1. High school seniors feel they have graduated from church.
My church does a beautiful Senor Sunday with a slide show in the services, introduction of each speaker, one or more speaking, and even a special speaker just for those services. That is followed by a well done banquet type meal for seniors, parents, and grandparents, etc. Our experience is we never see many of those students again except for an occasional appearance with parents at a worship service. Most do not ever attend the University Sunday School groups.
2. College is busier.
I am convinced most who have been truly active do not go with the plan to drop church. College is more demanding with increased academic expectations and activities. We know that what a freshman does their first three weeks of college in relationships and activities pretty well determines their freshmen year and likely all of college. It is easy for them to assume church will just happen somewhere in there and it does not. A student has to be intentional about making a spiritual connection with a ministry like the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and or a church.
3. Parents Ok dropping out.
I always hate saying this because it is an unfair statement in many ways. Here is what I mean. Many parents who are active believers and very involved in their church dropped out while in college and came back to church. They assume their son or daughter will do the same and that is ok. Somehow, that message is communicated to the student. At the very least, a message of expecting continued spiritual involvement is not communicated. I encourage parents to talk to their students about spiritual involvement and connections. Parents talk about grades and scholarships and offer encouragement in those areas....why not spiritual questions and encouragement as well.
4. Moral Failure.
Most college students go to college looking for friends and fun. The first month of school is especially filled with all sorts of social activities and opportunities. Often in the search for friends and fun, they are exposed to things they never participated in before. It is not unusual for a student to be drunk for the first time or have a first time experience with alcohol or have some sort of compromising sexual experience. This "moral failure" on their part produces a sense of guilt that drives them away from their faith involvement. College Ministers must continually speak of forgiveness and new beginnings. Students must realize one compromising experience or period does not have to define them for all of college.
5. Bigger college churches.
It is just a fact that the majority of churches are smaller. The majority of college churches that reach out to students are larger. It is easy to feel lost or uncomfortable for those who have come out of smaller community churches. It is different. Most students are looking for a church "just like my home church". Many students go once or twice and then just fade away.
6. We don't have a good "Next Step System".
Many Youth Ministers feel their job is done when the student graduates. Some churches have a college and singles group. It is difficult for an eighteen year old student to go to a college and singles group. There must be intentional "next steps" in helping students transition to a different place in the church....different both emotionally and physically.
7. College students are exposed to a wide variety of ideas, questions, faiths, and doubt.
Obviously, one of the things that happens at college is students are exposed to friends and professors who believe a wide variety of things. They will possibly have professors who make fun of Christian faith. As students learn to think for themselves they will have legitimate questions. We must help students realize that doubt is normal and even healthy in developing a mature faith. But, doubts must be faced honestly and good answers sought. Some simply walk away with their question and doubts. Also, it is important to realize because a college teacher may be an "expert" in their field of teaching, what they are saying about faith is not necessarily authoritative
8. Feeling overwhelmed.
Freshmen often speak of being overwhelmed. It is not one thing...it is everything that is hitting them at once. Psychologists say one of the two greatest times of change in a person's life is high school graduation to Christmas. When students feel overwhelmed they tend to withdraw and isolate themselves just because their system is overloading. Where at all possible, I encourage freshmen to NOT work a job their first semester. I know the realities of money and college cost. It just is another factor in feeling overwhelmed.
9. Churches have separated youth from the church as a whole.
I believe a huge mistake we are making in attempting to do the best job of youth ministry of youth ministry and reach the most we are keeping them too separate from "big church". This adds to the feeling of graduating from church at high school graduation. They never were part of the church. They were members of the youth ministry. We must do youth events, youth camps, etc. But, we must help them be part of the church as a whole.
10. Church has a bad reputation.
Many in our culture today see church as more about politics and condemnation than about spirituality and life change. You can agree or disagree about this or the fairness of that view. But, we have to realize that perception is there and work with it.
Some of these are issues we must address in how we do church and youth ministry. Some of it goes to helping and encouraging parents in working with their pre-college and college sons and daughters. Part of it goes to understanding all that is happening the lives of college freshmen and doing all we can to connect people to them who get it. And, it means preparing seniors for what is to come. It also means we must fund and support college ministry better than we have in many situations.
Arliss Dickerson is the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson) and is a part time consultant in college ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources.
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