Does Attending Christian College Help or Harm Your Faith?

Many people choose to attend a Christian college in order to bolster their faith.  But is that always the result?  In this episode we consider the ways Christian colleges can support your faith, and the ways they might actually do the opposite. In this episode, we discuss the intersection of faith and higher education, and give examples of how Christian colleges can support a student’s faith, while considering some of the negative influences as well.  We also focus on what’s often lacking: church involvement for students at Christian universities and colleges. While Christian colleges are designed to nurture spiritual growth, many students find themselves less engaged with local churches during their time on campus. The convenience and all-encompassing spiritual environment of campus ministries, chapel services, and faith-based programming can often fulfill students' spiritual needs, often eclipsing any reason to become part of a traditional church community.  We reflect on the broader impact these institutions may have on their surrounding faith communities and explore the challenges faced by students who attend these institutions both during school and after graduation.

Discussion Questions:

1.   Do you agree with the reasoning provided by Christian colleges and universities for students pursuing their education with them?

2.   Can you identify the positives of attending a Christian college or university versus the positives of attending a public institution? What might be some of the negatives of both?

3.   How do you think the integration of faith and academics enhances or limits the learning experience at a Christian university or college?

4.   What are some challenges of being in a religiously uniform environment, especially if your personal beliefs or practices differ from the majority?

5.   Do you think that Christian universities and colleges sometimes prioritize faith over academic rigor, and how does that affect the overall educational experience?

6.   Could the emphasis on spiritual growth within the university or college setting create a sense of fulfillment that makes the experience of a traditional church seem less necessary to students?

7.   How can Christian universities balance fostering spiritual growth on campus with encouraging students to become active participants in local churches, both during and after their college years?

8.   What are your thoughts on the harm that these universities and colleges might contribute to local churches?

9.   Consider those who did not choose to attend one of these institutions. What challenges might they face and what might this do to their faith? 

10.  How might attending a Chrisitan college or university limit exposure to diverse worldviews, and how is this a disadvantage when preparing for the complexities of the outside world after college?

11.  What are your thoughts on the reasoning behind why parents want to send their children to these institutions and the effect it might have on their child’s faith? Why is the potential for harm so high?

12.  How should Christian universities balance academic freedom with the responsibility to nurture students’ spiritual growth, particularly when professors may introduce ideas that challenge students’ religious convictions?

13.  How can Christian universities foster an environment where academic inquiry and faith development can coexist without one undermining the other, particularly when students face conflicting perspectives in the classroom?

14.  How do we take responsibility for our faith’s perseverance inside and outside of these institutions?