This is based on a short talk that our own Professor Henry Fuelberg gave us last week after worship.
Pastor has been saying, The students are coming! The students are coming! He is like our very own Paul Revere—but without a horse, and not telling us at midnight. What’s the big deal? And why is Fuelberg talking to us about it? 
Sobering Fact–Many students who had been active in church in their home towns, fall away when they leave home. We don’t want to contribute to that happening here.
What should be our goal? Welcome them, show interest in them, make them feel at home here. Perhaps even sit among them.
But if you’re a non student, you might think….”I’m not used to talking with students —How might they respond to me? Here are some of the conversations we might fear:
- Student A: “You old codger, I don’t want to talk to you—go away and leave me alone.”
- Student B: “You are bald—-I don’t trust bald people.”
- Student C: “Hey dude…What do you think about the Funky Chicken Poop Band? Great Christian music.”
But will you actually have conversations like that? No. Students will reply positively—but will perhaps be a bit shy.
Maybe the problem isn’t fearing what the students might say, maybe you’re more afraid that you don’t know what to say to students. Here are some tips based on 41 yrs of being a professor—working with students 5 days/week
1) Remember–the freshman students who show up here at University Lutheran have taken a bold first step to get to know you by just walking in the door.
- They don’t know anyone here–they are used to hanging out with friends back home
- They are away from home for the first time–it is now up to them to make their life work–scary
- They are not used to face-to-face conversations–they spend their time on their cell phones
2) Who should make the first move–the non-students or the students?
I say this to the non-students: Frankly, it is up to us–not them–to break the ice. We are the more mature ones, and we should act that way. The students are OUR guests at worship. When you break ice, students will appreciate it, they will warm up.
3) Students actually are very interesting and even fun to talk to–they can perk up our spirits
They won’t bring up illness and medications, high blood pressure, diabetes, their cancers. pills, etc. Practically none of them have these problems, but they do have their own sets of problems. Most of the time we can empathize with their problems because we have had them as well. Most of the time we can also celebrate their joys.
4) Start the conversation with pleasant subjects that are easy to answer
- Ask where they are from?
- what is their major?
- what courses will they be taking this fall?
- what is their impression of the football team
Why make this special effort? We want to make a good impression. But you think–This is church-shouldn’t have to be salesmen.
They are here to try us out. If they don’t like what they see, they will go elsewhere (there are plenty of other campus religious groups) or quit church altogether. We may only have one chance to keep them coming here.
Let’s think down the road about 30 years. Someone aged 50 is asked about church participation. They reply, active Lutheran in high school, tried University Lutheran in college in 2018, people not friendly, just quit going there. Just fell out of the routine of church worship. Don’t go to church any more. We don’t want that to be anyone’s story.
Let’s get on the ball starting next week and stay on the ball about welcoming students.
This is University Lutheran Church AND STUDENT CENTER.