Why It’s Important:
Practicing Community

One of Renegotiating Faith’s most prominent indicators of spiritual health was church attendance. Students in Christian higher education connected more readily with church communities, while students who made other postsecondary plans were more likely to be drawn away from the Church.

Where emerging adulthood can erode connections to godly community, it’s essential that we make it easy for our students to get—and stay—connected to the Church. Active encouragement towards the Church is a vital part of our community life.

By calling students to participate in biblical community, both through church attendance and daily life on campus, we invite them to identify roles in the Church and live them out together. As our students do this, they gain the experience they need to become community builders themselves.

Ethan’s story is also a reminder of the value the Church instills in its emerging adults and the difference this can make.

On average, students in Christian higher education were more likely to be encouraged in their gifts and talents than other young adults. Their connections to the Church and to Christian mentors meant that they received frequent, godly affirmation—and it showed. As Ethan’s story displays, this encouragement can play a major role in helping young adults understand their calling, gifts, and place in the Church.

Receiving encouragement led Ethan to study in a community of Christian peers, and then return to that same community to continue growing. His life priorities have been shaped by these experiences: Ethan has developed a passion for following Christ and encouraging those around him to do the same.

Students like Ethan are church builders. At Briercrest, he found a place to grow, to have conversations about what matters to him, and to build up the community around him. Not only has Ethan solidified his connections to the Church and his faith, he’s also grown as a leader. Ethan will be able to contribute meaningfully to future Christian communities wherever he goes next.