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KEEPING
IN COLLEGE
It’s almost inevitable that everyone’s faith will be
challenged at some point, and that’s why it’s important
that teens start college with a firm foundation so their
spiritual transition is a smooth one.
BY JASMINE YORK
It’s not uncommon for teens to leave their
ternity and forging new lifetime friendships,
faith behind once they leave the nest to athe failed to satisfy his spiritual hunger, which
tend college. In fact, if they’re not prepared,
led to his spiritual decline.
they face real spiritual risk during the transiAfter a while, McGregor found ways to
tion. But Tommy McGregor, author of “Lost
regain the faith-based community that he
in Transition: Becoming
lost and has since helped many
Spiritually Prepared for
others to do the same with this
MORE THAN 50%
College” and the foundadvice:
OF THE NON-RELIGIOUS
er of TheTransMission,
MILLENNIAL GENERATION
shared a few tips to help
Own your faith.
HAS ABANDONED THEIR
teens keep the faith in
In most cases, a teen’s tenCHILDHOOD FAITH.
college.
dency to lose his or her faith
According to a Public Religion Research
McGregor was brought
in college is because they have
Institute and Georgetown’s Berkley Center
up in the typical Chrisnot yet gained ownership of
for Religion, Peace & World Affairs study.
tian environment. He
it. “They’ve never done things
grew up under the inon their own before and are
struction of active Christian parents; he
not sure who they are, so they search for
regularly attended church services, and was
identity in lots of places,” said McGregor.
surrounded by Christian mentors and ChrisThis is where parents can step in before
tian peers. However, “When I went off to coltheir teen moves away and prepare them
lege, I spent two years struggling in my faith,”
to live independently, not just physically
said McGregor. He attended a small Liberal
and financially, but spiritually as well. One
Arts College with “minimal campus minisway parents can help is to have their teen
try involvement.” While McGregor was able
evaluate why they believe or practice what
to satisfy his social hunger by joining a frathey do.
Rebuild a spiritual community. If teens
attend a college in another town, not only
will they leave the nest, but they’ll also leave
the four spiritual influences that helped to
shape their faith-based community: family,
friends, spiritual mentors and their religious
center. The community is a great way to
connect with like-minded individuals, grow
in one’s faith, and keep a sense of accountability. If a teen doesn’t rebuild a spiritual
community in their newfound home, they’ll
be more susceptible to straying away from
their faith altogether.
If “keeping the faith” is important,
then take note of the faith-based
organizations and activities at the
colleges your teen is considering.
“Faulkner University encourages the development of personal faith. Our executives, faculty
and staff seek opportunities to mentor, encourage and serve our students in a variety of ways:
chapel, devotionals, study groups and community prayer.” - Scott Gleaves, Dean of the College
of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University
“Lost in Transition: Becoming Spiritually Prepared for College” is available at TheTransMission.org
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