Preparing Students to Face the Pressure to Drink on Campus
Research and observation continue to point to the fact that binge-drinking on today’s college campuses is increasingly expected and out-of-control. The expectation and temptation is strong for all students, including those who arrive on campus with a long-nurtured faith in Christ. Pastor/blogger Kevin DeYoung has written a list of timely and helpful suggestions for students, helping them to prepare to face this pressure as they arrive on campus.
From the article:
“With most major college getting whipped into a full frenzy, I thought it would be worthwhile to dust off a few thoughts about binge drinking on our nation’s campuses. Most students won’t have to look hard for opportunities to drink over the next days and weeks (and months and semesters). They may have to go somewhere off campus to party, but the party scene comes recruiting right to them. Some students arrive at college looking to make their Party U dreams come true. Others just find themselves all alone and eager to fit in and make friends. The sad reality is that choices made in the first weeks (or even days) of college can set a trajectory that’s hard to break.
Which means churches and Christian groups must bend over backward to meet, greet, invite, and include. It also means churches must be ready to winsomely and courageously confront the university lifestyle when it is inconsistent with Christian commitment. Many professing Christians will live duplicitous lives–getting smashed on the weekends while still trying to be the good Christian boy or girl their parents and ministry friends imagine them to be. The problem is huge and anyone wishing to minister to college students needs to think about a biblical approach.”
Read the rest of the article here.
