Why Students Belong

We asked students from five colleges and universities why they got involved and belonged to Lutheran Campus Ministry / Lutheran Student Movement on campus; they answered:

• Having a common bond as Christians and Lutherans and feeling comfortable here.
• People at LCM are honestly interested in me as a person, and I can share how my week is going.
• Knowing someone is paying attention to you and taking an active interest in your life.
• Free food--talking around the dinner table gives us an opportunity to get to know each other.
• Meeting people you can count on.
• Welcoming and friendly nature of the LCM / LSM group.
• People will hold you accountable in a positive way and pray for you.
• Having positive social activities that are not too overwhelming, including: weekly dinners and prayer, retreats, intramural sports, service opportunities, host families.
• Community is small enough to recognize and support individuals.
• Cool t-shirts and membership cards.
• Retreats help students feel connected.
• About 60% had had positive experiences in their church youth groups, while the others did not have youth group experience.

Student leaders felt the keys to inviting and including new students are:

• Having welcoming and inclusive leaders.
• Personally inviting students by email and calls, even nagging some.
• Tell students when you are meeting.
• Free food.
• Sincerely welcoming newcomers.
• Being sensitive to the needs and interests of new students.
• Encouraging participation without annoying students.
• Student involvement in decision-making about activities and group.
• Keeping cliques to a minimum.
• Having campus pastors on campus and not just attempting outreach from a congregation.
• Some students desire a church connection at college, especially if they didn't have it at home.

For more information please contact Paul Collinson-Streng, campus pastor for Lutheran Campus Ministries in Baltimore, at pcollinsonstreng@towson.edu.