Looking ahead to @theFIEC webinar on students & church later...

1. The UK church and society has been distorted by sociological decisions 25 years ago to encourage half our young people to go to University. Not sure history will evaluate that positively.

2. Student cities tend to have large, vibrant, young churches. Not because we're doing anything the church isn't doing elsewhere, but because of (1.), we stand on the shoulders of those unimposing spiritual giants in small towns across the country.

3. Student ministry is a partnership between sending and receiving churches, and between those receiving churches who work together to be the University Christian Unions. It's like sending missionaries... some are prepared as thoroughly, some not!

4. Some of the Jack's and Chloe's who come to Uni are really well prepared. We've wondered if students will stay with home church - but a dozen have already been in touch directly/via the CU, and many of them already committing.

5. It's worth a student committing to a local church at Uni - because (a) we're the church students can bring their friend to, and (b) because when the heat is on we know they'll phone home, but we are actually here to help.

6. When I went to Uni 23 years ago it was going into the unknown, with virtually no information available. Now? You couldn't have more advance information! We help our Jack's and Chloe's think about church, and evidently many others do that too.

7. Previously we built our September/October church life around being hospitable, feeding newcomers (not just students) twice on most Sundays. It's a bit more complex this year but our heart hasn't changed.

8. Again, we 'University city' churches are just like the countless faithful churches in towns across the country. Ordinary people following Jesus. We're big and well resourced because of (1.) but that needs to be rooted in a wide network of learning, relationship and prayer.

That's kinda what I think I'll be sharing later, but you weren't coming to listen to me. Come to hear from @peterdray, Jon and Naomi as they share their wisdom.
It's an FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar, but its really not just for FIEC churches. https://fiec.org.uk/events/leadership-in-lockdown