Monthly column on student work

You're in church. You get chatting to a student who has just finished their first term studying Theology. You ask if they are struggling being an evangelical in that environment and they say, 'Not really'. You know the position of some in the department at their university, so you ask the question again, 'Surely, you must be finding it tough?'. They casually reply, 'No'.

Discovering this to be the typical response of most Theology and RS students in the UK, has been one of the biggest surprises for Daniel Strange and David Gibson, who co-ordinate UCCF's work among this group. 'We both started the job expecting to work with students wanting help with loads of theological issues', explains David. 'But the reality is that we have great resources, but few students are interested.'

The goals and structure of UCCF's Religious and Theological Studies Fellowship (RTSF) has therefore had to be overhauled. 'I am constantly meeting evangelical students who aren't that bothered about (or interested in) their subjects', says Daniel. 'They play the game of the academy, never question anything, but are very involved in other activities, including CU.' Daniel and David now see their primary aim as encouraging students of Theology and RS to be interested in their subject, to see the issues and engage with them.

Different levels

In practice, RTSF operates on a number of different levels. At the heart of the work are the RTSF groups. In 25 institutions across the country, small groups of RS and theology students meet together for fellowship, prayer and teaching from evangelical lecturers. They are designed to challenge, resource and equip the students to stand for the gospel in the dark world of their academic departments. Simon Gathercole, now New Testament lecturer at Aberdeen University said: 'I can still remember how RTSF helped me to clarify lots of theological issues from an evangelical position. A number of the issues we used to discuss as students are still important issues for me, because they are perennial things which any Christian has to get sorted out, like the authority of Scripture and the Christian view of the Old Testament.'

Leadership training

Daniel's vision for RTSF is that there will be a group in every institution in the country that teaches Theology or RS. 'At least then we will know we have first someone who can be there to support and resource fellow evangelicals, and second, that there is an evangelical witness - proclaiming the gospel among fellow students and lecturers.'

A key part of the RTSF strategy is effective leadership training. Dan and Dave long for leaders and potential leaders to catch the vision of RTSF, to see the strategic importance of the work, and to take the responsibility seriously. To this end they have an RTSF Executive Committee, made up of students and graduates from a range of institutions and specialisations. They meet three times a year to discuss, strategise, pray as well as planning workshops and teaching from visiting speakers. In addition to this there is an annual Leaders Training event, which all leaders are encouraged to attend.

With only two full-time staff to cover the whole country, the group leaders are a key part of the work. It is invaluable to have people on the ground that share the same vision as Daniel and David. Charlie Styles, leader in Durham, said of his vision for his group: 'I want to see people who teach the Bible with as much passion and urgency as if they were telling starving beggars how to find the most amazing banquet ever!'

Brick walls

Often though, the leaders don't have an easy task. Richard Hawes, RTSF Leader in Sheffield shared: 'Sometimes I feel as if I am banging my head on a brick wall. I get Christians at Sheffield coming along next to tears that the Bible is being all torn up and their faith is oozing away. I point out that they should come along to RTSF for some fellowship and teaching, then they inform me that they are too busy doing cell or CUƒ.dohh!' The danger for the students is that they see evangelism as something that is done within the CU, or through church, even with their friends, but not in their studies. Daniel has a surprising description for the work of RTSF as 'in the business of search and rescue'. He goes on to explain, 'We are looking for evangelicals and trying to rescue them with the gospel, as well as the unbelieving students and lecturers'. RTSF leaders are not in a special category of Christian students because they are studying Theology. It is just as vital that they hold on to the gospel. 'We long that students will not see the gospel as an extra to theology, but that the gospel is true theology', says Dave.

Challenges

The challenges facing Religious Studies students are in some senses greater than those of theology. The foundation in most RS departments is that it is impossible to know the truth about God. Being tolerant and respectful of different religions therefore becomes confused with saying that there are no real differences (which is not very tolerant!). Jo McKenzie, who studied RS at Lancaster University, and is now UCCF Team Leader in the North West said: 'The challenge is to believe that Jesus really is the only way to the Father in an environment where that is viewed as the height of arrogance.'

Religious Studies as a discipline is on the rise, yet few evangelicals are studying it at a higher level. Christian students therefore feel very isolated, making RTSF's role all the more important. Jo found that RTSF provided resources to help gain confidence that the exclusive claim of Christ is true, and provided fellowship with other RS students when under pressure. 'There is an emotional impact in studying other religions', reflects Jo. 'I finished my studies having been hugely stimulated and with a greater understanding of what the gospel is. Seeing the position of so many as "lost" provided me with a greater impetus for mission that is still with me today.'

Witness needed

So is it wise to choose to study theology or RS in a country where there are only a few bright spots of good theological and religious education? The RTSF website (www.uccf.org.uk/rtsf) has an article by Daniel Strange, which argues the case for stepping into this academic arena. However, he added: 'The model for theological education in the New Testament seems to be sound teaching passed on faithfully, generation after generation - this is not what happens in many places.' But do we run from places where the gospel is not proclaimed, or even known? The challenge for young people considering studying theology and RS is to be missionary-minded and evangelistic in their outlook. To ask the question, 'what does mission look like in this department?' Looking back to his time at Bristol University, Daniel recognises this was something he didn't think through: 'I realise I made huge mistakes at uni. Evangelicals always sat together and I only seemed to mingle with those like me. Not a great witness!'
Theology and RS departments across the UK desperately need evangelicals to witness, evangelise and argue for the faith. Please pray for Daniel Strange and David Gibson as they work at encouraging leaders and students.

If you know college or university students for whom these are live issues, you can order a RTSF pack for them (includes CD-Rom, book offers, information on RTSF groups, conferences and publications) from RTSF on 0116 255 1700 or rtsf@uccf.org.uk.

Emma Carswell

© Evangelicals Now - January 2003
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