for pastors
Caring for Spiritual needs of students
Many of our students live away from home during their studies at LCC. We help to provide a supportive and challenging Christian community where they can explore how their faith is applied to the situations and ideas they encounter in the University setting. All students receive basic bible and theological teaching through several required courses in the Theology department as well.
We also encourage students to attend local churches and to choose a temporary church home while they
are in Klaipeda. Some are hesitant because they feel they are somehow not being faithful to their
original church family. Ideally, when pastors can keep an occasional link with students through
students' visits home or by email, the student can also be encouraged to find local fellowship in
Klaipeda and understand that the Christian church is universal.
Our local context includes churches of Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox and Protestant denominations.
Students have information presented to them about the location and time of these services. Their
experience at LCC will expand their understanding of the strengths of different expressions of
Christian faith, but it will not ask them to change church affiliation.
Spiritual questions during University years
Young adult students will question what they believe or what others believe. It is a natural and
expected part of their development into mature, responsible adults. Providing an atmosphere where
those questions can be explored is important. When the testimony and witness of Christian teachers
and peers is included in this stage of life, we believe the opportunity for strengthened faith is
greater.
Sometimes it may seem that students lose faith when they question things that they believed so easily
before. Yet, in order for individuals to own their beliefs in a society of multiple claims to truth,
they need to struggle with the issues that are not so black and white. By asking the why questions,
they do not necessarily discard truth. The process can bring the student to more defined faith and
help them to further adore God whom we cannot fully explain, yet who holds such things as justice and
grace in perfect tension.
The activities of Spiritual life on campus
Chapel with teaching and contemporary worship music is the largest gathering
event, held each week. Additional worship evenings in Taize and contemporary
style happen occasionally during the semester. Bible study and fellowship
group options are given with new options presented each semester. Other
events which help our students to share witness informally with others are
planned from time to time. See the
spiritual
life schedule for the upcoming events.
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