Spirituality is one of the primary benefits of attendance at Andrews advocated by our institution. Andrews is meant to be a place where not only one's mind is engaged but also one’s faith. However, how well does this goal come across to students, and do students feel their faith is being adequately supported at this university? This week, I interviewed several students on their opinions on faith engagement at Andrews and how they feel this University impacts their spiritual growth.
“I feel that the efforts of making a spiritual environment are good on campus; there are things that can be improved, but they are mostly sufficient. Personally, I feel like my spiritual life has grown, mainly due to spiritual events integrating students and encouraging interaction rather than campus events primarily focusing on a speaker chosen by the university.”
Andrew Francis (sophomore, communications)
“Spiritual life at Andrews is a complex issue for me. I have spent two years as a missionary, gone on several school trips to foreign places, and have a diverse background in religious matters from my family. At this point in my life, I think that what truly moves me spiritually is authenticity. That authenticity can occur at Andrews, but it also can occur elsewhere, and in contrast, inauthentic approaches to spirituality can also be found. The effectiveness of spiritual events is more of an event-by-event basis rather than merely saying the university is either doing good or bad.”
Michael Emde (graduate, social work)
“I feel like institution-led spiritual activities such as chapel don’t really have the impact that they may want it to. People literally sit in the back of the chapel and do homework and are only there because they need credit. I feel that student-led events are way more inviting and personal because, while fewer people go, everyone there actually wants to be there.”
Gabby White (junior, psychology)
“Chapel doesn’t feel genuine, and people will just meet the criteria. People learn about God by choice, not by being required to attend events they are not interested in attending. Requiring the events pushes people away from God rather than toward Him. I would be far more likely to attend chapel if it wasn’t required. As it is, once we get to the end of the semester and people have fulfilled all their requirements, chapels are practically empty.”
Juliette Nzeyimana (junior, marketing)
“I like attending the spiritual events here. I mainly like the activities with student involvement, but I still think I get something out of the university chapel days and week of prayer.”
David Creitz (sophomore, biology)
Spirituality is a complex issue that can be significantly influenced by our personal experiences, friends, values, and more. Some consider faith intrinsically personal, which may be accurate, but there is also a vital social component. Engaging in faith alongside others, especially those we have relationships with can often be far more enticing than doing so alone. Looking at these responses, this is clear in the lean toward student-led or group-oriented spiritual events rather than simply speaker-led chapels or talks hosted by the University Institution. Students who want to grow spiritually need to feel free to pursue and have a sense of participation; otherwise, it seems to be simply ticking a box.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.