What types of extracurricular activities are available at Christian colleges?

Extracurriculars is an area that sees a lot of similarity between Christian and Secular colleges. Like state schools, Christian Universities offer athletics, intramural sports, STEM programs, music and theatre programs/productions, and even Greek Life. Of course, to what degree these are offered depends largely on what University you are looking into. The best way to find out if a college offers the extracurriculars you are interested in is to search for it on their website or call/email admissions and ask for information.

There are most likely going to be some differences between Christian and Secular universities in how the extracurriculars are managed or what sort of focus or perspective they operate from. For example, athletics at a secular school will not encourage biblical values between teammates or, especially, opposing teams. Athletics at a Christian University are far more likely to encourage praying for each other and upholding Godly behavior on and off the playing surface. Most Christian Universities that have an athletic department will also have an active branch of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), who aim to minister to coaches and athletes who are seeking or curious about Jesus.

Additionally, Christian Universities may offer more extracurriculars for spiritual development, such as bible studies, prayer groups, chapels, etc. Secular Colleges may offer some of the same Christian groups or activities, but they will also offer extracurriculars that include things that oppose biblical values, such as wild parties that provide substances to students and more stereotypical “Fraternity/Sorority” activities. That’s not to say that Christians cannot engage in Greek life. There are Fraternities and Sororities that have been founded by Christians, for Christians, that can offer great fellowship and accountability to foster Spiritual Growth. If Greek life interests you, InterVarsity is a great site that can help you find a Christian fraternity/sorority that is right for you.

STEM and Music and Theatre programs between Christian and Secular colleges will differ mostly in perspective and themes (theatre), but much of what is taught will be similar. In the same vein, clubs offered at Christian colleges will likely look quite similar to clubs offered at Secular schools. Christian colleges will still offer clubs for things like foreign languages, politics, newspapers, and major-specific clubs, though they may take a more biblically based perspective than what you would find at those same clubs in a secular university setting. And, again, Christian colleges will likely have many more options for clubs that prioritize spiritual development and associate with Christian Organizations.

The goal of extracurriculars is to cater to the students and give them avenues to improve in areas or socialize. Christian Universities will most likely offer more extracurriculars that focus on the student’s spiritual life, while Secular universities will have a much wider range of “acceptable activities,” which may, from time to time, bump up against biblical values.

Ultimately, however, Christian and Secular colleges will offer many of the same extracurricular activities. Check the websites of the schools you are interested in or communicate with their admissions departments to see if the extracurriculars you are looking for are offered at their university.

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