Healthy Churches Need Healthy Church-Related Colleges and Universities

What’s the state of Christian higher education in Canada today?

Nationally, enrollment at church-related colleges and universities is in slight decline, according to Christian Higher Education Canada (CHEC), the umbrella body for 34 Christian colleges and universities, including four in Manitoba.

Last year, just over 16,000 students were enrolled in CHEC schools, down from about 17,000 in 2013.

What about this province—how are the four church-related schools in this province doing?

Things here are mostly stable, with one school reporting an increase this year.

Altogether, a total of 2,617 students are enrolled at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), Providence University College, Booth University College and Steinbach Bible College this fall.

The largest of the four is CMU, with 1,589 students. Of that total, 739 are at its Shaftesbury campus, including 41 in its service, learning and adventure program, called Outtatown.

An additional 850 are at its downtown campus, Menno Simons College, located at the University of Winnipeg.

The story of CMU since 2000 is “growth for 10 years, a relative steady state for six years, and slow growth for the last two years,” says President Cheryl Pauls.

This includes growth of 4% over last year among undergraduate students, while programs at MSC show steady enrollment.

At Booth University College, which is owned by The Salvation Army, there are 476 students, including those in continuing studies. Two hundred and eighty-eight are at the Winnipeg campus.

According to Communications Specialist Chris Albi, this total is similar to last year, following several years of approximately 8-10% growth per year.

Steinbach Bible College, the smallest of the four, has 100 students—about the same number as during the past decade, says President Rob Reimer.

Most of those students, he says, come from rural Manitoba, and from within a two-hour drive of Steinbach.

Providence University College, an evangelical school in Otterburne, has a total of 452 students, including 272 in undergrad courses and 165 in its seminary. Nine are enrolled in Mile Two, its service, learning and adventure program, and six in its English Language Institute.

That total is below the ten-year average of 473, says President David Johnson.

I asked the four schools about the challenges they face. Foremost among them is the health of the church in Canada.

Since churches are a main source of students for all four schools, the decline in church membership and attendance is of concern.

Other challenges include raising funds and convincing students, and their parents, that going deeper into their faith is time well spent—even if only for a year before taking other studies.

According to Justin Cooper, the executive director of CHEC, the challenges facing Manitoba schools are also felt across the country.

“There are fewer students in general, a tighter economy, and fewer young people in many churches,” he says, noting that recent research shows that churches—including evangelical churches—are facing a challenge of retaining their youth.

Looking ahead, he is optimistic about the future of church-related schools. But he thinks some will have to “re-invent themselves” to succeed. Mergers might also be necessary.

As well, schools that are “remotely located” outside of major urban centres will have a tougher time attracting students, he adds.

Leaders at the four schools in Manitoba are working creatively at the challenges. But they can only do so much. 

If a young person never hears a pastor, youth leader or older adult in their congregation recommend a year or more of study at a Christian college or university, chances are they will never see it as an option.

Which is too bad for these schools. But it will ultimately be too bad for churches as well. 

The future health and success of individual congregations, and denominations themselves, will depend on them having leaders, both clergy and lay, who have thought deeply and intelligently about their faith.

Only having access to people with a Sunday school education won’t cut it.

What they need are people who know how to apply their faith to the issues facing the church and society today—things like climate change, global poverty, the environment, reconciliation with Indigenous people, dealing with diversity, artificial intelligence, assisted suicide, and many others.

Healthy churches need healthy church-related colleges and universities, and vice versa. 

Let's hope the two can find creative ways to help each other.

Originally published in the Oct. 20, 2018 Winnipeg Free Press.