How do church and CMF relate?

CMF's John Greenall considers the relationship between church and CMF, and suggests some application questions which you could use in a CMF group meeting or individually.

Why CMF?

We are often asked at CMF: 'I'm at a church, why do I need to join CMF?', or people say 'If I get involved in CMF, I won't have time for church'. At CMF we love the church, and urge you to prioritise engaging in the local church. CMF is not a substitute for church, but being connected to CMF as well as church brings a number of benefits including:

Connections with medical students and doctors you may not find in your local church. These give opportunities to share highs and lows with others in the same situation as you or who have walked the road before you.
Chances to grow through specific resources relevant to your studies and future career that you won't find in church.
On a week when you're unable to get to a Sunday gathering, being able to connect with Christians in the workplace and at times when others may not be available to meet.
Opportunities to serve others, for example welcoming a student new to your area (and perhaps taking them to your church!), teaching others how to share faith with patients, writing for Nucleus or going overseas.
Opportunities to reach people on campus with the gospel - the local church often can't get onto campus in the way you can individually. Being united as a CMF group (an 'arm of the church on campus') means you can do this more effectively.

Your faith and vocation are inextricably linked. Why not prayerfully consider how you can encourage Christian medics to get involved in church, and let them know that CMF is here to help connect and support them to grow to be those who practise truly Christian medicine.

Application questions:

What do you appreciate about your local church?
How has your experience of church changed after moving to university?
Has your love for Jesus been increasing over the last year, or growing cooler? What might be the reasons for this?
What are the barriers that might prevent you from getting to church during your studies? Are these always real barriers, or could you actually work round them?
What would you say to a Christian friend who says they're not getting to church regularly? How might you encourage them? What scriptures might you point them to?
What might you do differently, or who might you speak to, after reading this article? Perhaps pray about it now.