I love Jesus, and Yes, I am in a Sorority

Over the past three years, there's a question I've answered quite a lot.

And I think people ask it because they're genuinely confused. 

It's a question about me, you see.

So, I'm very involved in my church here at college. I actually have been working there for the past year with Local Missions, and I serve on the leadership team for the college ministry.  I have a Christian blog. I'm in a couple Bible Studies during school. I've worked for multiple Christian non-profits. I try to attend church regularly, and I was pretty consistent at attending FPC at home, where I grew up. 

Ya know. What the world defines as a pretty typical Christian (although I'll be the first to tell you I mess up and sin daily, and need the forgiveness and grace of the Father). 

What is it about me that confuses people then? 

Because I do those things, 

and... GASP... I'm also involved in a sorority on campus. 

Not just a little involved, I lived in the house for two years. I've had multiple leadership roles in that sorority. Some of my very dearest friends are in my sorority, and that's how we became friends. 

Even on top of that, this summer I've disassociated (again) from my sorority to direct the recruitment process that will help 1800+ freshman girls choose a sorority to join as they began their college life. 

So really, the question that I am so frequently asked is, 

You're a Christian, and you're in a sorority?

And my answer is unabashedly, unashamedly, resoundingly... Yes.

Really, what I want to say is didn't your mother ever teach you not to judge a book by it's cover?, but I've gotten better at holding my tongue, and that is when I drop my next killer line to the person.

Yes, I'm in a sorority and in fact, last year I served as Chaplain. Facilitating the discussion during our weekly Bible Studies. 

BOOM. (there's normally awkward silence during this part of the conversation).

So let's get real for a few minutes here, and allow me to shed some light on the subject.

Hollywood loves to make good movies. That's what they do, right? And so when they create movies around Greek Life, specifically sororities, they're going to do what they do best and add plenty of drama, parties, alcohol, hook-ups, girl fights, and so much more. 

And don't get me wrong, that does happen. It does exist in the Greek culture. 

But let's also consider college life in general. That happens with almost every kid. Every kid will be tempted with drama, with alcohol, with lots of house parties and hookups and everything else. 

Do you know what Hollywood doesn't show when they make sorority movies?

They don't show philanthropy events. In the Greek community at my school, among 13 different sororities there are over 20 different philanthropies that we fundraise for including Ronald McDonald House, Prevent Child Abuse America, Children's Miracle Network Hospital, St. Jude's Research Hospital, Domestic Violence Awareness and numerous more. Those don't get shown, though. 

There are sisterhood events, like paintball wars, tubing the river, visiting the Zoo, even just giant movie nights. These build friendships, build relationships among friends, not tear them down like the world says they do.

Sororities are really good at making a very large campus feel small. At helping you academically to succeed with other girls who've been there in those same classes with those same professors and can share wisdom. At helping to find summer jobs and babysitting gigs. Or where to get your hair cut that's not too expensive but actually does a good job. Really at just allowing you to have friends to wave to as you walk down the sidewalk on your way to class.

Hollywood doesn't show the excitement over new members either. How thankful we are to continue on the legacy. Or the tears when we say goodbye to seniors, or friends moving away. 

The movies don't show the lifelong friendships that last because of the deep relationships that are created during these times. 

(On a side note, at least at my large SEC school, there are absolutely no house parties in our sorority house. If you were wondering.) 

So yes, the parties, the wildness that you see at movies does exist. There's no doubt. But sorority life is so much more than that. And in absolutely no way is it forced to go out or drink like it's depicted in the movies. In my experience, there's no judgment to staying in on a Friday night or going to see my family for a bit before a football game instead of being with the crowds at a tailgate.

Recently, I discovered an article written from the perspective of a girl who dropped out of her sorority because she felt like she couldn't be a Christian and continue in Greek life. And this isn't meant as judgment towards her, because everyone is different and she felt like that was best for her in her walk, and that's good. 

But it bothered me because in her article she stated that if Christians are looking for a genuine sisterhood then they need to just stick with their church community because sorority friends wouldn't provide them with any encouragement, love, or support. 

I had two reactions to this statement. The first was anger because I believe she's wrong. The second was sadness, because it's obvious she wasn't blessed with a good group of friends, and that always saddens me to see. 

I will be the first to tell you that as a Christian, it is extremely important to find a church at college. Get involved there, and make friends. If you want to continue in your walk with the Lord it's so so important to find a church where you can grow. 

But there is no reason you can't have community there, and in a sorority. For me, my sorority friends encourage me on my best and worst days. They support me in everything I do, from my decision to eat another chicken finger at lunch to deciding on a summer job. (and every single blog post that they share). And they love me an incredible amount. Many of them were my first friends at school, and they're the ones that have stuck around.

More than that though, many of them are my sisters in Christ. 

(Yes, there is a whole group of us!!) 

These girls study the Word with me, they pray with me and for me, and they hold me accountable. They know me so well, well enough that they can tell when I need to be comforted and when they need to send me scripture to remind me who is in charge.

There is incredible community in sorority life. You just have to find it. They will be the girls you wake up to watch the sunrise and pray with. If you are unashamed about your faith, if you're willing to step on the ledge and be bold as a Christian, you'll find those people. 

And to those people who are simply amazed that I am a Christian and in a sorority, I have one more point for you. 

Aren't we called to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth by sharing the good news? Don't we want to spread the gospel as Christ commanded us in Matthew 28?

How can you do that at all within Greek Life if you're not building relationships with those involved? How can you expect them to have any interest in what you're talking about if they never see the change that only Jesus brings to a person's life?

For most college Christians, the whole university is a mission field in one sense or another. I know that as a believer of Christ, I'm called to live a life that reflects Him (even though I mess up regularly). I know that I am called to share the gospel. But my sorority? Those are my friends. Those are girls that I live with, that I see every week. Those are the girls that follow my instagram, are my Facebook friends. Those are girls who I can have such an incredible impact on, because of Jesus and how He's used me. 

How could I ever say no to that opportunity? 

I know that sorority life isn't for everyone. There's no way it could. But to those of you who thought it was just party life, I hope this gives you a little better glimpse of the life I live, and love. 

And if there are any girls who are considering going through recruitment (or parents) and are nervous, I hope this gives you a good look too. I went in not knowing if I would find any girls who loved the Lord, but I felt Him leading me there so I jumped in. And how richly He has blessed me through it. 

For me, being involved in sorority life is an incredible chance to form new friendships, to stretch myself, to lead, to listen, to understand, to learn. It's the chance to see just how the Lord works in the lives of those around me. It's something I'm incredibly passionate about, because I believe the Lord has put me there for a reason. 

And it's been one of my absolute favorite parts of my college experience, one I wouldn't change for the world. 

The Lord is so good. He always puts us just where we need to be, with who we need to be. How great He is. 

His purpose, not my plans.

Thank goodness. 

Stay tuned as Anna and I help direct 1800+ women finding their home-away-from-home!