I was at an event when I was approached by a woman in her 50s. “Are you Pastor Kofink who used to be in Miami?” She told me her maiden name, and it turned she had been a student back when I was helping to do campus ministry in Miami. 

It’s a phenomena pastors, teachers and others who work with young people have. They cross your life for a few years, then go off to live their adult lives–which you are not part of. You don’t know if anything you said or did had any kind of influence on them except in those rare cases when they happen to cross your path again. In this case, the one-time student was a successful accountant also active as a musician in a church. It was gratifying to hear that.

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but about 25 years ago I came across a book, What Kids Need to Succeed. No. 3 on the list was this, “Kids know other adults beside their parents they can turn to for advice and support. They have frequent, in-depth conversations with them.” That is right on the mark.

Conversation requires listening as well as talking to. Too frequently adults ignore younger people or only engage with them to tell them what they should be doing. We need to listen to them. That may be more important than having a Sunday School or making sure they are “in church.” Listen, listen, listen. Whenever you have the chance, listen to young people. It’s a holy activity.

Read Luke 18:16  and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne