I was thinking about my own journey through high school and then college. I was also thinking that college wasn't that long ago, but then I realized I stepped foot on my campus 18 years ago. That is average age of the students that just graduated this May of 2022. So, it has been a bit.
There is always a stat that is out there that 80% of students walk away from their faith. Depending on where you read that number, it moves up or down but the idea is the same. Many people that enter into adulthood take a hiatus from their faith and "explore" other options or they simply leave their faith. It is really a sad thing to see happen. There are many factors as to why this occurs, like: No longer mom and dad telling them to go to church or read their bible, never really had a solid faith in the first place, new friends that dont see it as a priority and so on. The list goes on and on. This should be of concern to us all. But as Gaurdians and Parents you still have a huge part (event though you aren't their physically) in their walk with Christ and seeing them grow in that.
Here are a few thoughts I have on ways you can continue impacting your Child's faith(cause not matter what... they still are your child) even after High School:
1) PRAY - continue to pray for them. Dont just pray for good grades, advancement in the job, friends, relationships, teachers, supervisors and so on (these are excellent things to pray for). But PRAY for their continued relationship with Christ. We all know what battles their are when you are out and about on your own. Any one thing can make us trip and fall but the POWER OF PRAYER is never to be underestimated.
2) Open your home - Make your home a place that they want to bring people. See your open door as a possibility of a place that can be a hub for Jesus. Many people that your child will come in contact with will not be from the same walk of life as you have raised them. You have an opportunity to affect people in your Child's life. For instant, I had a friend from New Jersey I went to college with. I haven't seen him in years. But he wrote me the other day. He saw my Aunt Margaret. When I was in college my Aunt and Uncle were the closet (geographically) family I had. My Friend, form New Jersey, was so excited to see my Aunt. All because he got to come with me over to their house and have pie and sip on coffee. Open your home.
3) Search for them - There is so much that draws your attention when you leave the home. It becomes so overwhelming to even try to figure out which direction to even take first step toward. Take time to search for your child a church or a campus ministry. Last year I had a parent actually call our church for one of the William Penn students. They wanted to know what our church taught (doctrine/Theology). They wanted to know where we lined up on certain topics and ideas. It was a great conversation! I was blown away. It was the first time I had a parent do that. But you can do that too. If your child is going off to college here is a great link for campus ministries on major universities and small colleges.
4) Go Visit Them - Actually go visit them. Make time to go visit them. They may not make the time to come home. That is hard and difficult but make time to go visit them. Go take them to breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea, dinner, second lunch, midnight Taco Bell or whatever. What happens in parent's and children's lives, at this time, is a transition from child to adult child. By visiting them you are still showing a vested interest in them. You are now developing a friendship. It can be an odd thing. But it is true. To this day I look back at the times my parents would come and visit me. I played soccer in college and my dad would make an effort every season to see 1 home game. Then we would go out to eat and he would head home. It was a 4 1/2-5 hr drive one way to see that match. He would take the entire day to drive to just visit. It was super impactful and you can do the say with your child as well.
I know this list could go on and on. Even if your child is not moving on make those 4 things an effort. Remember to Pray, Open your Door, Search for them and visit them. It will have profound impact on your Child's faith. It may not seem like much but it is. They may not know how to say or every say but you still have impact in their lives.
Have a great June !
-P. Shawn
