Are our kids in good hands?

On a certain Saturday or Sunday in early October each year Britain’s motorways are awash with cars with three people in them ... a middle-aged couple are in the front, in the back an older teenager. They are silent — apart from the steady beat of the ipod headphones. They are surrounded by new pillows and duvets in their plastic covers.

And you, dear reader, have or will no doubt be part of that experience — it’s the student going off to university — and despite looking forward to the experience, perhaps being cavalier about the whole event, not a few of them will be somewhat nervous.

One of my children shares the same temperament, personality and, happily, the looks of their mother — as we left them in their room at their college on their first day, one of us began to cry — then 30 seconds later a text arrived — still got it on my phone — ‘thank you so much for everything, i love you both and will see you soon ... all to Jesus i surrender ‘.

Then the other one of us began to cry.

Pretty wonderful — but is that intention enough?

Are our tears and prayers and I-hope-it’s-going-to-be-ok enough for our kids at university?

Decisions, decisions . . .

This time of the year the prospectuses have arrived ... we are making those visits to universities, there are the interviews and the offers are coming ... we are making in the early part of 2007 our final choices with those children that have grown up so fast ... and top of our list of research will be the best courses at the most prestigious universities in the prettiest and most accessible of towns and cities.

We will provide the finance for the best possible accommodation and stock up with all that they need for that important October 2007 car journey ... but is that enough?? Are our kids in good hands?

Home churches

So many of our children have been part of a vibrant fellowship at home — good friends, excellent small groups, fine teaching — but when it comes to planning with them a particular university, a course of study, what do we know about what’s on offer in regard to things that will grow them as Christians in the town?

CUs?

We presume about the Christian Union ... but so often we fail to find out and to try to link them up. We need to find out about what is happening there, to pray now and support (financially) their ministry now, not least with the news of strong opposition and persecution that we read of in the broadsheets.

We need to hear from leaders of Christian work in colleges and universities and when it comes to the church scene, some information about the style and ministry of the fellowship — are our kids in good hands ... will they be ?

Visiting

The other week we went to visit one of our kids at their church in their university town. Perhaps some would unkindly call the meeting simple — so simply and humbly led, and a big crowd had gathered ... with good songs, old and new, that coherently helped us prepare for the sermon. The preacher taught us from the Bible. Clear and compelling. He looked about 16. Then, at the end, unceremoniously, tables were laid, food appeared, scores sat and ate and listened to another address on Christianity and science (us oldies were shown the door), and I turned to my wife and said: ‘Our kids are in good hands.’

Are we steering our children (by informing our children, by resourcing our children) about the towns where churches are teaching the Bible? It’s not rocket science.

If we are church leaders in places with a college or university, are we helping and equipping our members to truly care for the extra precious cargo we carry and serve for the three years they are with us? The warm welcome. The word of God. An open door so that they can share with us.

Are our kids in good hands? Let’s make it our priority.

Decisions, decisions . . .

Home churches

CUs?

Visiting

'Tiger' A. Welsh

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