Focus Conference 2017

A few years ago, I was asked to speak at a FOCUS conference. FOCUS is an umbrella body that works with student Christian Unions to ensure biblicall based growth and has a strong evangelism focus. I was invited to share about dealing with the elderly.

There I was, a father and potential grandfather given a large meeting space to speak to a generation likely younger than my own children about dealing with the elderly. I was certain it would be smallest workshop because there were definitely more interesting workshops going on and if I was honest with myself, when I was their age I would probably have gone for the other workshops.

Imagine my surprise when the room filled to over flowing and students even stood outside at the windows to listen to the conversation. My own ideas about the needs of the young people were blown to pieces and there I was realising that the challenge was greater than I had ever estimated. We had for so long focused on how we didn’t understand the younger generation but here was proof that they didn’t understand us either.

The over one hundred students listened carefully, asked questions, shared experiences and gave me great perspective. They were more engaged that I would have thought possible because they really wanted to learn. They needed clarity, honesty, compassion and understanding. They needed to know that it was possible to honour their elders and still find their way in the world. they need to know how to respond in love even when they didn’t agree with what their elders were saying.

After the session, we were left with students who wanted to know more; so with long faces, some in tears, some angry beyond words. All I could see was children like my own who needed help to navigate the landmine that was relationships with their elders. We spent the next few hours listening more than talking to them, providing insight and praying over their lives for renewed minds and deeper clarity as they walked.

It was a pivotal day because I gained very deep perspectives about the need for rebuilt relationships but at the same time I gained several new friends who I still walk with today and we can track changes and celebrate growth and restoration.

It is easy to think that the need for relationship is only from the elders. The young ones are desperate for the same interaction and we must all work together to build and preserve the relationships so that they bear fruit later in life.