First written for the Pastor’s Podium in the Ellsworth Independent Reporter
This weekend is graduation at Ellsworth High School. Graduation brings with it quite naturally a leaving behind of many things. School, memories, and friends must be left behind in order to move on to the next stage of life. Most of these leaving behinds are bitter but expected. But there are other leaving behinds that are much more tragic. Sadly, we know that all too many young people end up leaving behind their faith during the period after high school graduation. They are flooded with new friends, new ideas, and new temptations. And all of this new must often be met on their own, away from family and friends that have for years provided some foundation under their feet. Rarely, do young people give up their faith in one moment of de-conversion. It is usually a slow process where sins go without repentance and ears and eyes go without contact with the Word. Oh, to be honest, few will say that they have left behind the faith, but 
their lives will give evidence that it is true.
So what is the one in Christ who is graduating to do? What are their parents to do? It is just a “down on your knees time†sort of hoping that you or your child slips through unscathed? Well, while certainly much prayer is good and effective, I would suggest that the true reason so many fall away during this time is that they are alone in so many ways. Away from family, away from their Church, away from the Lord’s house.
And there is my counsel. It is counsel so aged in wisdom that most will think it just old-fashioned and ignore it. But it is aged enough to find itself all the way back into the inspired scriptures. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, 
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.†My counsel: find a church wherever you (or your child) end up for college or work and go (or encourage them to go) weekly.
First and foremost, it is there that the Lord himself through his Word gives the life of his Son to the gathered that they might withstand the attacks of the evil one and might find forgiveness when they have faltered. Secondly, it is there that one has a group of believers to give encouragement to you. Obviously, a church faithful to the Lord as he has revealed himself in the scriptures is most important. But if your location allows further choice, I would suggest the church with the widest age demographics. Don’t just go to the church where all the people your age go. Find a church where you can soak in the wisdom of people your age and people in other points in their life as well.
Don’t go at it alone. Go where the Lord has promised to be and where His people are gathered. You will still fall and doubts will come. But it is precisely in those times that you should not be alone. It is in those times that you must be with Christ and his Church. Don’t go at it alone.
