b'important marker of success in your ministry and work isnt programs attended or communications sent. The most important aspect of your work is becoming a trusted adult in the lives of children. Young people today are experiencing epidemic levels of lonelinessmany report a sense of isolation, the feeling that no one really knows them, or the experience of always waiting for someone to call, text, or reach out. These reports of loneliness were happening before COVID-19, which brought with it the requirement to social distance, shelter in place, or move to online work and learning, no doubt exacerbating an already difficult time for many young people. Springtide Research Institute, a sociological research institute dedicated to listening to the inner and outer lives of young people, conducted research around this sense of loneliness. Our data is unique because it extends down to 13-year-olds; we are interested in finding out how they navigate questions of meaning, identity, and community as they move from adolescence into adulthood. How to Become a Trusted Adult 19% of 13-to-17-year-oldsIn our landmark study of over 10,000 young people, The State of Religion & Young reporttheyhaveoneorPeople 2020: Relational Authority, we By Ellen B. Koneck fewer adults in their livesidentified alarming trends.theycanturntoiftheyThis is staggering. As a teacher or catechist 27% of young people haveAs we approach the end of the school year andneed to talk.of younger children, this statistic may one or fewer adults in their lifefaith formation programs (and a remarkableregister as important but irrelevant to that they can turn to if theyyear at that!), it is helpful to pause and reflect onyour ministry. And yet it underscores need to talk. the importance of your role and presence in thethe importance of your role in the lives of the children entrusted to your care. lives of children. It has no doubt been a difficultRelationships are not only importantthey are essential. While children need to 31%of 18-to-25-year-olds year in many ways, and one that might leavelearn appropriate information and progress in their education, what they need you feeling like you didnt do enough, didntmost from you is a recognition that you care. The most important aspect of your teach enough, didnt connect with familiesministry is to build relationships so that you become a trusted adult in the lives of 19% of 13-to-17-year-olds enough, didnt celebrate enough. But thischildren. In becoming a trusted adult, you are then able to be a model of faith and year, perhaps more than any other, the mostthe voice of Jesus for young children.38 Inspire! Summer 2021 smp.org800.533.8095 39'