A young graduate student clad in a sari and dupatta glanced across the coffee bar. “Are you the Professor who spoke last week at the graduate student orientation?”
“Yes,” the startled professor replied.
“My name is Priyanka. I noticed a slide in your talk that referenced the historical Jesus. I am fascinated by anything about Jesus. Could we talk?”
A Seminar for Two
So began a weekly year-long informal seminar for two, attended by an Indian TA in philosophy and a physics professor whose paths intersected over coffee. The topics ranged from the historicity of Jesus and the reliability of the Bible to effective teaching techniques and issues of social justice in India post-Gandhi.
This exchange became a template for many other mentoring opportunities with students and faculty members—all shared over a cup of the “gospel bean.”
A few principles emerged from these “chats.”
Be Visible
The reference to Jesus had been sufficient to attract Priyanka to a dialog. The professor concluded that all that was necessary was, when appropriate, to declare his interest in spirituality—and Jesus, in particular. Gradually he came to include his Christian philosophy as part of his first-day introduction. Students didn’t overwhelm him, as he feared, but many did inquire because he became visible as an accessible resource.
Be Available
As a fan of coffee, he frequented the coffee house where the students hung out. “Being available to chat with students is a wonderful way to redeem time that could have been otherwise unproductive!” he concluded.
Be Attentive
Real listening is a lost art. But with practice, the professor observed the conversation can take amazing turns when he listened actively and followed up with questions. He resolved to do less pontificating and more exploration in genuine discussion, in the future.
Be Intentional
With several coffee conversants, the professor asked them to identify three specific questions or topics that troubled or intrigued them. As a result, he could pray and meditate on these topics beforehand—and even search out resources that could inform later discussions.
Be Gospel-Centered
Of all stories, the greatest is that of our estrangement from a loving Father and the lengths to which He went to reconcile humanity to Himself. There is nothing in this life that is not transformed when viewed through the lens of the gospel.
We, Christ-following professors, must love them fast and care for them immediately, because students pass through our lives at breakneck speed.
The professor soon lost track of Priyanka until, at graduation, he saw her receive her Ph.D. By e-mail, he congratulated his coffee companion, and she replied, “You have influenced and inspired me in so many ways . . . and I have so much regard and appreciation for you in my heart! Many a time I recall our coffee chats with great happiness and joy. They are such treasures of my life!”
Who would have thought that so much could be accomplished over a cup of joe?
A Physics Professor’s story told to the FC Editorial Team