My eldest son, a professor at Indiana University, and I discussed imitating David Janzen’s “Life Lunch” after its publication in Missional Moments in February 2020. But we set it aside with the advent of the next month’s minor interruption known as Covid19.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024… Prof Niewoehner (the Younger) sent Prof Niewoehner (the Elder) a copy of the article asking, “What’s your plan, Dad?” He had set a reminder in his calendar to poke me. He’s soooo like his mother.
We both loved David’s framework, but needed it to fit the life-patterns of our respective institutions. The Naval Academy is predictably rigid, with a Midshipman’s day tightly scripted. We don’t have a student commons, and students march to lunch, in lines abreast. My advantage is that I routinely see Aerospace Engineers 3-4 consecutive semesters prior to graduation in sections of ~20; they know me well.
I decided to take two seniors to lunch at the Faculty Club every Friday, with two rules: 1) lunch is on me, 2) we can talk about anything but class. The Google-sheet sign-up was filled within five minutes of posting it.
Our rigid schedule now aided me. Our class ended at 11:45. They would return to my building at 1:30 for Capstone Design, so they could leave their backpacks in my office. That gave me 1h 45m.
Leaving the building, I always asked, “What’s your story?” That would fill the 10-minute walk to the Club. Then, “Why Aero?” “What do you want after graduation?” “Why?” “What’s been your most thrilling experience here?” “What’s disappointed you?” Then, I’d pursue questions from Heather Holleman’s Six Conversations (a mandatory read for Christian faculty).
I learned so much about them. This was precious to me. Most surprising? A quarter of my students had at least one parent who had fled violent civil wars abroad to come to the U.S., arriving with nothing (Cambodia, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Vietnam, Lebanon). I had grown up surrounded and inspired by WWII vets; these young people had grown up in the homes of grateful refugees. THEY embodied passion for freedom and opportunity which motivated their service, and me.
Midway through lunch, I would shift to “What questions do you have for me? Nothing is off-limits.” This is where it got fun.
I’m a federal employee and obliged to be circumspect about my faith… until they ask the question.
“How long between meeting your wife and getting married?” “Almost three years, but we both had a spiritual awakening in the middle.” “Could you talk more about that, Sir?”
At least three pairs asked me straight away, “Tell us about walking with Christ in Naval Aviation.” My two favorite subjects!
In 40% of the lunches, they asked a question compelling my full testimony, commonly in the context of career choices I’d made.
On one occasion I had to goad the pair of students, “Your questions are too simple and shallow.”
My favorite moment? Upon returning to our building, one reserved young lady remarked, “This was lovely, Sir. I have not had such personal time with a faculty member before.” Her reaction shouldn’t surprise us. As you read the Gospels, note the frequency of Jesus’ meaningful interactions over a meal.
