Saturday, January 28, 2006
Symposium ‘06 7
Symposium update from Betty Grit:
Heard Around the Table at the High School Lunch:
After talking about sessions that had been especially meaningful for us, the three high school students, two college students, a youth pastor and I drifted in our conversation to questions about engagement with the Word when Scripture is read in worship. The students asked, “Why does my mind wander when God’s Word is being spoken?” “It is a conscious decision? Must I work harder to engage in this most important part of worship?”
We talked about ways that Scripture had been presented during Symposium and how it helped us remain focused. They found Rev. Mary Hulst and her reading of Isaiah 41 in worship the previous evening to be especially meaningful. Some around our table concluded that she has a gift that few people have or could learn.
Several commented that The Friends of the Groom, combining three voices and action, helped them focus on the scripture and engage in the message.
We talked about the drama team from the Christian Learning Center who, without words, told the story of people whose lives had been chained by sinned and freed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The message and the story of lives transformed held us spellbound. We asked, “Could those of us around the table for lunch tell the story with the same impact that these students had done?” As we wondered about how their telling was different from our telling, one student said, “I think it was the boy who portrayed Jesus. His hugs for those who had turned from sin to follow him were so warm. And his joy in playing that role was so evident. I don’t think any of us could have done it in quite the same way.” We discovered that it was the unique gifts brought by students from the Christian Learning Center that helped us hear and remember the story in a fresh new way.
Our conversation then turned to how we can more meaningfully engage in the presentation of Scripture in our churches and in our schools. We wondered if there are people in our congregations who could bring or develop unique gifts to help us. Some students expressed discouragement that the gifts of young people are not welcomed in their church.
As our lunch time drew to an end and we prepared to hurry off to our next session, one student asked, “At what age do you get this all figured out?” As someone almost old enough to be their grandmother, I didn’t want to discourage them but felt it only fair to tell them that I don’t have it all figured out and, frankly, I don’t know anyone who does. It is the joy of Christian life to continually learn more about what God desires in our worship. But I also told them that I am very encouraged by the questions they are asking at their age. The spiritual maturity and love for worship that was evident around the table gives hope for all of us.