Last night was the first 3D event of the term. 3D is based at St Andrew's church in Chorleywood and is a combined meeting of the young people from St Andrew's and from Christchurch lead by Bob (our youth minister) and Con (St Andrew's Youth minister)
The day yesterday started with a lunch at Bob's house so that we could meet Con and his team of interns. They also have three people working with them on the youth side (St Andrew's also have three interns for the children's ministry - so six of them do the same job that Jon, Fiona and myself do - but St Andrew's is much bigger!)They have a great team working with them. Ally from Scotland, Becky from Doncaster and Gemma who is from Bournemouth and doing her second year of internship with St Andrew's. There was a good atmosphere which I think was helped by the fact that Con and Bob grew up together and have been close friends since then. When your leaders have clearly bonded so well it filters through. Also, everyone is friendly and sociable which helps!
So, the main event. Fiona, Jon and I were a little late arriving. Not because we are tardy or disorganitsed but simply because we have to come straight from the children's group FFF at Arnett Hills School - so by the time we have packed up and driven across to 3D we miss the first 20 minutes or so. This time is used for the young people to socialise and generally get to know each other. There is a tuck shop, places to chat, Nintentdo Wii and Playstation. The interns and leaders mingle and filter through generally helping to welcome people.
The evening started with a game of getting to know the new interns from both churches. We were made to lay down on rolls of wall paper and were drawn around by the youth. They then had to use our outlines to create a wrestling persona for us. The group of girls that decorated me gave me gangstar pants and lot's of bling. After much chuckling and banter we started a worship session. Gemma was on guitar with a young chap (don't know his name) on a single drum. There is something about stripped back simple worship that I still find very appealing.
We also watched part of a talk called Hope by an American Pastor called Louie Giglio (although I may have spelled his name incorrectly) - there was a point in my life where I didn't like Mr Giglio. In the late 90s he was the most quoted person at all Christian events, it seemed that you could not believe without approval from Louie Giglio or if you had not heard him personally. My thoughts were unfounded and I guess I just resented the fact that there are lots of fantastic speakers who seemingly were not getting a look in. However, his talk last night on hope when we have reached rock bottom and how easy it is to blame God for the troubles in our lives was really good and rather inspirational. Just looking around the room you could see how well the youth were listening and connecting with it. Some of them I knew were in that rock bottom place, others I have not met yet and don't know where they stand, but there was definate connection with the words in that room.
Con stood up after and prayed. He also said that if anyone wanted to be prayed for to hold their hands out to signal to the leaders in the room that they wanted prayer. We then had to move around and pray for them, for whatever was on their minds and on their hearts. I come from quite a conservative traditional church originally and although I have had hands layed on me and prayers spoken over me and I have, in turn, prayed with other people and for other people, I had never actually been one to administer prayer in that sense. It was a Baptism of fire (no pun intended) and I just really had to rely on God to give me the right words to say so that those I prayed for felt that their request had been met.
It was a really good experience. There was definately some high emotion flying around and I don't know who has been affected in what way but the leaders all prayed later when the youth had departed that whatever had started there that evening could continue through the term, year and years to come.
Just wanted to share a little insight into what happens at 3D - Declare, Demonstrate and Deliver - attempting to promote church in a way that young people find easy to access.
God Bless
Sam
No comments:
Post a Comment