I’m not sure why, but at the end of every spring semester I
find myself surprised. It happens every year, so you would think I’d be
prepared. But I’m not. I know the answer has something to do with new wine
skins and brand new garments that Jesus said would describe His kingdom. You
can’t bottle up, to use a mixed metaphor, new wine – and my Theological
Foundations for the Christian Life class yesterday was living proof that Jesus
knew what He was talking about.
The 41 students in my class were put into 11 groups earlier
in the semester. Instead of writing a term paper on some theological topic,
they were given instructions about finding a way to model something we learned
in class in a meaningful way. The instructions included the fact that their
project couldn’t be done in the context of a local church – not because I don’t
believe in the church, but because that would be too easy. I wanted them to do
something that would challenge their comfort levels, express authentic biblical
thinking, and make an impact.
Looking over the reports from yesterday, this class rang the
bell! As a class, this group of Point students contributed somewhere in the neighborhood
of 600+ hours of doing kingdom things. They reflect creativity and courage;
commitment and generosity; and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to work
together in ways that reflect what being “in Christ” is all about. Not one
student in the class is perfect, which is a good thing since their professor
certainly isn’t, but they were willing to engage in the idea of “kingdom people
doing kingdom things” in ways that make me understand what a blessing it is to
be a part of the kingdom of God and Point University.
One group went all the way to Jackson, MS where they
participated in the launch of a new church that is deliberately focused on
being a congregation where economic, racial, and other social distinctions are
ignored. They slept in a challenging neighborhood, did all sorts of work over
the weekend in inviting the community to
be at the launch, and on Sunday, set up for church, worked in the nursery, did
children’s church, served as ushers in the service and lots of other “stuff”
that goes into launching a brand new kingdom outpost.
Another group of guys did a Bible study in a county jail.
They made all the arrangements, bought pizza and soft drinks, spent time with
inmates, and led a study of Jesus’ visit to the house of Simon the Pharisee in
Luke 7. One student said of that experience, “This affected me emotionally . .
. Before the project I was nervous about being around inmates, but I was quick
to realize that they are just people like me who made a wrong decision.” They
plan to continue that project.
Another group did a “free yard sale” in one of the poorer
neighborhoods in West Point. They collected tons of clothes, toys, household goods,
and the like and had a “sale” where everything was free. In addition they did a
cookout for the neighborhood during the “sale.” Among the things students said
about this project, “I learned that no matter where you are from or what you
have experienced you could lay it at the feet of Jesus and move on to bigger
and better things in Christ. I also learned that we do need each other; I
needed to learn this.” Another group collected supplies for Save-A-Life
ministries in Lanett – helping that ministry serve unwed mothers in the area,
which is a huge need.
Another group decided they would discipline themselves to
meet at least one new person a week for five weeks. One student told about a lady he met in line
at the DMV who was angry with the whole world, including God. Because of that conversation, that lady
visited the church where this student is involved the next Sunday. Another
student in that group said, “Without this project I would have never thought to
ask people about their story or been able to comfort them through listening and
just being there for them. This has really showed me the importance of
community.”
One of the more interesting groups was the one that decided
to “panhandle for the homeless.” They spent a good bit of a Saturday in
downtown West Point, holding signs that said things like, “I have a home, but
am collecting money for those who don’t.” They raised a good bit of money for a
ministry that seeks to help men who are homeless because of addiction problems.
“I learned that you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God simply by volunteering
your time. Our project took very little money to accomplish a great task” was
how one student described that experience. Another group worked with a lady who
sees herself as “a missionary in the Valley” – living in and ministering to
people in challenging neighborhoods. They discovered that “you can be a
missionary right here” is what one student said.
Another group did a prayer walk where they recruited other
students, created three “journeys through our community” where students walked,
stopped to pray, and ended up together in front of the Academic Center of Point
– praying! I remember standing on the second floor balcony watching them as
they came together to pray. Students from all different backgrounds, standing
in front of Point – praying! One student said about this project, “This
experience has given me a different perspective on what it means to live within
a community. There are always going to be people that you may never see or
meet. But that doesn’t mean that you cannot pray for them.”
Another group recruited a group of students and spent a
while at the East Alabama Medical Center that had been very restrictive about
visitors because of concerns about viruses. They were able to spend time with
children (and adults) who had been in the hospital a while – taking them toys,
etc. and making the day a bit brighter. Another group titled their project “Stepping
out into Creation” and recruited other students, focused on the beauty of God’s
creation and cleaned up some of the trails near the West Point landing for the Chattahoochee
River. “We made a small jump into being what Adam and Eve were commissioned to be
when it pertains to the maintaining of the world and everything in it” is how
one student described that experience.
This is longer than I intended, but actually it isn’t long
enough. I could have quoted from every student and described in much more
detail every project. For the “Chicken Littles” out there who are pretty sure
the sky is falling when it comes to young adults, you have an open invitation
to my Theological Foundations for the Christian Life class late next April when
we will make these same kinds of reports in class. You might have your mind
changed.
But, actually you could come and visit Point just about any time
and discover young adults ready and willing to serve in the name of Christ to
transform our culture for Christ.
And to think, I get paid to work here!
