Motivated by possibility: The Gen X/Y Gathering

BY REV. MARK LONG
First UMC, Trenton

To quote Bryan: "This morning I wasn't tired when I woke up. That's the first time that's happened in more than a year."

To quote pretty much everybody: "Let's do this again next year!"

Written by Amy Forbus at The Gen X/Y Gathering Village at 7Villages.com

I resonate with Bryan's comment above. This was one of the first conferences I've attended where I woke up on the last morning feeling refreshed and renewed for doing ministry - not tired, worn out and bone weary. Why was it this way? It may have been the creative freedom we all felt: a freedom to dream of how to build community in real ways in our local churches. It may have been the presence of Tim Keel and Doug Pagitt, our guest leaders for the retreat. It may have been our outings on Thursday and Friday evening.

But one thing I know for certain: the presence of the Holy Spirit had much to do with it.

What a fantastic way to launch a new connectional event: gathering at Mt.Sequoyah, feasting both at the Lord's table and in the cafeteria; learning from some of the people whoinitiated Emergent, a conversation on what postmodern Christianity will look like; and sharing fellowship with brothers and sisters from the North Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kansas East, Missouri, Oklahoma and Louisiana Annual Conferences in our Jurisdiction and at least one from as far away as Maine.

At the close of our first day, guest speakers Tim Keel and Doug Pagitt invited every conference attendee to join them for fellowship at the Bishop's Cabin, where they were staying. This was a perfect setting for informal conversation that reminded us of our college days. We learned about each of our different ministry contexts, and about what issues we felt were of greatest importance to the life of the United Methodist Church.

On Thursday morning we were also blessed to hear from Rev. Patrick Friday from the GBGM on the importance of young adults in new church planting and in the global effort of the UMC. He even brought a message on DVD from Wes Magruder, our ministry colleague serving in Cameroon.

We participated in worship five times during this event, receiving communion and joyfully hearing God's word proclaimed. The singing was tremendous, and, as another conference attendee wrote in an evaluation form, "It was nice to be where the majority of worshipers were really singing." We had a blend of music styles, as could be expected with the group that had gathered.

Discussion topics in our plenary sessions ranged from our personal journeys in ministry, to how our changing world is driving a need for renewal within the church, and practical ways in which we can engage our churches to be faith communities that work to reach our world with the hope of Jesus Christ.

This event actually began last year, with three other younger adult pastors sitting around a table in a restaurant in San Diego during the School for Congregational Development. After returning home, I found myself in a position to get The Gathering off the ground. We had times of extended conversation via the internet and a lengthy conference call with 10 people. But when the rubber met the road, two of our extended network of friends helped to pull this event together and they deserve recognition for their hard work. Amy Forbus the young adult representative for the North Texas Conference, and Eric Van Meter, a pastor serving in the Arkansas Annual Conference, were invaluable in making this event a reality. Eric was our go-to guy for scheduling Mt. Sequoyah, writing the checks and all the logistics planning. Amy was the backbone of publication, advertisement and initiation of word of mouth and viral messaging that helped us exceed our goal of 50 participants (we had 52, plus 3 speakers and a worship leader).

As I drove home on Saturday,May 26, I couldn't help but celebrate just a little bit. We didn't come to any grand conclusion or solution for all that ails us. We really didn't get around to that kind of discussion at all. But the connections that we made, the fellowship we enjoyed and the worship we gave at The Gathering made this event a great success. Thank you, North Texas Conference, for your help in launching this connectional endeavor. And thank you to the Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico Annual Conferences for your support and encouragement of this event as well.