Reflection on Small Groups @PYT2010

For many of the participants at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2010, the heart of the experience is a smaller group that becomes "home base."

(Pictured here is Small Group #143 Leader Rev. Dr. Charles Reese from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America. He is currently serving as senior pastor at the Faith Comberland Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas.)

For me, Small Group #73 became the place where I could get to know young people and reflect with them on God's word. How did that happen? Well...

Much of what we did was designed to help us move more deeply into the theme of the week: "For such a time as this." (based on Esther 4:14)

• Had we ever stood up for someone or something?
• Where do we identify with Esther's predicament?
• How do Esther's decision and Jesus' response to his temptation speak to us?

(Pictured here are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines (left to right): Emily Hansen, Christian Education Director Kellie Johnson and Bethany .)

Our group leader used a variety of approaches to help us explore these things. We shared random pertinent facts about ourselves. We read Scripture and created role plays. We viewed historic artist's renderings of Esther and The Temptation. We played, prayed, and talked.

Like other Small Groups, ours divided into smaller Purim Groups. Mine included Mary, Shelby, Dez, Adam, and Lindsay. Inescapably, the theme came back again and again (for me, at least) to the dreadful, wondrous decisions that are being laid before us, no matter that our age.

(Pictured here are (L to R) Maddie Culp and Jordan Rhodes of Westminster Presbyterian Church.)

Author's Aside:

Clearly, one of the issues I imagine to be behind the selection of this theme is the crisis that is upon the church in this millenial age:

• Can we still embody the hope and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
• Will we be able to use but not be used by the revolution in networking and communication?
• Are we able as an older, tradition-based institution to genuinely respond to the needs of our young people?
• And perhaps most importantly: Will we step aside and let the new thing happen that God would have happen among us?

You ought to see all of these young people (and their leaders!) readying themselves to step up to be God's people - for their time.

For a time such as this.

Rev. Stephen Bowie, adult advisor
Bloomfield Christian Church

(Pictured here are members of (2nd from left) Adult Advisor Kim Coulter's Purmin Small Group #143.)