I had a pretty great summer. It’s hard to believe it’s almost over, at least by what the calendar and my sudden busyness says. (The weather, of course, is another matter entirely…) But there is some comfort and excitement in getting everything underway—resuming my rehearsals and planning for the fall season ahead. I think that perhaps my most enjoyable experience this summer was my participation in a week-long Music and Worship retreat that my wife Carrie and I attended in mid-June. It was held at the famous Methodist retreat center called Lake Junaluska in the mountains of North Carolina, very near Ashville. The setting was both beautiful and serene, with all the buildings and architecture designed to heighten the experience of being around a lovely, large lake. I have to admit, though, I was a bit out of sorts upon arriving. I had come off a very busy season, both at church and with other professional obligations, and I was trying to recover and process all at the same time. Also, getting use to the slower pace of a retreat setting was not easy, interestingly enough! As I mingled with the other music directors, pastors, and other church staff in the main worship space, Ifound myself enjoying their familiarity and kindness, but still felt a little empty somehow. It felt like something was missing.
All of a sudden, the ground began to shake, similar to what happens when a herd begins a stampede. Well, come to find out, a herd had begun a stampede, but it wasn’t buffalo or bison (which I believe are rather rare in North Carolina.) It was a herd of teenagers who came barreling through the entrance of the worship center, laughing, talking, in good spirits, and excited to be there. Maybe this is what I was missing, I thought. I’m so accustomed to having young people in my life, I actually feel a little out of sorts without them!
I didn’t happen to know any of these teenagers—they were from all over the country, and there were probably about three or four hundred of them all together. But I did watch them for a moment, and what I saw had a pretty profound impact on me. I saw them greeting, talking to, and warmly hugging other adults in the worship center. At first I thought maybe they were greeting their parents or grandparents, but I later came to realize that this wasn’t the case. The people to whom these kids were showing such great affection were their pastors, youth directors, music ministers, and other adult chaperones. And the thought hit me—what an incredible atmosphere for these youth! Here, we have hundreds of teens, and they are surrounded by adults of faith who support and care for them, and they know it. I imagine (and observed) that the youth felt free to be who they were, silliness, awkwardness, clumsiness, and all, but yet they knew all the while they were supported every step of the way. To me, this was like a microcosm of heaven. How much of a better chance do these kids have a making good choices and building a successful life when surrounded by such love as this in their formative years?
I pray daily that we are able to create a similar environment for our youth here at PPUMC. Here, we are able to incorporate God and faith into our programs in a way that public institutions can’t, which is a pretty extraordinary thing. And yet, it sometimes surprises me how easily our time with them can be de-prioritized. Anytime a band/choir/orchestra director or a basketball/football/soccer coach changes a time to overlap a church event, parents come to me and say, “Sorry, it’s a school thing.”
I understand that not all these situations can be avoided, but what I would like to make sure our parents know is that we who are entrusted to minister to our children and youth dedicate our lives to the faithbuilding of our young people, offering something schools simply can’t. And what’s more, we seek to do so in an honorable way, setting high expectations, but always striving to model compassion. We do not lash out in anger, verbally or emotionally abuse, or engage in any other form of adult bullying. We are called upon to love these kids with the compassion of Christ, and are committed to do so without exception, even though we may stumble on occasion. I’ve never worked harder than I have for youth, and I’m glad to do it, because I truly believe in the effect that the power of faith will have on the rest of their lives. I know it is their faith that will sustain them when the trials of life come, as they always do. Those of us here who work with our kids are committed to loving these young people in the faith, attempting to impart the indescribable grace of Christ in a way that will sustain them through the rest of their lives. And I can’t think of anything more important than that.
See you Sunday, Jason
