FAITH STATEMENTS

We're quickly approaching Confirmation Sunday in our church. This year we have four 9th graders who will be making that public profession and confirmation of their faith. I know that they're excited...and I'm excited for them.

One of the things that is asked of our students preparing for Confirmation is that they write a personal Faith Statement. We look at examples of the historic creeds, as well as more modern affirmations, but in their final instructions the students are told to be a creative as possible. I encourage them to write about their faith as if they were writing for someone who has never heard of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the church.

I'm always amazed at their responses. I'd like to take at least some of the credit for being such a wonderful teacher, but I know better! These young people, at this stage of their lives, have done a lot of living. They have seen and heard and experienced things far beyond what I had experienced at their age. And they're not afraid to talk about their source of hope and strength.

In reading this year's Faith Statements, I was struck by the way each of them, in their own, way, talked about their journey, and how their journey would not be over when they received that Certificate of Confirmation. Each of them shared their desire and their commitment to remain connected to the church and continue the learning, growing, and serving they have experienced thus far.

While I'd like to take at least some of the credit for being a good influence on their Christian lives, I know better! What they have learned throughout their lives is the kind of important lesson that Jesus tries to teach in John 15:5: "I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from my you can do nothing."

I am reminded through these young people that I need to be more attentive to my journey - that while I may be 45 years old (did I say that out loud???) my journey is far from over. There are more books to read and more conversations to have with the wisdom folk. And while I may be an ordained pastor with a graduate degree, my learning will forever continue. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from our youth.

I hope that you'll join me in praying for Brady, Halee, Rosie and Tia, and congratulating them on passing this mile marker on their journey. And if you'd like to share where you've been influenced on your walk, or what you're doing to stay connected to the vine, let's chat!