More On Higher Things.

Great interview with Higher Things President Rev. Bill Cwirla on the InternetMonk.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/higher-things-a-new-model-of-youth-ministryan-interview-with-pr-bill-cwirla

A highlight:

3. What is at stake in not creating a separate “youth ministry” culture within the church?

Adolescence is a transitionary period from childhood to adulthood; it is not a subculture. Our task as adults is to get them through adolescence, not perpetuate it.

I compare youth work to a relay race. There is that critical point where the lead runner and the next runner need to be perfectly in step as the baton is passed. They must be running together, side by side. This is what HIgher Things is trying to do, have youth and adults “running together” in worship, in learning, in recreation, having youth get up to speed with adults so that the baton can be passed on to them. The word “tradition” means something handed on, and as we run the race that is set before us, we need to make sure that the next generation of runners is fully up to speed.

Find more info on Higher Things at http://higherthings.org/

Rev. Cwirla's "Sola Top Ten"

Here's at Higher Things Sola 2009 top ten list from Pr. Cwirla (I whole heartedly agree!)

Top ten higher things at the Sola - San Antonio Higher Things youth conference:

10.  Chris Loemker on the organ - Chris Rocks absolutely!

9.  Listening to Bill Weedon burst into Latin

8.  Bruce Keseman's PowerPoint

7.  CCVs

6. Kellee's chocolate fountain at the development reception - Wow!

5.  Conference staff - Gina, Sue, Ann, Lynea, Hannah, David, Jacob, Carl, Daniel, Stan, Kellee, Sandra, Brent, Duane, Erin, Jason, Landon, Mark, Jon, George, Paul, Ringo....

4.  San Antonio Zoo - steaming hot but awesome animals!

3.  Ray Reed's Texas brisquit - holy smoke!

2.  The Holst Te Deum

1.  800+ Kids Darin' to be Lutheran

HT: http://blog.higherthings.org/wcwirla/article/4252.html

My Sola 09 - Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Sola 2009.

We returned from Sola 09 in San Antonio on Saturday evening, just in time for me to prepare for Sunday Worship here at Trinity.  What a great week.  A few highlights.

"Dare to be Lutheran"

Worship: Reverent, relaxed, liturgical, traditional... in a word Great!  Except for the use of incense in Evening prayer and a very little bit of "High church" during the Divine Service what was done could have been done in any church in the synod.  Here's a sample of one of the highlights The Te Deum (LSB 941), with some amazing accompaniment. 

Play: San Antonio Zoo.  We ("higher things folks") had the run of the Zoo. Literally.  We had it all to ourselves.  We wandered around and talked to the animals.  Except for the heat it was a great time. 

Rhino at the Zoo.

Work: Great speakers and sessions. Weedon and Keseman The Three Solas.  How much more Lutheran can you get.

Can't wait till next year.

Pastor Watt.