What Matters

Fed Square

NCYC went to the heart of the city tonight.  A public rally was held in the magnificent Federation Square precinct of Melbourne.  A couple of thousand of us gathered and heard SCAT play some funky jazz, the President of the Uniting Church update us on the Gaza conflict and the church's response and to listen to Shane Claiborne speak.

It was a beautiful night, and not just for the sunny weather.  It was also a wonderful public witness to the vibrancy and relevance of the Christian Faith.  At its best, when it reflects the Way of Jesus, the Christian Faith does indeed bring Good News to our world.  Shane certainly spoke of this and our President's timely words also reminded us of this.

After it all finished, Andrew and I dropped into a cinema to watch Slumdog Millionaire.  It is a scandal this film is still not showing on the Gold Coast.  It is a cracker of a film that is both entertaining and educational.  A big five stars from me!

A Full Day

Monday was a full day at NCYC.  Delegates had community time from 8.30 through to 10am after which they transferred to MLC, the main NCYC venue.  From 11am until 12.30pm they were briefed about their Submersion program, which is happening today (Tuesday).  After lunch at 12.20pm, they came together for a whole convention gathering from 1.30pm until 3pm, after which they immediately move to Bible Study venues.  Whew!

So at 3pm Andrew and I faced 120 or so tired and weary NCYC delegates and engaged them in some exploration of Mark's gospel, specifically Mark 4.  I have to say they hung in there well for the 80 minutes or so we spent together.  It has been a lot of fun.

After Bible Studies there was some free time followed by dinner and another Whole Convention Gathering from 7pm until 8.30pm.  Then Night Life and finally transfers back to accommodation venues.  It is, in every sense of the phrase, a full day!

Old Friends

It's been weird.  Walking around the NCYC venues I keep bumping into people I know, Many who I have not seen for years.  People who attended NCYC 1995 or 1997, the two conventions I coordinated are everywhere.  Most of us are fatter, some of us a grayer - all of us are older!

I realised again just how much being involved in this amazing event has shaped who I am today.  It provided an intense leadership incubator in which I discovered and was able to refine and hone my gifts.  I also had the privilege of meeting amazing people from all around Australia, many of whom I am catching up this week.  Life is about relationships - our relationship with God and our relationships with others.  NCYC blessed me with many memorable ones.

Andrew and I lead our first Bible Study.  It seemed to go well.  Not many people fell asleep, just a couple of chaplains!  I am really tired and have come home early to get a good sleep.  I missed being in church back home this morning, but am so blessed to have Melissa and Nick and others who do such a great job when I am there and when I am not.

Melbourne Arrival

I traveled to Melbourne today to attend NCYC - the National Christian Youth Convention.  NCYC has been running for 54 years.  I had the privilege of organising two conventions, 1995 (Adelaide) and 1997 (Tasmania).  What amazing experiences they were!  So it is all a little weird coming to NCYC, not to organise it, but as a Bible Study Leader.

Over the next five days Andrew Hartwig and I will be leading 180 or so young people as we explore the radical nature of Mark's gospel.  I am looking forward to it, having spent Lent this year at church doing the same.

Convention got off to a great start tonight with Robyn Whittaker introducing the theme using the first few verses of Mark's gospel.  The music was good, there were a few technical issues and the crowd was buzzing.  All the usual stuff when you get 1300 or so young people together in the same place.