lvron@saturn.lerc.nasa.gov (Ronald E. Graham) (01/03/91)
On 12/11/90, I posted a request for assistance on the above subject. I was looking for Bible references, for use in a weekend conference session with college graduates affiliated with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, that would apply to the following questions: o How can we use our professional skills and training to contribute to the life and mission of the Church? o How can we translate service to God on the college campus to service to God later on, after graduation? I got four responses to this request. This is a summary of the responses, along with what I know right now will be included as part of the conference session. The Moderator responded with a concern that IVCF members be involved with local churches while in school. At first, I saw this comment as having limited relevance to the questions I was really asking, although his concern is valid. Now, I see that the best way to prepare for service in the Church is to engage in it. On-the-job training. The classical problem of campus groups, however, is that most students will not continue to attend the same (generally near the campus) church after graduation: this means that even those members of IVCF who have been active in church for four-and-some-odd years prior to graduation are back to square one afterwards. Plus, IVCF, like most campus Christian groups (I think) actively encourages church participation for its members already, so the conference will gain only a little by reinforcing this. Mike Murphy, murphy@mips.com, brought up the same concern as the Moderator, and also included the following verses for consideration: o Ephesians 4 & I Corinthians 12 (the body of Christ & gifts) o I Timothy 3 (role and qualifications of deacons, deaconesses, etc.) o Hebrews 10:23-25 (importance of fellowship) The passage in I Timothy will make the final cut - I'll explain why later. Geoff Allen, geoff@pmafire.inel.gov, also suggested I Timothy 3, and suggested the specific ministry-forms of teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. I am constrained not to do this sort of thing by the fact that all the conference attendees will be attending different types of churches, with different approaches to specific ministries. The conference goal will be to give Biblical background and encouragement for attendees to seek their own forms of ministry expression, in the context of their own church. John Baldwin, johnb%duke.srchtec.uucp@mathcs.emory.edu, came up with a spinoff idea that was something I had in mind myself for about a year. Outrageous! But I can't talk about it openly yet. John and I are praying over it over the holidays and we'll bring it up later, unless God appears to indicate that the door is closed. So: here's the conference session rundown: Friday discussion (led by myself) o Goal: to form a bridge between student life and Church life o Key passage: Hebrews 10:19-25, 32-39 o Pre-conference study questions: - how does your relationship to God now compare to what it was when you were in school? - how has your relationship with the Church affected your spiritual life? o References: James 4:13-17 (a warning not to plan one's professional career too far ahead ;-)) Sunday discussion (led by myself again) o Goal: to determine how God wants to use us in the life of the Church o Key passage: Romans 12:1-8 o Pre-conference study questions: - what is it that enables us to learn God's will? - how is the use of our gifts to be governed? o References: I Timothy 3 (a summary of behavioral and growth issues faced by church leadership) In between, there will be other sessions, in which I will participate but not lead, which involve ecclesiology, worship, breaking of bread (both kinds), teaching, and evangelism. I have also collected lists of passages for handouts on these subjects: the need for lay ministry, blocking service options. The handouts may be used for exercises during the weekend if time permits. The session is part of MannaFest '91, the IVCF regional conference for this area, and will be held February 22-24 at the Holiday Inn on Ohio Rt. 8 in Hudson OH, next to the Ohio Turnpike. If anyone wants more information, please feel free to ask. Via e-mail if possible. Thanks to the four of you who responded. Happy holidays. RG "At Parbar westward, four at the causeway and two at Parbar." I Chron. 26:18 Amen and amen! ;-)