National Youth Worker's Convention

This weekend I was at the NYWC in Nashville TN. I will not be able to tell you all that happened on the trip simply because there was simply too much going on. (Check out pomopete's blog for more perspective of what went on.)

The first day I attended Tony Campolo's seminar on Apologetics for Youth Ministers. Let me just say that Tony's the man. I went to this seminar because I thought if anyone could redeem the hyper-modernist world of apologetics, it would be Tony. I was right. He did a great job of looking at challenges from each of the sciences: social science, psychology, etc. He did not attempt to give a step by step method of defending the faith, but allowed for an understanding of sharing realities or stories other than foundationalist argumentation. Thanks Tony.

I also attended Tony's seminar on Christians in Politics. Again, the seminar was great, however, Tony was not as "liberal" (I hate that term) as I thought he would be. Still, he gave a great critique of the uneasy marriage of the modern day church and conservative republican ideology. (Sorry to bust anyone's bubble out there, but Bush is not the savior of the world) I guess I'll shut up before I start preaching. Let me just say that the seminar was great.

Tony Jones facilitated a late night theology discussion. I was only able to join in on the last portion of the discussion, which primarily centered around women in ministry. The highlight of the night was this guy who was sitting in the row next to me. I guess I should say that he started out sitting next to me, before the discussion was over he was not only standing but was pacing the aisle. He could not understand how someone could read the Bible and agree to women in ministry. I am sorry, but I got too much pleasure out of watching this guy squirm. Let me be the first to say, rather pointedly, that if you are advocating not allowing women in ministry, you are living in a destructive narrative that is contrary to the Kingdom of God. Please stop the oppression. And yes, I give you permission to take offense at this.

I bought the cds for a couple of other seminars that are really good. As I listen to them and process them, I will blog about them. I know that this is a short update, but well, that's it for now. The rest of the conference was great. David Crowder is the man. Chris Tomlin, all the speakers and bands were great. If you are a youth worker and have never been...go.