Youth conference explores Divine relationships

Canadians at Higher Things youth conference

Youth and leaders from B.C., Manitoba, Ontario And Quebec, travelled to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois For one of this summer’s three Coram Deo Higher Things Lutheran youth conferences, where they learned about their relationships both ‘Coram Deo’ (Latin for ‘before God’) and ‘Coram Hominibus’ (‘before man’). The 30 Canadians joined more than 1200 other Lutherans at the Illinois conference.

Higher Things, a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, held a retreat in Mount Forest, Ontario in March 2011 and another is scheduled for 2012. The organization holds youth conferences each summer.

“We work and plan all year so that youth from all over can have a Christ-centred week,” said Rev. George Borghardt, Higher Things conference executive.

Similar in structure, the three conferences included multiple worship services, plenary sessions, workshops, and entertainment.

“Higher Things conferences are an experience like no other,” reports 15-year-old Mary Meleg from Ontario. “I like the atmosphere of how pastors connect with the youth so much, and it’s nice to be in a place where all the people believe the same thing and come together to learn aspects of the faith.”

The Coram Deo plenary sessions were taught by Rev. William Cwirla of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, California and Rev. Brent Kuhlman of Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, Nebraska.

“‘In the presence of God.’ That’s a topic that was beautifully devout to our teaching of justification and sanctification,” said Pastor Cwirla in a plenary presentation. “In its correct order and position we stand ‘Coram Deo’—before God—by faith in the blood of Christ and His sacrifice alone, and then we stand before our neighbour under God by His love as Christ works in us to be Christ for our neighbour.”

Youth at all three conferences cited breakout sessions as one of their favourite parts of the week. Topics included the liturgy, talking to non-Lutheran friends about Jesus, relationships, evolution, college, Mormonism, addictions, and Christian apologetics.

“This is where Jesus predominates,” said Rev. Duane Bamsch, Catechesis Coordinator for the Coram Deo conferences. “Youth …get to hear about their God, their Saviour, He who died and was raised for them, and there’s nothing more wonderful than that knowledge and the certainty that Jesus died for you.”

Conference activities included a talent show, karaoke, trips to water parks, an Elvis impersonator, a t-shirt swap, a magician, and more. Attendees also packaged colourful towels with bars of soap, a toothbrush, fingernail clipper, and a comb to create more than 1400 personal hygiene care kits for Lutheran World Relief.

“This was our first year doing a service project,” said Service Project Coordinator Erin Stephens. “We’re happy that it let us extend the love that Christ has given to us to our fellow man in their time of need.”

“The world does not get to say who you are. Jesus says who you are,” preached Rev. Mark Buetow during the Coram Deo closing divine service. “Jesus says that you are a child of God, holy and righteous in His sight, because you are ‘Coram Deo’—before God—in Christ.”

Higher Things assists parents, congregations, and pastors in cultivating and promoting a Lutheran identity among youth, and holds annual youth conferences, including one to be held in Canada next summer. To learn more about Higher Things, visit www.higherthings.org.

Based on a report from Higher Things

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