Q4 Emphasis on Scripture
By Kristi Smith, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministry, Milwaukie Covenant Church
As church member Paul Granlund was finishing his term as chairperson at Milwaukie Covenant Church, he sensed God leading him to serve in new ways. Paul was disappointed with how little his young adult children seemed to know about their faith—despite having grown up in Sunday school and youth group. He decided that he wanted to provide opportunities for adolescents to explore and affirm their faith through a Confirmation program.
“I started asking around, ‘Does the Covenant have any material for teenagers?’ and was introduced to The Journey curriculum. The material was comprehensive and well thought-out,” Granlund says. “Honestly, I was just glad I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.” That was 17 years ago and he is still using the same material.
The second year of the program, Paul had an idea. What if students didn’t just stand up at the end of the program Sunday and repeat the confirmation liturgy? Paul decided that he wanted students to have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning, to share their hearts with the church family, and to be a blessing to the community. And so began the legacy of Confirmation Sermons. Every confirmation student over the past 16 years (except one) spent the final months of their confirmation program developing their own short sermon which they then delivered to the congregation on Confirmation Sunday. In a culture where we often don’t expect much from young people, the students rose to the challenge.
Confirmation was structured as a two year program that covered both the Old and New Testaments. In January of their second year, Paul would provide students with a list of Bible Characters and topics that had been covered. Students then chose a character, topic or Scripture passage that stood out to them, and developed an outline for a short 7-10 minute sermon. Granlund coached them on developing main points, engaging introductions, and compelling examples. Some students wrote their first draft on their own, and others required one-on-one help from Paul to think through their topic and structure an outline. What does this say? What does it mean? Why does it matter? Why does it matter to you?
A student interested in computer engineering and robotics delivered a sermon on Remaining in the Vine, which he compared to a machine needing to be plugged into the power source. One young woman, in preparation for her sermon on 1 Samuel 16:7, drastically altered her appearance and went to school for several days dressed in dark, gothic-style clothing and makeup. She reported how although God could see that her heart was the same as always, her friends and teachers treated her differently. So did store clerks who followed her around, suddenly suspicious that she might be shoplifting. After having spent several weeks hospitalized for mental health concerns, one young man shared candidly about his experience with hopelessness before reassuring the congregation that God’s plans for us are plans to prosper us and not to harm us.
Young adults, now in their 20s, look back with pride and admiration at their sermons, examinations of Scripture that were ingrained in them so deeply that they will never forget it. “Most of them were very nervous about it beforehand,” admits Granlund, “but we rehearsed and rehearsed—first in the classroom, then in the sanctuary.” But regardless of nerves, the congregation was delighted by the students’ messages. Many people consider Confirmation Sundays to be the best services of the year!
Paul recalls one memorable moment where a young man on the autism spectrum, who had worked particularly hard to overcome barriers in preparing his sermon on not needing to be anxious, called out the lead pastor who was seated in the first few rows. “Pastor Bill likes to say, ’Now, I’m not worried—I’m just concerned.’ But you know what, Pastor Bill, I don’t think God wants us to be concerned either!” The young man’s eyes lit up as the congregation burst into laughter and the pastor grinned and nodded his assent.
Over the past 16 years, young people at Milwaukie Covenant Church have had the opportunity to explore the Bible and basic tenets of the Christian faith. They have bloomed under the kind and encouraging care of their passionate mentor. They have identified ways that Scripture connects to their own lives and passions, and have bravely stood before the congregation to share their hearts. In so doing, they have been welcomed, embraced and come to see how they are not simply consumers of church, but have their own gifts to share and can be used mightily by God. I can’t think of a better way one could confirm and display ownership over their faith.
Visit Milwaukie Covenant Church’s Website to learn more about the church and their ministry