Unfortunately, as soon as Rev. Tuffin’s sectional ended, Andrew and I had to hurry over to Announcements and Plenary 2. Wednesday:
I woke up at 6:00 AM this morning. The cafeteria wasn’t going to be open until 7:00 AM, so why on earth did I set my alarm for 6? The answer is that I like giving myself more time than I will need to do things. I made sure that Paul and Andrew were awake at the times they had requested. We then went down to the cafeteria in our dorm. Breakfast was good. Andrew started his morning tradition of spiking his orange juice with Vault (Coca-Cola’s answer to Mountain Dew).
After breakfast, my group leader drove us over to Middlebrook at 8:00, because she needed to be there early to help out. Paul, Andrew, and I, not being needed for anything, went and hung out outside the concert hall. Matins wasn’t until 9:00, so the outside doors of the hall were locked. We spent our time thoroughly exploring the area around the hall to see if there was a shorter way to our in-depth sectional (there was, but we didn’t find it at the time). We also fought a brief lightsabre battle outside the building. Once the outside doors were opened, we headed up to the second floor to refill our water bottles at the drinking fountain, and to wait for Zeke to show up and the ushers to let us into the chapel.
Throughout the conference, ushers who worked for the University of Minnesota passed out worship books, ushered people to seats, and controlled access to the concert hall. I can only wonder what was passing through their minds as they watched and listened to confessional Lutheran services and sermons three times a day. I can only imagine what they thought when they realized that the chapel was as full at 9:00 or 10:30 in the evening as it was at 9:00 in the morning. Perhaps some of them will go to Pr. Kind’s campus ministry this fall to find out what was motivating us crazy Lutherans to come all the way from Texas to go to church and Bible study. Perhaps some of the ushers already have found time to talk to Pr. Kind. I can only hope and pray that they have, and that their ears will be opened to God’s Word.
Pr. Kuhlman preached the sermon at Matins that morning. After the service was over, Paul, Andrew, and I headed to Breakaway B. Zeke was in red group, so he went to Announcements and Plenary 2. For Breakaway B, Andrew and I went to “Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide?” by Rev. Mark Tuffin. Paul went to “Islam: The Religion of Peace,” by Rev. Philip Houser.
Rev. Tuffin, who taught the Breakaway that Andrew and I went to, lives in Australia. Notice that I say he lives in Australia, not that he lived in Australia. That’s right: Rev. Tuffin and his group came all the way from Australia to attend this conference. I wonder what the U of M staff thought or would have thought of that? Surely some of them knew that groups from Australia, Canada, and Sweden were in attendance; and surely some of them had to be wondering what on earth would make people come from half-way around the world to attend church and Bible study.
Pr. Tuffin first discussed what is meant by the term conscience. He then discussed the work of the conscience, and the symptoms of a guilty conscience. Next, he discussed the path to a clean conscience, putting a strong emphasis on Private Confession and Absolution. He also reminded us of Luther’s speech before the Diet of Worms, and to always keep our consciences subject to the Word of God.
I would have loved to have talked to Rev. Tuffin, since I have visited Australia several times. Those of you who know about my childhood will know why I was in Australia. Those of you who don’t can e-mail me to find out about my childhood. Unfortunately, as soon as Rev. Tuffin’s sectional ended, Andrew and I had to hurry over to Announcements and Plenary 2.
Pr. Wilken also taught Plenary 2. His theme today was that everybody loves Jesus. As proof of this, he showed us pictures of about 15 different Jesuses, as portrayed by our culture. There was football Jesus (being tackled, and playing without a helmet), dancing Jesus, soccer Jesus, bling Jesus, gangsta Jesus, and others. He then reminded us that Jesus may not have been like we want to imagine Him. He followed this by reminding us that Jesus never said “love me.” Jesus said “trust me.” Loving Jesus doesn’t get us to heaven. Trusting him does.
After Plenary 2, we all went to lunch. The cafeteria food was good, as always. After lunch, we went to chapel for Vespers. Pr. Sollberger, a former CCM band member, preached an excellent sermon. After Vespers, we went to Plenary 3.
Plenary 3 was taught by Rev. Cwirla. He began his presentation by adding Lego Jesus to Pr. Wilken’s montage of Jesuses. Pr. Cwirla then told us a little about himself, before delving into how the forgiveness that Jesus won FOR YOU is delivered to us. If I remember correctly, Rev. Cwirla talked about Communion on Wednesday.
After Rev. Cwirla’s presentation, it was time for Breakaway C. Paul, Andrew, and I all went to “How Can a Lawyer Defend a Cold-Blooded Killer?” by Christian Preus, an insurance lawyer, and brother of Rev. Klement Preus. Mr. Preus based his presentation on the separation of the Kingdom of the Right (the church) from the Kingdom of the Left (government and secular affairs). He pointed out that in our vocations in the Kingdom of the Left we are subject to the rules and laws of the government, and the requirements of our vocation. The vocation of a lawyer requires him to defend his client. It is not his vocation to determine the guilt or innocence of his client; that is the vocation of the judge or the jury. The lawyer’s job is simply to do the best he can in his vocation, and leave the rest to God.
Next, it was time for part II of our in-depth (Ancient Regurgitations: Countering the Cults). Rev. Stiegemeyer discussed Jehovah’s Witnesses in this session. I knew practically nothing about JWs before this session, so I was writing like crazy throughout most of the class. If you want to know more about what was covered in this session, just leave a comment here or send me an e-mail. For the moment, I’ll simply pass on some practical advice about JWs. First, if JWs come to your house, don’t engage them in religious conversation unless you have studied their religion, and are prepared for a discussion. Politely turn them away. Second, if they offer you a tract or pamphlet, DO NOT ACCEPT IT! If you accept it, the JWs will take that to mean that you doubt your own religion, and ripe for the picking, so to speak. Another interesting tidbit: JWs actually prefer to be turned away, because they view that as a sort of martyrdom or persecution, for which they’ll be glorified in heaven.
After Rev. Stiegemeyer’s fascinating presentation, everybody went over to Coffman Memorial Union, the U of M’s student union, which had been reserved for us for the evening. Paul, Andrew, and I goofed around at a game of pool, while Alex played a real game. We then played Apples to Apples with all the MHers that showed up (Alex, Andrew, Anna, Christopher, Erik, Maggie, Mrs. Gehlbach, yours truly, Zeke and probably one or two others whose names escape me). At 8:00 we went to watch ComedySportz. For those who haven’t heard of it, it is a comedy improvisation team that treats comedy like a competitive sport. They take audience suggestions, and challenge two teams of actors to do skits based on those suggestions. Points are then awarded to the team that performed the funnier skit (as determined by the audience). Alex is a huge fan of ComedySportz, and he was thrilled to be chosen as an audience volunteer to be in the show. He got to go up on stage, and make sound effects for a skit.
After the ComedySportz show, we played Apples to Apples again for a few minutes before heading over to the chapel for Evening Prayer at 10:30. Rev. Buetow preached the sermon. Afterwards, we went back to our respective dorms, and once again slept the sweet sleep of the conference attendee.
For whatever reason, the word "Australia" seems to be mostly missing here. It's funny.
Also, I *must* have met you at some point and not even have known it. Certainly saw Paul around enough.