Youthful passion: Forum helps students see ministry potential Betty Backstrom, Jun 22, 2009
PHOTO BY JADE ROY
United Methodist Student Movement Steering Committee member Jessie Waddell participates in worship at Student Forum.
By Betty Backstrom Special Contributor
SHREVEPORT, La.—The chaplain at Centenary College of Louisiana urged participants at Student Forum 2009 to discover their passion if they want to be more effective church leaders.
“What is your joy and satisfaction?” asked the Rev. Betsy Eaves, co-leader of a session on young adult leadership. “Where are you effective? And what do people tell you about yourself in those areas?”
More than 253 United Methodist college students from across the U.S. joined with 123 campus ministers and workshop presenters in exploring leadership development at the annual Student Forum, held May 21-24.
The forum is the national leadership conference of the United Methodist Student Movement sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). This year’s theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.”
Besides attending workshops and worship, students volunteered at service projects in the community.
Keynote speaker Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core, urged his audience to work together to establish strong interfaith ministries.
“A college campus is the perfect catapult for interfaith work,” Dr. Patel said. “Building houses, feeding the hungry and other outreach projects serve as ideal settings for people of different faiths to come together.
“To build bridges, build a relationship on something else other than politics. Look for the common characteristics like compassion and hospitality.”
Dr. Patel, who was recently appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Initiatives, is a self-described “theologically progressive” Muslim. Citing the Koran, he said, “God made us different nations and tribes that we may come to know Him.”
Dr. Patel challenged students to be a part of building a “beloved community of all faiths” and to identify that energy that drives them forward.
“What is it as a United Methodist that makes you want to be a leader?” he asked. “What inspires you?”
The Rev. Valerie Robideaux, a co-presenter for a workshop on young adult leadership, said she has a “hard time” with the phrase “young adult.” Ms. Robideaux, 27, believes that “ageism” is not only directed at older church members; it can affect young people, too.
“Many of us have longed to be given the opportunity to put our vision into place in our local churches,” she said. “Sometimes, it feels like there is a glass ceiling when trying to acquire positions of church leadership.”
Ms. Robideaux, who is the theological studies coordinator for Centenary’s Christian Leadership Center, said young adults should try to develop relationships with people in the church who can mentor them and help them find their spot in local church leadership.
Joyce Wickstrom, a student at Armstrong Atlantic State University and a member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church in Savannah, Ga., said local churches need to be intentional about including young adults in church leadership.
“My home church does a great job of this,” she said. “There is a young adult on every committee. The church, as a whole, gets it.” Matt Rhea, a member of the Wesley Foundation at Midwestern State University, said serving as one of the small group leaders has been “an awesome experience.”
“I received great training beforehand, which I know will help me in teaching my Sunday school class at home,” said Mr. Rhea, who attends a non-denominational church in Wichita Falls, Texas. Students volunteered in one of 28 different service projects on a Saturday afternoon in Shreveport. The projects ranged from painting murals on Sunday school room walls to feeding the homeless.
Jen Heald, a student at Candler School of Theology and Emory University (where she is working on a joint Master of Divinity degree and a law degree), was chair of this year’s steering committee.
“The United Methodist Student Movement and Forum have helped me and others realize that we can step up to the plate in ways we never imagined,” Ms. Heald said. “have definitely learned to let go and to trust. Things do work out, and it’s an amazing blessing to see it happen.
“College students are full of passion. It is exciting to watch all of that energy directed and funneled into a project.”
Students representing every jurisdiction participated in the 2009 forum.
The Rev. Meg Lassiat, director of student ministries, vocation, and enlistment for GBHEM, said the 15-member steering committee is comprised of two college students from each jurisdiction of the national United Methodist Church with five additional appointed positions.
“These students are leaders in their churches and campus ministries now, and will lead the denomination into the future,” Ms. Lassiat said.
Alice Knotts, editor of To Transform the World: Vital United Methodist Campus Ministries, presented insights from the book as she led a conversation about what campus ministry looks like within the United Methodist connection.
The Rev. Michael McCord, campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., believes the church has a chance to capture and benefit from the energy of young people.
“We’re standing at this juncture in our country’s history with a rise in synergy among our young people,” Mr. McCord said. “They are willing to work to improve our communities and to increase inclusivity. As campus ministers and chaplains, we need to continue what’s happening here.”
Ms. Backstrom is director of communications for the Louisiana Conference.
PHOTO BY JADE ROY
Dr. Patel, who was recently appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Initiatives, is a self-described “theologically progressive” Muslim. Citing the Koran, he said, “God made us different nations and tribes that we may come to know Him.” 
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