Continuing from my previous post, the second half of my time in Florida was spent in Orlando at the Marriot World Center.  This was for the Young Life All Staff Celebration which consisted of all of the staff for Young Life from all over the world.  There were over 4,000 people who came together (filling the 2nd largest hotel in the US) that all had one vision: Reaching the furthest out kids for Christ.  If you're imagining what 4,000 youth workers look like coming together for week of fun and refreshment... those images are probably dead on.

We were spoiled.  This once-every-four-years event is to show appreciation for Young Life Staff.  They did exactly that.  We had amazing speakers: Tim Keller and Francis Chan, great times of worship, amazing weather for free-time of afternoons by the luxurious pool, and even surprises that blew us out of the water.  No pun intended because that literally was the theme: Sea World.  Yes, they rented out ALL of Sea World for us for one night.  Restaurants, rides, shows, all Young Life staff only.  You should have seen our faces when he told us to get out of our afternoon session and go get on buses! :) Like kids on Christmas! For free day we had our choice or Orlando's parks, so I spent the day at Disney World!! 

I came back from this trip with a tan, refreshed, and excited for all that God is doing in my heart, and grateful for the role Young Life has played in my world.

Systematic Theology Fuller Style

I just got back from two weeks in Florida.  Yes, I escaped the Chicago tundra for and average of 80* and sunny, but the first week of my trip consisted mostly of sitting in an air conditioned conference room listening to professors.  Sound terrible? I thought it would be.

This was year two of my training track for Young Life.  After taking a Fuller class with professor Chap Clark on Adolescence, I was excited to hear that these professors were husband and wife Cathy Barsotti and Rob Johnston.  Both of them are also Fuller professors with urban experience both in Chicago and Cali.  As they stepped into their teaching and training role for the week, not only did they teach with passion and heart, but it was presented in a fresh and challenging way.

Each topic was dissected by looking at the 5 things that have shaped our beliefs and theology thus far:
1. The Bible
2. Culture
3. Tradition
4. Local church/community
5. Personal experience

Upon looking at how these contributed, we were forced to see if the views we had were right or wrong, if they were biblical or not, and forced to examine.  Not that any of my theological positions drastically changed, but this holistic approach to how and why we believe was much different than being force fed theology as I have been accustomed to.

Though this graduate level class was crammed into one week and I felt like I had my mouth up to a fire hose for some of it, it was amazing.  As I continue to dissect what I learned (somewhat forcefully through post-class assignments) I am excited to process all of this even more.