An Inkling
It doesn’t get any better for the Elders of our church than this: we were gathered to hear Rachel, Geoffrey, and Matt tell about their faith in Jesus. Dwight Hedges, our Director of Student Ministries, had been meeting with them for ten weeks, and they were more than ready – even if a bit nervous.
Here are some of the questions they answered:
§ If Jesus Christ has shown us what God is like, then what do you know about God from having observed Jesus?
§ Can you affirm that you are ready to follow Jesus, and that you consider him as your Savior and Lord?
§ What people or events have led you to trust Jesus?
§ What does the word “Trinity” mean?
§ What are some meanings of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
§ What are the missions of the church? What part of the mission appeals to you?
The zeal and understanding with which they answered truly blessed the Elders. Now they’ll complete their profession of faith during worship this Sunday.
What qualifies them to do so? The right answers to the questions? No. They are no more qualified to be a follower of Jesus now than they were five years ago, when defining the Trinity would have been a stretch. They’ve not been qualified; they’ve been confirmed. Thus our term for this process: confirmation.
They have a role in this. They have studied so that they can profess their faith with understanding. So they are confirming their faith.
But more importantly, they are being confirmed by the One who has used all manner of things to form them in Christ: from the vows their parents spoke at their baptisms, to a thousand family prayers, to scores of Sunday School classes and student ministry outings. Having been confirmed, they are now ready to stand in worship this Sunday and confirm what they believe.
Then, with the rest of us, they’ll get to confirm that belief by the ways they live. And it only adds to the joy that we get to do so together. God’s goodness has been yet again…
Confirmed!
Keith
