You Haven’t Changed!
Or Have You?

It is a common greeting, but I have always disliked being told by someone I haven’t encountered for a while that I haven’t changed a bit! In such brief greetings at a reunion it would probably take too long to explain why I would rather be seen as having expanded, grayed, or aged than be described as the same person I was ten years ago. Change tends to be less dramatic as we age. Our development usually requires a discerning eye to detect the deeper internal nuances. But for many of us, this growth is a lifetime ambition.

How has your faith in Jesus Christ, nurtured by the church and individualized by your life’s joys and challenges, led you to be who you are today? What has happened in the last ten years to make you believe what you do today? You might ask the same questions as you begin the Lenten journey toward the resurrection victory and the Easter promise of new life. I hope no one can say, “You haven’t changed a bit.”

This past summer six hundred young Presbyterians ready for fun and prepared with legislative recommendations attended the Youth Connection. There was a feeling of reunion in their manner that reminded me of a gathering of distant relatives. Through their votes they described the resources and tools needed to nurture their faith journey and enrich their faith stories. They asked for materials to help them form a more educated understanding of God through the study of Presbyterian faith so they can pursue interfaith and ecumenical dialogue with their classmates. They want additional evangelism resources like Web sites and conferences so they can better express their faith and share their Presbyterian beliefs.

They want to be involved in evaluating and developing confirmation curriculum materials in order to increase youth leadership and build a foundation of faith. They expressed a desire to promote the Pentecost Offering in their churches because they know it costs a great deal to do what needs to be done.

What do you as pastor, teacher, elder, and parent need to nurture you and other adults on your faith journeys? And, equally important, what are you going to do about it? If we fail to nurture ourselves, adult members on life’s journey, be it in ten-year intervals or during the forty days of Lent, people may very well say of us, “You haven’t changed a bit!”

Contact information:
Phone (888) 728-7228, ext. 5201
FAX (502) 569-5990
E-mail: ideas@pcusa.org