"Pastor Lane, can we radically change vespers?"

"Pastor Lane [my chaplain], can we change vespers [Friday night program]?"

"Sure, what do you want to change?"

"I heard about Union College's vespers where they have students give their testimony. I think that would glorify God and unite the student body. I don't have a problem with flying in speakers to speak to us. But I think the students would relate more to a testimony given by one of their peers. Secondly, I feel that there would be a uniting influence on the student body as we listen to one of our peers share their story. Finally, we, as the campus ministry staff, would show that we want students to speak out and get involved."

"That sounds like a good idea. We can definitely make those changes."

Okay, so I'm dreaming. This conversation didn't really happen. Big changes don't usually come that quickly or easily. In fact, I haven't talked to Pastor Lane yet because we've both been busy this week. But I am definitely going to ask him to make these changes at vespers.

See, in the last couple of semesters, I usually didn't go to vespers. I would go to church and be part of a small group or Sabbath school class, but I felt that one sermon was enough per week. I feel I actually get more from reading a book than hearing a sermon. (You should see all the books I've read during my college life.) Also, I didn't get much from the vespers speakers. So, I would go to church but not vespers.

However, I've just started going back to vespers since I came back from the campus ministry conference. It doesn't seem right for me to be part of the campus ministry staff and not go to the main spiritual college program. Also, it seems that God has also been dealing with me. I probably should go to vespers to be an example to others. And God seems to be pushing me to be more outgoing and to mingle with students and get to know them better. Well, vespers is probably a good place for that.

Anyways, I'm trying to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. I think having student testimonies would be more powerful than bringing in a speaker who may or may not relate to SWAU college students. One thing I noticed at the campus ministry conference is that the most effective programs seem to be programs where the students do everything -- even the preaching and speaking.

Well, please pray for us, the SWAU campus ministry staff, as we wrestle with the vespers programming for next year. I'll post later on how things go with vespers.

Happy Sabbath!

dee