Participants at the Global Young People's Convocation and Legislative Assembly(GYPCLA) are not letting the rain stop them from exploring Berlin today.
Some of you are probably wondering how sightseeing ties into strengthening the church...or even the Christian faith. Well, here's what I think:
Consider what Berlin has to offer. There are still standing sections of the Berlin Wall, prison sites and concentration camps, the Memorial Church and the living testimonies of those who lived in a divided city. Such places provide the perfect backdrop for young people, and Christians in general, to see how the power of God can overcome oppression. (Note that such a lesson can also be learned from visiting South Africa...as many young United Methodists did last year for the GYPCLA.)
Seeing the work of such a faithful and gracious God in an extreme environment, like Berlin, is bound to give these young people hope--a hope that they, united with each other in Christ, can overcome the injustice and oppression they experience and see in their daily life--both, inside and outside of the church.
If anything, I think these young church leaders are "rethinking church" and taking it upon themselves to extend the church experience beyond the church doors by engaging in the world, the ultimate body of Christ.
For more thoughts from delegates at the Global Convo, visit the Global Young People Blog.
(Photos courtesy of Amy Miller)
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