Previews 2007

Every year hundreds of high school age youth and their pastors and or youth ministers descend upon our campus for Previews. Previews is an event that offers high schoolers a sneak peak at what being a seminary student is all about. Hopefully for some of those visiting, a foretaste (a preview) of the feast to come (their future).

You see, each high schooler who attends has been chosen by his or her pastor or youth minister as someone who exhibits gifts and talents for a future vocation in the church. Previews affirms these individuals and gives them a better understanding and view of what their future could entail. Participants have opportunity to worship with the seminary community, listen to the call stories of current students, meet faculty and staff, tour the campus, attend a class and enjoy a fabulous lunch.

I had lunch yesterday with a pastor who has brought high schoolers for many years and for some of them this is their second or even third visit. Each visit, he says, continues to deepen their sense of call and understanding of seminary study and life. Studies show that some young people begin a sense of call to ministry as early as 13-14 years of age and so having these high schoolers on our campus is not too soon to start cultivating and affirming what the Holy Spirit has already begun.

If you see a young person in your congregation who exhibits the gifts and talents for a future vocation in the church, don't hesitate to let them know you see that in them. They may baulk at such a suggestion, but your comment will continue to roll around in their head for many years, and then you just wait and see what God has in mind.