Men’s and Women’s Panel at BWC
After Ben Burns gave a riveting, frank and earthy talk about sex in the main session at BWC; I had the opportunity to be part of a men’s panel. The men’s panel answered questions from a room full of male students while the women’s panel answered questions from a room full of women.
Then after an hour, we switched.
It was scary.
The Men's Panel
What made it so terrifying was the pain and confusion embedded in the questions. It was clear that many students had been badly burned by poor sexual choices. It was clear that many students were confused about how to understand their desires, there experiences (some of tragic abuse) or their relationships with others. Looking into the face of this pain and confusion, and trying to answer it, was very difficult.
However, the hardest part of being on the panel was having such a short time to address questions of enormous significance. The best part of the panel was the honesty and transparency of the questions and the answers. At the very least we had the opportunity to recognize that deep issues of sexuality and life are appropriate to bring into the light of healthy community. Healthy Christians talk transparently about the deepest issues of life.
We tend to believe three lies:
- I’m the only one who is dealing with this.
- I can never change.
- Not even God can forgive me.
All three of these lies were exposed and refuted by Ben’s talk and the panels. I have been praying ever since for the students here at BWC and on campuses everywhere, that they would experience the grace and truth of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the deepest areas of their lives.
Shane & Shane Perform at BWC
The “Shane Everett right-armed Pentecostal fist pump” is the official dance move to the song “Everything is different”, the title track from contemporary Christian artist Shane & Shane’s newest album. Shane Everett, performing alongside Shane Barnard, demonstrated the move Saturday night during their show at the Boston Sheraton Hotel. Campus Crusade for Christ’s fifth annual Boston Winter Conference hosted the concert.
Saturday afternoon, 342 college students checked into the hotel for the five-day conference. To end the first night Shane & Shane took the stage for a public concert.
They have worked with Campus Crusade in the past, and often play shows on the college circuit.
“I guess that’s just who listens to our music,” Barnard said. “We love to play on campus and have the opportunity to be involved with them. That age group is so cool.
Esther Brown, a student at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, won the best seats in the house during the evening’s main conference session, which included the honor of sitting on a couch with friends in front of all the other seats. She was impressed with Shane & Shane’s attitude and approach to worship.
“They were quick to give all praise to God, and that was really neat to see people so committed to God,” Brown said.
This is the type of memory Barnard hopes for when he takes the stage.
“Jesus is what we want people to remember when we leave,” he said. “We hope God shows off.”
In addition to songs from their newest album (released in Nov 2009) they played past songs and even a Christmas song from their recent Christmas tour.
They ended with a song that coincided with the conference theme, Glory. The song titled “Worthy of Affection” was inspired by a verse in Hebrews that says Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God (Hebrews 1:3).
Check out this video from the concert.
Shane and Shane Have Landed!
They will rehearse within the hour and the show will go on as planned. Tickets are still available at the door!
What to bring for BWC After Hours
Don’t forget to bring your talent and beach wear!! AfterHours presents an impressive night of “BWC’s Got Talent” on Monday January 4th! Play instruments? Sing? Dance? Are you a magician? Comedian? Have other talents? We’d love to have you perform! Also, after a cold wintry time in Boston what better way to celebrate the last night of BWC than with a BEACH PARTY!! Throw on your flip flops and shorts and get ready for a night of games, dancing, and prizes!
Need help paying for BWC?
Right now is a great time to ask your Pastor, Home Church Missions Committee or your Christian family and friends to invest in your attendance at BWC 2010. Many adults give at year end anyway for tax purposes and investing personally in someone like you is usually much preferred. Ask in faith that God will provide for your needs and step out in faith involve others in building his Kingdom. Read through this document (focus on the last section) for all the instructions on how to ask and what to do with gifts as they come in.
