Received: 10/31/2001 12:03 PM
Reply-To: Electronic Symposium, ePosium@CAT41.org <mailto:ePosium@CAT41.org>

HIGHER GROUND!

An Evaluation of the 2001
LCMS National Youth Gathering

by

Rev. Marcus T. Zill
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and Campus Center, Laramie, WY
Youth Chair, Wyoming District

_____________________


FORWARD

As I pen these words the nation is yet in shock in the aftermath of the 
terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and we stand on 
the brink of war in the Middle East and perhaps elsewhere. Further, here 
at the University of Wyoming eight members of the twelve man Men's Cross 
Country team are dead following a horrific car accident. Truly, death is 
all around us! 

In the midst of this culture of death is our solemn responsibility to 
catechize our youth and prepare them for life lived in, but not of, the 
world. It is no secret that catechizing our youth in the faith of the 
"one, holy, Christian and apostolic Church" and increasing their 
understanding of their Lutheran identity is an ongoing struggle, 
especially in this technological, materialistic, self-absorbent and 
postmodern age. Truly, we all lament that more of our young people 
appear to leave the Church as they grow older rather than remain. Surely 
our task is a great one! Because of our concern to train our children in 
the pattern of sound doctrine and teaching, we must constantly evaluate 
the manner and means in which we seek to hand over that faith to the next 
generation.

Part of my responsibility in my position as the Youth Chair of the 
Wyoming District is to do just that, namely to "review youth materials, 
servant events, and other youth related gatherings" in order to assist 
you in your work with your congregation's young people. 

This evaluation is the culmination of an approximate twelve-month 
process, which included our District's decision to not directly encourage 
our young people in attending the most recent National Youth Gathering in 
New Orleans this past summer. 

Considering our various concerns, and in order to make the best 
evaluation possible, on behalf of the District I did the following things 
leading up to this report:

1) I attended the 2001 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans in order 
to provide the best first hand, on-site evaluation possible; 
2) I asked for input from those who likewise attended the Gathering from 
our District; and 
3) I traveled to St. Louis and spent nearly five hours discussing such 
matters with Rev. Terry Dittmer, LCMS Director of Youth Ministry, and Mr. 
David Weidner, the National Gathering Director for the last three 
gatherings. 

I am profoundly grateful to Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner for meeting with 
me, as well as their willingness to listen and discuss issues of such 
importance in a cordial and constructive manner. I especially offer a 
word of extra thanks to Rev. Dittmer with whom I have developed an open 
and cordial relationship as a result of this process and in light of our 
mutual concern for the development of our Synods' youth and the future of 
our Church. 

Last fall the letter I wrote to the pastors and youth workers of our 
District laid out the following areas of concern regarding the LCMS 
National Youth Gathering: 

1) The goal of creating a "mountain-top experience" for the sake of the 
experience itself. 
2) A general confusion of the distinction of Law and Gospel.
3) The introduction of "worship" that is foreign to our confession rather 
than highlighting and teaching that which serves us well in our synodical 
hymnals.
4) The attitude that what our youth need is something "different" from 
what they receive in their own church as if "real" youth ministry can 
only take place at such an event.
5) The overall lack of reverence taken toward the Lord's Supper and it's 
administration, as well as the reason for having it in the first place 
(see #1 above).
6) A focus on entertainment at the expense of real learning (including 
the emphasis of that which pertains to a theology of glory rather than 
the theology of the cross)
7) The denigration of the role that pastors should play in working with 
their youth (as evidenced in great measure in the newly released 
pre-gathering video) 
8) A general negative attitude concerning what it means to be a 
confessional Lutheran in the world in which we live.

Throughout the course of this evaluation the above will all be addressed 
in light of my participation in these events and discussions with those 
engaged in youth ministry and the planning of the Gathering on the 
national level. While one cannot participate in, or witness, everything 
that takes place at the Gathering, I am confident that the approach I 
have taken has provided me with as good a vantage point as possible in 
order to offer this evaluation. 

I have also sought, wherever reasonably possible, to directly contact 
many others involved in the planning of the Gathering for the sake of 
accuracy and clarity. The hope is to provide an objective overview and 
critique of the major components of the Gathering itself (especially for 
those of you who have never been to one), and a critical evaluation of 
the Gathering in lieu of the above concerns and others. Finally, 
suggestions will be offered that will hopefully be helpful not only to 
those who work with youth in our District and elsewhere, but moreover, to 
those engaged in the planning of the next National Youth Gathering. 

I would like to especially thank the members of the Wyoming District 
Commission on Congregational Services, its chairman Rev. Lee Rupert, and 
our District President, Rev. Ron Garwood, for their ongoing support, 
input and encouragement throughout this process.

Almighty God, gracious Father, whose years know no end and before whom 
the generations come and go, teach our youth to number their days and to 
apply their hearts to eternal wisdom. By Your Word and Spirit increase 
their faith. Lead them to choose and ever strive for holiness of living, 
to the end that they may faithfully serve You and finally obtain the 
heavenly inheritance; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Prayer for Youth 
Organizations, from Lutheran Worship Agenda, copyright 1984 by CPH. Used 
by permission)

Sincerely,




Rev. Marcus T. Zill

21 September 2001
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist


GATHERING OVERVIEW

Organization 

The National Youth Gathering (hereafter NYG) has grown quite a bit since 
1980 when the first one was held in Fort Collins, CO, on the campus of 
Colorado State University, and Mass Events were held in Moby Gym which 
seats perhaps 7,000. Today, the Gathering has more than quintupled in 
size (not to mention influence).

One cannot but marvel at the level of organization that it takes to put 
on a gathering of 35,000 people so far away from home, much less when 
most of them are teenagers without their parents. It is simply 
staggering to consider the logistics of airplane travel, hotel 
registration, food service and the like, all of which for the most part 
are outside the $5.2 million budget that it costs to put on such an 
event. 

In general, everything from the very informative 130 page Gathering 
Booklet (hereafter GB) to the smallest of details was extremely well 
done. Nearly everything throughout the week went as smooth as could be 
expected. Even when the unexpected took place the Gathering planners were 
well-organized and ready to deal with it. This included everything from 
the unexpected death of one of the youth registrants and issues such as a 
water main break and evacuation of a local hotel. They have clearly 
developed a massive organizational system that makes good use of 
experienced individuals and volunteers. Without the ongoing and continued 
help of those who have worked at past events, the Gathering clearly could 
not come together as well as it does, if at all. 

In meeting with Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner, I was impressed all the 
more with even the level of contingency plans that must be in place when 
you have, in essence, a small city gathered in a dome, including 
potential disaster plans. For instance, in New Orleans a prime concern 
was the potential for hurricanes, but in the future, potential safety 
concerns due to the threat of terrorism may be a major factor. Once 
again, not enough can be said about the level of organization involved 
with planning and carrying out the National Youth Gathering. 

Location 

In recent years, because of the logistical needs required by the present 
format, potential locations have been limited. In general, New Orleans 
was a nice location. One can easily see why it was picked as the 
Superdome, the Morial Convention Center, the Riverwalk Mall, the history, 
French flavor, and general ambiance of the city, not to mention the 
plethora of hotels and restaurants, make it an obvious choice selection. 

Of course, having 35,000 young people in the proximity of Bourbon Street 
is a concern with its great number of strip clubs and other such places 
of licentious activity. One night I went to the French Quarter to hear 
some blues. On my way back to the hotel I did notice not a small number 
of youth walking through areas they probably shouldn't have been in at 
all. Being out after midnight in such an area and without adult 
supervision is not a good combination. Others in our District informed me 
that some youth leaders perhaps patronized some places not appropriate as 
well. 

Given such concerns, one cannot fault the planners of the National Youth 
Gathering (hereafter NYG) for the failure of the adults leaders of 
various groups to appropriately chaperone their youth. Just as the 
planners rely on a great network of volunteer helpers and staff, so too 
should they be able to expect that the adult leaders of various youth 
groups will act and chaperone appropriately. 

District Youth Coordinators 

As you may or may not know, due to our collective concerns regarding the 
NYG we as a District chose not to have a District Coordinator for this 
event as we have had in years past. Considering the impressive level of 
organization inherent with the NYG you can imagine my surprise when in 
the official GB someone from our District was incorrectly listed as the 
Wyoming District Coordinator. In my discussions with that individual and 
with Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner, it appears that this was the fault of 
a staff person in St. Louis who assumed that a certain individual was our 
District Coordinator, even though we as a District expressly decided not 
to have one. The confusion created by this miscommunication is quite 
unfortunate. 

The Daily Schedule 

A typical day at the National Youth Gathering includes normally one or 
two Mass Events at the dome at which everyone is gathered. Youth groups 
were encouraged to have Bible Studies as a group sometime during the day, 
most likely in the morning. This, is of course, very healthy and good. 
In the afternoons, youth can take part in carnival and sports activities 
at the convention center, listen to Contemporary Christian Music 
(hereafter CCM) in a separate space at the convention center, attend one 
of a number of sectionals or interest centers, or participate in a 
servant event if their church group was signed up for one. Some groups 
choose to also use an afternoon or two to perhaps sight see and the like. 
Following the evening Mass Events dances were held in various downtown 
hotels. Everyone was to be in their hotels at 12:30 a.m.

THE DIVINE SERVICE

In years past the Divine Service has been one of the parts of the NYG 
most criticized by pastors, youth leaders and youth alike. Concerns have 
revolved around such things as the use of mariachi bands, non-LCMS Gospel 
choirs, liturgical dancing, so-called "contemporary" settings of the 
Divine Service, and the administration of the Lord's Supper, among other 
things. 

Some Areas of Improvement

This time around the Divine Service on Sunday morning was a fairly 
straightforward use of Divine Service II (1st Setting), p.158 from 
Lutheran Worship. I was impressed by the layout of the service included 
in the GB and developed by Rev. Jon Vieker of the LCMS Commission on 
Worship who served the "Event Team" planners in an advisory capacity. It 
was complete with quality artwork, catechetical notes and the like. The 
Event Team did a nice job in this regard.

My understanding from those who have been to past Gatherings is that the 
Divine Service was generally much improved this time. In addition to 
the use of one of the orders of the Divine Service from one of our 
hymnals, instead of bringing in a Gospel choir or other group from 
outside the LCMS, a mass choir of Gathering participants was used. Even 
an organ was brought in to aid the singing of the assembly. I was 
likewise very pleased that LCMS President Rev. Robert Kuhn was asked to 
preach, and his sermon was a highlight of the service.

Having said that, there was nonetheless much to cause concern regarding 
the Divine Service even though the order was generally followed. 

Warm-Up Period with Gathering Band 

The Gathering band led everyone in 30-45 minutes of singing before the 
Service began. In this way, gathering for the Divine Service was 
approached in the same exact fashion as any other Mass event, including 
the "opening signal" which was basically a large procession that included 
dancing and the singing of the main Gathering song, "Rain On." The Bible 
Study before the Divine Service was also similar to that at all the other 
mass events (more on that later). Thus, nothing was approached 
differently considering that we were gathering for the Divine Service. 
That was unfortunate. Hearing loud music is not exactly the best way to 
help our young people focus on that which is about to take place in the 
Divine Service, not to mention the fact that the first thing that you do 
is confess your sins and receive Holy Absolution. Very little was done 
to help with this transition and reflection and I believe in general 
reflects the attitude and/or lack of understanding of most involved with 
the planning process towards our Lutheran view of worship.

A side effect of this approach was a rather irreverent atmosphere taken 
by many toward the Divine Service. Again, perhaps it was improved over 
years past, but it was quite sad, for instance, to see applause 
throughout the Divine Service, whether it was following a hymn, a choir 
selection, or in the middle of Dr. Kuhn's sermon. It was quite telling 
that following Dr. Kuhn's sermon everyone clapped, and I even overheard 
behind me a pastor's wife saying to her husband, "Gee, it's too bad 
people don't clap like that for you when you are done preaching."

In short, since the Divine Service was treated as being simply a part of 
another Mass Event, the atmosphere cultivated at it was really no 
different than it was at the other Mass Events. Even the dry ice 
machine used throughout the pre-service CCM and Bible Study continued 
throughout the Divine Service itself. 

I was pleased to see that this time the vendors' stands were at least 
closed down right before the Divine Service began so that people were not 
eating hot dogs and drinking Coke throughout the Service as was evidently 
a problem at least at the Atlanta Gathering in 1998.

Host Congregations?

One of the concerns of many pastors over the years with large gatherings, 
much less mega-gatherings such as this one, has been the reverent and 
proper administration of the Lord's Supper and the question of whether or 
not it should be celebrated at all. 

Three of the historic LCMS congregations in New Orleans were asked to 
serve as host congregations. In my speaking with a vacancy pastor at one 
of those congregations, I discovered that the host congregations were, in 
essence, given conditions on their hosting, namely that they had to agree 


1. To allow Rev. Orval Mueller, the Southern District President, to serve 
as celebrant; 
2. To identify youth from their congregations to participate in the 
Divine Service by reading the Scripture lessons and/or offering petitions 
during the Prayer of the Church; and
3. That their pastors would only participate in the Service as one of 
approximately 200 communion distribution teams. 

I must point out that Mr. Weidner and Rev. Dittmer told me that to their 
understanding it was the congregations who specifically "asked" for Dr. 
Mueller to serve as celebrant. There is obviously conflicting 
information here, but perhaps Mr. Weidner and Rev. Dittmer were not privy 
to the type of communication that the "host" congregations actually 
received. Regardless, one can hardly ask someone to "host" anything when 
conditions or expectations are placed on their hosting. 

Interestingly, in the GB it was stated that "With thanks to God for their 
hospitality, the Gathering welcomes the members of these congregations to 
our Gathering worship this morning." (GB, p.31) In reality, those host 
congregations (if they are really hosting) should be welcoming those at 
the Gathering in joining them.

Youth Participation in the Liturgy

As mentioned, there was an obvious desire on the part of the planners to 
incorporate youth in the Service where appropriate. This is not 
altogether bad, though it can portray a misunderstanding of what and whom 
the Divine Service is actually for. It is not primarily about our doing 
something for God, but for our being fed and nourished with God's Word 
and Sacraments. Further it needs to be noted that youth already do 
participate throughout the liturgy in the singing of hymns, being in the 
choir, the hearing of God's Word, and their joining their "Amen" to God's 
Word proclaimed to them continuously throughout the service beginning 
with the invocation, ending with the Benediction and nearly everywhere in 
between. 

Moreover, while it is one thing to have teenage male youth involved as 
lectors, it is quite another thing to have teenage female youth involved 
in offering petitions during the Prayer of the Church. This was simply 
inappropriate and demonstrated a denial of the Scriptural prohibition of 
such participation on the part of women (1 Cor. 14:33ff). Perhaps worse 
is the fact that this was a poor witness to the thousands of women and 
teenage girls present as to the appropriate role of women in the church.

Out of concern for appropriate attire for those participating in the 
Divine Service, it would seem that perhaps albs could have been provided 
for youth participants, especially as most of them were wearing shorts 
and t-shirts though they were asked to play a large role in the Divine 
Service. The three pastors were vested though oddly enough they were 
wearing red stoles. No explanation was given. Since it was not a 
saint's day or minor festival, green would have been the color one would 
have normally expected to use. 

It also was fairly obvious that the youth (as well as pastors) did not 
always appear confident of where they were to go on stage or stand. They 
also encountered microphone problems. For instance, the lector who read 
the Old Testament reading was provided a microphone that did not work. 
He tried several times, clearly with great embarrassment, to get his 
microphone to work and was finally handed another microphone from off 
stage. One of the sound technicians indicated that the request for that 
microphone had only been received that very morning. This is, of course, 
not the lectors fault, but it does underscore that appropriate 
preparations were not apparently made, nor adequate orientation given to 
those participating, at this important Divine Service which could have 
been the highlight of the Gathering. 




The Distribution

Clearly one of the most cumbersome logistical tasks of those involved in 
planning the Divine Service at a gathering such as this is the 
distribution of the Lord's Supper. When considering that there are 
35,000 communing in an extra-ordinary setting great and many measures are 
called for to make sure the distribution is done with decency and good 
order. This is no small task!
Communion Assistants were made up of approximately 200 teams of pastors 
in attendance using their youth and/or youth leaders as helpers. 
Instructions were given ahead of time that no women/girls were to be used 
in the distribution, though they could help by holding the station 
banners or "running" to get more bread and/or wine. In general, such 
instructions were followed. However, one pastor I spoke with informed me 
that at the station at which he and his group communed a woman 
distributed the bread the entire time. I believe that this is not 
necessarily the fault of the Gathering planners, but rather an individual 
pastor who chose to make a "statement" in doing so by disregarding the 
said instructions. Nonetheless, the potential lasting impression made on 
those youth who witnessed even this one incident could be potentially far 
reaching. Moreover, it serves to demonstrate that the appropriate 
oversight of such administration in such a setting is simply impossible.

Several of the pastors who helped with distribution that I have spoken 
with were not pleased at all with the level of organization or reverence 
used throughout the distribution process, and specifically the 
orientation they received. One pastor mentioned that they were supposed 
to meet the night before the Divine Service for instructions. When he 
arrived, he was given a paper that said that it was rescheduled for the 
next morning. In general, he did not feel that the level of orientation 
given was in any way adequate. 

During the Service itself, at the beginning of Dr. Kuhn's sermon 
approximately 800-1000 individuals got up and walked out of the Dome from 
wherever they were seated. While, at first thought, that doesn't appear 
to be much compared to the 35,000 who were assembled, that many people 
leaving at exactly the same time and traversing the arena floor was quite 
disruptive. Dr. Kuhn was clearly surprised to see so many people leaving 
and moving around as he began his sermon. I later surmised that this had 
to do with the said distribution teams. It did. They were leaving when 
instructed to go to a certain location to receive the elements to go to 
their stations. 

Not only is it sad that that many individuals were not able to hear Dr. 
Kuhn's sermon, but it underscores at the worst the poor planning involved 
in the distribution, and at the best, further evidence that if no better 
system is found, that it is perhaps wise and prudent to simply not have 
the Lord's Supper at all.

In general, the teams were supposed to be at their stations by the time 
the consecration took place on the stage. Thus, the consecrated elements 
were nowhere near the altar (as would be most appropriate), but people 
were already at their stations, or in some places, perhaps still trying 
to get to their stations when that took place. Rev. Dittmer informed me 
that it is estimated that it takes upwards of ten minutes to have the 
elements at the altar and then have everyone go to their stations from 
that central area. The planners felt they could simply not afford that 
time. So the idea was for the pastors to simultaneously consecrate the 
elements at their individual stations, though I did not witness that take 
place at the stations near where I was seated. The extra supply of bread 
and wine was apparently under the dome at a certain gate and not at the 
altar, which makes one concerned as to whether it was even consecrated at 
all. All of this is at the very least terribly confusing. Not only did 
individuals generally not get the chance to have assurance that what they 
received had actually been consecrated with the Verba, but there is the 
possibility that perhaps some of it was not actually consecrated at all, 
given the general confusion associated with the distribution. I was glad 
to see chalices used and that certainly aided in the distribution. 

During the distribution, it was disturbing to witness the general lack of 
irreverence of many. I witnessed people dancing in their seats, toilet 
paper rolls being thrown from the second tier of seating to the floor 
where people were communing, people taking pictures and a general lack of 
reverence or consideration for what is taken place, or the needs of 
others who might be preparing themselves to yet commune. While some of 
this may be due to matters beyond the planners' control, the climate 
created preceding the start of the Service certainly did not help, nor 
did the band's playing during the distribution. Rather than receiving our 
Lord's precious body and blood, one would have thought that the masses 
were waiting during an intermission at a football game and, therefore, 
had to entertain themselves somehow. 

Also, while I understand the need to have "runners" going to get more 
wine and bread, it was upsetting to see the lack of reverence with which 
many took this important task. As clay chalices and bowls were carried 
around the dome, I saw many stopping to talk to those that they saw next 
to restrooms or hot dog stands while they were en route. 

During the distribution several hymns were sung from our synodically 
approved hymnals such as "Holy, Holy, Holy," and "At the Lamb's High 
Feast We Sing," and "Eat this Bread." Unfortunately, because of the poor 
planning regarding microphones it was hard to hear either the organ or 
the choir attempting to lead the singing. This was quite unfortunate, 
especially as those involved were attempting to lead God's people in song 
and were not given, for whatever reason, the support system necessary to 
aid their effort. 

As a consequence, just after the midpoint of the distribution the 
Gathering band (whose microphones helped them fill the entire Dome) got 
up and sang three or four of their songs, speaking to the crowd 
throughout saying, "Oh, you guys sound great." The first song they sang 
was "In My Life Lord, Be Glorified." Apparently they jumped up to aid 
the singing so that the youth did not lose interest and act more 
irreverent than already apparent. As a result, not a few people were 
standing/swaying/dancing during the singing of such songs, some lifting 
their arms in a charismatic-like fashion. 

As mentioned, I marvel at the organizational skills that are a part of 
nearly everything concerning the Gathering and how everything runs very 
smoothly. Indeed, most everything runs without a hitch. What a shame 
then that at what should be the most important part of the entire 
Gathering, more care was not taken to plan, implement, and carry out what 
was necessary so that things could have gone more smoothly. 

The Offering 

Another logistical concern for Gathering planners is the collection of 
the offering. 
The Gathering offering was thoughtfully designated toward several 
projects and ministries in international, domestic, district, and youth 
ministry categories. This was well and good. The problem is that 
neither the GB nor the order of worship in it indicated how the offering 
was to be collected. Instead, it was announced during the Service that 
when individuals came forward to the various stations to receive the 
Lord's Supper that there would be a container for them to place their 
offering in at that station. 

While realizing that there is some historic LCMS precedent for people 
bringing their offering up to a designated offering box in conjunction 
with their coming forward to the Lord's Supper, this is obviously not the 
norm today in most, if not all, LCMS congregations. Given that and the 
fact that there is not time for catechesis concerning it, it is 
unfortunate for those communing to be put in the position of offering God 
something that is to be a response to their receiving His gifts in the 
Lord's Supper, directly in conjunction with their reception of it. 
Surely there is a better solution. 




Pastoral Care

Of larger concern is the issue of pastoral care concerning admittance to 
the Supper. It is simply impossible for any "host pastor" to exercise 
even minimal spiritual care in the administration of those involved, much 
less, those helping as part of the distribution teams, who surely were 
concerned most with the practicality of what they were even supposed to 
do.

As is often the case, matters are left to communion statements and the 
assumption is made that individuals read them and thoroughly understand 
them, which may or may not be true. Putting aside the fact that it is 
unfortunate that such statements are often simply deemed to suffice for 
pastoral care, a communion statement nonetheless speaks volumes about not 
only the importance that a church takes towards the Sacrament of the 
Altar, but also their reverence and view concerning its administration. 

Below is the statement that appeared at the beginning of the Service in 
the GB. It is a slightly modified version of the "model communion card 
statement" found on the CTCR web page: 
<http://www.lcms.org/ctcr/comcard.html> (italics for my emphasis): 

"The Lord's Supper is celebrated at this Gathering in the confession and 
glad confidence that, as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only 
bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the 
forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one 
another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His Words, repent 
of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives 
and loves us, that they may show forth His death until He comes.

Because those who eat and drink our Lord's body and blood unworthily do 
so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the 
faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, 
in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from the congregations of 
the The Lutheran Church  Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the 
Sacrament, are requested not to receive the Sacrament today. They may 
come forward for a blessing and are requested to come with hands folded 
as an indication to the pastor.

While the statement does a nice job of presenting what the Sacrament is, 
the context of where the Sacrament is being received clearly places the 
burden on the individual to determine whether or not he or she should 
commune, regardless of his or her confession of faith. In reality, 
pastoral care is replaced with individual discretion on the part of the 
teenager and/or the many others present at the Gathering who are not in 
fellowship with the LCMS, including most of the speakers, musicians, 
sectional leaders and the like. In a context where there are many 
non-LCMS members present and especially when so many are heavily involved 
with the programming, it does make one wonder if the majority of these 
people communed and if they did, what witness we gave to them in creating 
a climate where they felt comfortable doing so. Moreover, with this 
large of a crowd it is simply impossible for any pastor to know everyone 
he is communing  statement or no statement. 

THE USE OF CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC (CCM)

I realized that there would be a lot of CCM at the Gathering but I was 
nonetheless shocked to see just how deeply it permeated nearly everything 
that took place at the Gathering. It was quickly obvious upon my 
arrival that the NYG has become an enormous conduit for the CCM industry 
and that evangelical praise music would be front and center nearly the 
entire time. Several pastors who have been to multiple gatherings have 
expressed to me that it appeared to them that the amount of CCM had been 
greatly increased at this Gathering, if not perhaps doubled.

CCM was incorporated at the NYG in the following ways:

1. There was a gathering band singing before, during, and after every 
Mass Event at the Superdome. (As mentioned previously, it was deemed 
necessary at the Divine Service for the band to "rescue" things by 
jumping up and singing several songs during the distribution of the 
Lord's Supper as the microphones for the organ and the choir were not 
working well and their was concern about the youth losing interest as a 
result)
2. One of the mass events included a 75-minute concert by the band Audio 
Adrenaline.
3. There was a separate room at the Convention Center called "The Big 
Easy" which was open for approximately 8-9 hours a day and offered a 
revolving menu of CCM artists.
4. The "Solid Rock" Concert Series was a daily event which included the 
biggest of all the CCM bands present and for which youth had to literally 
camp out and wait in line in order to get tickets.
5. The speaker(s) or performer(s) at nearly every Mega and Mini-Mega 
Sectional (if not all) that I attended were introduced by 5-10 minutes of 
singing with a contemporary Christian band/soloist. 
6. Several of the Mega or Mini-Mega Sectionals were actually additional 
concerts by well-known CCM bands, and/or opportunities for Talk Back 
sessions with them (i.e. question and answer periods).
7. In what was called the "Adult Resting Ground" (a place for adults to 
retreat to and relax, have a cup of coffee and the like) there was a 
praise band singing while I was in there. One strangely felt as if they 
were some kind of a Christian lounge act to simply provide background 
music. 
8. There were various stages outside the Superdome so that those who 
walked toward the Superdome for the Mass Events could be greeted with CCM 
(and other various entertainers and performers).
9. On the final night the outdoor festival called Common Ground included 
six large stages where CCM was continuously played by the various bands 
who were there most of the week. 
10. Though I did not witness it, there was what was called the Food Court 
Coffee House Series, which was a place where bands/singers were playing 
while you could have something to eat.
11. A handful of the Mini-Mega Sectionals and Interest Centers were 
direct promotional opportunities for the CCM movement and its artists.

In short, wherever CCM could be highlighted or incorporated it was. It 
goes without saying that the planners had made a conscious effort to 
emphasize it at this Gathering. 

Checks and Balances?

One of the first concerns in incorporating CCM music is that the vast 
majority of artists are not Lutheran, and generally come from an 
evangelical Protestant background (i.e. Baptist, Reformed, etc.). While 
many take the posture that anything "Christian" is better than nothing at 
all, it is nonetheless naÔ ve to think that the specific beliefs of the 
various performers will not be reflected in their lyrics, and their 
various talks and testimonies between songs. To think that this does not 
catechize our youth is simply foolish! We also must be sensitive to the 
often blurred distinction of Law and Gospel that is present in much of 
CCM. Regardless of the medium, the message does matter and we have a 
responsibility to not promote, directly or indirectly, anything that 
contradicts or confuses what we believe, teach and confess as Lutherans, 
especially because the majority of these artists view what they do as a 
"ministry" and view what they do on stage as "worship." Further, they 
express these views to the young and impressionable who listen to their 
music. 

I asked Rev. Terry Dittmer about this and he mentioned that the CCM 
artists are asked to not speak decision theology and cannot have altar 
calls, even if that is their normal modus operandi at their concerts. He 
said that for the most part, they respect such wishes and that he 
believes most of the music goes under a "general" doctrinal review. I 
was pleased to hear this. Of course, doctrinal review can mean different 
things to different people. Considering that there were probably at 
least 30 CCM bands/singers at the Gathering, I find it hard to believe 
that that much doctrinal review is even possible. I also doubt it would 
be appreciated by the bands if they were told that they could not sing 
some of "their" songs because they were considered inappropriate. 
Further, just because you ask an artist to not do certain things, doesn't 
mean that other false theology does not come through "between" songs.

Mr. David Weidner remarked that the goal of the planners in emphasizing 
CCM was to provide a clear alternative for our young people considering 
all the secular music that they listen to which has inappropriate lyrics 
and the like. Providing an alternative is laudable, but the big question 
is: What is inappropriate and what is not? Is all secular music bad? 
Is all music that claims the mantle of Christianity necessarily "good"? 
Moreover, who is taking the time to do this and do they have the 
theological background necessary to do so? 

The Promotion of the Contemporary Christian Music Industry

One of the contributing ways that CCM was promoted was through the 
presence of an organization called Inter-linc (www.interlinc-online.com <http://www.interlinc-online.com>). 
Inter-linc is a pan-denominational organization in Nashville, TN, which 
promotes CCM for use within youth ministry circles. In addition to 
having a couple of sectionals, they had a booth and one of their 
associates, Phil Chalmers, a concert promoter, presented a Mega-Sectional 
entitled, "Music To Die For." (More on that later).

It is important to recognize that most all of these groups view what they 
do as a "ministry," and it is clearly obvious that the Gathering planners 
view it that way as well. Throughout the GB reference is made to their 
"ministries." For instance, the web address of the Gathering band, 
Echelon, is www.echelonministires.com <http://www.echelonministires.com>. (GB, p.27). A quick glance at 
their web page clearly reveals that they view what they do as a 
"ministry." The group "Lost and Found" had a Mega sectional entitled 
"Music and Ministry." In the GB it was written that "their ministry is 
more than just music."(p.47) Further, not only did the band Audio 
Adrenaline at a Talk Back session describe what they do as ministry, but 
further, an LCMS staff person led 1200 youth in standing and "laying 
their hands on them" to thank God precisely for their "ministry." (more 
on that later).

In the corner of an enormous area designated in the GB for the massive 
CPH Bookstore there was large area set aside with 15-20 tables for CCM 
artists to sell their CD's, t-shirts, sign autographs and the like. 
Clearly, young people were more attracted to the CCM area of the CPH 
booth than nearly anywhere else. Some would argue that that is 
therefore reason to sell such fare. However, I express concern that in 
doing so the focus of our youth is being steered away from that which is 
objective and trustworthy, to that which is subjective and emotive. As 
one previously consumed by the CCM industry and an enormous supporter of 
it, I greatly caution that it is very dangerous to think that just 
because our youth are listening to music or having fun, that they are 
being fed appropriately. 

Under the Radar Screen

While I was walking through this area I heard a Christian rap artist at 
his booth teaching four young, and rather timid, girls to rap (and rather 
loudly), "God is my Big Daddy!" again and again as he encouraged them to 
shout it louder and louder. Placing the merits and/or demerits aside of 
the musical medium for the moment, it must be asked whether it is 
appropriate or not to ever refer to our Triune God as "Big Daddy," much 
less in the form of a mantra-like rap.

The second commandment is quite clear: "You shall not misuse the name of 
the Lord, Your God." When speaking to God, or of God, we should refer to 
Him reverently and by using those names He has disclosed to us. 
Moreover, if we are not speaking to Him, we should not flippantly use His 
name for frivolous reasons, or just because we like the sound of singing 
it a certain way. This was clearly blasphemous activity. There was no 
altar call and no decision theology, but false teaching was promoted 
nonetheless. It is a great temptation of the evil one to persuade us to 
assume that lyrics have no effect, even if the music claims to be 
"Christian." It is a grave danger when Scriptural discernment is 
relegated to the background for the sake of "at least having something 
Christian." When that happens false theology flies stealthily under the 
radar! 

"Let's Party for Jesus!" 

While I could not attend every concert by every CCM group, I attended a 
large number of them. I believe the following dialogue by one of the 
members of the popular CCM soul group, "Out of Eden" summarizes a common 
thread present in the CCM industry: 

In between songs, the main singers asks: "I just have to ask you 'How 
many of you are party people? (at this everyone yells, though relatively 
disinterested)

She responds with her head down, shaking her head: "Oh, I don't know, 
that wasn't as good as I was hoping for. so let me rephrase it then, 'How 
many of you like to party for JESUS!?!'" (at this everyone screams and 
wildly jumps up and down)

Now with her head raised in affirmation, she responds, "That's more like 
it." Then she yells as the music builds and builds, "OK, then, I want 
everyone up on your feet. I want you jumping, dancing and yelling and 
getting so crazy for Jesus that we will drive the devil crazy!!!"

In summary, this scene reveals a couple things that are an inherent 
danger with much, if not most, of CCM music. First, there is nearly 
always a pre-meditated use of emotions to elicit a desired response 
(after all that is a goal of such pop forms of entertainment). Second, 
there is this idea that we exist to "party for Jesus," as if having "fun" 
is the Christian's greatest aim or somehow a means to some other goal. 
Third, this "partying for Jesus"(i.e. our physical movements or 
responses) in a way, whether realized or not, becomes quasi-sacramental. 
In the above instance getting "crazy" and "partying" for Jesus was 
portrayed as a means to be able to accomplish some task like routing the 
devil. This is not only false teaching but is quite confusing to our 
youth who hear in God's Word, and sing accordingly in their Church's 
hymnody, that not their emotions, but rather, "one little word can fell 
him." (LW #298:3/ TLH #262:3) "A Mighty Fortress is Our God") 

Make no mistake about it, not all CCM is bad, and there may be times when 
some of it (that which is not given to false theology) is appropriate to 
listen to for "entertainment" purposes. I even listen to some of it 
myself from time to time. The problem is that CCM appeals to our base 
emotions and makes such use of them that we quickly lose the ability, and 
for some, the desire, to be discerning. The mere fact that many, if not 
most, CCM artists, have altar calls at their concerts, clearly signals 
that in the minds of many of the performers the music is a means to an 
end, and one that is quite foreign to our confession of faith.

Another danger is that instead of thinking about what we need, we are 
tempted to relegate such necessary processing to the background because 
we are enamored with "what we like." This has particularly serious 
ramifications in terms of our ability to teach our young people why we as 
Lutherans worship they way we do. In an age where "style" is considered 
to be a theological and simply a matter of personal taste, we must 
clearly confess to our youth that we don't worship the way we do because 
it is necessarily what "we" like. Instead, our Lutheran understanding 
of worship is informed, guided by, and flows out of, who we believe God 
is, and what He seeks to give us and why. This must remain central at 
all times. It is terribly confusing to young people to hear musicians 
who play what they "like" and promote what they do as "worship" and then 
return home after having been subsequently taught, whether directly or 
indirectly, to find that "worship" at their home church is somehow 
altogether different, and clearly not considered to be as "fun." 

In one way, one can make the claim that CCM is not necessarily, by simply 
bearing the label "Christian," better than listening to the best that 
secular music has to offer. There is clearly good and bad in both. It is 
however easier in a sense to listen to the best of secular music 
precisely because one is not seeking to receive anything "spiritual" from 
it, and therefore having "fun" and being fed something "spiritual" are at 
least not confused. In either case, great discretion is required. The 
grave problem is that precisely such discretion is unfortunately set 
aside when speaking in the realm of CCM and those who promote it.

MASS EVENTS

There were seven such events at the Gathering in the Superdome when all 
35,000 were assembled. Each Mass Event was preceded by 30 minutes or so 
of praise singing called a "warm-up!" (GB, p.6) as everyone gathered. 
When that specific mass event (Battle Ground, Victory Ground, Dangerous 
Ground) was to begin an opening signal was used which included a festive 
entrance, dancers, banner carriers, while the Gathering band, Echelon, 
played the rousing and catchy song, "Rain On" based on the theme "Higher 
Ground." 

Concerning this first Mass Event, it was stated in the GB that "through 
drama, music, singing, video images and an inspiring message by Pastor 
Tom Rogers, we are going to march on the Battleground tonight with Jesus. 
Let's get ready to rumble!!!" (GB, p.30) Thus, it is clear even from 
the GB that at least a secondary goal of these events is to rile up the 
crowd so that they can feed off of such emotion. After all, "Let's get 
ready to rumble" is a phrase routinely used in the sport's world after 
the introduction of players to get those in the arena hyped and ready to 
make noise. Further, just as sometimes at sporting events it is the 
fans who might actually begin the cheers, you often saw young student 
volunteers yelling to people to get them "fired up" and "crazy" before 
they even entered the Superdome. 

Bible Study

The Gathering theme was based on the following passage from Colossians 
3:1, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on 
things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." In the 
early stages of the Gathering planning the theme, "Higher Ground" was 
chosen based on this passage in conjunction with the idea that New 
Orleans is a city that sits five feet below sea level. 

It is interesting that in the GB, the description of the Mass Events 
(p.27) has two captions below it, the first says "Featuring Echelon" 
(i.e. the Gathering band) and then secondarily, and after a description 
of the band, "With a Special Emphasis on the Study of God's Word." That 
is quite revealing! Whether intended or not it gives the impression 
that the main course is the band and the side dish is the Word of God, 
even though the following is stated:

"Every mass event will be focused in the study of God's Word, especially 
from St. Paul's letters to the Colossians. The drama that is a part of 
these studies promises to be a major highlight of the Gathering and 
something you won't want to miss." (GB, p.27)

Dr. Jerry Joersz of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations 
was asked to prepare a Bible Study on the book of Colossians. I talked 
to Dr. Jerry Joersz about his role in the preparation of this study. He 
shared with me that he had the opportunity to speak at three separate 
occasions, and at various stages in the Gathering planning process, on 
the book of Colossians. As a result of those studies the planners 
selected the various sub-themes for the seven Mass Events. I have not 
seen such studies, but I have no doubt that they were well done. Dr. 
Joersz mentioned several times that he was greatly encouraged by the 
level of interest in the studying of God's Word in such preparations 
compared to Gatherings in years past. This is truly wonderful news and 
for that we should rejoice.

However, it is apparent that in spite of all such study and preparation, 
the connections from the book of Colossians were not greatly made. As Dr. 
Joersz told me, not all of those involved in the final stages of the 
preparations were a part of his presentations. Very rarely were we asked 
by the Bible Study leader, Mr. David Noll (a Director of Christian 
Education in Spokane, WA), to open the paperback Bibles provided to all 
registrants. When we did open them, it wasn't for long. In fact, 
usually the quotation of a verse from Colossians was simply used as a 
jumping off spot. 

When expressing my concern about this to Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner, as 
well as my sincere belief that our youth actually can handle thirty 
minutes of really digging into the Scriptures, Rev. Dittmer remarked that 
he would very much like to see improvement in that area as well. It is 
a shame! It truly would have been a wonderful opportunity for our youth 
to come away from this Gathering believing that they had gained an 
understanding of at least one book of the Sacred Scriptures. 

In effect, for the most part the dramas were the Bible Study. There was 
a talented team of young people who would act out the drama and at some 
point in the middle or at the end of each drama, Mr. Noll would break in 
while the action was frozen. In spite of the fact that the dramas were 
very professionally done and in some places quite good, I don't believe 
that the majority of youth really saw the connection between what was 
being acted out and the theme from the book of Colossians. A great many 
simply viewed the dramas as being soap opera-like, which they, in 
essence, were. Drama can be a very powerful tool especially for setting 
the stage for learning, but it can also fall flat when the connection 
between the lead-in drama and the intended objective is not clearly made.

Drama or Dirty Dancing?

One evening during the drama there was a "dirty dancing" scene just like 
what you would see on MTV that made use of the graphic sexual innuendo 
that so saturates our society and which seeks to draw upon the core of 
our base sinful nature. In this scene, about 30 young people were 
dancing on stage while two of the leading drama actors were about to 
kiss. The dancing by design was supposed to be exactly what it was - 
"dirty." 

At the danger of sounding crude, but in order to accurately present what 
actually happened, 35,000 young people and their leaders during the event 
designated as "Dangerous Ground," witnessed high school or junior high 
girls dancing beyond suggestively and inappropriately. During this 
scene, which was depicted larger than life on the big screens above the 
stage, there was a girl wearing tight clothing bent over with her hands 
on her knees, with a boy standing closely behind her and gyrating his 
hips. She appeared to be rubbing her buttocks up against the boy behind 
her as they "danced" while at least two other boys made motions in front 
of the same girl as if they were fondling her breasts. All this was 
taking place while one of the Gathering theme songs was being played 
again and again building to a crescendo while repeating the words, "Take 
me, take me, to Higher Ground." It was heartbreaking to see the crowd 
clapping, cheering and roaring not in disapproval or disgust, but rather 
with precisely great approval and enthusiasm. In fact, the response and 
applause for this was as loud as I heard from the crowd at nearly any 
time during the other Mass Events.

I can only surmise that the goal of such a scene was to demonstrate in a 
vivid way the tension of the flesh (i.e. Dangerous Ground) perhaps 
swirling in the mind of the main characters who were about to kiss, 
namely the struggle between the flesh and standing on "Higher Ground." 
This was the best possible construction I could put on it and I was 
dearly and earnestly praying that the Bible Study leader would at least 
then come out and say something to the effect that, "What you just 
witnessed was clearly wrong and sinful behavior!" He did not. Instead 
he walked out on to a ladder that was set on the stage and read, 
Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow 
and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic 
principles of this world rather than on Christ." He then proceeded to 
explain that we are not saved by our works because "There just aren't 
enough rungs in the ladder." Such a statement is theologically vacuous 
and false enough on its own (i.e. we can't even get on the ladder to 
begin with), but more importantly, it had nothing at all to do with the 
drama. Of greater immediate concern was the fact that through it no 
connection was made in the slightest to what we had just unfortunately 
seen with our eyes. As if that was not bad enough, Mr. Noll threw in a 
statement out of the blue: "If someone tells you that there is only one 
way to worship, you can tell them that I said they are wrong." This is 
just one example of the "anti-liturgical" attitude pervasive through much 
of the entire Gathering. 

While I was watching the main scene in question above, I was in great 
disbelief, not only wishing I was actually not witnessing what I saw (and 
feeling guilty for what I myself was seeing), but frankly, I was filled 
with righteous anger that at least some involved with this event felt 
that mimicking such behavior, regardless of intention, was somehow 
appropriate for these young people entrusted to their care for five days, 
much less those they asked to do it. I could not help imagining how such 
things were even rehearsed and choreographed. 

Appealing to the base instincts in our youth (much less adults) is never, 
ever good, as tragically witnessed by the roaring affirmation from the 
crowd. I wept inside for those youth who at an official event of the 
LCMS were treated to that which many were concerned they might find if 
they strayed too far in the French Quarter. Is it any wonder that 
throughout the remainder of the dramas the rest of the week, there were a 
great many catcalls of "affection" ("I love you Rachel") or worse ("Take 
it off!") from the crowd towards the characters on stage! There is 
simply no other way to say it, the whole scene was abominable, and is 
something for which an apology by those who planned and implemented it 
should be offered. 

While this is the dancing scene that I found most objectionable, this 
clearly was not the only time that "questionable" dancing was employed. 
In my discussions with Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner, they likewise 
mentioned that there was actually another dancing scene that they had 
heard as many objections to as the one described above, because of the 
sexual innuendo employed. 

MASS EVENT SPEAKERS AND OTHER EVENTS 

In addition to the Drama/Bible Study each Mass Event incorporated a 
variety of speakers and guests. Among them were: 

. Bob Lenz. Bob Lenz of Life Promotions (www.lifepromotions.com <http://www.lifepromotions.com>) is 
described as a "youth communicator" who speaks to over 100,000 youth a 
year. He is not a Lutheran and yet was asked to serve as the master of 
ceremonies for the Mass Events. He is truly an interesting individual, 
can surely keep the attention of an audience, and has many great stories 
and anecdotes. He is a high energy speaker and in many ways, quite 
likeable. In the evaluations I received (both paper and phone) he 
received both the greatest praise but also the harshest criticism of all 
the speakers. While he was loved by many, many others were greatly 
offended at some of his crude humor (i.e. in order to get a rise out of 
the crowd he once made a passing reference to his "third leg.") 

At one point he invited a young girl up to the stage and acting nervous 
(though this was probably all staged) he asked her in front of 35,000 of 
her peers, among other things, if she had ever been drunk and if she had 
ever had sex. When she answered in the negative, he acted relieved. 
Whether staged or not, this was simply out of line! What, after all, 
would have happened, if she had said "Yes?" He also elsewhere spoke with 
great lament about "how boring worship is back home" compared to what it 
is like at the Gathering. This was simply and completely an 
inappropriate remark, and again one for which ultimately the Gathering 
planners ultimately must accept responsibility for they contracted with 
him to be the master of ceremonies. 

. Thomas Rogers. Rev. Rogers was the first main speaker the opening 
night of the Gathering. While he perhaps was one of the better speakers, 
his presence at the NYG was not without great controversy in lieu of the 
content of three letters he sent to Synodical Convention delegates 
earlier in the summer. Rev. Rogers, who is a member of the Jesus First 
convention committee, publicly accused one of our seminary faculties of 
teaching that there are "seven" sacraments and other such things, which 
were without any substance or merit. Quite appropriately, many questions 
were raised throughout the Synod about his involvement as a speaker at 
the Gathering in front of our Synod's youth. Given such concerns, I made 
inquiry of those involved in order to clarify the situation. 

In a nutshell, as the President's office has the task of overseeing and 
approving speakers for the NYG, then LMCS President Dr. Robert Kuhn 
seriously considered removing Rev. Rogers from the speaking list. Rev. 
Rogers indicated to me that after lengthy discussions with Dr. Kuhn and 
upon his second draft of a statement of apology, he was reinstated as a 
speaker. This was confirmed by Dr. Kuhn. He told me in a phone 
conversation that at that point the matter was considered concluded, at 
least in as far as it related to his office.

As one can imagine, all of this caused not a few problems for the 
Gathering planners so close to the NYG itself. Mr. Weidner noted that 
they had already nearly finished plans with a replacement speaker and 
were almost ready to proceed in that manner, when Rev. Rogers was allowed 
to stand as a speaker. Though both Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner expressed 
concerns to me themselves over Rev. Roger's actions, given the shortness 
of time and considering his relative importance to the first night's 
activities especially as he had helped in the planning of them, they 
indicated that it was decided by the planners to allow him to yet speak.

. Laura Wilkinson. She is an Olympic Gold Medalist in diving from the 
2000 Summer games. She was interviewed one evening by Bob Lenz on the 
stage. After video footage was shown including her saying in a 
post-victory TV interview, "I can do all things through Christ who 
strengthens me," she explained how she had broken her foot, didn't know 
if she would even be able to participate, much less even place. 
Nonetheless, God had strengthened her, the idea being that he can do that 
for you too. To this Bob Lenz replied, "Laura, you are so awesome, can I 
have your autograph?" To which she quite tellingly replied, "After the 
show, Bob!" (italics mine for emphasis)

. Audio Adrenaline. As previously mentioned one of the mass events 
incorporated this group's high energy CCM concert. Again, while there 
were no altar calls or decision theology present, much was nonetheless 
revealed by what the band said in between songs. 

First, the lead singer spoke of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) 
and quoted it verbatim, but purposely left out any reference to baptism 
contained in it. Second, as you can see in the below quote from a young 
girl in our District, the lead singer made an inappropriate reference in 
an attempt to further whip the audience in a frenzy: 

"The two things that disturbed me the most were Holy Communion, which was 
anything but Holy, and Sacred; and the "Audio Adrenaline" portion of the 
Mass Events. During the free concert at the Superdome everyone was 
having a great, fun time. Although that kind of "music" (I call it 
noise) is not what I listen to, I found myself enjoying the excitement of 
being with the 35,000 kids. That entire evening was destroyed when the 
leader of the band referred to one of the most sacrilegious things of the 
time. He said, "C'mon people, I need to see you, need to see your hands; 
it'll be like an old Woodstock concert." What I am questioning is why 
he, or anyone, would compare this Christian activity to that one? The 
one relation that Woodstock should have with Christ's church and our 
Christian people is to be an example of great sin, sodomy, and Satanism, 
things that we should turn away from. This was the main thing that 
caused me to realize how superficial this gathering was."

. Gianna Jessen. One of the highlights of the Gathering for most 
everyone was hearing this young lady speak. She is a survivor of an 
attempted abortion and as a result developed cerebral palsy. Having 
participated as a singer with the Gathering band throughout the week, she 
spoke at length about the evil of abortion, the need to reach out to 
young girls who find themselves in such a crisis, and the desperate need 
for young boys and girls to dress modestly and remain chaste. In spite 
of concerns for it being basically all law (i.e. "Just do it!"), to which 
Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner agreed, it was nonetheless a powerful 
speech. Unfortunately, several times she said that as she was pondering 
what to say during her "testimony" that "God had spoken to her and 
commanded her to say" what she ended up saying. Yet another case of 
subtle false teaching. 

. The Rite of Confirmation. In the past, baptisms have taken place at 
the Gathering. This time, in an attempt to make the connection that we 
are called by God to "take a stand on Holy Ground," following his rousing 
speech, Rev. John Nunes of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX 
confirmed his congregation's confirmation class before the Gathering. 
Rev. Nunes is an exceptional high energy speaker who did make a couple of 
good baptismal connections before turning to his confirmands to walk 
through the rite. 

Unfortunately, the rite of confirmation from the Lutheran Worship Agenda 
was not used and it appeared that Rev. Nunes created his own rite, 
probably being fashioned to correspond to his speech and the certain 
themes he emphasized. Interestingly enough, Rev. Dittmer shared with me 
that the planners had at first considered having the Rite of Ordination 
at the NYG. Evidently someone eligible for ordination this past summer 
was open to having it take place at the Gathering. While perhaps a 
light-hearted request, it was nonetheless made. 

When witnessing this "rite" I was deeply saddened thinking of the 
congregation of these young people who were not given the opportunity to 
witness the confirmation of their youth so that they (and others) could 
instead have this experience at the Youth Gathering. The Rite of 
Confirmation is not something that takes place in a vacuum, but among a 
certain people, in a certain place, in a certain church. There is a real 
danger that instead of identifying the confession of their faith in the 
context of their locale (i.e. their congregation at which altar they 
kneel), those who were confirmed may well identify it apart from that 
context. Moreover, what witness was given to the 35,000 others who saw 
this and perhaps thought, "Wow, I wish I could have been confirmed here 
rather than back at my church. That would have been really awesome!?!" 

While I do not doubt the "intent" of why this Rite was done, I do not 
believe that a National LCMS Youth Gathering is a place where the rites 
of the church should take place, especially those normally reserved for 
the local congregation.

After all, that which takes place at the Gathering should support the 
ministry of the local congregation, not replace it. Another pastor who 
witnessed this scene put it well: "This was not really about their 
confession of faith. This was a show and they were props." Nearly every 
young person who I have asked specifically about their witnessing this 
rite very much thought that having such a rite at the Gathering was at 
the very least, misplaced. 

As I expressed to Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner, this could have been a 
fantastic opportunity to walk these 35,000 young people through the 
actual rite of confirmation from the Lutheran Worship Agenda itself as a 
way of helping them reaffirm and better understand what it is that they 
have vowed themselves and what it means. Unfortunately, the way this 
was handled actually took away from the opportunity to make such a 
wonderful and appropriate connection.
MEGA SECTIONALS

In addition to servant events, listening to CCM, carnival activities and 
other recreation, during the afternoons there were a large number of 
opportunities for going to listen to speakers on specific topics of 
interest. It is literally impossible to attend everything that one might 
desire, especially as many are offered at the same time. Unfortunately, 
from most of the evaluations I received, it appears that not many youth 
attended very many of the sectionals at all. 

There are three groupings: Mega Sectionals, Mini-Mega Sectionals and 
Interest Centers. Mega Sectionals are the largest and could seat 
anywhere from 1500-2500 a piece. There were eight different Mega 
Sectionals offered over the three days (some of which were repeated), 
only two of the eight presenters being LCMS Lutherans (those who are LCMS 
are marked with an asterisk):

. Phil Chalmers, "Music to Die for." Phil Chalmers is a self-proclaimed 
researcher of contemporary music, both secular and Christian. The basic 
premise of his talk was as follows: "Kids listen to music. If you put 
garbage in, you will get garbage out. You have to give kids an 
alternative. Therefore you should listen to CCM." In fact, you could 
say that his presentation was a blatant promotion of the CCM industry. 
Moreover, one of the dangers of CCM is that it is also true that, to 
borrow his phrase, "if you put false theology in, you will get false 
theology out."

Mr. Chalmers would present a song by a certain secular group and then 
say, "These folks are not Christians, but an equivalent to their sound is 
this CCM group." He continually repeated statements that one of the 
barriers to bringing CCM to your church back home is "yourself" and your 
own "prejudices. You name the genre of music; he had the copycat CCM 
group for it, even if it was grunge or death metal. The general idea? 
You can take whatever style music there is, take out the bad lyrics and 
insert "Christian" lyrics and the song is immediately sanctified. That, 
of course, is a false premise. It was interesting to witness a great 
number of youth laughing when he played a selection from some alternative 
metal band, who were literally screaming something that could barely be 
made out about the Holy Spirit.

He also said concerning a secular singer who claims to be a Christian, 
"He is not a Christian, he drinks beer and parties." Thus, instead of 
passing judgment on the individual's music, he passed judgment on him as 
a person and judged the state of his heart. Moreover, while, of course, 
we don't want our teenagers engaged in drinking at this stage in their 
life, it is simply false to claim that if someone drinks a beer they are 
not to be considered Christians. Drinking beer is not necessarily sinful 
activity, and it surely is not a measuring stick of one's salvation. 
This is an example, subtle and harmless, as it may seem, of how we should 
not expect those with differing theological perspectives to speak to our 
youth without aspects of their false theology shining through. I cannot 
relate enough just how telling it was to witness that during the course 
of his media presentation nearly two thirds of everyone left. 

. Phil Keaggy, "Life is an Attitude." Phil Keaggy was a former high 
school athlete whose athletic career and life were threatened when he was 
paralyzed from the neck down. I did not attend this sectional but it was 
described in the following way: "He thought life was over, but God 
stepped in." (GB, p.47) 

. Jim Burns "Radical Respect: A Christian Approach to Love, Sex and 
Dating." This gentleman is President of Youth Builders, formerly the 
National Institute of Youth Ministry. I attended part of his talk and he 
spent a great amount of time making jokes about dating and sexual matters 
in order to appeal to the youth. 

. *Lost & Found "Music and Ministry." This was basically a concert by 
one of the better (theologically speaking) of the CCM bands at the 
Gathering. I believe they are also members of LCMS congregations, or at 
least grew up in the LCMS. Though they do not describe themselves as 
being a "ministry" the promotional material does. It states: "Their 
ministry is more than just music." (GB, p.47) I attended their entire 
concert. 

. Bob Lenz, "Bringing Your Friends to Higher Ground." As he was the 
master of ceremonies for the Mass Events, I did not attend this mega 
sectional. 

. Talk Back with Audio-Adrenaline. As mentioned, this band had a 
75-minute concert at one of the Mass Events and this was an opportunity 
the next afternoon for the youth to ask them questions. This band 
clearly expressed to the 1200 or so gathered that their music "is" their 
ministry, saying "You have to do whatever you can to get in front of 
people all the time. Some are called to be pastors and teachers and 
evangelists. We view ourselves as pastoral and evangelistic. After 
all, preachers are entertainers too. They have to entertain in their 
sermons in order to keep your interest. It's really no different." They 
also spoke of how "it is sure nice to see denominational lines becoming 
more transparent" and that "Entertainment and Ministry can go together."

One LCMS pastor arose and thanked them for their "ministry." He then 
asked if he could come up to the stage and shake their hands, get their 
autograph and have his picture taken with them. Nearly half of the 
questions from the youth involved inquiries of how they could get 
involved in "doing music ministry" like they do. 

At the end of the session, in a scene that was simply unfathomable, an 
LCMS staff person stood up and asked the entire audience to rise and "lay 
their hands on these fine young man and pray to God to bless them in 
their ministry." Those nearest the stage literally laid their hands on 
them while the rest in the audience where instructed to stand, bow their 
heads and extend their arms in front of them. I was stunned. I still am 
actually. Whereas our youth otherwise only see the laying on of hands in 
conjunction with the rite of confirmation, the rite of ordination, or the 
rite of individual confession and absolution, now, at least in their 
minds, that list also includes some kind of new rite for the blessing of 
CCM artists. Moreover, what witness was given to the young non-LCMS men 
who are members of Audio-Adrenaline about what we believe, teach and 
confess? This was simply a poor witness to both them and our youth. 

. Ken Davis, "A Reason for Joy." (Sponsored by Lutheran Hour 
Ministries). Though I did not attend this sectional, my understanding 
from others who went or who have seen him before is that he is basically 
a motivational/inspirational type speaker. He spent 15 years with Youth 
for Christ. He has written many books including "How to Live with Your 
Parents without Losing Your Mind."

. *Victor Belton, "Forming a Spiritual You." Rev. Vic Belton is an LCMS 
pastor in Decatur, GA. I attended most of this sectional. To my 
surprise the band "Lost and Found" not only opened for him, but also 
remained throughout this time. In fact, they actually were front and 
center for twice the amount of time as Rev. Belton. The band would sing 
2-3 songs and then Rev. Belton would talk for a couple of minutes. Rev. 
Belton's message was mostly emotional and of the inspirational variety 
saying such things after the music stopped as: "Did you feel challenged 
to be more holy?" "Anybody here want to take it up another notch to get 
up to higher ground?" "This world can not push you around if you are in 
Jesus" "Nothing can get between you and your Jesus" "This world belongs 
to you." "Does that touch anyone's spirit?" At one point he was so 
enthralled with the music (they are quite good after all) that he said, 
"Let's just bless the Lord, let's just have a party!" and he let the band 
play on.

Overall a number of interesting conclusions can be drawn:

1. Only two of the eight Mega Sectional Speakers (which by being the 
largest billing were naturally intended to draw the most youth) were LCMS 
Lutherans. Something is not right with this picture. 
2. Exactly half of the Mega Sectionals had to do with Contemporary 
Christian Music, one being a concert, another being a question & answer 
with a CCM band, one being a promotional opportunity for CCM, and one 
being a joint venture with a CCM band.
3. The rest of the Mega sectionals could best be described as being of 
the motivation/inspirational variety. 

MINI-MEGA SECTIONALS

Mini-Mega Sectionals generally accommodated anywhere from 300-1000 
individuals. Again, some of them were offered more than once.

. Micah Parker, "Overcoming Adversity  Christian Comfort Zone" 
. Heidi Carlson, "Speaking the Truth on Prostitution"
. Tom Rogers, "Being Different in a Different World"
. Jill Hartman, "All About Angels"
. Micah Parker, "Sex and Profanity"
. Jay Reed, "Sex and Dating"
. Craig and Jake Live, "What Are You Hungry For?"
. Mark Brighton, "Revelation  End Times"
. Jim Henkell, "Extreme Evangelism"

It's interesting that three of the nine had to do with topics related to 
"sex." Of the eight Mini-Mega Sectional Speakers (Micah Parker spoke 
twice) five of the eight were LCMS (two DCE/Teachers, two pastors and 
one a professor).

INTEREST CENTERS

By my count according to the GB (pp.54-67) there were 72 speakers at 
Interest Centers, some of which repeated their sectionals or did more 
than one with a different topic. According to my research, 18 of the 72 
were by ordained clergy, 20 were by either commissioned DCE/Teachers and 
34 could be classified as "other." Thus, 25% were pastors while almost 
half where either perhaps non-commissioned LCMS laity and/or non-LCMS 
Lutherans.

Topics included such things as: Sanctity of Life, Sex, Christian Values, 
Self-Esteem, CCM, Sex, Children's violence, Fundraising, Leadership, CCM, 
College Transition, Eternal Life, Self-concept, the Role of Women, 
Personal Stewardship, the Satanic Arts, Gender Issues, Understanding 
God's Will, Sex, Dating, Homosexuality, Having a Winning Attitude, 
Dating, Trust, Genetic Engineering, Devotional Life, Positive Thinking 
and Attitudes, Teenage Pregnancy, Living Together, Talk Balks with CCM 
bands, Teenage Rebellion, Family Issues, College Life, Christian 
Womanhood, Dieting Issues, Witnessing, Religion in Public Schools, 
Spiritual Warfare, Evolution, Abortion & Genetic Engineering, Media 
Issues, Satanism and the Occult, Magic Ministry, Eating Disorders, 
Domestic Violence, Tattooing. 

While there was a large variety of topics, of the nearly 75 or so of 
them, only one of them had to do with church vocations, and it was put on 
by the head Admissions Counselor at our Fort Wayne seminary who 
specifically made a request to have an Interest Center. 

Some were specifically for "Adults Only" or "Girls Only" or "Boys Only." 
While that may be appropriate and/or helpful for interest centers dealing 
with sensitive issues, some where for "Youth Only" including the 
following which are of special note: 
. Tim Kurth, "From Recreation to Reverence." "Learn how one church 
converted their youth 'group' into a youth 'Ministry' anchored in weekly 
youth oriented worship experience complete with a youth band. Hear what 
can happen at your church! (Youth only!)" (GB, p.57) Frankly, it is 
absolutely inappropriate that no pastors or youth leaders were allowed to 
attend, nor was I allowed to observe and yet the whole point is 
apparently to teach kids to revolutionize their church's "worship life." 
Why the desire to not allow adults? Well, the reason is obvious from the 
description provided!

. Alan Weed, "Watchagoingtodowithwatchagot?" "This workshop will help 
you use music effectively in youth ministry?" (GB, p.58) This was 
basically an Inter-linc presentation on the services they offer to help 
with the promotion of CCM. The materials they handed out contained 
material that hyped how many "decisions" for Christ were made at a recent 
Billy Graham Crusade. Thus, there went the moratorium on "decision 
theology" though these were not performers, but promoters of CCM.

. Brian Williamson, Dir. "Takestone: Contemporary Music Without 
Offense." (GB, p.60) Again, the stated description says it all: "Songs 
for the Masses," a Lutheran Christian Music group from Nashville, TN will 
share with you ideas on how to bring new music into the church without 
offending the members of the congregation. They will discuss lyrics, 
arrangements, and methods of teaching the congregations this new music. 
The group will share their music along with God's Word with you."

Notice that according to the stated purposes as printed in the GB, at 
least two of these three interest centers were specifically designed to 
teach youth to return to their congregations and try to change their 
congregations worship practice. The Inter-linc one did that as well 
through the promotion of CCM services.

One cannot help but assume that the inclusion of these types of workshops 
relays an obvious "agenda." In essence, this demonstrates that the NYG, 
by their consent to such workshops, evidently supports those who seek to 
use youth and their leaders to "change things back home" where after all, 
as the master of ceremonies himself told everyone, "worship is boring." 
One wonders how many youth were taught at this Gathering, either directly 
or indirectly, to despise the liturgy and hymnody of the Lutheran Church 
and their home congregations in this way at the very time in their life 
when they most need to be helped to understand it and its relevance to 
their life. One cannot easily separate the use of CCM as a so-called 
alternative to "secular music" when it is quite often also viewed by 
those who promote it as an alternative to "our Lutheran understanding of 
worship" as well.

The off-site interest centers looked great, though I did not have an 
opportunity to attend one of them. However, I heard many good things 
about one that was held on death and dying at one of the local 
"above-ground" New Orleans cemeteries. This was a fantastic idea.


RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

There were a great many fun activities for youth to participate in mostly 
during the afternoon hours. Within the convention center called Ground 
Zero, there was a bona fide carnival complete with a dozen or so rides, a 
great many basketball and volleyball courts and other such sporting and 
creative activities. Youth could play laser tag and all sorts of other 
such games. At Ground Zero, there were also a great variety of 
exhibitors representing our colleges, seminaries, various departments and 
entities in the Synod, mission societies and the like. 

In addition at the Big Easy, besides for listening to CCM, youth could 
check their email at a Cyber-Cafe and play video games. Right next to 
the Convention Center was the Riverwalk mall, which was surely had plenty 
of places for nearly everyone to shop for souvenirs. Also, there were 
dances at several of the larger hotels each night of the Gathering from 
10  12 p.m.

On the final night of the Gathering, there was a giant outdoor festival 
at a waterfront park. Among other things, youth groups could take in an 
IMAX movie and/or ride a riverboat. The evening was capped with a 
fantastic fireworks display on the Mississippi river. This was very 
nice, though unfortunately it did rain that night.

During the afternoon times many groups also made sight -seeing excursions 
in and around New Orleans with their family groups. In short, there was 
little shortage of "fun things" to do, and I greatly doubt that anyone 
left New Orleans having had a shortage of "fun." 

SERVANT EVENTS

Youth groups could also participate in daily servant events in places in 
the New Orleans community such as parks, playgrounds, nursing homes, 
cemeteries, homeless shelters and the like. There was also an 
opportunity to contribute in the building of a Habitat for Humanity 
house. It is obvious that those who were able to participate in such 
servant events benefited from them as much as did those whose lives they 
touched. I can simply not say enough positive things about providing 
such opportunities, and it is clear that the New Orleans community was 
greatly touched. A record number of youth participated in these events 
over previous Gatherings and I believe that is a clear indication that 
not only are youth desirous of serving in such manners of outreach, but 
moreover, that they do not have to be entertained all the time in order 
to gain from an experience. In fact, quite a number of youth groups did 
not go to the Gathering and instead did servant events elsewhere, which 
was probably much more cost-effective and gave the same type of 
opportunity available at the NYG, but on an extended and larger scale. 
It goes without saying that there are surely many Servant Event type 
opportunities as close to home as there are far away from home. These 
should definitely be promoted and encouraged.

During the Gathering, youth groups also donated 22,000 Bibles for 
Concordia Gospel Outreach to distribute and 10 tons of nonperishable food 
for the hungry, gave 804 pints of blood, and brought along thousands of 
gel pens for needy school children. This is, of course, likewise very 
positive, though frankly, it does seem odd that 22,000 Bibles were 
brought from across the country to give away, when the registrants were 
given 35,000 of them at the Gathering which, at least at the Mass Events, 
were seldom used. 

CONCLUSION 

The National Youth Gathering is clearly an event of enormous proportions 
that is beloved by many for a wide variety of reasons, both good and bad. 
I went to New Orleans with as open and fair a mind as I possibly could 
have had and I have sought at each step of the way to provide a fair and 
objective analysis. Nonetheless, as I believe this evaluation clearly 
reveals, I found that nearly all of those areas that we had originally 
identified as reasons for concern, are not only true, but in some cases, 
even greater cause for such concern.

There is one exception. I do not believe that those who plan the NYG 
believe that "real" youth ministry can only take place at an event such 
as this, and as I have witnessed in my discussions with those such as 
Rev. Dittmer and Mr. Weidner, I believe wholeheartedly that there is 
definitely a sincere desire on the part of all involved to support the 
"ministry" that takes place "back home." The problem has more to do 
with what that "ministry" actually is, and what it is to be about! 
"The Experience!" 

One of the comments heard repeatedly and stated almost universally by 
young people when asked what they gained the most from the Gathering is 
"Seeing 35,000 other LCMS youth all in one place." I am glad that this 
has a positive impact on them. However, while one cannot separate out 
the "experiential" factor from any event (i.e. Yes, of course, it is a 
nice thing to see!), it should not be an intended result, or what is 
being promoted. Further, regardless of intent, such an experience, 
especially when fanned and encouraged, can have as much of a negative 
effect as a positive one. Bigger is not necessarily wrong, but it is 
certainly not always better. Such thinking is the way of the world. 

While the Gathering planners may not intend to promote any "Mountain Top 
Experience" it is certainly not discouraged. In fact it is clearly 
highlighted! On the final morning of the Gathering, participants were 
encouraged to "Take a moment to listen (to) how amazing 35,000 people 
sound when singing praises to God. You won't hear that every day." (GB, 
p.35) Indeed, you don't hear that every day...but is this what is 
important? Is this why millions of dollars are spent to have this kind 
of Gathering? If not, why is it so clearly emphasized? Apparently it is 
one of the things that Gathering planners desire young people to come 
away with from the Gathering. In fact in an opening letter in the GB 
booklet, Mr. David Weidner speaks of youth groups now "coming together to 
the Gathering for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Body of Christ." 
(GB, p.3) Yet that once-in-a-lifetime experience exists not only every 
three years at the National Youth Gathering or events like it, but in 
fact, it exists even more so and fully each week at churches in places 
like Rock Springs, Laramie, Buffalo and Wheatland, Wyoming, and Chadron, 
Bridgeport and Potter, Nebraska. 

The Body of Christ is not something that we necessarily "see" with our 
eyes, nor is it any kind of "outward" experience! It exists wherever we 
are gathered in Christ, regardless of numbers. Our unity is found in 
what we confess, teach and believe, period. If we hold events such as 
the NYG in order to somehow "see" the church than we are gathering for 
wrong and idolatrous reasons. Seeing more Lutherans or more people your 
age is nice, but simply "seeing" them does not equip anyone with 
anything. Whether age thirteen or sixty-five, such equipping is found 
only where the Gospel is "preached in its purity and the holy sacraments 
administered according to the Gospel." (AC VII:1)

Rev. Dittmer mentioned in our meeting that smaller events are clearly 
more manageable, intimate, and conducive to learning. Great, let's have 
them! Many for years have called upon the Department of Youth Ministry 
to consider regional events including those in our own District. Though 
the NYG planners continually struggle with this idea, I believe that in 
the end it will be hard for them to think about having "smaller" events 
for the sheer fact that it just won't be the same. I am pleased that 
they are researching some alterations to the format that may effect 
future Gathering locations, but I don't believe much consideration will 
ultimately be given to smaller, more manageable, regional Gatherings as a 
replacement for one large Gathering. 

Emotion! Emotion! Emotion! 

It is a mistake to necessarily equate someone's response to the reasons 
they respond to something. The mere fact that the loudest applause that 
I heard at the Mass Events had to do with the graphically depicted "dirty 
dancing" scenes should only serve as further evidence that the level of 
emotional response achieved does not necessitate proper conviction. Just 
because you can hear 35,000 youth screaming, doesn't mean that they are 
learning or screaming for the right reasons, much less providing a 
rousing defense of their faith, as is often maintained by those on stage 
when they hear such a response. In fact, they may just be releasing 
energy, whether appropriately or inappropriately. Frankly, in a setting 
such as a dome with 35,000 youth, they can be led to scream for just 
about anything.

At the start of nearly each Mass Event someone would stand on the stage 
and yell something like, "Are you ready to go to higher ground?" But is 
"Higher Ground" an emotional experience? In many places it was treated 
that way. Every day at rock concerts across this country singers yell 
things such as "Are you ready to party, New Orleans?" and people yell and 
scream. But then the stage is dismantled, the bus is loaded, they move 
on to the next location and yell the same thing to others, while those 
who attended the show return home, having escaped reality for a short 
time, but only for a time. Such escape perhaps has its place, but it is a 
cause for concern whenever it is in any way equated with true growth in 
faith. 

Youth Discernment 

In reading through the many evaluations from youth I have received, and 
from my discussions with many of them before and after the Gathering, I 
am continually struck at how they answer questions that relate to the 
substance of what they have learned. It is clear that most of them had 
fun, and that they "feel" that they grew in their faith, but with rare 
exception do they plainly articulate much at all that they actually 
"learned." Repeatedly I have asked youth what they learned from the 
presentations, only to have them reply in the following way, "Oh, the 
speakers? They were awesome!." That is sadly often as deep as it gets.

It is clear that our youth are responding more to the messenger, than the 
message itself. They are viewing style "as" substance. It is likewise 
obvious that, by their choice of speakers (especially when considering 
the fact that the majority are not even Lutheran) the NYG planners have 
demonstrated that the "appeal" of the messenger is more important than 
the clarity and truth of their message. We should be careful that we 
don't send our youth somewhere just because they say it was "fun" or 
because they had such a great "experience" as if somehow that equates to 
true growth in the faith. 

In many ways, the NYG can be described as a "Feast of the Senses." At 
the Mass Events everything is presented in lightning quick and detailed 
MTV like style! Songs like the popular "Who Let the Dogs Out?" are set 
to video scenes of what took place at the Gathering. Everything is big 
and glitzy. There is great sensory overload. Carnivals, video games, 
loud music and the like are not bad things in and of themselves, but they 
can send a mixed signal when they are packaged in a way that creates an 
overwhelming experience. I was struck repeatedly by how often I overhead 
youth say they were bored even with all there was to do. Truly, we as 
Christians should take time to enjoy God's First Article gifts, including 
having a lot of fun with each other. However, we don't have to entertain 
our youth all the time, nor should we assume that that is even what they 
desire. 

The Prominence of a Theology of Glory 

While, in places, passing reference is made to a theology of the cross, 
it is clearly a theology of glory that is overwhelmingly presented to 
our youth. This is greatly apparent given the reliance on the use of 
testimonies, whether it be someone who is paralyzed, a victim of 
abortion, or a NFL or Olympic hero. This doesn't mean it isn't good to 
hear from such individuals, but there is an inherent danger in so heavily 
emphasizing such testimonies, especially when most of those contracted 
with to give them are non-Lutherans.

For instance, the Olympic diver Laura Wilkinson said repeatedly, "What 
God did for me he can do for you too!" But what if instead of her broken 
foot being healed enough, she had finished 37th instead of 1st? What if 
she had never even made her college diving team? Would God have still 
done great things for her? Further, would she have then even been flown 
in at great expense to speak to our youth as an example of faith? 


The Confusion of Christian Vocation 

Most of our youth will never be Olympic divers or professional football 
players, but they will be husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, 
employers and workers, and the like. Perhaps ways could instead be found 
to highlight how we witness to our faith in the ordinariness of everyday 
human life, rather than promoting the sensational and extraordinary. 

It is likewise quite unfortunate to witness the massive push of the 
faulty and confusing "everyone a minister" concept. Even the newly 
elected Lutheran Youth Fellowship delegates were publicly equated with 
having a "ministry." Moreover, it is quite telling that our young 
people had a great many more opportunities to ask non-Lutherans about how 
they could become a CCM artist than they had to learn about becoming a 
pastor or teacher in the LCMS. This is simply unacceptable.

The Minimization of our Lutheran Identity

Sometimes you can tell as much by what IS NOT said, then by what IS said. 
It is interesting that never once did I hear any reference whatsoever to 
Luther's Small Catechism, even though this is a Gathering of our Synod's 
most recently confirmed. While one does not expect to necessarily see 
speakers quoting from the Catechism all the time, it is odd when it is 
never mentioned at all. 

Further, I heard only 4-5 references to Holy Baptism and perhaps 2-3 
references to the Lord's Supper (outside the Divine Service itself). 
There was never a single reference to Confession and Absolution. Only 
twice did I hear someone who was a pastor actually called a pastor (once 
in reference to a DCE). Even more, only twice during the entire 
Gathering did I even hear the name "Lutheran" publicly spoken.

I can only ask: Do we so despise the teachings of our Church? Are we 
ashamed of being Lutherans? Can we not dare to emphasize our Lutheran 
identity to our youth?
In all honesty, if an outside observer were present, with precious little 
exception, I believe that they would be hard pressed to be able to tell 
that they were at a specifically "Lutheran" gathering as opposed to one 
of any number of pan-denominational events or interdenominational 
Christian Music Festivals!

Regarding the Celebration of the Lord's Supper 

It is quite telling that the only references to the Lord's Supper that I 
heard made by speakers were in terms of how "cool" or "awesome" it was to 
see 35,000 people communing, and never in reference to what was actually 
received  forgiveness. Forgiveness is not granted through the eyes! All 
things considered, including the insufficient measures taken to 
appropriately administer this most sacred and Holy Meal, I believe it 
would be wise for it to no longer be celebrated at the NYG.

An Insufficient Level of Catechesis

We clearly today are faced with a crisis in catechesis. Almost every 
study done indicates that the vast majority of our youth are no longer 
members of LCMS congregations by the time they leave college. Rev. 
Dittmer mentioned to me that he believes that the bar is much too low in 
terms of catechesis at the NYG, and that perhaps there has been some 
gravitation to the lowest common denominator. I would agree. If 
anything we are at a time when we must raise the bar rather than continue 
to lower it. I am convinced that our youth will follow us wherever we 
lead them. The question is: Where will that be? One young man I recently 
spoke to attended both the NYG in New Orleans and the Dying To Live Youth 
Conference, hosted by our District two summers ago. He commented that 
while he certainly had a good time at both, he learned an awful lot in 
Laramie, but not much at all in New Orleans! This should speak volumes to 
us. Can we afford for it not to?

Not only was most of the catechesis quite shallow, but Law and Gospel 
were often terribly confused, and our youth were at times turned for 
comfort to where it is not promised to be found. Instead of a 
sacramental emphasis, youth were often told to look deep within their 
hearts for assurance. Further, Bob Lenz, in a speech typical of many, 
ended by pointing and saying, "Forgiveness is found at the foot of the 
cross." This is false teaching. Forgiveness is not found at the foot of 
the cross. Forgiveness was "accomplished" for us at the cross but it is 
not "distributed" to us there, but is rather brought to us today 
precisely in God's Holy Word and Sacraments. Pious sounding phrases are 
not helpful substitutes for the truth.


FINAL THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS

Near the end of her testimony, Gianna Jessen declared: "You cannot change 
this world by imitating its actions." This statement haunts me, because 
much of what I witnessed at the NYG in New Orleans did exactly that, and 
it speaks volumes about the use of CCM, suggestive dancing, the constant 
need to entertain, and the like. 

It is important to realize that speaking about Jesus and asking youth if 
they want to "party for" Jesus, and actually giving them Jesus, are not 
one and the same thing. No doubt our youth have a great time at our 
NYG's, but at what cost? In times of great uncertainty we must ask 
ourselves: Are we training our youth to be faithful confessors of the 
faith in spite of what they "see", or are we just teaching them to long 
for more such "experiences" that will surely promise to be even bigger 
and better the next time? Further, does the NYG presently help or hinder 
the way our youth view what they receive back home, at their church, and 
from their pastor? 

It is clear from the desire of youth to participate in servant events 
that they long to serve. What is presently missing at the NYG is the 
appropriate catechesis that will serve not only them, but in addition, 
those they do serve in their various vocations. 

I pray that a critical evaluation will be made at the national level 
about the state of our NYG. As I have so pledged to our District and Rev. 
Dittmer, I will continue to strive to help in any way possible to address 
many of these concerns in a constructive manner. But until such changes 
are actually made, I firmly believe that we as a District should continue 
to encourage our congregations to consider other options for their youth 
rather than attendance at the National Youth Gathering. 

If congregations do choose to continue to send their youth, I strongly 
encourage them to make sure that their pastor is present so that he can 
at least help them critique and evaluate what it is that they experience. 
Over the next two years, among other things, I plan on forming a 
committee to aid in the development of materials to help pastors and 
youth leaders discuss the issues contained in this evaluation with their 
youth. Hopefully such study materials can be helpful for all, whether or 
not their youth attend the next Gathering. 

If anyone has questions about anything in this evaluation, please don't 
hesitate to contact me (307.745-5892, pastor@standrewslcms.org <mailto:pastor@standrewslcms.org>). I will 
continue to make myself available in any way helpful to whoever is 
interested. May God bless all of us as we continue the ongoing task of 
faithfully handing over the faith to the next generation!