3 minute read
Ten Years of Being Given To in Higher Things
By Rev. Marcus Zill
This time ten years ago, the final preparations were being put on the conference that would mark the beginning of what is now Higher Things. By God’s grace in the past decade, well over 750 LCMS congregations have been impacted in some way by the mission of Higher Things, and that influence has even extended overseas. For that we rejoice!
Advertisement
In late 1998, several young LCMS pastors sought to put on a smaller, more regionally-minded, cost-effective, and accessible conference for youth, designed to be uniquely and unashamedly Lutheran. With the loving labor of many volunteers, in July 2000, the Dying to Live National Lutheran Youth Conference, sponsored by the Wyoming District of the LCMS, was held on the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie.
The conference theme was based on the outline of Rev. Harold Senkbeil’s popular catechetical book, "Dying to Live: The Power of Forgiveness." Over 700 youth and adults from some twenty-five states were in attendance at what was for all intents and purposes the first Higher Things Conference. From the sound of the trumpet at the first hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” to the catechetical focus of the plenary sessions, to the mountain hiking and PRCA rodeo, that conference served as a catalyst for the often heard Higher Things motto: Make worship real worship, study real study, and fun real fun!
Even though at the time no one knew precisely how Higher Things would develop, there was a shared sense that something both timeless and true, yet unique and new, had been initiated. The conference hymn chosen for Laramie summarized the hope of those gathered:
(LSB 834:1)
The name Higher Things was chosen because it encompassed what those involved desired for the youth of our church: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1–2 NKJV).
Higher Things incorporated in 2001, and the first issue of this magazine was also released in that year. Many other resources devoted to Higher Things soon followed and have included Bible Studies, devotional Reflections, retreats, and cutting-edge web-based resources such as e-mail lists, forums, blogs, and even the HT Radio podcast. Higher Things also developed Christ on Campus to help young people remain rooted in the faith while at college.
Summer conferences have always remained the flagship, the heartbeat of our extended life together where we gather as one to focus upon, and receive, those gracious and salvific gifts God gives. To this day, the overwhelming highlight for nearly every one who attends a conference is the opportunity to gather together to pray the Church’s prayer offices, sing her songs, and receive Christ’s gifts. That is as it should be.
Today Higher Things has numerous staff and support personnel who all give of their time and energy as a labor of love, usually in addition to the many other areas of their lives that place demands on their time. Of course, all of this is to support the many congregations, youth, youth leaders, pastors, and parents who “Dare to be Lutheran.”
As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of that first conference in Laramie, Wyoming, the future of Higher Things is as limitless as the Gospel we seek to proclaim. In a post-modern, feel-good age that dismisses truth claims, we at Higher Things remain unapologetically Lutheran. We want to encourage other Lutherans to cultivate and rediscover their roots, to embrace their confession and heritage. Simply put, we believe that authenticity counts.We are Lutheran. We dare to be Lutherans. We are given to be Lutherans!
Today, Higher Things is a lot of things, all of which seek to keep young people focused on Christ and His gifts as they grow and mature in their faith. It’s parents seeking to teach their youth the Catechism. It’s youth workers and volunteers seeking to reinforce that which is preached from their congregation’s pulpits and confessed in their pews. And yes, it’s pastors wanting to keep their Lutheran sheep Lutheran as they grow up. As the first LCMS President, Dr. C. F.W. Walther said: “The preacher should care in a heartfelt way for the confirmed youth in his congregation; be serious about this group of Christ’s sheep, who stand in special danger; and keep a watchful eye on them.”
While many dedicated people have been involved in Higher Things over the last decade and many more will be in the decade to come, may one thing continue to remain a constant among us all, namely the desire and dedication to put the Gospel into the ears of young people. Simply put, it is what we believe we are given to do.
(LSB 834:4)
Rev. Marcus T. Zill is the pastor at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Campus Center in Laramie, Wyoming. He is the Christ on Campus Executive for Higher Things, served as the Site Coordinator at the Dying to Live National Youth Conference in 2000, and can be reached at pastor@standewslaramie.org.
