Turkey: Day #3 – Worship

So, today I wasn’t sure I was going to have much to write about because today was pretty packed with meetings but as it turns out it was very eventful. We started out with a pretty intense meeting and then went on to another meeting to talk about credentials. Namely, the issue of ordination of women. Yep, as a denomination we are still wrestling with where we stand on the issue. I was pleasantly surprised with the discussion at my table and found the pastors there (of varying ages/generations) to be very supportive of acknowledging the validity of a woman’s calling into ministry. There’s a lot more to the issue than that but our table I thought had a very balanced view that was quite refreshing.

After that a bunch of us went looking for a hot tub which we thought would be in the health centre where the sauna and indoor pool are, turns out there isn’t a hot tub anywhere except in the ‘special’ spa that costs 15 euros to use for the day or more if you get a massage or therapy package. Go figure. So, we went to the indoor pool and sauna instead. After a while of being in the pool we decided to head back into the sauna where we were continuing our discussion on district level youth ministry policy development when some old german guy started huffing and puffing because we were talking in the sauna. At one point he got up and started shaking his arms at us and sort of mumbling.

It was weird and we decided it was time to head out into the Mediterranean Sea for a dip. So, we headed out, and like yesterday, I ran down and tried to jump in, except I took one step too many and I hit the dip where the beach stops and it just sort of drops off, I rolled my ankle and was sure it was going to swell to the size of a melon. However, I began to pray and sent a request back to Cedarview to get people to pray as well and praise God my ankle is almost fully healed! I was putting weight on it very soon after it happened and by the end of the worship experience I could barely feel it. Quick work by an amazing God.

I then went to dinner and had a great time, our little band of YP’s is getting a bit of attention because we’re hanging out together a lot but that’s ok, it’s been really nice to have people to hang out with!  I didn’t realize how much I needed a break but so far, this week has been refreshing and renewing and exactly what I needed to help me stay motivated and finish the year off strong.  I am excited to get back and to continue to do my best to see the church grow and student ministries thrive.

Worship so far has been excellent, these are probably the best worship experiences I’ve ever been to as part of the C&MA in any district.  The details are well done and tech team and videography team are doing an amazing job.  I am actually able to focus on worshiping God and not thinking about the details or production.  It’s something God has been speaking to me about a lot here.  I spend a lot of time analyzing and trying to improve the way things happen at Cedarview and sometimes, in my zeal to see us be the best we possibly can be I sometimes forget to stop and just worship God.  I’m hoping to change that when I get back.

Well, that’s it from today, tomorrow I tour some local Roman ruins and visit a city that Paul once also visited.  Should be good!