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The Forum 2007: Passion, Purpose and Strange Session Titles By Chantell Smith
On October 19-20, 2007 I participated in the most unique meeting of minds Apostolicdom has to offer—The Forum.
Held since 2005 (and I’m proud to say that I have been to each one since its inception) at Gateway College of Evangelism in St. Louis, The Forum offers a unique mix of lively, relevant, and pertinent session topics while providing opportunities to fellowship, network, and connect with those of like mind and faith (who came in from Delaware, Ohio, Louisiana, Alabama, and Illinois).
The Forum opened with a keynote by Kent Curry on “What Does It Mean to Be An Apostolic in the 21st Century” (soon to be translated into a cover article, but here’s one fact—our working paradigm has shifted from a hospital to an army) before Jason Sciscoe elaborated upon, “Choosing the Sacred.” A choice of electives followed next.
Unfortunately, I live a nine-hour drive from St. Louis, so I got there just in time to hear Kristin and Steve Hoover of “Wife Swap” fame talk about their experience participating in the show. Proof that God can indeed work whenever, wherever, and however He so desires was shown from their testimony of how people were touched and filled with the Holy Ghost as a result of the witness the Hoover Family presented on the show.
I also enjoyed the new and improved Roundtable Discussion sessions. This time, participants switched every 20 minutes among tables to discuss a range of topics including “Politics: Left, Right, and Apostolic,” “Anointed Creativity: Writing, Music, Theatre,” “Women’s Roles in the Apostolic Movement,” “The Naked Pentecostal: Is Nothing Sacred on the Web?” and “Is The Bible ‘Inerrant’ or Just ‘In Error’?” Hosted by a variety of culture observers and passionate advocates, the Roundtables allowed everyone to weigh in on their preferred topics.
This was followed by over 90 minutes of spirited, humorous sketches the Apostolic comedy group Saturday Night Life from Iowa. This was followed by a casual coffeehouse mingle, where participants, Gateway students, and Apostolics from around the St. Louis metro area were treated to conversation and soft music made for a delightful end to the night.
Saturday was Better The next morning kicked off by an inspiring devotion by General Youth President Todd Gaddy about guarding our hearts. Normally, I associate that scripture with approaching relationships with caution, but he related it to the need to respond to others instead of reacting to them. His relating of his spiritually mature response to a written attack showed a conscience-piquing example of what it means to not allow ourselves to fall into making our first impulse our final response.
The following panel discussion was entitled “Still Single: So What’s Wrong with You?” I initially eyed this particular discussion warily because I feared being suffocated in a support group-like atmosphere as everyone attempted to benevolently pat the single status on the back. I was so wrong. Instead of shrugging off verbal pats, I was gasping for air while attempting to reign in my laughter. There was frank, honest, humorous, down-to-earth discussion—a rarity when it comes to a topic as potentially touchy as singleness among 20somethings.
Kimberly Sciscoe subsequently led a session which addressed a topic extremely pertinent in my stage of life—finding and forging our own spiritual identities. Many times, we are forced into the box of fulfilling other’s expectations of us and into the mold of what we should (stereotypically) be in the eyes of others. I was encouraged to recognize, develop, and use the gifts God has given me free of the burden of the box or the mold.
Afterward, I chose to attend a split session led by Jamie Morgans on “Egocasting”; she exhorted us to turn the tendency to insulate ourselves from others with technology inside out. Instead of distancing ourselves from the world around us with iPod ear buds, and drive-thru coffee runs, we should take the initiative to reach out to others through being open and aware of their needs—which may include having the courage to turn the cell phone off or lay the iPod aside.
The culminating panel, “Realizing Your Talents While Pursuing God’s Will,” resonated deeply within me. For me, this session addressed my desire to have a collision of things that I’m passionate about with a clear purpose. It was heartening to hear a diversity of people from all walks of life talk about the paths that God led them down. Some people made a dramatic switching of tracks—from career RN to stay-at-home mom, from aspiring professional New Yorker to small town youth leader, from evangelist to pastor to evangelist, from tech writer in one state to college instructor in another—but all expressed the security and peace that comes from following Him in our decisions and trusting Him down whatever paths our lives take.
It wasn’t over yet, however! This year also included the addition of an optional St. Louis excursion. I had a blast observing the city from the height of the St. Louis arch, enjoying a classy Italian dinner on The Hill, and experiencing the legendary indulgence of Ted Drewes custard. As I took pictures of a bronzed incarnation of Saint Louis himself, I couldn’t think of a single way my Forum 2007 experience could have been better.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Chantell Smith
---------- Chantell Smith is a currently a Spanish teacher who also happens to be a Spanish student in pursuit of an M.A. You can read further reflections on The Forum 2007 as well as other insights at her blog Where You Can Find Me.
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