NOAC 2006 - Daily Coverage

Attendees of all eight NOACs enjoy Wednesday's sunshine, as do Ferne and Joe Schechter (below) and others sitting outside during the morning break between theological study and the morning plenary.

Annual Conference Moderator Belita Mitchell brings greetings (above). Wally Landes and Frank Ramirez perform in a skit illustrating the many differences between reconciliation and forgiveness as part of Morning Plenary Speaker David Augsburger's presentation (below).

Quote:
“You have to live with mystery, without pat answers for everything.”

Insisting that one of the essential tasks of seniors is to learn to be, rather than to do, Myron Augsburger challenged those attending NOAC to step up and become the presence of Christ and the Christian community for those assuming leadership in the church.

Reminding all about the tongues of flame filling all with God’s Spirit at Pentecost, he went on to relate how the apostle Peter called to mind the words of the prophet Joel, that the elderly would dream dreams. “I have benefited from the dreams of seniors who put their hands on my shoulder,” he said. “Now it is my turn to put my hand on the shoulder of the young. As seniors we are all to be enablers of others.”

Noting that he has very strong beliefs, nevertheless he insisted fellowship and worship takes precedence over “exactitude of doctrine.”

He maintained that we are to rest “in the assurance of the love and grace of God,” calling to mind Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10: “Not that I have obtained this, or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

Therefore we live with mystery because “Faith is the response to evidence, not the response to proof.”

As grandparents we are to make a transition from doing to being, “which helps us transcend the cult of the individual with the power of presence.” He added, “The older I get the more I realize just being there for one another is important.”

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Augsburger’s Sermon By Frank Ramirez
Quote: “You have to live with mystery, without pat answers for everything.” Insisting that one of the essential tasks of seniors is to learn to be, rather than to do, Myron Augsburger challenged those attending NOAC to step up and become the presence of Christ and the Christian community for those assuming leadership in the church. Reminding all about the tongues of flame filling all with God’s Spirit at Pentecost, he went on to relate how the apostle Peter called to mind the words of the prophet Joel, that the elderly would dream dreams. “I have benefited from the dreams of seniors who put their hands on my shoulder,” he said. “Now it is my turn to put my hand on the shoulder of the young. As seniors we are all to be enablers of others.” Noting that he has very strong beliefs, nevertheless he insisted fellowship and worship takes precedence over “exactitude of doctrine.” He maintained that we are to rest “in the assurance of the love and grace of God,” calling to mind Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10: “Not that I have obtained this, or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Therefore we live with mystery because “Faith is the response to evidence, not the response to proof.” As grandparents we are to make a transition from doing to being, “which helps us transcend the cult of the individual with the power of presence.” He added, “The older I get the more I realize just being there for one another is important.”