Talk about a lesson in contrasts. In early July, more than 600 youth, young adults and youth leaders descended on Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont., ready for some singing, playing, dancing and worshipping (amidst flashing lights, electric guitars and giant projection screens), and yes, for some learning too. Exactly one month prior, Brock was home to the 132nd General Assembly, where playing and dancing were farther from the ho-hum agenda than thoughts of snow to a cottager lounging by the lake.

You know better than I do that being a teenager these days is far from easy. There is a lot of pressure from your parents and teachers. Life moves faster now than in any other generation and that brings with it more demands on your time. There is increasing violence in society and even in schools, you have readier access to drugs than ever before and diseases like AIDS make the world a scary place. Add to that the pain of heartache and the need to fit in that every young person has to cope with, and life can totally suck sometimes.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

What are you going to do with your life?” The question seems innocuous enough. When I was very young, maybe about six or seven or possibly younger, I was certain that I was going to be an Olympic speed skater. My father had taught me to skate when I was very young and we would always go to the rink on Saturdays. I would race against the big boys, and I would always win. Looking back, I am quite sure that they probably let me win. But I decided, at age five, that I would one day be an Olympic speed skater.

Worship at Canada Youth 2006 featured a lot more than a stately organ and a gowned choir. Each two-hour service was packed with lively music, compelling sermons, dance and drama. Organized by Rev. Bob Geddes of South Gate Church, Hamilton, and Rev. Susan Kerr, the worship times featured participants and collaborators from across the country.

Two years ago, I attended a similar conference called Triennium, held at Purdue University in Indiana, so I had some idea of what CY06 would include. I looked forward to a week filled with energetic participants and staff, ready to share the love of God with everyone they met. I was not disappointed. From the moment I stepped on campus at Brock University, I found myself surrounded by leaders eager to help me feel comfortable. I was blown away by the enthusiasm of all attending the conference. Throughout the week at CY06, I had the opportunity to meet new friends, enjoy new styles of worship and learn new ways in which to praise God.

With more than 600 cheering fans singing, clapping and dancing along to their music, this newbie Christian band is on a natural high. “It’s a better response than we thought we’d get. It’s more than we could have imagined,” said Hillary Hulzinga. “We were told they’d go crazy, but we didn’t expect this. It’s such a thrill.”

“Youth are the future of the church!” How many times have we as youth leaders heard this statement? During the first week of July, I had the opportunity to attend Canada Youth 2006 as a youth ministry training track participant. If there was one message that played over and over in my mind, it was that “youth are the future of the church.” But what we kept discussing at CY was not so much the future of our youth, but how those youth can have an impact now. Watching the young people over the week allowed me to see how well they interacted in a Christian community with their peers, with adults and with God.

A man had seven sons and one day when he was very old and felt his time was at an end, he called his seven sons to him. He handed a stick to his eldest son and asked him to break it, which his son did with ease. He then handed two sticks to the youngest son. This son was asked to do the same and he broke the sticks in half with some effort. He then brought out a bundle of seven sticks tied together with twine and he asked if any of them could break the bundle. Each son took a turn but none of them could muster the strength to perform the task. Their father smiled and asked them to sit at his feet. The old man then said, “and so it is to be with you. On your own you can be easily broken but together you will be able to withstand anything.”

Rodger Nishioka has a passion for young people. His call to work with youth is one where his deepest joy meets a hunger in the world. “Selfishly, I gain so much more than I give. But that’s the nature of the kingdom and the gospel. It’s humbling. This gives me an opportunity to share what has been given to me.”

The Toronto Star recently reported on World Population Day (July 11), begun in 1987 to draw attention to the day that the earth’s population hit 5 billion. This year’s theme was “Being Young is Tough.” The day highlighted the difficulties many of the world’s young people face in their daily lives. Below are some of the facts that were reported:

Up until last summer, I never understood the Bible's hatred for darkness. Every second passage seemed to be praising God for giving us light, singing songs of hope for morning and proclaiming daytime to be better than night. Why? I thought. I like nighttime. I love to hide in the shadows and wonder what unseen things might be hiding there with me. So what's the deal with these Bible people obsessing over having oil in their lamps?

Did hanging out with cows while doing construction on a dairy farm, learning Hungarian from Roma kids, riding for hours in a hot van and being cooped up inside a water tower sandpapering the rust ever cross your mind as the perfect vacation? That's what I did, and trust me it was.

Who's that monotheistic manifestation

For the message of the cross is foolish to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The Montreal Chinese Presbyterian Church has a very special organist. She is over 90 years of age and although she does not speak or understand Chinese, Sunday by Sunday, she plays for the services — unpaid!

James Wing is my grandfather and the senior elder of the congregation, who came to Canada in 1923 at the age of 11. He was compelled by the Canadian government to pay a head tax of $500 in order to stay in the country, as were most Chinese people.

In Chinese culture there is great reverence for old age. The Jewish commandment, "Honour your father and your mother" finds special resonance here.

Three young couples were married this summer — a great event in the life of a small congregation. At Chinese New Year, the congregation presented them with gifts.

First the numbers: in 1984 there were 896 Sunday schools in the Presbyterian church with 44,891 students. A decade later there were 850 schools serving 33,238 students. And in 2003: 811 schools, 25,656 students. This is not merely attrition — the mainline churches' usual excuse. This is a profoundly disturbing collapse of, arguably, the most important mission assigned to the church.