For as long as I can remember, there have been “singles activities” in God’s Church. As a teenager in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the days of the Worldwide Church of God, I’d hear announcements about the “Gemütlichkeit Weekend” each year. Gemütlichkeit is a German word that conveys a sense of friendliness, warmth, and contentment—and this singles activity from the days of my youth lived up to that word, providing friendly fellowship for all who participated. Over the years, singles activities in the Church have sought to provide fellowship in various formats, giving our non-married brethren the opportunity to meet and become acquainted with other singles.
The Living for Tomorrow (L4T) program is also intended for singles in God’s Church, but it is far more than a singles activity. Much like the Living Education–Charlotte program, L4T is focused on the vital need to develop our young adults as pillars within the Church for the coming years. “L4T Blowing Rock” over the Memorial Day weekend this past spring was the latest example of how this program works.
Participants arrived in time for a Friday-evening meal. With approximately 40 young adults attending, the activity then began in earnest with an interactive session identifying and analyzing the challenges facing young adults trying to live a godly life in an ungodly world. We held services in the morning on the Sabbath. Then, after lunch, the afternoon was dedicated to reviewing current Church booklets, with teams of four reviewing their selected booklet and summarizing their findings in a presentation to the whole group. After each team’s presentation, the larger group asked questions about the material that had been presented, followed by further discussion. After the Sabbath, everyone enjoyed a dance and a hymn-sing, and “Evening Reflection” closed out the day.
On Sunday morning, Mr. Josh Lyons, Mr. Rod McNair, and I each presented short lectures for the group before concluding the program with lunch. Some of the participants spent the afternoon sightseeing in the area, while others who had farther to travel headed directly home.
While we don’t know the exact challenges the next generation in the Church will face, we can be sure that the road will not be easy. Preparing our young adults to take up the baton with knowledge, understanding, and conviction may be one of the most important jobs that we’re doing today. The L4T program is part of our effort to fulfill that need and goal.