Springfield, Ohio — ELCA-affiliated Wittenberg University encourages students to reflect upon their religious views and values. Megan Mong, class of 2019, of Salina, Kan., took steps to do just that, recently attending the 2016 Grace Gathering in New Orleans, La., as a Global Young Reformer.
A Lutheran World Federation program created by youth and for youth, Global Young Reformers is a network of active, creative young people who identify with their churches and therefore want to (re)form them. Mong heard about this opportunity through her youth director at her home church, Immanuel Lutheran.
“Mindy Tillberg, the church youth director, sent me the link to the application,” said Mong, a religion major. “It sounded interesting, so I filled out the application, which had questions about how I was/am involved with my church, synod and the whole ELCA and what I was passionate about. I was accepted as a Global Young Reformer. It is a year-long program with the Lutheran World Federation that aims to help young adults figure out what the church is today and how to engage in the ongoing reformation.”
Part of being a Global Young Reformer is attending the 2016 Grace Gathering, as well as monthly webinars, engaging in social media, and coming up with a project to draw others into the conversation. Mong is helping with December’s topic on “World Hunger and Giving” and at the end of the year she will present her experiences to her synod and other Global Young Reformers.
The Grace Gathering brought people together from all across the ELCA. Participants were able to see the church in action, worship with the church-wide assembly voting members, engage in experiential learning and attend a variety of workshops. It also prepared attendees for the upcoming celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.
“During the Grace Gathering, I met 19 other Global Young Reformers, aged 19 to 29,” Mong said. “We had side meetings for just the Global Young Reformers. The meetings were about finding ways to be heard, seen and more fully integrated into the work of the church. We aren't just the future of the church; we are the church of the present. I also learned about the ELCA's relationship with the Lutheran World Federation, the Jewish community and Asia.”
Mong said that the group decided to use a social media presence to address social issues that they believe the church should be talking about and to start conversation about ongoing reformation.
“Since the conference used the theme of the Reformation and the ELCA's motto of "Always Being Made New," I think it will help me better understand how Lutheranism has evolved since Martin Luther,” she said. “It was interesting to see and hear how people from all over the United States view the church and where it is headed in the future.”
Mong is also hoping that her work as a Global Young Reformer will help her to choose her own path in the future.
“Right not I’m not really sure what I want to do,” said Mong, who is also the secretary for the Weaver Chapel Association and Common Ground, a member of Kappa Delta, an orientation assistant/peer mentor and a lifeguard at Wittenberg. “I want to either work for the ELCA or in a non-profit. I might become a pastor.”
