Those attending the Fifth Annual Symposium in Kilgore listen attentively as Dr. Glenn Young backgrounds the question “Why church?” Photo: J. Galler.

The answer to the question “Why church?” differs for different religious traditions, such as whether or not a particular religious tradition holds that sacraments play a role in salvation, Dr. Glenn Young told nearly three dozen people assembled for a Fifth-Annual Symposium in Kilgore on Sunday, October 28, 2018, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., in the Devall Student Center Ballroom on the campus of Kilgore College.

In fact, in his prepared remarks, Young, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Kilgore, went so far as to suggest that the heirs of the Radical Reformers may not have as good of an answer to the question “Why church?” other than “It happens to suit me,” or, more likely, “It does not suit me at all.”

Dr. Glenn Young of First Baptist, Kilgore, makes a point about the Evangelical tradition. Photo: J. Galler.

Young has experience pastoring several existing congregations and planting new ones. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry in Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

And, Young ventured several Biblical answers to the question “Why church?” that he suggested could bridge the gap between sacramental and non-sacramental churches when it comes to the purpose of the church: the church is the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9-10); the church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13); the Church is the atmosphere within which the Holy Spirit chooses to manifest itself (Matthew 18:18-19); and the Church is God’s embassy to a fallen kingdom in the process of being redeemed (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). (You can hear Young’s full presentation here.)

Young’s presentation was followed by a short break with refreshments, after which other local pastors responded briefly to his presentation and then as a panel with Young fielded questions from the audience as moderated by Terry Booker of Kilgore College.

Rev. Will Wilson responds to an audience question, while Rev. Dr. Jayson Galler, Rev. Ben Bagley, and Dr. Glenn Young react. Photo: Lucas Strough, Kilgore News Herald.

The respondents were the Rev. Ben Bagley of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, and Rev. Will Wilson of First Presbyterian Church. (You can hear the responses and panel discussion of audience questions here.)

Plans are already in the works for a 2019 Symposium. The 2018 Symposium was the fifth in a series connected to the anniversary of the October 31, 1517, Reformation. The first was “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” in 2014; the second was “At the Intersection of Church and State” in 2015; the third was “Religion and Politics in the 2016 Election” in 2016; and the fourth was “The Reformation at 500 years” in 2017. The purpose of the Symposia is to seek a deeper understanding of one another in our various church communities. Through the mutual sharing of knowledge and ideas, organizers believe that the Holy Spirit will draw people closer to that union that Christ desires for all (John 17:21-23).

For news coverage of previous years’ Symposia, see here.

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