The Word On ... Mid Year Conference: Three Interviews
Long walks in the bush. Singing in crowds. Brain strain. Bible overload. Great conversations. These are some of the things that highlight the five jam-packed days of Mid Year Conference (MYC). During the conference, The Page talked to three first-timers about their experience.
Sally Anderson
Why did you come to MYC? Well, it was bizarre. I had no desire to come at the start. But then I got one of those email reminders and thought, “Why not?” My spur-of-the-moment decisions seem to serve me well.
What were you expecting? I was talking to this chick I met randomly at a party and she told me that, for her, the best bit of Uni was MYC. She told me I had to go. So I thought it would be pretty good. I expected to learn heaps about the Bible generally and I figured I'd meet people, though I wasn't sure how that would go down.
What have you enjoyed about it so far? I've enjoyed talking about the bigger issues that usually get skipped over, going painstakingly through every point of an argument, meeting hundreds of people and doing stuff with them.
What have you not enjoyed about it? John [Woodhouse] not finishing his talks every night. I've enjoyed the stuff we've already covered but I'm worried we won't cover it all. MYC is also a bit people-intensive—there's heaps of people around you all the time. I've really been appreciating reflection time.
What's something you've learnt at MYC that really stands out for you? Nothing really stands out ... I think I'm like John Woodhouse: when I'm reading the Bible, I think, “This is the best thing ever!” and then I forget it. Understanding justification by faith is really excellent. I'm the kind of person who worries: “Am I irritating God? Is he going to retract his promise?” These are really human concerns. It's good to know that I have been justified for all the sins I've committed and will commit in the future.
Will you come again? Yes, I'd definitely do it again, given the right circumstances (eg. money!)
Sally is a second-year Arts student majoring in English and Philosophy.
Shanan Wise
Why did you come to MYC? Frump told me all about it. I thought, “This sounds great, I'm going to come.”
What were you expecting? I expected to hear great Bible talks, I expected to get to know a lot of people and I expected to become great friends with people I've already met during the semester.
What have you enjoyed about it so far? I've enjoyed getting to know a lot of people and making new friends. I've also enjoyed the Christian encouragement you get from meeting so many Christians at once.
What have you not enjoyed about it? The snoring!
What's something you've learnt at MYC that really stands out for you? I've learnt that the meaning of words can change depending on the context in which they're used and the importance of knowing this.
Will you come again? Yes!
Shanan is a first-year Commerce student majoring in Human Resource Management.
Rachel Baker (Little)
Why did you come to MYC? Everyone was asking me why I hadn't. There's an expectation to attend. Every other year I had a good excuse and this year I didn't.
What were you expecting? National Training Event on a smaller scale—a very well-regimented day/time/week with loud nighttimes.
What have you enjoyed about it so far? The music has been excellent and the food has been plentiful! The seminars are also really good—they're well-run and purposeful and you can really see the aim of each study. At the beginning of the week it was very frustrating in my small group because Galatians didn't make sense and [ECU] staffworkers refused to answer my questions. But my group prayed that the Holy Spirit would reveal the meaning of his word to us and he did it the next day!
What have you not enjoyed about it? John Woodhouse not finishing his talks (they would be on my good points list otherwise!) As a non-people person, it's a difficult week. It's hard to get rest and it feels like the time you are spending with people is more quantitative than qualitative. It's a shame we don't mix much with people from other campuses, though I can see why we don't.
What's something you've learnt at MYC that really stands out for you? That we receive salvation when we reach heaven. We haven't received salvation yet—we have the promise of it. I think that goes a long way to explaining why we are still sinful.
Will you come again? Maybe. Depends on if I remember how peopled-out I am now this time next year.
Rachel is a third-year Arts/Creative Arts student majoring in Information Studies and Creative Writing.
Karen Beilharz
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