Every year, thousands of transitioning youth enter the world of university, and begin asking that pesky question that has plagued the thinking person for centuries: Who am I?

The ensuing identity crisis has been the woe of many university students faced with the critical thought of academia for the first time. Unfortunately, I think the group that has the most problem answering this question is Christians.

I decided this after I was recently forced (by the unnatural force that many internet web pages hold over me) to read the blog “Stuff Christians Like.” The site, a shameless rip-off of the popular “Stuff White People Like,” lists activities Christians stereotypically enjoy. The self-deprecating, satirical and sometimes serious posts are usually good for a smile of solidarity and a second thought.

It amazed me how many “activities” the blog pointed out that Christians have to distinguish themselves. We label ourselves Christian because we do wear Christian T-shirts (the classic “God’s Gym” instead of “Gold’s Gym” example), we don’t sleep around, we do listen to U2 – and we begin to place our identities in a variable subculture.

Culture is fluid and changing – that is intrinsic to its definition. It is constantly redefined by the people who are part of it. Though Christians assert that they subscribe to an ideology that is eternal, we fall into the same patterns as any other subculture. For example, one generation may believe drinking is wrong, the next says it’s okay and redefines those rules, and the next reverts back to the old tradition or tries to settle in the middle. It’s a constant cultural ebb and flow that Christians are no more immune from than the secular world.

The problem comes when Christians begin to equate their Christianity and the Christian culture with which they associate. We claim to hold truths that are part of something that transcends history and time: something that is universal and outside of culture. Yet we define ourselves and others on standards produced by said culture.

I’m not proposing all group identity found in a specific time and place be disposed of. In many cases, it’s helpful. It can facilitate community, emotional support, be a source of knowledge and a good reference for life. Nor do I advocate a free-for-all lifestyle where no guidelines for life are set because they could or could not change in the future.

What I am saying is that we shouldn’t stake our identity on the aspects of Christian culture which change from country to country and generation to generation. I was no more a Christian in 1994 because I listened to Jars of Clay on my walkman than I am now because I read The Shack in an emergent church. Assuming this will lead to an identity crisis of epic proportions, because one would live in a constant state of redefinition that cannot keep up with the changing tides of culture.

But if we are not defined by what we do, then who are we as Christians? I believe for Christianity to be worth ascribing to, it must be something that is defined outside of malleable standards. Finding our identity as Christians is a matter of who we are: we are saved. Therefore, we live for a God who transcends time, according to a gospel that transcends history and culture. That is the beauty of the unchanging core of the Christian faith.

Retention is a concern at every university, and comparatively, TWU is doing a good job. There was an 82 per cent retention from Fall ’07 to Fall ’08, which is a four per cent increase from last year. Compared to other Canadian schools, TWU has a higher retention rate, and is on par with similar universities in the U.S.

“We’re doing well for our age and size,” said Sheldon Loeppky, associate provost, “which is a huge testimony to the type of people we have here.”

TWU has a number of initiatives in place that help to keep students coming back. One of these projects is the Success Coach Program, which involves calling all newly enrolled students before they arrive to answer questions and to help them know what to expect.

“The idea is to help a student move from being a passive student to an active one,” said Kari Bergrud, transition program coordinator, who works with the First Year Experience. “The idea is to see students graduate.”

The SOS program, O-Week and University 101 also play a role in the proactive approach of the university.

“With University 101, we not only give students tools to succeed in university, but we [hook them up] with a group of peers and an upperclassman,” Bergrud said.

Another initiative TWU has put in place is the Collegium program. It was started in 1999, and in one semester the retention rate of commuter students went up from 70 per cent, to 91 per cent of those students involved in the collegiums.

The university has also been working on the availability of financial aid, as finances are a big reason students leave the school.

Elsa Stanley, a former TWU student, was forced to leave halfway through her second year for “purely financial reasons.”

“I loved it, but the tuition kept going up,” she said. “I thought, ok, I’m going to be in debt until I’m 30.”
Jessica Giesbrecht, another former student, also left because of finances after her first year. “I didn’t want to graduate with $75,000 of debt,” she said.

Although the issue of finances is legitimate, Bergrud insists that students often lack information about the availability of financial aid.

“Our financial aid services are one of the best across Canada,” she said, adding that every year around 50 per cent of scholarship money is not used because of a lack of completed financial aid forms.

Despite all of the work that goes into increasing retention, TWU is simply not the school for everyone.
Jennifer Deweerd left after her first year at TWU. “I had all these expectations for Trinity that totally didn’t happen. It was supposed to be such a great community and it wasn’t really any different than anywhere else,” she said. “It was not the right environment or fit for me.”

Loeppky realizes this and said, “At the end of the day, it’s about helping students succeed. Making students stay doesn’t necessarily help them succeed.”

But for those who are still at TWU, Loeppky encourages them to “take a step forward and engage the community…. There won’t be a time when you will have this much infrastructure again – take advantage of it.”

Correction: Mars’ Hill mistakenly reported that about 50 per cent of scholarships are not given out due to a lack of completed financial aid forms, when in reality the majority of TWU’s scholarships are used. Statistically, about 50 per cent of outside scholarships (i.e. banks, youth organizations) are not used. For a list of these scholarships and more go to www.twu.ca/awards.

On Oct. 2, the TWU Student Association granted the group official club status.

Evan Bartel, the club’s president, says that while motorcycling is something that unites the group, riding was not their sole purpose for creating the club. He hopes the club will build on the foundation of a love of riding to include acts of service and humanitarianism.

The Motorcycle Club participated in the Fraser Valley Toy Run on Oct. 19. The event involved motorcyclists from all over the area riding together to Abbotsford to donate toys and money for less fortunate kids in the Valley this Christmas.

There are also plans for the Motorcycle Club to ride together to the Fraser Valley Gleaners in Abbotsford to volunteer by preparing dried food to be distributed to the needy around the world.

Janelle Visser, the club’s secretary, agrees that forming the club takes the “camaraderie in motorbiking” and builds on it through serving others.

Bartel points out that the club is not trying to be exclusive. One does not need to own a motorcycle to become a member; there is room for passengers or students to take other vehicles to the events.
Visser developed her own love of motorcycling over the past two years as a passenger on her boyfriend’s motorcycle. Soon, however, she wanted to be the one driving. She now owns a 1989 Honda CBR 600 F, which she named Zelda, and passed her road test two weeks ago.

“Every once in a while when I’m riding, I remember I’m actually riding a motorcycle, and I smile uncontrollably inside my helmet,” said Visser.

Bartel, who owns a 1980 Suzuki GS 400, shares the joy that comes from riding. He says that he goes on a lot of scenic rides as a way to enjoy God’s creation.

“It’s enjoyable to have the air, the wind through my hair,” he said.

This shared joy of motorcycling that Bartel saw in the motorcyclists on campus often led to sporadic, unplanned rides. Bartel and Visser hope the club brings some structure and intentionality to the group.
“If I ever only join one club at Trinity, it’s pretty awesome that it is the Motorcycle Club,” said Visser.
The group is also throwing around ideas for a new club name. Bartel says they unofficially refer to themselves as the “Holy Rollers.”

To find out more about the club or to become a member students can contact Bartel at evan.bartel[at]mytwu.ca or Visser at janelle.visser@mytwu.ca or visit their Facebook group (search “TWU Motorcycle Club”).

Bister received his Private Pilot’s License (PPL) at Boundary Bay Airport in July 2007, but took his flight lessons with Coastal Pacific Aviation at the Abbotsford International Airport. Coastal Pacific Aviation is an environment for both professional pilots and learners. Getting one’s PPL is a pre-requisite for acceptance into the two-year Coastal Pacific Aviation program that partners with the University of the Fraser Valley.
Wayne Cave, director of flight operations at Coastal Pacific Aviation says about the program, “We have a two-year diploma program, and in order to [even] join the program you need to have [your] Private Pilot’s License.” The PP licensure is offered in the summer.

Once declaring aviation as a major, students are expected to get their Commercial License. But while most students only need to hit the books to pass their exams, Bister had other concerns. He needed 150 flight hours of practice, three simulated flight tests with instructors, and several nights of studying charts, emergency procedures and his Pilot Operating Handbook to pass his commercial flight test. For his commercial license Bister needs only 30 more flying hours to complete the 200 hours required.
Bister’s route is not one that many TWU students take. He is one of only two aviation students currently studying at the university, and wants others to understand the commitment involved in undertaking this major. “Scheduling is a nightmare and you have school on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said. “It’s expensive, [and] it’s going to be more than your average degree.”

“I get an average of four to five hours of sleep a night. If I studied more I’d be a hermit. I like to socialize and I’m also a Collegium Assistant,” said Bister.

Bister does not plan on stopping with a Commercial Pilot’s License. “I want to travel the world. I can see myself flying for missions in a couple of years. I want to visit New Zealand, the Bahamas, Australia and perhaps Dubai,” said Bister.

Flying can be fun, but alertness is number one in Bister’s books. “One time my instructor, myself and another student were flying at 11 p.m. and we landed on a flat tire. We most likely went over a sharp rock on a previous landing. The plane went to the left and almost off the runway,” said Bister.
Bister will be working on his multi-engine and instrument rating from now until his fourth year. Both ratings will allow him to fly in low-visibility weather in large dual-engine aircraft.

Despite the difficulty in getting through the program, Bister said, “Aviation…allows you to go to places you usually couldn’t go to.”

“There are really important questions to ask about the role the arts have in our culture; [we are] exploring relationships of arts and community and how it can be used to create community or push people out of community,” said Jeff Warren, artistic director of Verge and associate professor of music at TWU.

When asked how the topic was picked for this year’s conference Warren confessed, “In a way I’ve been selfish; I’ve picked a topic that I’m interested in, [but] this topic [also] seems to interest a lot of people.”

Chris Anderson and Christos Hatzis attended as keynote speakers. Anderson, a New York-based artist, has worked extensively in over 15 different art communities around the world – “And I’m still alive,” she joked. While at TWU, Anderson also spoke in chapel as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series in addition to being a keynote speaker at Verge. In the opening lecture, she spoke of community and how it can be a place in which one seeks sanctuary and a place that one seeks sanctuary from.

Anderson’s work explores American cultural traditions and life in the contemporary home and neighbourhood. “It is so important to be in community that fosters you as an artist,” she said. “Unfortunately many of us have had negative experiences with community; [it] can bring people together, but it can tear people apart.”

Hatzis, a Juno Award-winning composer, conducted a composers’ workshop and presented on community building through art. Hatzis works to advocate borderless culture and has been working to “bridge the gap between classical music and today’s popular music idioms.”

At the workshop, Hatzis played a commissioned piece entitled “In the Fire of Conflict,” the focus of which is inner city conflict. He collaborated with Detroit rapper Steve Henry.

The collaboration between Hatzis and Henry is an example of how art can build community where none existed before. Henry is a former gang member who now works to promote social responsibility. Henry created the rap tracks and lyrics, and Hatzis remixed the tracks in stereo and combined them with cello and percussion. The effect is powerful.

According to Hatzis, “a great deal of social-cultural activity has been taking place [since the performance of the piece last summer]…people plan to use this work for various causes, particularly inner-city youth projects.”

TWU presenters at the conference included Warren; Doris Hutton Auxier, art department chair; David Squires, dean of the faculty of professional studies and performing arts; Suzanne Snizek, flute instructor; and Caleb Chan, fourth-year music student.

Conference audio and presented papers are available at www.vergearts.com under “conference.” Listen to the second half of “In the Fire of Conflict” at www.reverbnation.com/christoshatzis

Critchley’s last day of work on Oct. 3 was filled with students visiting her to say goodbye, some bringing flowers and cards.

“It felt horrible,” Critchley said, thinking back to her last day. “I was an emotional mess. I was leaving a job I loved.”

Critchley resigned for various reasons, including what she cites as a lack of teamwork and leadership in her work environment.

“Everyone was confused over who does what and who was in charge of their section,” she said. “One person tells you one thing and another tells you something different.”

Critchley was also frustrated with Sodexo’s pay structure. As a senior employee, she felt she wasn’t remunerated properly for her years with Sodexo.

“People I was training were getting paid the same as me,” she said. “What an insult. What does that say to me as an employee?”

Sodexo employs approximately 70 people on campus. Critchley was one of the most senior employees.
“We do pay extra for seniority,” said Chris Fox, director of dining and catering services. However, Sodexo follows certain seniority schedules and policies, which Critchley disagreed with.

Critchley isn’t sure where she will take her career next, but what is certain is that she will be missed on campus. For many students, Critchley was one of the highlights of their cafeteria experience – even for students who have not eaten in the cafeteria for a while.

“Carol was always happy and would ask you how you were doing,” said third-year student Blair Kesteven. “It’s too bad that this year’s freshmen won’t get to know her like we did.”

Fox agrees. “One of the first things I noticed about Carol was how well the students were attracted to her,” he said. “We’ll definitely miss her.”

Critchley will miss the campus life, too. “You guys rock,” Critchley said.

“My favourite memories are all the hugs, laughs and secret stories you all shared with me,” she said. “TWU made my life a wonderful reason to get up everyday. Bless you all.”

For last year’s story on Carol: http://www.marshillonline.com/news/not-just-another-face

TWUSA held their Annual General Meeting on Oct.2, primarily to inform students on how their funds are allocated for student activities.

TWUSA President Brian Weir began the AGM by mentioning some of the issues that TWUSA plans to address this school year, including counseling services, the extension of library hours, the construction of a new chapel, additional fees for recreation services and the TWU accountability process. He emphasized that student input is essential to making the right changes around campus this year.
Kelsey Wallace, TWUSA vice president of finance, introduced this year’s $238,047 budget. The money is dispersed throughout the various departments of council. TWUSA has budgeted $69,845 for their administration expenses, including items such as member stipends and retreats, not to mention the money that covers the expense of free coffee and weekly pancake breakfasts, and the cost of maintaining a copier. Under this budget, TWUSA has also budgeted $4,550 for the TWUSA Express, but is also looking into student bus passes.

The communications budget of $3,030 was presented; its purpose is to cover the costs of promoting TWUSA and its events. The events budget came in at $8,264. This budget is intended to cover events such as Harvestfest and the Spring Hootenanny.

This year’s budget also includes some compensation for last years’ errors: $613 was included in this budget to cover the cost of renting the ice rink for last year’s Can-Am hockey game. When asked about this, TWUSA director of events Brendan Pogue explained that TWUSA ’07-‘08 neglected to budget for the cost of renting the ice rink, and the money had to be taken from a different account in order to make the payment at the time. The money is included in this year’s budget to compensate for the fact that it was not budgeted last year.

The class reps budget landed at $9,550—this money is intended to cover expenses for events such as Iron Chef, Post-Midterms Game Night, a Toga Party and the spring Grad Banquet. Mars’ Hill presented a budget of $40,428, and the Pillar Yearbook’s 08-09 proposed budget was $58,203.

Despite all the talk of numbers, the biggest issue at the AGM seemed to be that of informing the students on how their money is being spent. Various members of the audience criticized TWUSA for poor promotion of the AGM. TWUSA members debated whether or not their year-end report should be printed on paper or published on the web; the budget for tangible year-end reports was eventually reallocated to the proposals budget – a controversial move.

The proposals budget – money TWUSA allocates to clubs and entities on campus on a need basis – suffered from cuts this year; only $5,692 ended up in the fund.

Overall, all money talks came back to the student body: “The changes that we want to make require student involvement,” Weir said.

Dignity arises from this pursuit of excellence and measured equilibrium, even in sex. Whether or not that equilibrium is different or the same for all people, I do not know, but I am almost certain that on a deep level every single person knows what actions, disciplines and withholdings offer the most dignity. In human dignity is found identity, and therefore, regardless of what you do with your sexuality, it will affect your very inner being, your very identification.

As Christians, then, we must find out the most excellent way of “gathering… for one’s highest moments.” It’s easy to justify the boundaries that have been set out for us, staying as pure as possible in all ways, but it’s important to remember that God didn’t simply invent arbitrary rules. Rather, it is our very nature that will be at stake if we deny the fact that we will only be able to flourish with our souls, minds, actions and bodies as pure as possible.

It is somewhat baffling, how powerful sex is – in both beauty and destruction. As Rilke says “Sex is difficult; yes. But those tasks that have been entrusted to us are difficult; almost everything serious is difficult; and everything is serious.” Indeed, when it so strongly affects one’s identity and the very dignity of humans, one can “feel how terribly heavy it is, instead of taking it lightly.” Yet, his manner of writing seems to imply that it is almost unbearable. This I disagree with, because as he says, these matters have been entrusted to us – and entrusted to us by our very nature, not bestowed upon us by God as a particular task. If this is so, then by our very nature we are able to cope with this heaviness: it defines us, stretches and bends us.

Because of the implications of sexuality, we must hold each other accountable to Christian values. In community, this means being aware of our own missteps and guiding our peers back on course. Our lives need to revolve around the commandments given to us. Ignoring them only causes our own vision to be murky so we cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven. God may give us the grace to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but we have the responsibility of keeping our eyes unclouded. It is to our own advantage, so let us encourage each other to pursue our purest, “highest moments.”

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Stewart Warnock:

When the topic of “sexual identity” is raised, the first thing that I think about is the tension and controversy this topic has seen in the media. Sexual identity is not just about sexual orientation or preferences, but also about how outside influences try to make people identify with a certain orientation or preference. Sexual identity seems to be based in the historic, ongoing, society-condoned oppression of those who do not conform to society’s gender roles. Society used to prescribe rules that one should be sexually and romantically attracted to members of the opposite sex; anyone who did not abide by these rules were targeted for persecution. Today, that is not the case and the media persecutes those who criticize the fluidity of gender roles. Where does a Christian influence and mindset fit in among society’s messages?

The Christian faith points to the truth that everyone belongs to God, whether one acknowledges it or not. All persons are God’s by virtue of being created in His image. One does absolutely nothing to gain this identity and one can do nothing to lose it. From a Christian standpoint, then, everyone is called to see him or herself as one created in His divine image. Therefore, sexuality needs to be based on a theological framework. It comes down to what God intended when he first created man and woman: that man take a woman as his wife.

Sexual holiness is an important form of social responsibility. I believe that Christians sometimes can blow sexual identity out of proportion and take things too far such as forbidding a homosexual to come to church. As Christians, we are commanded to love everyone. The God-given plan for sexual union involves procreation in heterosexual relationships. Marriage is necessary before a sexual union takes place between a man and a woman. I believe that homosexuality is not normal from the Creator’s perspective and it never will be, because God created them “male and female” for the purpose of healthy heterosexual relationships within marriage.

Society has crossed the line and is still pushing the boundaries, trying to make things “appear” right, because the law allows for gay marriages. Who creates the law? Not everyone has God as their authority, which is why the picture is blurry for Christians who may be on the edge, dealing with these tendencies. As Christians, we are called to love and accept all – but this does not mean agree with or condone. Jesus ate with the tax collectors and prostitutes; when you put things in perspective, everyone sins as much as dealing with sexual identity issues. As Christians, we must be living examples of Jesus Christ. Sexual identity should be according to what God has intended, the body should be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit and a place for God’s love and grace to be evident. In a blunt conclusion, men and women must fulfill what God has intended for their gender.

At a little Pentecostal church in Mukono that Sunday, the pastor brought up the economic crisis in his sermon. He explained that the reason for American economic crisis was simple: the economy failed because of America’s moral decline. The solution? Bringing the Ten Commandments and prayer back in schools.

This sentiment was echoed in an article in that Sunday’s newspaper, stating that America was falling from power because Americans had abandoned the moral principles that made them a world power in the first place.

At first I reacted strongly to these statements, if only because I think America’s power had much more to do with the lack of feeling or consideration towards most of the world’s people, and a consumerist system made possible by a self-absorbed population. Later, I realized that the economic crisis is indeed caused by immorality, though a different kind: unchecked greed, lack of care for and unfaithfulness to others. It has never been a secret that our level of affluence and industry is unsustainable on many levels, and I think it is clear that neither the American national economy nor the global economy are actually the gods that we have treated them as.

Perhaps there is more wisdom that these Ugandans have spoken that we have forgotten how to hear; perhaps the solution to economic turmoil may actually lie in turning to God. I am not talking about trying to bring church back into state, or trying to save dying companies and markets, but something altogether more personal and difficult – actually placing our trust in God, the kingdom and economy of Jesus. Another Ugandan pastor said, “We tell people to put their trust in God, not money. Money changes, but Jesus never changes.”

This economic crisis should not move Christians to fear, but to generosity. As unemployment and homelessness rise and the things we have trusted to meet needs fail, it is time for the church to practice loving, to sow what we have and expect to reap, to consider that any blessing we have is not our own, and to live in trust of God’s provision. For many Ugandans, praying “give us this day our daily bread” has real meaning, because here there is no illusion that the economy and government will meet every need. As this myth falls in the West, perhaps we too will learn to pray and live this prayer for God’s kingdom to come.

One experience of this past summer has left me with no doubt that God’s economy is real and tangible. I was busing and hitchhiking from Langley down to Burlington, Washington. With no food or money along with me, I had no way to eat lunch. I told God that if He wanted me to eat, He would have to provide the food. To my surprise an old lady I met on the bus, oblivious to my meal situation, invited me to her house for lunch. Jesus meant it when he said: “Do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”