Scotch College

BY2KXn - Fix the Future

'What does BY2KXn' stand for?' This was the most commonly asked question during Mission Week this year. The cryptic slogan suggested that the future is best secured not by focussing on the Y2K bug, but the human problem.

The contention of Mission Week was that the future (here, not to mention hereafter) is secured by submission to Christ. The real problem is within us, not our computers! Hence, fix the future - be a year 2000 Christian.

Communicating this was the challenge that faced our keynote speakers Matthew Hunt and Mark Chapple. Both are Baptist pastors from NSW, Mark at Hawksbury Valley and Matthew at Castlehill. They are also both married with young children, but despite the common elements in their backgrounds, they are quite different in character and approach, Matt being a former lawyer and Mark an electrician. Both addressed all the boys in the senior school. Response cards reveal that their presentations stimulated significant questions and many boys expressed a desire to be committed to following Jesus. The critique of contemporary culture, such as was shared by Matt and Mark, was similar to that found at http://www.shootthemessenger.com.au/home/h_index.html.

Derek Lind, singer and songwriter from Auckland, shared the same message. He presented his message with laconic humour and challenging lyrics. You can read more about Derek's interests at the website of 'Someone Up There' records. http://www.someone.co.nz/artists/bios/derek%20lind.html. Derek was also involved in preparing a number of students for a Memorial Hall concert in the very last period of term two. This was a daunting prospect since each of the boys was confronted, not with familiar music sheets, but with the lyrics of Derek's songs! It was a tribute to Derek and the boys that with so little rehearsal time the concert was so well done. The video is hot.

The second aspect of Mission Week was to explore aspects of Christian discipleship for young people today. This is the challenge of being Christian in the contemporary world. A number of guests at Scotch came with this as their challenge. Senior boys heard Professor Ian Harper speak about 'God and Money'. Ian, who is Professorial Fellow in the Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne (http://www.mbs.unimelb.edu.au/mbsfacul/harper.htm), presented a positive view of the boys' economic future. However, his emphasis on the obligation this entailed was powerfully felt. Said one student 'He was the best speaker of any Mission Week I remember'. Asked another, 'Did he wear a wig?'.

In the junior school we were delighted that Colin Buchanan could visit on Monday and Tuesday. Colin, who is as renowned for his Tamworth country music awards as he is for his role in hosting the ABC's 'Playschool', shared his faith in a most enjoyable way with boys at all levels in the junior school. You can find out about him at http://www.colinbuchanan.com.au/music.html.

Kevin will also be visiting the senior school. This rather zany duo from Melbourne can also be found at http://www.ains.net.au/kevinweb. The member of staff in front of me kept bursting into laughter as they mimed and acted their hilarious routine. As a result of the repeated inquiries after the last Mission, BY2KXn saw the return of the inimitable Ben Price. His Arnie impersonations raised the best laughs, but the most serious proposition was his desire to imitate Christ.

We were also humbled and challenged by the Drs David and Tracy Symmons who visited us on Friday. This husband and wife duo are Melb Uni medical graduates working in PNG. Last year they performed 500 operations and saw 50,000 outpatients.

We are grateful to all who shared in this important week in the school calendar. Early responses from boys indicate a real interest in the Christian message and it is anticipated that in term 3 there will be substantial work in responding to the cards returned by students.

Our thanks to the (old and young) old boys as well as parents and staff who prayed for the school during this week of mission. You can keep in touch with this spiritual aspect of the life of the school by contacting a parent, Mrs Irene Lee (9882 2629) or YOB, Marc Allison (marc@monkhouse.com.au).