There are a lot of reasons that make reaching college students a strategic part of fulfilling the Great Commission. College students today are...
1. Teachable
2. Starting Fresh
3. Leading
4. Unfettered
5. Growing
6. Seeking Identity
7. Global
8. Innovative
9. Integrated
10. Active
A short article written by Ken Cochrum and Amber Kinneer explains each element on the list.
Do you agree? Would you add/remove from the list?
Monday, October 18, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
My head and heart finally agree.
Today, I begin a new challenge: reading Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology from cover to cover. The book is around 1200 pages, so I figure if I read a few pages a day, I'll be done in one year. Very doable.
I decided to take this on after finishing David Nasser's biography "Jumping Through Fires." I was doing some work at Panera yesterday and had brought along the book to read if I needed a break.
At any given time, I'm reading about 5 books at once. But I started and finished this book within 12 hours. It was amazing. I had seen a video about David once at church, and made a mental note to Google him later. I did, and liked what I read, so when I found his biography in a half-price bookstore a few months ago, I grabbed it.
I saw so many similarities between his story and mine- not so much in his life before he came to Christ, but after. For some reason, this got me thinking about theology.
I take shortcuts. It's not smart, I know, but it's something I'm naturally inclined to do and find myself fighting all the time. When I started to develop solid friendships with Christians in college, I could see early on I was far behind these people. I definitely lacked a foundational knowledge of the Bible, but in attempting to follow simple discussions about the Bible, I realized I even lacked the skill to think critically.
I had a lot of ground to make up, in not a lot of time. Hello, shortcuts. The situation was intensified because I didn't want anyone to know I didn't know much. (I didn't even want anyone to know I accepted Christ freshman year. Talk about pride. I'm pretty sure they all knew anyway).
In those days, I soaked up any bit of knowledge from any type of source. It was really fun to walk into church knowing that I would leave knowing God better. I jumped very quickly into campus ministry. I rarely said no to any opportunity that would lead me to grow in my faith.
Because of all this, I had gained a lot of knowledge. The problem is, shortcuts don't pay. The knowledge was great, but I was lacking sometime.
I found this out when I joined staff with Campus Crusade. Part of their ongoing staff training involves taking seminary classes every couple of years. I knew the first two would take place at new staff training. I didn't know a lot about theology, doctrine, or methods of studying the Bible, but I had taken in so much in the last 5 years, I felt pretty good.
I was pretty surprised at what I learned. Knowledge is great, but its value is increased when it connects with your heart. After all these years of attaining knowledge and growing in my faith, I finally began to see and understand the WHY behind much of what I did.
Theology, of all things, showed me that my heart hadn't caught up with my mind.
David expressed similar thoughts in his book- though for him, his mind hadn't caught up with his heart. His story really got me thinking about this. All that to say, I'm going to read more theology, because for me, that helps my heart connect with my head. That, and prayer. But that's another topic and another story. I think studying theology might help other people in this area, too. So, look for more posts on theology down the road!
(Disclaimer: I'm eternally grateful for the friends, Campus Crusade staff, and church members that helped me grow in my faith so quickly. My lack of connection between my head and my heart was surely my own fault. My pride got in the way, so there's no way anyone would have been able to see any of this. Or maybe they did, I don't know. I think the lesson I learned is not something you can teach someone, but only one that someone can discover on their own. I'm definitely not blaming anyone for me turning out this way and I hope those that read don't think they miss-taught or mislead me in some way).
I decided to take this on after finishing David Nasser's biography "Jumping Through Fires." I was doing some work at Panera yesterday and had brought along the book to read if I needed a break.
At any given time, I'm reading about 5 books at once. But I started and finished this book within 12 hours. It was amazing. I had seen a video about David once at church, and made a mental note to Google him later. I did, and liked what I read, so when I found his biography in a half-price bookstore a few months ago, I grabbed it.
I saw so many similarities between his story and mine- not so much in his life before he came to Christ, but after. For some reason, this got me thinking about theology.
I take shortcuts. It's not smart, I know, but it's something I'm naturally inclined to do and find myself fighting all the time. When I started to develop solid friendships with Christians in college, I could see early on I was far behind these people. I definitely lacked a foundational knowledge of the Bible, but in attempting to follow simple discussions about the Bible, I realized I even lacked the skill to think critically.
I had a lot of ground to make up, in not a lot of time. Hello, shortcuts. The situation was intensified because I didn't want anyone to know I didn't know much. (I didn't even want anyone to know I accepted Christ freshman year. Talk about pride. I'm pretty sure they all knew anyway).
In those days, I soaked up any bit of knowledge from any type of source. It was really fun to walk into church knowing that I would leave knowing God better. I jumped very quickly into campus ministry. I rarely said no to any opportunity that would lead me to grow in my faith.
Because of all this, I had gained a lot of knowledge. The problem is, shortcuts don't pay. The knowledge was great, but I was lacking sometime.
I found this out when I joined staff with Campus Crusade. Part of their ongoing staff training involves taking seminary classes every couple of years. I knew the first two would take place at new staff training. I didn't know a lot about theology, doctrine, or methods of studying the Bible, but I had taken in so much in the last 5 years, I felt pretty good.
I was pretty surprised at what I learned. Knowledge is great, but its value is increased when it connects with your heart. After all these years of attaining knowledge and growing in my faith, I finally began to see and understand the WHY behind much of what I did.
Theology, of all things, showed me that my heart hadn't caught up with my mind.
David expressed similar thoughts in his book- though for him, his mind hadn't caught up with his heart. His story really got me thinking about this. All that to say, I'm going to read more theology, because for me, that helps my heart connect with my head. That, and prayer. But that's another topic and another story. I think studying theology might help other people in this area, too. So, look for more posts on theology down the road!
(Disclaimer: I'm eternally grateful for the friends, Campus Crusade staff, and church members that helped me grow in my faith so quickly. My lack of connection between my head and my heart was surely my own fault. My pride got in the way, so there's no way anyone would have been able to see any of this. Or maybe they did, I don't know. I think the lesson I learned is not something you can teach someone, but only one that someone can discover on their own. I'm definitely not blaming anyone for me turning out this way and I hope those that read don't think they miss-taught or mislead me in some way).
Sunday, October 03, 2010
A poor parody of Hamlet
To give, or not to give: That is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of selfishness,
And by opposing end them?
Ok, I'm done. I can't even write a true parody of this passage because I don't really understand the actual context in which it was written. (In fact, I thought it was from Romeo & Juliet until I googled it just now. My high school English teacher, Mrs Robinson, would not be calling me a scholar right now).
Anyway, this week I heard some news about the movie that was to be made about Blue Like Jazz. Apparently production was suspended due to lack of funds, so some guys made a website asking people who have been influenced by the book to considering giving to fund the rest of the movie's production.
Before I could stop my mind from going there, it went there: what if they don't make their goal? Where does my money go? What happens to the movie?
It's like a student asking for support for a missions trip: What if she doesn't go? What happens to my money?
The thing is (thanks, Allison) I don't really have a say in how the money is used. My reaction points out a problem with my attitude in giving: control. It's not my money to begin with. While I should be a good steward of it, it's out of my hands when it's given away.
I ran into this same issue last week, when I was reading Revolution in World Missions by KP Yohannon. He cited many examples of American churches and big-name Christians (without naming names) that wanted to help him in his cause of raising funds for indigenous missionaries in India. But the Americans wanted additional confirmation that the money pledged would be used the way they wanted- through a variety of different stipulations. I admire KP's integrity and character - he would not accept money with ties. And I think he was totally right in asking them to reconsider. It's not that there wasn't any accountability within his system - it's that the people giving wanted to make sure it was done their way.
While we're on the subject of books, let me bring up another one (some of you are probably not surprised I'm mentioning this book). Last year, I read Law of Rewards by Randy Alcorn. It's not a long book, but it took me a whole year to finish; there was a lot to consider and converse about.
This topic of how to decide to give or not to give is one thing Alcorn covers in his book, and also on his website (Eternal Perspectives Ministries). He's got an article entitled Nineteen Questions to Ask Before You Give To Any Organization. They vary from checking a ministry's biblical doctrine, ministry strategies and overhead/admin costs, to talking with people both on the local level instead of just reading literature/seeing promo videos. One thing I'm really glad to see on the list is the importance of giving to the local church. Alcorn suggests we ask ourselves whether or not we've fulfilled our primary role in giving to our local church.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (loosely) says we should decide in our hearts what to give, and to give it cheerfully. I think the kicker comes right before this verse, in 9:6: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
As with many of life's interesting issues, the answer probably lies in a balance: giving where, when and how God leads you - which might sometimes be off-the-cuff without much consideration, and might sometimes be after an hour long personal appointment with a missionary from a ministry you've never heard of.
What are your thoughts? Do we have any say in how money is used when we give it away? Why/Why not? Should we extensively scrutinize every single financial opportunity that comes our way with Alcorn's list of 19 Questions?
(By the way, I just checked the Save Blue Like Jazz website, and they made their goal).
Friday, October 01, 2010
My various accents might (finally) come in handy.
Do you need a visa if you're going to spend 6 weeks in France? What's the U.S. exchange rate in Australia? How many airplanes you have to take to fly from Minneapolis to Accra, Ghana? (And in what part of Africa is Ghana located, exactly?)
I don't know the answers to any of these questions, but I'm about to find out.
There have been a few changes in the regional office this fall. Because of this, the Upper Midwest is in need of a staff member to oversee the operations aspects of our region's US Summer Missions Projects for 2011. Last week, I was asked to step into this role, and after considering it, I've decided to temporarily take on this new ministry position.
Simply put, this is huge. Not that my old ministry assignment isn't important (they're eventually going to need me back in that role), but this is maybe a bit more time-sensitive. Planning is already underway for the 2011 Summer Missions Projects. We in the Upper Midwest have strategic partnerships with 6 different countries, each on a different continent. As part of our vision to build spiritual movements everywhere, we are committed to sending students and staff to these 6 countries for 4-6 weeks each summer, and STINT (Short-Term International) teams for 9-10 months each year.
You're probably wondering what these countries are. (Drumroll...)
Uruguay (our newest partnership)
Accra, Ghana (only two? years old)
Brisbane, Australia (about 4 years old)
Montpellier, France (don't ask me how to pronounce that)
4th Journey (Middle-eastern unnamed country)
East Asia (like, a big one)
You're probably wondering if I'll get to visit any of these countries. I have no idea (I doubt it, but the way life on staff goes, I'm not ruling anything out).
You're probably wondering exactly what I'm going to do. A lot of things, yo. This role involves working with summer missions project directors, making travel arrangements (did I mention the 6 countries are all on different continents, with different international rules?).
Another thing I'll be heavily involved with is one of my very favorite conferences: Kingdom Called, which occurs early April each year. At this conference, students going on summer and year-long projects will receive vital training for raising their support, cross-cultural evangelism, and what to expect to feel when they arrive and leave their countries. (We also have a track for students who are about to graduate -- they receive information on how to transition to the marketplace, how to make big life decisions, how to reach their new coworkers, etc. It's a new thing we're trying).
So, this is right up my alley, and I'm very excited for a chance to jump into such a challenging role. I'm going to stop blabbing all about it now, because this is a huge post. Stay tuned for more!
I don't know the answers to any of these questions, but I'm about to find out.
There have been a few changes in the regional office this fall. Because of this, the Upper Midwest is in need of a staff member to oversee the operations aspects of our region's US Summer Missions Projects for 2011. Last week, I was asked to step into this role, and after considering it, I've decided to temporarily take on this new ministry position.
Simply put, this is huge. Not that my old ministry assignment isn't important (they're eventually going to need me back in that role), but this is maybe a bit more time-sensitive. Planning is already underway for the 2011 Summer Missions Projects. We in the Upper Midwest have strategic partnerships with 6 different countries, each on a different continent. As part of our vision to build spiritual movements everywhere, we are committed to sending students and staff to these 6 countries for 4-6 weeks each summer, and STINT (Short-Term International) teams for 9-10 months each year.
You're probably wondering what these countries are. (Drumroll...)
Uruguay (our newest partnership)
Accra, Ghana (only two? years old)
Brisbane, Australia (about 4 years old)
Montpellier, France (don't ask me how to pronounce that)
4th Journey (Middle-eastern unnamed country)
East Asia (like, a big one)
You're probably wondering if I'll get to visit any of these countries. I have no idea (I doubt it, but the way life on staff goes, I'm not ruling anything out).
You're probably wondering exactly what I'm going to do. A lot of things, yo. This role involves working with summer missions project directors, making travel arrangements (did I mention the 6 countries are all on different continents, with different international rules?).
Another thing I'll be heavily involved with is one of my very favorite conferences: Kingdom Called, which occurs early April each year. At this conference, students going on summer and year-long projects will receive vital training for raising their support, cross-cultural evangelism, and what to expect to feel when they arrive and leave their countries. (We also have a track for students who are about to graduate -- they receive information on how to transition to the marketplace, how to make big life decisions, how to reach their new coworkers, etc. It's a new thing we're trying).
So, this is right up my alley, and I'm very excited for a chance to jump into such a challenging role. I'm going to stop blabbing all about it now, because this is a huge post. Stay tuned for more!
Monday, September 27, 2010
bring a friend to heaven.
I'm just sitting here at my desk, thinking about Heaven. It's gonna be so great. I can't really fathom what it will be like. But it will be great, that's for sure.
I heard a quote at church yesterday that's been on my mind a lot today: You can't take anything to Heaven- except a friend. A cute little quote. It's true, though, and it's got me thinking. I like to surround myself with things that make me feel comfortable- my books, my mp3 player, cable, my laptop, my favorite coffee mug, my favorite pair of skinny jeans...
Earlier this summer I went on a week-long support trip through Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. I forgot almost all of my pants. I remember to pack everything else, except any pants. I had a couple pairs of shorts, and some lounge wear, but nothing formal enough for my appointments. Aside from being annoyed that I was unprepared for the whole point of my trip, I was annoyed that I left my favorite jeans back home.
You're probably thinking...get to the point. Ok. I work so hard to surround myself with comfortable things. But I don't do it as much, as often, or as bad as non-believers, or other Christians, so I easily justify it sometimes.
But one of the reasons non-Christians do it is to find significance and security. That's what I did before I knew Christ. Now I find my identity in Him and assurance of salvation through Him.
The things that make me comfortable lead me to not share my faith as much, while non-believers continue to pursue comfort in things because they don't know there's something better out there.
If the only thing we can take with us to heaven is a friend, this is some awful irony.
I heard a quote at church yesterday that's been on my mind a lot today: You can't take anything to Heaven- except a friend. A cute little quote. It's true, though, and it's got me thinking. I like to surround myself with things that make me feel comfortable- my books, my mp3 player, cable, my laptop, my favorite coffee mug, my favorite pair of skinny jeans...
Earlier this summer I went on a week-long support trip through Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. I forgot almost all of my pants. I remember to pack everything else, except any pants. I had a couple pairs of shorts, and some lounge wear, but nothing formal enough for my appointments. Aside from being annoyed that I was unprepared for the whole point of my trip, I was annoyed that I left my favorite jeans back home.
You're probably thinking...get to the point. Ok. I work so hard to surround myself with comfortable things. But I don't do it as much, as often, or as bad as non-believers, or other Christians, so I easily justify it sometimes.
But one of the reasons non-Christians do it is to find significance and security. That's what I did before I knew Christ. Now I find my identity in Him and assurance of salvation through Him.
The things that make me comfortable lead me to not share my faith as much, while non-believers continue to pursue comfort in things because they don't know there's something better out there.
If the only thing we can take with us to heaven is a friend, this is some awful irony.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Blessed are the...busy?
Sometimes I get so caught up in planning and numbers and lists and projects that I forget what it's all for. I suppose this happens to everyone at some point. The details override the reason they even matter in the first place. You can't see the forest through the trees.
My pastor is preaching on the Beatitudes for the next few weeks. Last Sunday he gave a sort of introduction to the sermon series, and explained the important of the "Blessed are those..." statements that are often misinterpreted. My logical brain tends to think, If blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will receive the kingdom of heaven, to experience the kingdom we must be poor in spirit.
But the logic fails. It's not that you can only experience the kingdom by being poor in spirit. The Beatitudes are not ethical imperatives. (I had to google that to get a better understanding of it, which one website explained as "an imperative derived from assumptions of constructivism." whatever that means). In this instance, we don't do something merely to reap the reward at the end.
The pastor explained that perhaps the Sermon on the Mount is like one massive vision statement. It's maybe not about the how, but the why. It's not about what you're doing, but what you're becoming.
Here's hoping this will help me stay focused amidst all the diagrams and details and dates. I love those things, but sometimes when I immerse myself in them, I get more involved in the task than the goal. Maybe blessed are the focused, instead of the busy.
My pastor is preaching on the Beatitudes for the next few weeks. Last Sunday he gave a sort of introduction to the sermon series, and explained the important of the "Blessed are those..." statements that are often misinterpreted. My logical brain tends to think, If blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will receive the kingdom of heaven, to experience the kingdom we must be poor in spirit.
But the logic fails. It's not that you can only experience the kingdom by being poor in spirit. The Beatitudes are not ethical imperatives. (I had to google that to get a better understanding of it, which one website explained as "an imperative derived from assumptions of constructivism." whatever that means). In this instance, we don't do something merely to reap the reward at the end.
The pastor explained that perhaps the Sermon on the Mount is like one massive vision statement. It's maybe not about the how, but the why. It's not about what you're doing, but what you're becoming.
Here's hoping this will help me stay focused amidst all the diagrams and details and dates. I love those things, but sometimes when I immerse myself in them, I get more involved in the task than the goal. Maybe blessed are the focused, instead of the busy.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Hungry.
I've been reading the Bible chronologically this year. I'm really enjoying it. I'm on my third read-through of the Bible from cover to cover, this time reading it in my small NLT pocket Bible. So much is jumping out to me that has never stuck out before- from the change in version, probably, and a different disposition. For a few days this summer I'd switched from the OT to the Gospels, but I soon found myself back in the OT. I can't get enough of it. I'm just starting Isaiah, after reading through a huge list of all the kings of Israel and Judah and all the fighting and killing for the power of King.
I don't understand all of it, but I can't seem to get enough. It's 1030pm, I'm mentally and physically exhausted, but I'm spiritually really hungry. I spent 2+ hours in the Word today at Starbucks. I spent a few hours reading yesterday at my kitchen table. I can't get enough. Every 4-5 hours I find myself opening up the Word and just reading random passages. I don't know why. I generally like to watch TV, movies, I enjoy chatting on facebook and talking on the phone with friends. All of those things seem really boring this week.
Not only that, but I've been forgetting to eat lunch. I never forget to eat. I don't always eat 3 square meals (it's more like grazing on whatever I can get my hands on). But even that is not appealing. It's weird.
Some Shane & Shane lyrics come to mind right now:
Psalm 145:16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Isaiah 55:2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
This is a really random post, but I just wanted to record this overwhelming sense of hunger and try to organize my thoughts. Thanks for muddling through them with me.
I don't understand all of it, but I can't seem to get enough. It's 1030pm, I'm mentally and physically exhausted, but I'm spiritually really hungry. I spent 2+ hours in the Word today at Starbucks. I spent a few hours reading yesterday at my kitchen table. I can't get enough. Every 4-5 hours I find myself opening up the Word and just reading random passages. I don't know why. I generally like to watch TV, movies, I enjoy chatting on facebook and talking on the phone with friends. All of those things seem really boring this week.
Not only that, but I've been forgetting to eat lunch. I never forget to eat. I don't always eat 3 square meals (it's more like grazing on whatever I can get my hands on). But even that is not appealing. It's weird.
Some Shane & Shane lyrics come to mind right now:
Psalm 145:16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Isaiah 55:2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
This is a really random post, but I just wanted to record this overwhelming sense of hunger and try to organize my thoughts. Thanks for muddling through them with me.