Ideas for July

It's July. 

For most of us this marks the halfway point of our summer... and if you've not been too serious about utilizing your summer 'downtime' to prepare for the upcoming year thus far... all is not lost.  

But, it does probably mean that upon your return from the 4th of July holiday weekend it will be time to get down to some serious business.

Here are a few thoughts on how to make good use of the month of July:: please share your additional ideas, thoughts and comments in the comments section below!

Layers of Leadership

For those of us in college ministry, the idea of equipping and developing young people for a life of following Christ is central to what we do.

Some of us have recognized the need for additional leadership in our attempts to reach our campuses - and found an answer in some of our students who really 'get it' - a willing army of moldable young leaders.  We've seen how this kind of experience for them can serve to shape them in some profound ways, while at the same time, multiply our efforts and reach across the campus.

I wonder, however, how many of us have looked into the additional layer of leadership that can be provided by recent grads and/or graduate students.  

My entry into the 'professional' side of college ministry came through a graduate assistant type of opportunity.  It was a great opportunity for me, right out of college, to explore my sense of calling into ministry - and specifically in a college campus context.

If this is not a layer of leadership you've ever considered, let me give you a few reasons why I think you should consider finding space in your ministry leadership for a graduate assistant or intern:

Leaders Are [Lifetime] Learners

I've been thinking a lot about my ongoing professional development the past few weeks.  It's also important for me to mention that a part of this post was inspired by the simple question posed last Friday on the Heart of Campus Ministry blog: Leaders are Readers - What's the best book you've read that applies to campus ministry?  There have been some good books recommended there.


I'm the kind of guy who's always looking for ways to better myself, to sharpen my mind and better prepare my heart for the life and work that God has called me to... I love to learn and believe that ALL leaders should be life-long learners.


It's been almost 4.5 years since I graduated from George Fox Evangelical Seminary with a DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation - an incredible program for what we do in college ministry!  While the years I was pursuing this degree - and working on my dissertation - were incredibly full - challenging - years, they were also very rich and fruitful years.

left to interpret

Do you ever find yourself scratching your head because of what's going on around you?

The last couple of weeks have been filled with head-scratching experience after experience... and I find myself wondering what it all means.

As a ministry leader I find myself desiring to fully believe in those around me... and what they tell me... but when actions seem to contradict what has been said, or is being said, it necessitates interpretation.

There are three interpretive options that I see:

1. I could choose to interpret things on my own. This seems like the easiest option... but potentially the most damaging. It's amazing the kinds of lenses that we can begin to see things through when the circumstances around us are creating disruption to our lives.
2. I could ask others what they think is going on. While this might help us to see beyond our own nose... and possibly from a different perspective... it has the potential to yield inaccurate information, as well as create an environment of talking behind the backs of others.
3. I could go right to the source (or sources). This is by far the best option... but obviously the most uncomfortable because of its confrontational nature. Approaching your brother or sister-in-Christ is a Biblical model for dealing with conflict. Consider Jesus' words in Matthew 15:18, If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Interpretation is a part of life...

So, what do you do when your life or circumstances are in need of interpretation?

How do you approach people or issues in your life that you need to confront?

I'd love to know what you think!

Grace and peace!!

how do you retreat?

maybe a better question to start with is: do you retreat?

i'm in charge of our staff retreat happening tomorrow and am reminded of just how important this time can be... always... but especially as a new academic year is about to begin!

if you're not in the practice of setting aside time to retreat - really retreat... not a planning session/s under the guise of retreat, but time for you to sit (still) and be with God, let me strongly encourage you to start now!

as minsters on campus, with young people who are experiencing some of the most formational years of their lives, what we model will leave a much deeper impression that we realize!

not to mention that our students are much more inclined to 'do' what they see us do as opposed to what we say.

but i digress...