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!!

death and faith formation

One of our students tragically lost a parent last week.

In my 12+ years of doing life with college students this is the first time I've attended the funeral of a student's parent.

As we've reached out to him over the past few days, and begin to think about walking alongside him over the coming weeks, months and years; I've found myself wondering how an event of this magnitude shapes a young person during some of the most formative years of their life.

The "college years" are already filled with times of significant life transition, asking big questions, learning how to ask better questions, learning how to seek out answers, determining who we want to become, opening ourselves to who and what God might want us to become, learning how to relate to others at new levels, for new reasons, etc., etc., etc. The number of life shaping influences seem to be at a premium.

The kind of life alteration/formation/transformation that comes with the death of a loved one is one rarely experienced by the "invincible" college student... unless an untimely tragedy like this one occurs.

Every student is different... and will handle a tragedy like this differently... and so my prayer for this young man is that God will use the loss of his earthly father to bring him closer to his Heavenly Father. That many of the superficialities that college students so often get sidetracked by will fall away and this time of formation will prove to be exponential for this weary journeyer.

May God's grace and mercy be ever-present!

How do you walk alongside people who have experienced the death of a loved one?

How have you seen God work in exponential ways in the life of someone who has experienced such pain and devastation?

What advice to you have for those of us who are new to this kind of ministry?

Leading UP

How do you lead UP?

How do you effect decisions, or shape outcomes, from the position you hold?

We are all called to be people of influence right where we are... regardless of whether we feel our decisions impact a few... or many more.

When we're not the top, or final, decision maker in our ministry, or institution, it can feel like our opinions don't count. That our vision is less important. That what we believe might even be wrong, because it conflicts with those who do have the final decision making authority.

The reality is that you don't need to have the final say to be someone who influences people, ministries, institutions, etc. in profound ways.

It's called leading UP.

This is when we tactfully and strategically approach those above us the org chart with the hope and intention of helping them consider something different... a new initiative, direction, redirection, position, posture, etc. This can be an intimidating prospect, but one through which God might choose to work and move in powerful ways.

In attempting to lead UP, I think there are a few essentials we must keep in mind:

1. Be prayerful - It's amazing how receptive people can be when we've asked the Lord to create receptive space on one side of the conversation, and a right heart on the other. It's just as important that we pray for God to grant us with the appropriate heart and words - if not more so - than for the receptive ears on the other side.
2. Be humble - It's important to remember that your boss, supervisor, advisor, etc., is someone who has been placed in their position for a reason - even if you don't believe them to be the best person for the role... It's important that we recognize that God was at work in our setting long before we/others showed up.
3. Be confident - Keeping points 1 and 2 in mind, we need to approach our supervisor with confidence - fully believing that what we have to say truly needs to be said/heard. If we don't believe what we're saying... there's no way that they will. Likely, in hearing us out, the people we're attempting to influence are trying to discern whether or not they can go - in confidence - and convince anyone who may raise questions that what YOU have suggested is, in deed, the best way forward.
4. Find the right time - Timing is key. In the right place, at the right time, most people will be willing to listen to what you have to say. If, however, you approach them in the wrong place, at the wrong time, you could be jeopardizing whatever influence you may have had with this person simply because you inconvenienced and/or embarrassed them.
5. Be prepared - If we are going to be influential - or give our supervisors reason to listen well to what we have to say - we don't dare waste their time with passion-filled pleas that are not supported by evidence, or even theories, that support something other than what is currently being considered.

Being a person of influence often means that we are willing to follow the leading of Jesus, out of a place of safety, and into some the vulnerable position of going against the flow of the tide.

What about you?

Do you desire to be a person of influence?

How do you lead UP?

Is there anything that you think needs to be considered in trying to lead UP?

What makes for a good day?

I've spent much of the day behind closed doors, tending to work that simply must be tended to...

A part of me feels a little guilty. Students have just returned from fall break, and aside from my 8 a.m. Old Testament class and the couple of students that have dared to knock on my closed door, I haven't had much student interaction.

Makes me wonder if I'm choosing to spend my time the right way...

When do you find it OK to close your door in order to be "productive?" Should relationship time ever be sacrificed for tending to "tasks" when you serve as a leader within a ministry?

How do you balance your work/role as a faithful leader between relationships and tasks?

I'd love to know.

Grace and peace!

When 'Walmart' moves to town

What do you do when a bigger, more well-known, more financially funded ministry moves in just down the street from you?

Rumor has it that this may be happening to us.

A very successful young adult ministry at a church about 20 minutes from our campus is rumored to be creating a satellite campus at the edge of our campus. This move would likely thwart many of the efforts that our young ministry has worked very hard at over the past few years.

We're not exactly sure what this will mean for us... how we will do what we do... or want to do.

One of the big conversations I've been having with some of you relates to the relationship between the campus and the church... and it looks like I might be forced to navigate some uncharted waters for me, our ministry here, and our campus community soon.

Have you experienced anything like this before? If so, how'd it go?

If I'm honest with you, I feel uneasy. My spirit senses that this could provide an immediate boost to our campus, but ultimately, leave us in a weakened state as an institution that is desperately trying to retain/gain it's Christian identity.

I'd love to hear any words of wisdom on this out there.

Please pray for our God's will to be done on our campus and in the lives of our students - for His glory!!

Grace and peace.