I have so much to be thankful for this year… not the least of which is the work God has called me to with college students.
And I’m thankful to have you as a colleague — wherever you serve — on mission to reach this generation of college students for Christ.
As an expression of my appreciation for you — and all that you do — I’m extending to you a 20% discount to the 2013 Faith ON Campus Summer Institute.
I haven’t been to work in over a week now. It’s because late last Thursday (the 8th), my wife gave birth to our fifth child (yes, 5th).
Lailie Grace (pronounce Lay-lee) is now one week old and has given me good reason to completely alter my work schedule for the rest of the fall term.
It may be that the fifth time’s the charm when it comes to learning how to take a paternity leave.
Leading is a challenge.
Leading in the midst of division is all the more so.
But I’m confident that it can be done.
As our nation begins to settle into the reality of last night’s election, and the direction of our country for the next four years, there are some things that I hope our elected officials might consider — and that we, as ministry leaders, might model — as we seek to move forward for the betterment of those that we have been called (or elected) to serve.
It’s election day in America — and it’s both a right and privilege that we have to participate in this democratic process.
And there are some important decisions to be made that will undoubtedly shape the future direction of our country — and local government.
But I believe there is an even more important impact that today’s election can have on each one of us.
That we vote (not how we vote), affirms what we believe about our voice.
That it matters.
Or that it doesn’t.
WOW — it’s November!
We’ve turned a corner and can now see Thanksgiving break off in the distance — and so can our students.
It’s been another good month here at FaithONCampus.com. Thanks to all who participated in The Art of Self-Leadership Blogathon. This month’s Top 10 includes a number of great guest posts from this event.
When you’re done checking out these posts, I begin to think more intentionally about the remaining weeks of the fall term, I’d encourage you to check out Ideas for November.
Now, on to this month’s Top 10 most viewed posts at FaithONCampus.com!
“No.”
How often to you use this word? Do you feel the freedom to use it — to tell people no, to turn down a request?
My guess is the answer to that question is “no.” Or at least, not very often.
We feel called by God — to serve others. To be available. To make a difference.
“No,” just feels so unhelpful — even unChristian.
But is it?
Is your ministry overwhelmed?
It’s a fair question, but one I think we often feel guilty asking.
The picture above is of a Bradford pear tree — that has split in two.
This picture captures the beautiful blossoms that grace this particular kind of tree every spring — which is why so many people choose to put them in their yards.
If you’ve ever driven down a road, lined with Bradford pears in full bloom, then you know what I’m talking about. It’s like driving through a path of gigantic Q-Tips that have been cut in two and shoved into the ground.
The North American campus is filled with things — ideas, opportunities, and experiences — that vie for the attention and allegiance of today’s student.
Christians and non will give themselves to something — with the hope that it will be significant, and change everything!
And although there are a lot of great things to think about, opportunities to explore, and experiences to have — these things fail to be understood correctly when placed in Supreme position in one’s heart — and life.
These things aren’t bad in and of themselves, but when elevated to an unhealthy place, they begin to mis-shape and mal-form our students.
Here are a few of the more prominent gods I see on campus today — what would you add to this list?
A few days ago the Pew Forum Research Center released some new statistics on faith in America. And what it revealed was not good.
19.6% of Americans claim no religious affiliation. This includes those claiming to be both agnostic and atheist.
And this number has gone up nearly 5% in just the past 5 years.
Even worse, 33% of Americans under the age of 30 claim no religious affiliation.
* A Catalyst nugget inspired by Perry Noble
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Rome was not built in a day, and neither are leaders.
But in a culture that moves quickly, and feels entitled to — well, just about everything — it can be hard for leaders (young leaders especially) to embrace the leadership process.
What is the leadership process?