Category: Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation, The Campus Minister

My #iMentor Story | Steve Rankin

I met the Rev. Jack Fogleman when I was eighteen years old and a freshman in college.

In United Methodist organizational nomenclature, Jack was a district superintendent. That meant he had supervisory oversight for roughly sixty congregations in a particular section of the State (Kansas).

Another responsibility that district superintendents have is to keep track of young ministerial candidates. At the point of our first contact, I was not one of them, but Jack was paying attention.

Spiritual Formation

The Makings Of A Great Conversation

We all know that conversations — of a wide variety — are what make up the life and work of those in ministry. Much more so than programs.

And we also know that conversations are the bread and butter of mentoring relationships.

While some things will be learned through shared experience, much of what we share with students comes in the form of conversation — over meals, coffee, and number of places across campus.

Conversations are key.

But do we really know what goes into a good conversation?

How about a great one.

Spiritual Formation

My #iMentor Story | Jamie Johnson

Sometime around the age of 13 a friend entered my life. This individual intentionally chose me, though at the time I did not know it. His name was Bruce.

Bruce’s investment in my life seemed inconspicuous. He was, after all, the Youth Superintendent for the Friends churches in the Pacific Northwest. He was paid to do this!

Bruce and I began meeting regularly as I was just entering high school. It seemed to me he had the ability to discern one’s entire life story by simply looking them in the eye.

Spiritual Formation

Question Everything

I’m excited to share with you a great resource that addresses one of the most significant issues facing the Church today — biblical illiteracy.

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Most of us have multiple copies on our bookshelf. We have audio Bibles on our iPods, and we can even read and listen to the Bible on our mobile phones for free.

Still, according to the Center for Bible Engagement, 66 percent of U.S. Christians rarely or never read their Bible.

Campus Minister, and author of Question Everything: A Fresh Way to Read the Best-Selling Book of All Time, Tyler Ellis has crafted this resource with intention of helping people — young and old — to explore the Bible, better understand the Bible, and more fully live out the truths of the Bible in their everyday living.

Spiritual Formation, Student Culture, Trends & Issues

Overcoming the Curse of Our Age

It’s a new year, which means that a new season of ministry with students is upon us.

And as we’ve launched into 2013, I’ve generated a new reading list, and decided to start the year by re-reading a couple of classics.

One of my first re-reads of the year is Richard Foster’s, Celebration of Discipline.

I couldn’t venture a guess as to the number of times that I’ve worked through this book. The first time I read it I was in grad. school — and it changed my life! Since then I’ve re-read it several times on my own, and led numerous groups through it as a way of learning to work on the interior life.

Leadership Development, Spiritual Formation, The Campus Minister

Set A Compass

I’m a collector, of sorts. I collect compasses. It’s not a very big collection. I only have about six of them. And though some of them look pretty nice, none of them are expensive. But I do like compasses. I have a couple setting on my desk at the office. I have one on my desk at home. I have others sitting at various spots throughout the house.

A compass is different than a clock or a calendar. Clocks and calendars are about time. A compass is all about direction. It is not about where you are at this moment in time, but about the direction in which you are heading. It helps to answer the questions, “Am I going in the direction I want to be going? Will this path get me to the place you want to be?”

Spiritual Formation

Our Future-oriented Drift

“What are your plans now?” This question tortures most soon-to-be college graduates.

High School Seniors are barraged as well, “Where are you going to college?” They are asked over and over again.

I hear it when my friends ask, “When are you getting back into your Doctor of Ministry program?”

Even my seven-year old twins aren’t immune to our culture’s obsession with the future. “What grade will you be in next year?” What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Truly, middle class North Americans love planning for the future. Perhaps no sub-culture is more future-oriented than that of higher education. Faculty and staff are planning for their upcoming semester or their tenure applications, students are planning for the next week, for the rest of the semester, for next semester, for after graduation, etc.

Leadership Development, Spiritual Formation

The Power of Intentional Mentorship

Every four years, I wait with anticipation for the start of the Summer Olympic Games. This year, the world watches the Olympic triumphs of athletes around the world in London.

When I watch these athletes compete and win medals, I am reminded that their journey is a process, not only a solitary moment on the world stage.

These committed athletes train relentlessly with the assistance of coaches intentionally providing strategy, tips and pointers along the way.

As it is with the athletes preparing for their Olympic moment, so it should be with the intentional developing of college students and young adults for the rest of their lives!