Whose Got Their Ear?
Whose got their ear? Do you know?? Whose got the attention of your students? Whose serving to shape their imagination, views on […]
Tag: spiritual formation
Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist
Hi.
My name is Guy — and I’m a recovering perfectionist.
It’s been approximately 12 years since my then new bride called me out on my condition — primarily because I was beginning to impose it on her, and our young marriage. (Thanks Hunny!)
It probably took me another year or two to fully understand and embrace my imperfect reality of constantly striving to be perfect — at which point I officially entered into unofficial recovery.
I began to consciously tell myself that it was OK to not be the best, to not be perfect in everything I said and did.
New Book: CAMPUS gODS (to Release Fall 2013)
Franklin, Tennessee, June 18, 2013—Seedbed Publishing has entered an agreement to publish Dr. Guy Chmieleski’s second book, Campus gods: Exposing the Idols that Can Derail Your Present and Destroy Your Future. (working title)
“The university campus may be the most strategic soil in the kingdom of God and we must work together to cultivate it for the twenty-first-century world, said Dr. Chmieleski. “With the dual trends of the college years as an extended period of adolescence and the rise of a highly genericized version of the Christian faith, it is imperative to creatively and compellingly infuse the whole gospel of grace and truth into the spiritual life of the campus.”
“One of Seedbed’s core commitments is to the college campus. We have a tremendous interest and energy for publishing a rich theological vision for life, faith, and future vocation geared for college students and the campus ministries who serve them,” said J. D. Walt, Seedbed’s sower-in-chief.
My #iMentor Story | Chad Logan
I mentor because I’m convinced that being mentored was the single most impactful component for my spiritual growth in college.
Living in a world of helicopter parents who essentially make decisions for their children, collegians need mentors more than ever to grow spiritually and encounter life responsibly.
Helicopter parents tend to believe their child can do no wrong. This sentiment oftentimes positions adolescents for failure. In college, my mentor asked me the tough questions that no one wants to answer; these were questions that I intentionally avoided for the sake of spiritual sloth. However, without these questions, I would not have discovered the spiritual journey that I’m trekking today.
On Helping Seniors Discern “What’s Next?”
It’s that time of the year again…
We’re getting ready to say good-bye to our students — some for the summer, others for the foreseeable future.
And you’ve likely noticed over the course of the spring term a shift in conversations with your graduating seniors towards more future-oriented topics.
If your seniors are like most — they are struggling to know what’s next. Some are fearful. Some are anxiety-riddled. And some are down right paralyzed.
Why?
Because there is a lot up in the air regarding “what’s next.”
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.
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.
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.
Help Me Write My NEXT Book
Call me crazy, but with the launch of Shaping Their Future just a few days away now, I figured it might be time to get started on my next book.
CAMPUS gODS: Exposing the Idols That Can Derail Your Present and Destroy Your Future
How’s that sound for a working title?
The Future Consequences of Present Actions
As a pastor of students, and father of five small children, I am deeply troubled by the statistics describing the sexual practices of today’s young people.
Sometimes I wish I had the ability to sit down with students and allow them to look 5 years, 10 years, or maybe even 15 years into the future — so they could see how their present actions will have a direct impact on their future.
I honestly believe that if more students knew how their choices today would impact their lives in the years to come, they’d make changes in their lives.
At least I hope they would.