Fourteen more people signed up to become LAMP mentors during the small group connect event at North Way Wexford this past weekend. LAMP is in a period of intense recruitment at North Way, with a goal of 70 new mentor matches by Thanksgiving. This will need to be a movement of God, and I can sense that He is leading the way and touching people's lives. Many people who are signing up tell us that they have been interested in mentoring for a long time, but they have never followed through due to fear or busyness or any number of distractions.
As a leader, I must admit that I am also impacted by busyness and distractions. Lately, God has been speaking into my life in the specific area of busyness and multitasking. A lot of activity with LAMP may look like work is being accomplished, but often what the kids really need is more one to one mentoring relationships. They need my time and attention, and that of many more adults at North Way. The LAMP kids seem to have plenty to keep them occupied between school, friends, and home life. Often they lack a consistent, caring relationship that can guide them through all of the busyness and distractions.
So, the question is: How can I in good conscience ask a child to avoid busyiness and distraction n their own lives when I am unable to do that myself? Maintaining an intimate relationship with God is nearly impossible in the midst of chaos and busyiness. This morning, I spent some great time alone with the Lord. It's amazing how He meets me when I quiet myself and humble myself in front of Him. I feel much more equipped now to be able to lead the young people that God brings into my path today. Thank you Lord!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Freezy Pops and City Sounds
Living in Homewood is so great! We are enjoying living in the city because it has been so nice to be able to build authentic relationships with the young people in LAMP. Tonight one of the boys I'm mentoring stopped over after football practice, and we had just enough dinner for him. We had an awesome discussion about life over dessert (freezy pops). It's incredible how God has blessed us in this move, and school has not even started yet. People in this community depend on each other in a way that I have never experienced before.
I'm writing this in my office which happens to be the stuffiest room in the house. The window is open, and I can hear the urban chorus in the background... sirens, crickets, busses, trains, cars, and random voices. I'm surprised at how comforting these sounds are now... the familiar sounds of home. This city has a pulse. It has a life of its own, and tonight I feel small. The city is humbling. But I don't feel unsafe. I feel protected by God... by the Creator of the universe and the major cities of this world in all of their complexity. God has a plan for my life, and for the people of Homewood.
I'm writing this in my office which happens to be the stuffiest room in the house. The window is open, and I can hear the urban chorus in the background... sirens, crickets, busses, trains, cars, and random voices. I'm surprised at how comforting these sounds are now... the familiar sounds of home. This city has a pulse. It has a life of its own, and tonight I feel small. The city is humbling. But I don't feel unsafe. I feel protected by God... by the Creator of the universe and the major cities of this world in all of their complexity. God has a plan for my life, and for the people of Homewood.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Back from vacation
I just returned from a week of vacation with my extended family at Pelee Island. I enjoyed connecting with the family, and it was also a very relaxing time away. It's amazing how different this vacation experience was from my new urban life in Homewood. I've written previously about my experiences in finding God in both rural and urban places, and the different lenses that Christians use in terms of connecting with God.
I did manage to finish reading the book "A Violent Evangelism" while I was away. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in history, and it is a must read for any Christian who has a vested interest in the immigration policy debate in America. I have become extremely interested in the life of a man named Bartoleme de las Casas. He spoke up for the rights of indigenous people in Latin America during the sixteenth century, and he left a legacy of activism that is inspiring even to this day. If you have some free time, it would be well worth it to do some research into the life of this amazing man.
I did manage to finish reading the book "A Violent Evangelism" while I was away. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in history, and it is a must read for any Christian who has a vested interest in the immigration policy debate in America. I have become extremely interested in the life of a man named Bartoleme de las Casas. He spoke up for the rights of indigenous people in Latin America during the sixteenth century, and he left a legacy of activism that is inspiring even to this day. If you have some free time, it would be well worth it to do some research into the life of this amazing man.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
BGU Journal 7/22/09
This course is not educational tourism. As DMin students, our reflection leads to action. How does the story that I am being exposed to impact my life? It is dangerous to acquire knowledge without action.
Sometimes the most powerful people in society are the most resitant to change. There is just too much embedded power, and God tends to work in places that are weak. Some models that apply a top-down approach to ministry have a difficult time giving away power. This model prescribes what the needs of the people are, and then it delivers those services. Instead, should we listen to the leaders in a community and equip them to meet the needs of the community. That may be considered a more bottom-up philosophy. This philosophy tends to be more tilted toward liberation theology.
Over the past 80 years in the United States, many American conservative Christians have distanced themselves from what they call the social gospel. Many Christians stopped caring about the world or its systems. Evangelicals missed the boat in capturing the arts, symbols, and rituals that bring meaning to what is seen or felt. Protestants believe in the oral demonstration of the gospel. It diminishes thought and communication because the guy who is preaching determines the cultural niche that he is preaching to. It is very anti-polycultural. Catholics, who bring in all the senses, tend to promote a wide variety of meanings where people can conclude meaning on their own. Evangelicals inprison the gospel in our own socieoeconomical languages so that Christians become believers in a narrow gospel.
Sometimes the most powerful people in society are the most resitant to change. There is just too much embedded power, and God tends to work in places that are weak. Some models that apply a top-down approach to ministry have a difficult time giving away power. This model prescribes what the needs of the people are, and then it delivers those services. Instead, should we listen to the leaders in a community and equip them to meet the needs of the community. That may be considered a more bottom-up philosophy. This philosophy tends to be more tilted toward liberation theology.
Over the past 80 years in the United States, many American conservative Christians have distanced themselves from what they call the social gospel. Many Christians stopped caring about the world or its systems. Evangelicals missed the boat in capturing the arts, symbols, and rituals that bring meaning to what is seen or felt. Protestants believe in the oral demonstration of the gospel. It diminishes thought and communication because the guy who is preaching determines the cultural niche that he is preaching to. It is very anti-polycultural. Catholics, who bring in all the senses, tend to promote a wide variety of meanings where people can conclude meaning on their own. Evangelicals inprison the gospel in our own socieoeconomical languages so that Christians become believers in a narrow gospel.
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