Almost everytime I find out something about InterVarsity at the national level (life in the trenches, on college campuses can be far from the national picture), I am incredibly impressed and feel nothing but God's grace that I've found such a wonderful organization to work for.
For one, the commitment to missions. A couple of days ago I had a long conversation with the founder of the Global Urban Trek (the kind of trip I went on to Bangkok) about my formal 2-year commitment to urban poverty and staff work. He sees a strong potential and possibility in my ability to be influencial in both places. It was exciting to hear from someone I admire like him.
Tonight, however, we discussed InterVarsity's Multiethnic History.
Disclaimer: a Biblical view of Multiethnicity comes out of Revelation 7:9 where John describes the multitude of heaven singing out from every tribe and nation...this shows that we retain our unique cultural and lingual identity in heaven! God created diversity! So if heaven's going to be looking like a mosaic of many kinds of people, we on earth need to be getting ready for that kind of heaven.
Back to InterVarsity's multiethnic ministries. When InterVarsity came to America in the 1940s they were the first evangelical ministry to stand up for and integrate black students into their ministry. At one point during InterVarity's history, almost all the campus staff threatened to quit if the board of InterVarsity would not hire a black man as regular campus staff--to think, threatening the life of the organization. That's a kind of history I'd like to be a part of.
There is a commitment in the organization to building minority leadership and staff. We celebrated all minority Regional Directors (my Regional Director is an African-American man I believe, never met him) and national minority staff. InterVarsity, seeing smaller numbers of minority staff getting involved in high-level leadership, started holding leadership seminars/institutes for minority staff to promote considering leadership. I think this is exciting because it is one thing to say "we think having people in our group that are minorities is good" is one thing....but it's another to put weight behind that statement. InterVarsity has decided to aid minority staff in succeeding on staff, making multiethnic ministry a possibility, not just a nice idea.
All staff agree to a percentage of national overhead being self-taxed in order to create money to give to minority staff who are struggling with funding.
Urban projects are also a significant training ground for students of all ethnic backgrounds to work and live together for a summer, discovering ethnic identity and social justice issues/implications in a multiethnic community. These remain one of the most intense intermingling of students of different racial backgrounds.
InterVarsity press has published more books on racial identity and race-related topics than any other Evangelical press (including big-names like Zondervan).
I'm excited to work for this organization!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Some thoughts on Giving
I'm here at Orientation for New Staff for my new job with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. We're in Madison, Wisconsin until next Wednesday night. The first 3-4 days of the program are devoted to fund development.
This is a topic many of us are eager to learn more about because we've been spending most of our time on fundraising. It is good to have another booster and refocusing around issues of funding and giving.
One topic that has stuck out to me over and over again is the idea of partnership in giving. This is the idea that donors are a part of the ministry--not just the means to getting us there (on campus).
When donors are a part of the ministry, it works both ways. Not only are our donors able to give to us monetarily and spiritually, providing blessing for us and teaching us to be dependent on God and trust in something other than ourselves to provide for our needs.
Also, this includes the idea that we can minister to our donors as well. We should be concerned for the spiritual development and growth not only of students on campus but also of the donors and supporters of our ministry. One donor spoke about how donors also have "unfinished business with God" and we should be open to being a part of what God wants to do in their lives.
It is not just about asking--but inviting donors into being in need before God. Giving, especially giving money taps into a lot of taboo things in our culture (asking for money, talking about money). Our relationship with money is often very tied to our relationship with God (some people I met talk about the "Big 3": sex, money, power).
Today we studied Philippians. Who knew that Philippians was actually a donor letter Paul wrote to the church in Philippi? (yes, Paul the tent maker also received donations in some occasions as well). Paul demonstrates this kind of spiritual concern for this donors. He talks about how he is not really in need of the money maybe in the way the donors may think ("I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances"). Paul primarily discusses ways that he is looking to be a part of the spiritual development of the giver--("he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ").
This plays into a lot of our insecurities. For me, thinking about the spiritual development of donors is a great conflict--seeing as almost all my supporters will be older than me. It is difficult to not think that spiritual development accompanies physical development (that all older people must be more spiritually mature than younger people). But maybe more on that later.
This is a topic many of us are eager to learn more about because we've been spending most of our time on fundraising. It is good to have another booster and refocusing around issues of funding and giving.
One topic that has stuck out to me over and over again is the idea of partnership in giving. This is the idea that donors are a part of the ministry--not just the means to getting us there (on campus).
When donors are a part of the ministry, it works both ways. Not only are our donors able to give to us monetarily and spiritually, providing blessing for us and teaching us to be dependent on God and trust in something other than ourselves to provide for our needs.
Also, this includes the idea that we can minister to our donors as well. We should be concerned for the spiritual development and growth not only of students on campus but also of the donors and supporters of our ministry. One donor spoke about how donors also have "unfinished business with God" and we should be open to being a part of what God wants to do in their lives.
It is not just about asking--but inviting donors into being in need before God. Giving, especially giving money taps into a lot of taboo things in our culture (asking for money, talking about money). Our relationship with money is often very tied to our relationship with God (some people I met talk about the "Big 3": sex, money, power).
Today we studied Philippians. Who knew that Philippians was actually a donor letter Paul wrote to the church in Philippi? (yes, Paul the tent maker also received donations in some occasions as well). Paul demonstrates this kind of spiritual concern for this donors. He talks about how he is not really in need of the money maybe in the way the donors may think ("I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances"). Paul primarily discusses ways that he is looking to be a part of the spiritual development of the giver--("he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ").
This plays into a lot of our insecurities. For me, thinking about the spiritual development of donors is a great conflict--seeing as almost all my supporters will be older than me. It is difficult to not think that spiritual development accompanies physical development (that all older people must be more spiritually mature than younger people). But maybe more on that later.
Monday, June 18, 2007
6/18/2007: Wendell Berry: Alarmist or Prophet?
I recently relented and finally picked up a copy of “Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community,” a collection of essays by Kentucky farmer/essayist Wendell Berry.
One of the communities I visited last summer showed a lot of respect for Berry and his general philosophy. They respected his attention to issues of environment and creation, all-sides Christian approach, and desire to “live locally.”
Berry is an avid enthusiast of the local life. As a farmer, he believes in reestablishing the ties that connect people to production—connect people to where their food and products originate—and where their waste ends up. In this way, if all of a community understood and practiced an understanding of being tied to a local place—our “environmental (he finds the term itself absurd, too global in scope)” would be greatly improved. He largely believes Christians cannot, in good faith, participate in the “industrial economy”—but that it is also very dangerous to ignore this idea of economy, believing faith to only be about the thought life or beliefs.
His desire to focus on the local life and connecting people to production sometimes leads me to believe he’s just asking for the “good old days” when communities were not corrupted, people lived and farmed on family land, and families were intact. Possibly he is a bit extreme in believing reestablishing ties to nature would un-do so much of this wrong. Of course, I don’t believe his philosophy is that simple.
However, I am wary of what appear to be “one-dimensional”—just personal solutions to problems. If we all change the way we run our household economies—if we all change the way we approach enemies—that that will solve these larger problems (I would say global, but the man also rejects the notion of thinking globally as absurd).
It’s oddly the same question and suspicion I have about the community I visited. They believed strongly in secession from the economy and creation of sustainable local economies of Christians living out on the margins, separate from life. Am a disbelieving God by thinking this is simply impractical? Or wondering why they cannot look at changing laws?
It is questions like these that make me wary of the Christian Anarchists. However, there is something largely enticing and romantic about this notion of rejecting all other influences except God and radically separating out—even if it is on an urban corner. Maybe it feels pure—closer to what might be the way of God.
A BERRY QUOTE: “The complicity of Christian priests, preachers, and missionaries in the cultural destruction and the economic exploitation of the primary peoples of the Western Hemisphere, as of traditional cultures around the world, is notorious. Throughout the five hundred years since Columbus’s first landfall in the Bahamas, the evangelist has walked beside the conqueror and the merchant, too often blandly assuming that their causes were the same. Christian organizations, to this day, remain largely indifferent to the rape and plunder of the world and of its traditional cultures. It is hardly too much to say that most Christian organizations are as happily indifferent to the ecological, cultural, and religious implications of industrial economics as are most industrial organizations. The certified Christian seems just as likely as anyone else to join the military-industrial conspiracy to murder Creation.”
One of the communities I visited last summer showed a lot of respect for Berry and his general philosophy. They respected his attention to issues of environment and creation, all-sides Christian approach, and desire to “live locally.”
Berry is an avid enthusiast of the local life. As a farmer, he believes in reestablishing the ties that connect people to production—connect people to where their food and products originate—and where their waste ends up. In this way, if all of a community understood and practiced an understanding of being tied to a local place—our “environmental (he finds the term itself absurd, too global in scope)” would be greatly improved. He largely believes Christians cannot, in good faith, participate in the “industrial economy”—but that it is also very dangerous to ignore this idea of economy, believing faith to only be about the thought life or beliefs.
His desire to focus on the local life and connecting people to production sometimes leads me to believe he’s just asking for the “good old days” when communities were not corrupted, people lived and farmed on family land, and families were intact. Possibly he is a bit extreme in believing reestablishing ties to nature would un-do so much of this wrong. Of course, I don’t believe his philosophy is that simple.
However, I am wary of what appear to be “one-dimensional”—just personal solutions to problems. If we all change the way we run our household economies—if we all change the way we approach enemies—that that will solve these larger problems (I would say global, but the man also rejects the notion of thinking globally as absurd).
It’s oddly the same question and suspicion I have about the community I visited. They believed strongly in secession from the economy and creation of sustainable local economies of Christians living out on the margins, separate from life. Am a disbelieving God by thinking this is simply impractical? Or wondering why they cannot look at changing laws?
It is questions like these that make me wary of the Christian Anarchists. However, there is something largely enticing and romantic about this notion of rejecting all other influences except God and radically separating out—even if it is on an urban corner. Maybe it feels pure—closer to what might be the way of God.
A BERRY QUOTE: “The complicity of Christian priests, preachers, and missionaries in the cultural destruction and the economic exploitation of the primary peoples of the Western Hemisphere, as of traditional cultures around the world, is notorious. Throughout the five hundred years since Columbus’s first landfall in the Bahamas, the evangelist has walked beside the conqueror and the merchant, too often blandly assuming that their causes were the same. Christian organizations, to this day, remain largely indifferent to the rape and plunder of the world and of its traditional cultures. It is hardly too much to say that most Christian organizations are as happily indifferent to the ecological, cultural, and religious implications of industrial economics as are most industrial organizations. The certified Christian seems just as likely as anyone else to join the military-industrial conspiracy to murder Creation.”
6/13/2007: Nutrient Deficiency in the House?
So like any college student home for a long summer with less than normal social interaction—I am always in search of new ways to occupy my time. Also as a certified multi-tasker I have a difficulty doing just one thing at once—I’ve heard it’s a woman thing.
So in the midst of all my InterVarsity thank you notes and regular communication, I went to the Southlake library and looked for a movie to check out.
One problem—I don’t like movies. But I do like watching TV programs—especially on DVD format—no commercials, no waiting a week. Great especially for those series that don’t have any definite plot line from episode to episode as well. Shows like CSI fit this format well—so does HOUSE my recent TV program of choice.
In one week I managed to watch two entire seasons of the show—approximately 24 or more episodes? I’m not really sure. But it’s taken a small toll on my psyche.
It’s a doctor’s diagnostics show. He gets cases of what they believe to be one ailment—only to discover another much more exciting reason for the person’s hospitalization. This has left me thinking disaster will strike at any moment. When someone sneezes—do they really have a strange tropical disease? Or—as common in the show—are they hiding some pregnancy or drug addiction from those around them?
So to set the stage, here comes me feeling rather weak this past week. I started thinking up all the odd things that could be wrong with me. I also started investigating the ins and outs of a vegetarian diet and its effects on nutrient levels.
After googling “light headed” and “vegetarian” I found the likely culprit—an Iron deficiency. I went to the store and bought a multivitamin. But I can’t help but wonder if it’s actually some other crazy problem with my body instead…..
So in the midst of all my InterVarsity thank you notes and regular communication, I went to the Southlake library and looked for a movie to check out.
One problem—I don’t like movies. But I do like watching TV programs—especially on DVD format—no commercials, no waiting a week. Great especially for those series that don’t have any definite plot line from episode to episode as well. Shows like CSI fit this format well—so does HOUSE my recent TV program of choice.
In one week I managed to watch two entire seasons of the show—approximately 24 or more episodes? I’m not really sure. But it’s taken a small toll on my psyche.
It’s a doctor’s diagnostics show. He gets cases of what they believe to be one ailment—only to discover another much more exciting reason for the person’s hospitalization. This has left me thinking disaster will strike at any moment. When someone sneezes—do they really have a strange tropical disease? Or—as common in the show—are they hiding some pregnancy or drug addiction from those around them?
So to set the stage, here comes me feeling rather weak this past week. I started thinking up all the odd things that could be wrong with me. I also started investigating the ins and outs of a vegetarian diet and its effects on nutrient levels.
After googling “light headed” and “vegetarian” I found the likely culprit—an Iron deficiency. I went to the store and bought a multivitamin. But I can’t help but wonder if it’s actually some other crazy problem with my body instead…..
Friday, June 01, 2007
Chance meeting
So living this far out away from William and Mary, I rarely get to see people from school during breaks. Actually, in the past I have only been able to see people when I traveled to their areas to meet them.
Yesterday, on their drive back from Big Bend National Park in west Texas my friends Eric and Chris came within 35 minutes of my home!
It was really great to see these guys, even for only a short dinner! They seemed to be enjoying all that Texas had to offer--including an internal border patrol.......? Funny for Chris who's a British citizen.
Made for a good Friday evening activity. Thanks guys!
Yesterday, on their drive back from Big Bend National Park in west Texas my friends Eric and Chris came within 35 minutes of my home!
It was really great to see these guys, even for only a short dinner! They seemed to be enjoying all that Texas had to offer--including an internal border patrol.......? Funny for Chris who's a British citizen.
Made for a good Friday evening activity. Thanks guys!
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