The enormity of the task which we are attempting to accomplish is staggering to the point of being overwhelming. The base of the issue is my conviction that all things are interrelated. The root of the problem, however, is my unshakable dream: to see an entire country transformed by the Kingdom of God. How can this be done? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, clearly, because the task is immeasurably complex. There is so much in my mind that I am trying to balance. The interconnectedness of ministering to the whole person as I understand it (intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social) is a concept that is beyond me. Then I am convinced that the most sustainable work occurs at all levels simultaneously: individual, communal, governmental, and international. Each of these four levels would require a lifetime just to read the published material on their intricacies. Finally, all the different philosophies that I have incorporated into my being must find their place. I believe in the process of disciple-making, particularly life-on-life. I shudder at the thought of bad development practices that do more harm than good, and I have to focus on human dignity. I am also aware of the challenges inherent in any cross-cultural engagement. All of this seems to appear insurmountable.
Our dreams for Ndoto are huge. Our passions are intense and we want to see so much happen. Some of what we are attempting to do is an unpaved road, if even anyone has travelled it before. I don’t know of anybody who is trying to do nonprofit development work side-by-side with for-profit entrepreneurship. Often, it just seems like we are making it all up as we go.
Our generation is bold. We have a global perspective and live in unprecedented times. We have overcome much of the modernist separations so that we can even attempt this type of work, and we are beginning to recover the charismatic gifts of the Spirit that grant us extra power in our work. We will change the world, with God’s help. We must, for the world needs restoration.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Seminary, Part Six
Few leaders finish well. Most quit, leave early, or fail. Life can be considered like a chess game: there is an opening game, a middle game, and an end game. Decisions made in the opening have a profound effect on the middle game, and it's in the middle game that your choices make the biggest difference. Most chess games are won or lost in the middle game. However, poor choices in the end can ruin the best of games.
What does it take to finish well? Most of us try to do whatever it takes but we usually have the criteria wrong. We are trying to finish in the wrong way or in the wrong things. We must know God deeply, know ourselves deeply, and be known deeply in community. We need humility and discipline, and we need a learning posture. My host in Colorado Springs was a great example of finishing well. After 88 years of living, he amazed me several times with his wisdom. He had lived a full life, including more than 60 years of marriage with never raising voices at each other. When I stayed at his house he was filling his schedule with social activities, family activities, and hospital visitation. Even as a lifelong introvert whose wife had led him in social interaction, he forced himself to visit people in the hospital and bring them hope and joy because he felt called. He believed that we must never stop giving - when you stop giving, you lose purpose for living. Many years back he had trained himself in evangelism so that even if he ended up in a nursing home he'd be able to give the Gospel to others at the home.
There are several barriers that we must overcome if we are to finish well. A major one is finances - their abuse or misuse. Another is power issues or inordinate pride. Many leaders fall victim to sexual immorality, and others fall victim to family-critical issues. Others never overcome emotional wounding. Still others plateau and become content with the status quo. To avoid plateauing we must ensure that we always seek mentors.
What leaders have you seen who finished well? What were their secrets? Or do you know more leaders who didn't finish well? What did they fall victim to?
What does it take to finish well? Most of us try to do whatever it takes but we usually have the criteria wrong. We are trying to finish in the wrong way or in the wrong things. We must know God deeply, know ourselves deeply, and be known deeply in community. We need humility and discipline, and we need a learning posture. My host in Colorado Springs was a great example of finishing well. After 88 years of living, he amazed me several times with his wisdom. He had lived a full life, including more than 60 years of marriage with never raising voices at each other. When I stayed at his house he was filling his schedule with social activities, family activities, and hospital visitation. Even as a lifelong introvert whose wife had led him in social interaction, he forced himself to visit people in the hospital and bring them hope and joy because he felt called. He believed that we must never stop giving - when you stop giving, you lose purpose for living. Many years back he had trained himself in evangelism so that even if he ended up in a nursing home he'd be able to give the Gospel to others at the home.
There are several barriers that we must overcome if we are to finish well. A major one is finances - their abuse or misuse. Another is power issues or inordinate pride. Many leaders fall victim to sexual immorality, and others fall victim to family-critical issues. Others never overcome emotional wounding. Still others plateau and become content with the status quo. To avoid plateauing we must ensure that we always seek mentors.
What leaders have you seen who finished well? What were their secrets? Or do you know more leaders who didn't finish well? What did they fall victim to?
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