Now that the holidays are in full swing, I have ample opportunity to spend time in silence and solitude, considering what God may have for me in 2010. The last week or so has been a great time of catching up on reading and studying 1 & 2 Timothy, two books that document Paul's encouragement to Timothy as he plants churches, combats heresy and evangelizes. 2 Tim 4:5 has been of great encouragement to me lately, especially after reading an article from TheResurgence.com about church planters. In the passage, Paul reminds Timothy to not lose his mind in all situations and do the work of an evangelist. While my calling to help put campus movements on San Diego university campuses may not be identical to a church in the traditional sense, I believe there are some ecclesiastical similarities. Many of, if not all, the principles discussed were well suited to my situation and as a result, I was encouraged.
Meditating on this passage and the article led me to pursue additional reading on how to stay cool under fire and start figuring out a working profile of an evangelist. It's absolutely going to be a work in progress, but I started by reading the autobiography of Billy Graham and staying in 1 & 2 Timothy. While Jesus is the obvious prototype (for lack of a better word) for conducting ourselves throughout life and ministry, I have gained much wisdom from Billy's life and ministry thus far. Three things have stood out in my reading of the autobiography:
1. He obeyed his God-given calling and pursued it passionately.
2. He was a man of prayer.
3. He understood God's grace through Jesus because the first person he preached to was himself. Only after preaching to himself was he able to adequately communicate it to others who needed to hear it.
In all three of those things, I see Jesus. Jesus pursued his calling with obedience and passion, prayed like it was going out of style, and communicated grace through his words and actions. Practicing this sounds like poker: a minute to learn, a lifetime to master.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thoughts on Ministry
In the middle of a long working day yesterday, my mind was consistently preoccupied with thinking about SDSU and the 40,000+ students that I'll eventually help my team reach. Part of me wonders what methods can be most effective in reaching students and making disciples, while another thinks about what specific students we should be targeting. The answer: figure out what the guys enjoy doing and reach those guys.
Mark Driscoll's video on Men brings up some interesting points in reaching dudes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31glVmGO3ns
He brings up several statistics regarding young men and their church attendance. If these stats are right, then the question becomes: "How do we get those guys involved in ministry?" He speaks primarily of church attendance, but I think the principles are equally valid in reaching a college campus with the Gospel. I remember being bummed when I heard about girls in college dragging their boyfriends to a weekly meeting with Campus Crusade or any other on-campus ministry. The same rings true now when I hear about dudes being dragged to church by girlfriends or wives. I think when we get guys to show up, the girlfriends and wives will follow. How then do we get guys to show up?
I think this may require some alteration of activities that get performed at church and on-campus. The leader of the Men's Ministries at my old church always asked the question, "Why can't we get more guys involved and attending church?" My answer was and continues to be that most guys enjoy doing things that church insurance doesn't like.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Mark Driscoll's video on Men brings up some interesting points in reaching dudes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31glVmGO3ns
He brings up several statistics regarding young men and their church attendance. If these stats are right, then the question becomes: "How do we get those guys involved in ministry?" He speaks primarily of church attendance, but I think the principles are equally valid in reaching a college campus with the Gospel. I remember being bummed when I heard about girls in college dragging their boyfriends to a weekly meeting with Campus Crusade or any other on-campus ministry. The same rings true now when I hear about dudes being dragged to church by girlfriends or wives. I think when we get guys to show up, the girlfriends and wives will follow. How then do we get guys to show up?
I think this may require some alteration of activities that get performed at church and on-campus. The leader of the Men's Ministries at my old church always asked the question, "Why can't we get more guys involved and attending church?" My answer was and continues to be that most guys enjoy doing things that church insurance doesn't like.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Left the "Fort"
Just been back a few days from Fort Collins, CO and my New Staff Training with Crusade. It was a pretty challenging summer in a lot of ways: re-learning an old work environment and culture was more of a rocky transition than I thought it would be coming from my short time in the fire service and EMS.
In the midst of all the lessons and information I've still got to work through, I don't think any was as profound as realizing how much I'll miss public service. I thought about it several times throughout the summer in Colorado, but it didn't start to hit me until I got home and dropped off my friend at her apartment driving through the same town where I quit my internship in medic school. Lots of frustration and confusion came back as I drove those same streets, this time frustrated in my own car instead of the back of an ambulance. I think at that point I realized how bittersweet it was to be back with Crusade working as a missionary. I really enjoyed my time in Colorado, getting a vision for what God is doing around the world and in San Diego, where I've been assigned, and getting a chance to re-connect with so many old and new friends. At the same time, it was tough to think about not being able to run calls with so many good friends throughout the county who are still with Fire/EMS.
I got asked a lot this summer if I missed running calls with my buddies. I usually just shrugged it off with a smile and said "Yeah, sometimes." The reality is that I miss it everytime I hear a siren go off. I think about whether it's a single-alarm fire or some kid being born that I could have helped deliver. I loved every minute of the last three years.
Driving home from Colorado spawned even more situations where I kept asking God what was going on and why He led me back to Crusade when I loved being in public service so much. He always counters with simply reminding me to trust and obey Him, despite what I see in front of me. Everytime He reminds me of that, I remember that a life following God is never boring and always fruitful. I'm looking forward to and encouraged by what He's got for me, my team at SDSU, and the students we're going to be reaching. Can't wait.
"I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see. ...because this broken road prepares your way for me." -Jeremy Camp
In the midst of all the lessons and information I've still got to work through, I don't think any was as profound as realizing how much I'll miss public service. I thought about it several times throughout the summer in Colorado, but it didn't start to hit me until I got home and dropped off my friend at her apartment driving through the same town where I quit my internship in medic school. Lots of frustration and confusion came back as I drove those same streets, this time frustrated in my own car instead of the back of an ambulance. I think at that point I realized how bittersweet it was to be back with Crusade working as a missionary. I really enjoyed my time in Colorado, getting a vision for what God is doing around the world and in San Diego, where I've been assigned, and getting a chance to re-connect with so many old and new friends. At the same time, it was tough to think about not being able to run calls with so many good friends throughout the county who are still with Fire/EMS.
I got asked a lot this summer if I missed running calls with my buddies. I usually just shrugged it off with a smile and said "Yeah, sometimes." The reality is that I miss it everytime I hear a siren go off. I think about whether it's a single-alarm fire or some kid being born that I could have helped deliver. I loved every minute of the last three years.
Driving home from Colorado spawned even more situations where I kept asking God what was going on and why He led me back to Crusade when I loved being in public service so much. He always counters with simply reminding me to trust and obey Him, despite what I see in front of me. Everytime He reminds me of that, I remember that a life following God is never boring and always fruitful. I'm looking forward to and encouraged by what He's got for me, my team at SDSU, and the students we're going to be reaching. Can't wait.
"I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see. ...because this broken road prepares your way for me." -Jeremy Camp
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Blank sheet
I'm drawing a blank on what to write tonight. I've been at CSU in Ft Collins, CO for the last week for a training conference and have been sitting back observing a lot of different types of people, giftings and personalities. You would think there would be a ton to write about and expand upon, but I guess I'm just drawing a blank.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Wisdom of Stu Scott and Coach Wooden
The first post: with all the mobility coming up this summer, I figured it was time to jump on the Blogger train.
I figured I should start with the explanation behind my blog title. Every blog I've ever seen has been a pretty accurate representation of its author. I've had a couple friends tell me lately that I'm a pretty chill dude, so I provided the personality and Stu provided the description.
That being said, there probably won't be much said here. I like keeping things simple and to the point, so there won't be any novels written. I've been thinking lately about how much I like the challenge of condensing things in life to a few simple principles or values and extracting a ridiculous amount of wisdom from them. Being 28, I've got a ton of experience and wisdom to draw from and get that done.....NOT. That being said, one of my favorite men to learn from is Coach John Wooden from UCLA. His Pyramid of Success is pretty simple but heavy-laden with wisdom as well. I never played a lot of competitive basketball, but would play for that man in a heartbeat.
If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes. John Wooden
I figured I should start with the explanation behind my blog title. Every blog I've ever seen has been a pretty accurate representation of its author. I've had a couple friends tell me lately that I'm a pretty chill dude, so I provided the personality and Stu provided the description.
That being said, there probably won't be much said here. I like keeping things simple and to the point, so there won't be any novels written. I've been thinking lately about how much I like the challenge of condensing things in life to a few simple principles or values and extracting a ridiculous amount of wisdom from them. Being 28, I've got a ton of experience and wisdom to draw from and get that done.....NOT. That being said, one of my favorite men to learn from is Coach John Wooden from UCLA. His Pyramid of Success is pretty simple but heavy-laden with wisdom as well. I never played a lot of competitive basketball, but would play for that man in a heartbeat.
If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes. John Wooden
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