If I were a pastor...

When I start talking about theology of work and how it affects the church, people always look at me funny. I can't blame them. When I first heard "theology of work" I thought "That's the last straw - why do we have to have a theology of every single little thing? What's next, a theology of carrots? Why can't it just all be about Jesus?" I have no good answer to that question except that sometimes we get stuck in paradigms that we can't recognize until we assign them a label and a definition - and until we also label the truths that get us un-stuck. So here's a few words I wrote the other day just to remind myself how TOW really looks. Dedicated to my pastors past and present, Richard and Jeremiah - you guys showed me this before I had any idea there would be a "theology" for it, or a label! Very thankful that you're the pastors and I'm not. :) Nevertheless...

If I were a pastor, this would be my message to my church...

Your work IS church work. When you are manufacturing airplane parts, teaching math to small children, measuring the environmental effects of carbon dioxide, caring for plants, or growing a small business, you are participating in the work of God and in the work of the church. My role as a pastor is primarily to support you in the roles and opportunities for good works that God has given you, and to help you live these roles as someone who is filled with the Holy Spirit and equipped for every creative task of the Kingdom. (Yes, that includes the actual output of your job!) God’s calling to do well where you are and to be light in your circumstances includes quality work, and this pleases him. It also includes quality relationships with those around you, and you are irreplaceable to the relationship circles he calls you to, including your workplace.

Of course, part of this role of supporting you in your vocations involves calling you to see your role in light of God’s story, which is all about Him, in fact, not primarily about us... That’s why we get together for worship and for church conferences and for any kind of opportunity that we can find to rest and be strengthened and refreshed in both our understanding of God’s story and how our stories fit into it, and in our relationships.

Teaching and Mentoring

I'm excited for the opportunity to mentor undergraduates as a Faculty/Staff Mentor in the new "Identity and Vocation" course for all new students! I just had a meeting this afternoon where we discussed the content. To my delight, even Theology of Work is on the list! I'm excited because 1) I think it will be very helpful, maybe even life-changing, for the students; and 2) I get to practice being faculty, in a small group setting. :) Perfect! And as if that weren't enough there is even some financial compensation. Hmm, I'd probably pay to do this.

There is so much that teaching and mentoring have in common... especially, the capacity to listen. This is something I'd like to see strengthened in my life.

Happy Birthday, Blog!

Today my blog is born. I confess that I have been a bad parent to my other blogs... I have a tendency to blog abandonment. May that not occur here! "Planting Trees and Feeding Sheep" is named in honor of Andrew Peterson, Lily Russell and Ryan Lindsay, and Veronica Belarde Sepulveda. Andrew wrote the song that inspired me to latch onto the "Planting Trees" phrase as a key part of my calling... especially in the light of knowing Lily and Ryan. Veronica led me around Peru in a canoe and allowed me to hear from God the "Feeding Sheep" part of my calling.

I'm excited to be embarking on a study journey of exploring the options for opening up Northwest University's International Care and Community Development Master of Arts degree to those in Europe. Why so excited? Because it's been a portal in my life for God to continue a work of bringing transformation and healing to my own life and worldview and dreams and confidence... along with a lot of laughter and good friendships and great ideas. (Yes - glossing over the sleep deprivation and disorganized house!) I am a huge proponent of this particular program, and I have a passion for seeing access to transformational education for leaders increased around the world. Innovative education for leaders means innovative solutions to problems that deeply matter to the lives of people (like water, poverty, justice). And that matters to God.

With special thanks to a few people - representatives of many who have contributed to how I understand my calling:

Tanya Myhalyna and Anya Moisei - Thank you for taking me into your families and your culture. I count meeting you among the more miraculous parts of my life.

Dr. Lowell Bakke - Thank you for changing my paradigms - against my will - and launching me on this journey.

Dr. Forrest Inslee - Thank you for creating this program, inviting me into this project, helping me to see it through your eyes, and trusting me to do well.

Marcos - Thank you for your patient help with everything while I study how to change the world - while you are busy changing it!

Lily and Ryan - May the world you inherit be one in which the sun of justice shines brightly even through the clouds of injustice. May you have the eyes to see it and the hearts to embrace the light.  Yes, it is "the voice of Jesus calling you back home" (Peterson).