I had just returned from a two-day summit called the Global Leadership Summit sponsored by the Willow Creek Association. Today's entry are just some of the gleaned and chewed on truths from that summit.
Unsure but Secure. Two nights ago, I was chatting on the internet with a friend who is currently in seminary about "calling." She shared with me that even as she is sure that God has called her to the vocational-ordained ministry she isn't sure where and what concentration. She had been my friend for ten long years now (since 1999 back when I was a freshman in Bible college) and although she hadn't pursued a degree theology just yet then she'd always been sure of having that sense of calling to become minister of some sort. But now that she's nearing her final semesters in the seminary where I also went she feels she is facing one of the greatest uncertainties of her life.
It was a joy for me to find out that evening we chatted to learn that she was going to Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit. It was an opportunity for me to meet up with her in person and talk further about that call.
In the morning of the summit's first day, I called her on her mobile during the coffee break. Her voice seemed shaky as if she had just finished crying. I learned later that she and girlfriends from seminary were in a vehicular collision on the way to the summit. While none of them were harmed or injured they were all emotionally jittered perhaps at the thought that they could have lost their lives in an instant. While it was a scary ordeal, it was an assurance from the Lord that He still isn't done with them (her) just yet-- thus, an answer to her uncertainty that though she isn't sure what and where, God has a plan for her life and ministry. Additionally, the talks in that summit supplied the encouragement she needed so much.
In his talk, Bill Hybels mentioned of a time when he was ready to cash it all in-- a moment in his life when he was unsure whether he was called to do what he was doing. Discouragements, set backs, frustrations and issues gnawed at his spirit, inch by inch devouring what used to be the passionate Bill who chucked the opportunity of running the businesses his father built in a span of three decades for a calling he felt came from God- to begin a radical Biblical community. He ended up disappointing his dad for choosing to start a church than running his businesses. It was on the second year of Willow Creek's existence when Bill's dad died never seeing in person the kind of church his son was instrumental to starting turned out to be.
God spoke to summit attendees facing the same struggle. In what seemed like a whisper or an impression on my spirit, He said, "You may feel unsure but I want you to feel secure- I'm in total control."
Wayne Cordeiro on Monasticism. Part of my lectures in Church History to my students is on Monasticism. I was never a fan of monasticism for tone major reason: the church is called to be in the world and permeate it with the kingdom of God and gospel of Christ, and seclusion defeats that calling.
Tonight as I slipped into the quietness of my condo I hope to get some much needed sleep after a whole day of intellectual and spiritual engagement at the summit, in addition to a lengthy music rehearsal for tomorrow's services. Even as I type this blog, my head races toward stuff I'm assigned to do at next weekend's discipleship conference our church is hosting.
For almost eleven months, I straggled between serving as our church's worship pastor (a post I've held since 2002, on staff since '01) and as adjunct professor in a local Bible college on my days off. I must admit, I have grown tired. Since the beginning of the semestral break, I had been attempting to rest and engage in the discipline of silence.
Given my personality type- being possessed by the energizer bunny spirit that just goes on and on and on, silence just doesn't seem a discipline for which I am cut out. Besides, with the many demands of ministry, I haven't had a real break. At the summit I was once again reminded of that.
Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, pastor of New Hope Church Oahu, shared his personal story about reaching a point when he felt like a flickering wick.
Someone suggested that he spend seven days in a monastery to get his heart set with the Lord outside the hustle and bustle of city and megachurch life. For the first time, I saw the beauty of and a divine design for monasticism- we need to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of life, and quiet our heart before God- shutting out all other voices except God's. Pastor Cordeiro's decision was life-changing. Amidst a crowd of 2100 people at the summit, I tried shutting out all other noises and decided to listen to His whisper again--"Come away with me."
More from the Summit on my next blog entry...
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