The Perscription for a Perfect Men's Weekend...

1) A group of guys with a large affinity.
2) A great location.
3) Several sedentary activities: newspapers, books, Wii, PS3, iPOD, Karaoke, guitars, piano, lots of good couches & cushy chairs, a big deck outside, lots of beds (Rule # 1 of Men's retreats - One Man, One Bed), etc
4) Lots of good food: BBQ, Apple Pie, Chips & Salsa, Eggs & Bacon, Grits, Ham & Turkey, variety of good beverages
5) Several active activities: Basketball, Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts,
6) A fine dining establishment - for more good food & a chance to get out of the house at least once during the weekend.
7) opportunities for worship and Bible study
8) A set of questions to encourage honest, authentic deep sharing:

In an effort to help us share, and to stir some things up that can be followed up in free time, please answer the following questions. I encourage you to type/write answers and bring copies for everyone. Preparation will help you streamline your own thoughts, but also allow sharing to move forward without rambling. It will also allow us to make some notes, and give us good threads to follow up with you during free time.

What are any significant events that have happened over the last year/since our time together?

What is one Epiphany that you have had over the last year?

Who are you sharing your life with? Who are you mentoring? Who are you allowing into your life?

What have you been reading?

What is on your iPod that you should share? (New Music, good Podcasts, etc)

What have you been watching (Movies, but perhaps TV)?

What are your new hobbies/Fun activities?

How do the brothers need to hold you accountable/encourage you?

What is going on in job and what are you excited about in your job?

Where will your job/career be in 5-10 years from now?

What has been the most fun you have had this last year (or Highlight of your year) and why?

The above are the ones I would like us all to answer. However, you are free to share what you think is important. To get you thinking, here are some “stir the pot” questions

Overall/Spiritual
What has God been teaching you?
What have been the significant events in your family of origin, marriage, children, church, job, friendships?
What have you been confessing lately?

Spouse and Family
What has been the biggest joy/improvement in your marriage?
How have you not loved your spouse?
What have been the biggest struggles in your Marriage?
What has been your biggest struggle as a parent?
What have you enjoyed seeing in your children? What has scared you/Sent you to your knees?

Church
Describe your current church involvements and situation
What have been your disappointments? What have been your biggest encouragements?
What is your vision for your church, and your involvement in it?

Job
Brief update and overview
What do you hate about your job?

Personal
Who are your key relationships in your community/church?
What have you done to challenge yourself lately?
What has become more important than sex for you?
What are your new hobbies/Fun activities?

My 54 Years in 54 Sentences or so...

1954 - Sports Illustrated magazine is first published. Earl & Esther Purks give birth to a son, me in Washington, DC.

1955 - The phrase "In God We Trust" is added to all US Currency. I learn to crawl following "Skippy" the bird.

1956 - Don Larsen pitches a perfect game in the World Series. I "steal" my dad's bank book from his shirt pocket every night. 

1957 - Schools in Little Rock, AR are integrated with the help of the US Army. I watch my Uncle count all the bricks in my house. 

1958 - Elvis Presley receives his draft notice. I runaway from my mom on 14th St in DC.

1959 - Alaska & Hawaii officially become states. I visit Ocean City, MD for the 1st time.

1960 - Elvis is discharged from Army. I runaway from my family in my neighborhood, My dad had the police looking for me.

1961 - Bob Dylan debuts. I make kids in my neighborhood sing my song: "Martin the Great"

1962 - The President of the United States acquired 1200 Cuban Cigars the day before the Cuban embargo. My Fam & I moved to Richmond, VA.

1963 - CS Lewis, Aldous Huxley & John F. Kennedy die on the same day. When the President was shot all the adults were quiet. I liked helping my dad work in his restaurant.

1964 - Beatles are first heard in the US. I like music - 45RPMs.

1965 - Martin Luther King Jr marches from Selma to Montgomery. Neighborhood boys (Randall, Randy, Carl & I) played sports every afternoon.

1966 - Indira Gandhi becomes Prime Minister of India. I enter J.R. Tucker School as a 7th Grader. 

1967 - Super Bowl I. I quit band and start playing football.

1968 - RFKennedy is slain in LA. MLKing is slain in Ga. I start to notice girls.

1969 - First man on the moon! I stay up all night to see it on TV.

1970- Redskins fall to 6-8, I end my tenure as a 'Skins fan FOREVER.

1971 - NPR's "All Things Considered" debuts. I am appointed Chaplain of Tucker HS FCA. I read the "Scroll" of the Lord's Prayer every week.

1972 - Watergate Scandal erupts. Tucker HS YL Club begins. I met Jesus Christ. Discipled by Doug Holladay.

1973 - Secretariat wins the Triple Crown. I met Carolyn Smith, after an unrequited 'crush' on her older sister.

1974 - The end of the UCLA basketball winning streak (88). I joined YL staff in Richmond, VA (Tucker HS). Discipled by Tuck Knupp.

1975 - "Jaws" is released in the summer. I am busy trying to squeeze 4 years into 5 of college education. I coach JV football at Tucker.

1976 - Apple Computer begins (Jobs & Wozniak). I graduated from VCU. I work as a Assistant Data Input Comptroller for Miller & Rhoads.

1977 - Seattle Slew wins the Triple Crown. My dad passes away peacefully. I manage a restaurant. Midlothian HS YL club began.

1978 - Affirmed wins the Triple Crown. Hopewell HS YL began. I marry Carolyn Smith

1979 - Margaret Thatcher becomes PM of England. Monacan YL club began. Discipled by Tim Keller.

1980 - The 1st personal computer is released. Meadowbrook HS YL club began. I was ordained for the ministry.

1981 - Walter Cronkite retires. We move to Heidelberg Germany! Skiing in Austria.

1982 - West Germany is in the World Cup finals (we were living there at the time!) Heidelberg HS YL club began. Skiing in Switzerland. I coach football & wrestling at Heidelberg HS.

1983 - "Beat it" by Michael Jackson hits #1. 100 Heidelberg kids to Greece. Swimming in the Aegean Sea.

1984- Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Heidelberg MS WYLD Life club began. I play the "Old Course" & par "The Road Hole" Tripp Purks enters the world. Skiing in Sarajevo.

1985 - New Coke rises & falls in one year! Skiing in Italy. 75 Heidelberg Kids to Tunisia. We move to Williamsburg, VA.  I start college discipling and move away from HS evangelism.

1986 - Elie Wiesel wins the Nobel Peace Prize. Developing College leaders for the church of the future. Discipled by Mel Rosche

1987 - Ronald Reagan: "Mr Gorbachev, Tear Down That (Berlin) Wall!" Bobby Purks enters the world. "I work in the 4/40 window - 4 years of preparation for 40 years of ministry."

1988 - A series of evangelists resign from public ministry after confessing to sexual sin.  Josh McDowell speaks the Gospel to 900 at W&M. It is really hard in 1988 to stand with fallen men who stood for the Gospel. Discipled by Dick Woodward

1989 - The Berlin Wall is broken down. Barnabas-Paul-Timothy ministry. Ft. Lauderdale Evangelism Project with 25 W&M students.

1990 - East and West Germany are reunited. Habitat for Humanity Hurricane Hugo Relief, the 1st IVIS project.

1991 - Ukraine is independent of from the Soviet Union. Chuck Colson speaks the Gospel to 800 at W&M.

1992 - US Troops land in Somalia.  I start re-collecting sports cards.

1993 - Branch Davidian Compound invaded by ATF agents. The Coffeehouse opens in Williamsburg.

1994 - Rawandan Genocide.  

1995 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opens. I learn "Star Wars" & "Pokemon" card games. I start to spend time with the "'98 Fellas" 

1996 - Mother Teresa granted honorary citizenship in US. We took a Sabbatical to Europe.  I spent 3 weeks with C.S. Lewis' stepson. 

1997 - Princess Diana and Mother Theresa die. I begin a Fraternity & Sorority Ministry at W&M.

1998 - Cal "Ironman" Ripken breaks consecutive game record (2632) founded. Aroma's Opens on Prince George St. G+0=RSWG

1999 - Columbine Massacre kills 15. "Greek Impact" is born on the bus ride back from Indy Greek Conference.

2000 - AOL buys Time-Warner. The Daily Grind opens at Lodge 2 location. I begin to hang out with the " '03 Guys"

2001 - 9/11 @ WTC 1. "I agree with Sam" speaks the gospel to 700 W&M students.

2002 - VA & MD Snipers paralyzes travellers. My mom dies peacefully. 

2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates on re-entry into the atmosphere. "Hurrication Isabel" closes Campus for 10 days! Campus Alpha Course on campus.

2004 - Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" is released. Pancake House Outreach is launched on campus.

2005 - Pope John Paul II dies. Learning to walk beside the brothers.

2006 - "Crash" wins best picture.  Learning Agape

2007 - VT massacre 32 killed. I spend the year learning about forgiveness

2008 - Earthquakes & Cyclones kill thoudsands in Asia. Learning to live & speak Gospel.

Authenticity

I know authenticity is the key word these days on people 'getting into church'. If it is not Authentic then this generation doesn't want anything to do with it!

So what does Authenticity mean, really? WIKI tells me that it refers to the courage to live one's life according to the needs of one's inner being rather than the demands of society, external factors or one's early conditioning.

In a faith community I think it means living life not by saying the right thing, but by telling the real circumstances, the real story. I might know what I "Should" do, but in my plodding along I practice a different thing.

What do I hear on campus?
" I don't go to church because I find the sermons and stories I hear are not Authentic."
"The church is full of hypocrites"
" How can I attend a church that talks about a loving God, but then openly rejects 10% of the population"
" I don't think anyone is capable of living authentically"
"Once you show me a community based on faith & authenticiy then I will pursue your community."

OK, then what is one to do? I feel living authentically is so hard in society. Perhaps I am open and honest with one group (to a certain respectful level, of course) but I can't maintain that level of honesty with everyone. Also, I am in a bit of a fishbowl as a Christian leader (well I really am). So I think that controls what I can share openly - I hope I am not just playing that game because I have been assimilated to believe it. If I practice a habit, that is unpopular in the conventional Christian community. I certainly would be open to share it with my core friends, (especially if they are prone to practice it with me), and I might even tell a broader audience. But would I "Shout it from the Housetops" or say it from the pulpit (fortunately, my ministry does not put me in the pulpit very often). Probably not! Does that limit my AUTHENTICITY? Well I hope not, but how can I tell?

In a recent conversation with a young man, we were talking about qualities of discipling, or disciplemaking. I asked what is the most memorable quality of your mentor. By the way, I said that the most memorable quality of my mentors has been their willingness to take me to the next level in Christ. This young man said that the thing that drew him into this mentoring relationship was the discipler's Authenticity! I said: "What do you mean?" His reply: "Growing up in a religious home, I saw all of the inconsistency of the message from the pulpit and the behavior at home! But this mentor, boldly told me his flaws! He shared that he was unloving to family & friends, broken in morals, prone to wander, but God was still real and changing him everyday."

Could he be that honest & authentic with everyone? Well I think not, but I don't know how far to throw the net. Who gets included in my circle of authenticity?

The Reading - 50 pp / day JUNE

june 1 Rules For Renegades
june 2 Rules For Renegades
june 3 Rules For Renegades
june 4 Rules For Renegades
june 5 Rules For Renegades
june 6 Once I was Lost
june 7 Once I was Lost
june 8 Once I was Lost
june 9 Once I was Lost
june 10 Getting Things Done
june 11 Getting Things Done
june 12 Getting Things Done
june 13 The Living Church
june 14 The Living Church
june 15 The Living Church
june 16 Point Man
june 17 Point Man
june 18 Point Man
june 19 Point Man
june 20 Point Man
june 21 The Living Church
june 22 The Living Church
june 23 Why You Do the Things You Do
june 24 Why You Do The Things You Do
june 25 Why You Do The Things You Do
june 26 Why You Do The Things You Do
june 27 Breaking The Discipleship Code
june 28 Breaking The Discipleship Code
june 29 Breaking The Discipleship Code
june 30 Breaking the Discipleship Code

The Annual Let-down...

This is, of course, not much of a secret to anyone these days - who know me that is - but given my personality and the passion I have for my "job" I go through this period of well for lack of a better term a "let-down" for a time after I return from Summer Camp.

On all of the Myers-Briggs Temperament Analysis tests I rank at the top in the Extroverted category. That means I receive energy from being with people. It's not that I have to be the center of attention in a group. It's not even about being in a group, I just need to be with people.

So let's think about this for a moment... The majority of how I define my job is being with people. A lot of people who do what I do have other outlets. As well as meeting with students, some study, some write, some speak, but I prefer to meet with people one on one or in groups. The verbal processing that being with people helps me with the "study, prep & processing of information". So beginning in January after a great semester break I ease into the new semester. I first begin to work on leadership development of the 2 campus groups I serve - InterVarsity@W&M and Greek Impact. I plan retreats, meet with my leaders, meet new students, prepare for the 1st 2 talks of the year. And gradually ease into the year.

If I've had a good break then I've thought about goals and plans, I've developed a strategy for discipling and witness. So the new semester allows me the freedom to put the "vision" into action. So it begins...

I start meeting with students, a few at a time, then more and more. As the semester continues then there are more requests for a meeting or two. It is very hard for me to say "no" to requests like this.

After Spring Break several things begin to happen: Students show a greater need to grow and develop spiritually, or they may show more frustration or brokenness in life and/or spiritually. Also, people begin to plan for the future (including real world transition and marriage). So for instance in a typical week this year towards the last day of classes. I met with 15 students individually, 2 colleagues, 3 groups of 2 or more, 2 marriage counseling sessions, 3 leadership meetings, 2 planning meetings. Of the 15 students - 5 were leadership & vision oriented, 5 were basic discipleship, and 5 were seekers or very new believers. In the midst of this 'student-work' I also worked on A BBQ dinner for 250 and a Pancake House Outreach for 1200!

After the last day of classes, I try as hard as possible to meet with all the graduates I won't see for awhile. Then I try to pull off a senior banquet, get out a prayer letter and pack for camp.

I head off for 2 weeks of camp. This is where I meet up with 60 other staff. Five of which I live with in a "dorm" situation. Within 24 hours of arriving I meet 8 students that I will spend the next week helping them become "Good Small Group Leaders". I will do the same thing the 2nd week! Then we have all the staff relations and shenanigans . Which is quite fun and rewarding for an extrovert.

I always say being at Camp is like a glimpse into heaven. There is an ultimate focus on personal spiritual growth, there is an attitude of grace and service. Also If there is a "brokenness" then we have the opportunity to deal with it immediately and not let it fester like we tend to do in the world. There is always something going on! Three meals a day with 400 of your closest friends, quality worship every day, great teaching and interactions with growing believers. Limited temptations. God is good.

So why do I complain? Well it ends... I come home. The entire social crescendo ceases into quiet. Which I probably need after all the activity of January thru May. But it just seems so antithetical to the pace I had developed before camp.

So it takes me some time to re-coup. I try to do one active thing a day. I return to a normal routine of reading, study, pray and people (gradually). I begin to think about the study, alumni work and vacation that I put into the summer.

coffee

Well there used to be Coffee Stations at the Rockbridge Alum Springs Dining Hall. I liked them! When there was a need you just walked over with cup in hand pulled a lever and you had instant fresh coffee (wait not 'Instant Coffee', as in Taster's Choice, but roasted coffee quickly). Sometimes a line would form but that would just allow you to build community with the other coffee folk.

This Spring the kitchen staff took the coffee stations away! I was shocked at first! WHY? Who did this? I couldn't believe it. What would we do now?

In a casual conversation with some of the kitchen staff I found out. Once again Young Life is the winner!

"So, hey Why'd you take the Coffee Stations away?"

"When High School kids came to camp, we want them to have an EXCELLENT resort experience! We just started to think that, Is it really serving High Schoolers if we have them standing in line to get a cup of Coffee? Why don't we bring the coffee to them, literally serve them with Carafes of Coffee. We'll wait on them. When does anyone in our society honor High Schoolers by serving them?"

"You are kidding?"

"No, we realized that so many High Schoolers were waiting in line for a cup of coffee, for almost a third of the meal. If we brought coffee to them then it would give their leaders that much more time to hang out with them and deepen their relationship with them, to share Christ with them!"

Plus incarnationally if Christ came to serve and to give His life away as a ransom for many can't we do the same with a pot of coffee?

How to connect with God!

One of the things my job affords me the luxury of is spending 2 weeks at a retreat facility (Young Life's Rockbridge Alum Springs, in Western Virginia).  Now in earnest this is WORK! It really is. This week I am spending time training Small Group Leaders for next year's InterVarsity Chapters.  I have 4 students from University of Richmond (incl 2 who will be leading in their sororities) 2 from Chapel Hill and 2 from Univ of Mary Washington.  I also spoke last night on the "Nuts and Bolts of Launching a Small Group" to the entire Small Group Leaders Tract.

But when I am not working so hard, I have the opportunity to spend time with God, evaluate the Lord's work in my life over the past year and do a little vision-casting for next year. There is something about being away, out of the normal day-to-day, out of Williamsburg to see the peaks and valleys of God's work in my life and on campus.

So just today I was able to read scripture - Jonah is the book of choice for SGLs this year - and begin to have my eyes opened to my sin. (YUCK!) I was dealing with the little things that I get angry about and also my general rebellion against those pet-peeves I have.  I was beginning to realize my anger is linked to things I can't control and my rebellion is linked to the things I can control.  In terms of control it's when something is getting to be 'old hat' that I either get way too prideful or get way too rebellious.  My rebellion is because I think I can do a better job at running things than someone else or God.  So I try to make a statement based on what I want! 

Jonah did this same thing.  He didn't want to preach to the Ninevites - even though he was probably good at it.  He wanted to rest under the shade and sulk. BUT GOD - provided the city of Nineveh, He provided the Gourd and the Leaf for Shade, He provided the Worm to eat the Gourd and kill the Shade. Jonah thought he was in control yet he was just dependent on what God was doing!

Why don't I get that? I know God is sovereign. I know He directs my path.  I know He has my best interest in mind. Yet I still want to be angry and rebel. 

For Jonah his dependence on God improved as his connections with God improved.  

Partnership in the Gospel

as I sit in my usual place in the Daily Grind, waiting for the next student to come in... I am observing the room and I see 2 tables occupied by 4 Greek Impact (GI) students. This isn't all that unusual, but I am particularly touched today because of the partnership we share in the Gospel.

You see, as I am about to talk about the next issue of going on in the faith with the student in a minute; one of these tables is occupied by 2 sorority women. I know that this conversation is significant because the GI leader has been praying for an opportunity to tell the other student "her God-story". it is happening before my eyes! Because of the 'Foolishness of the Gospel' there is no reason that the listener should be interested, but because of the Holy Spirit's work in her life and her particular circumstances - all of a sudden there is a huge spiritual interest. Who knows what the result of this casual coffee time will be.

The other table is occupied by 3 GI students. One of them is teaching the other 2 to lead Bible Studies in their sororities. I can overhear part of this discussion as the leader is sharing Inductive Bible Study principles and they are each working off of a page from BibleGateway.com. "Questions need to be made so that the people in the group will look into the text for the answer and they shouldn't be YES or NO type questions." WOW! I can't wait to see how these women will begin to increase the ministry by leading in each of their sororities. But also how they will develop as leaders by starting these groups!

What an amazing partnership that is going on: Me in my one-on-one discipling, the evangelistic discussion at table 1 and the Bible Study training at table 2, What can I say?

Ya gotta love these guys!

The class of 1998 was an amazing class for me. There were a huge amount of Christian men in the InterVarsity Chapter. Many of these guys I met with weekly. Some of them were in a discipling group - that is a group that came together to begin to live out 2 Timothy 2:2 on campus ("Things you have heard me say, entrust to reliable people who in turn can teach others.").

As senior year rolled around these guys began to think about what it would mean to continue to grow together as brothers in Christ. Would they stay connected through an email listserve? They do, by the way, and it has been active for over 10 years. Would they just plan on meeting up annually for a vacation or mission trip? They still do that too. Or possibly should they be intentional enough to choose to move together to a location so that they could live in community and encourage each other in Christ. Well that is what happened! Not all of them of course, but a number of them moved to Houston and began to work for Teach For America (TFA) in a couple inner-city schools. Some moved to NOVA, some Massachusetts, NJ, Colorado, Romania etc. But they have remained close and challenging to each other all of this time.

TFA led the Houston boys to a Charter School system named YES Prep. They have worked hard in this system. And have accomplished many things. Some teach, some train new teachers, some work in the administration such as recruitment and development. But their vision for the kids in Houston is stellar. And their faith and commitment to each other has gotten some recognition! Houston School District has just chosen YES Prep Charter Schools as the # 1 school in the District! (see link & video above).

I am very proud of these guys and how they have chosen to live faithfully for the Kingdom of God in the midst of a broken & perverse generation!

Foolishness in April

Carolyn was (is) the April Fool-er in our family. She is the one who would be awake and move through the house early in the morning on April 1st wrecking havoc wherever she went. It might start with me. Usually it would be about some overnite equipment or appliance failure. "Marty, wake up! The Dishwasher overflowed all over the kitchen last night!" or "There is no hot water in the house!" Or "That big oak tree fell across the driveway and we can't get our cars out!" I would leap to my feet already to put my best problem-solving techniques to work, until I would catch a glimpse of Carolyn snickering in the corner!

Then she would move to Tripp's room (me close behind, just to watch her get another victim) and she would say: "Tripp, time to get up --- OH MY GOSH, look at that SPIDER climbing on the wall there! (Tripp is very afraid of spiders - by the way)" He would leap into the air and out of bed - with Carolyn laughing hysterically! Then the 3 of us would creep into Bobby's room, and watch the master at work once again: "Bobby, did you forget to turn the washer on last night, I think your clothes are still dirty?" Once again the victim would leap to attention while the torturer and previous victims would be rolling on the floor in pure hilarity! April Fools day had arrived at our house once again.

God had to have the same type of humor himself. Just think of the Tower of Babel. People from all over the world coming together, speaking the same language, trying to get to God - on their own strength. With one swoosh of his Word all peoples began to speak in many languages so that no one could understand the other.

Then there is poor Samuel, a small voice calls "Samuel, Samuel". Samuel trudges down to Eli's room and says "Yes Eli, I am here!" Eli says, "Go to bed boy, I didn't call you." Three times this same thing occurs. Finally Eli says: It's not me, boy - it's probably God, next time ask Him what he wants." Then there was Enoch who was walking with men one minute and then walking with God the next! God has a huge sense of humor all through the Bible.

Then in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Paul writes about God & Foolishness. God's foolishness in wiser than all of man's wisdom put together! The folly is in the fact that even since the Tower of Babel man continues to try to get to God on his own. And God must just laugh!

But God has (at least) one more act of foolishness. He allows one man (His Son Jesus Christ) to die in humiliation. On a cross, a death of a common criminal. so that all of us who ask for mercy & forgiveness from Him shall walk with Him for eternity.

This Gospel message is just foolishness!

Get your Easter Shopping done early!

I heard a great story tonight!

A senior was telling her God-story. This was a woman who had been to church all of her young life. It was just what her family did. Then after coming to college she just began to hang out with people who were a bad influence in her life and she began to do things that took her in a direction away from the faith that she grew up with.

It was in her senior year, over Christmas break, that 2 things happened. First she began to read a book called _Lord, Teach me to Pray_. From this book she discovered that faith was not religious activity but it was a relationship. She realized her life had been going away from God, she wanted that to change. Second, she remembered a friend from class who told her about Greek Impact, a Christian Fellowship on campus that helped fraternity & sorority students grow in their faith and learn about God. When she returned after Christmas she talked to her friend and began going to Greek Impact. She has discovered a community and a fellowship that helps her deepen her relationship with God. She has stopped the activities that distracted her from Jesus Christ and has placed Him at the center of her life.

ah yes! the International Service Project!

So many students from W&M(& other schools) took the opportunity of Spring Break to do an International Service Project (or some may call it Alternative Spring Break). A chance to see the world and serve the less fortunate. Students went to Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Haiti among others. They either did work with orphans, building houses or building camping facilities. They had a true cross-cultural experience, both in nationality & socio-economics.

Let's think about the progression of this. When I first came to W&M as a Campus Minister. It seemed like the whole campus went on the typical "Spring Break Blowout" event. College students flooded Daytona, Ft. Lauderdale, Destin, South Padre Island, and on and on. It was seen as an opportunity to go crazy for 1 week for 4 years that you would never have back. MTV in the early nineties would literally move to So. Florida to capture the antics of millions of students. It was legend!

Sometime in the late 90's the trends changed, the Wild & Crazy Beach Scene was not as popular. Part of this was because local law enforcement increased its activity. But part was because the desire to serve and help others began to increase.

InterVarsity@W&M began to do service projects in the early 90's. At first we went to do hurricane relief with Habitat for Humanity in South Carolina, then eventually we went to Urban Promise in Camden, NJ to work with inner city children & adolescents. When we started in Camden we were the only organization to work with Urban Promise, now each week we are joined by dozens of students from UVA, JMU, U. Maryland, etc. During this time (10 or so years ago) there seemed to be a larger effort to do domestic service. Appalachia, Hurricane Relief (Fla, SC, LA, Miss.), Urban work (Greensboro, Richmond, Philadelphia, Camden, NY, etc).

But lately it seems like the effort has been placed on international work. Of course mostly Caribbean, Latin, central & south American countries.

What are the gains:
1) Cross-cultural experience, new language, new country & a broader global experience.
2) Bigger understanding of USA in the world environment
3) Going South is still popular
4) Seeing poverty at an even more dire circumstance.

What are the losses:
1) Do we really make a difference?
2) Is it good economics? Would it make a bigger impact to just send money?
3) Can we really have political influence?
4) What influence can we have?

Finally: I have 2 thoughts, As we experience more of the world, through travels, reading and relationships I hope that we are beginning to create ways to speak the truth of the Gospel into our localities as well as into the world. All of this service must be translated to Christ's work in our community as well as in the world.

also, as we 'wash the feet' of our brothers & sisters we have got to begin to see it as a broader understanding of what God is about. Tony Campolo once said: "Is my heart broken for the things that break God's heart?" We can't leave Nicaragua saying, "We went down there to serve them, and they served us." unless we are preparing ourselves to serve those in our community today.

Leadership Part 3

Timeless Leadership: A Conversation with David McCullough, an article in the Harvard Business Review.

The author of books including _John Adams_, _1776_, _Truman_, among many others conducted an interview with the editors of HBR (march 2008). It was a fascinating analysis of leadership from an historical basis. McCullough began with a plea: "We need leaders and not just political leaders. We need leaders in every field, in every institution, in all kinds of situations. We need to be educating our young people to be leaders and unfortunately that's fallen out of fashion."

McCullough talked about how leadership requires a unique combination of talents acquired through a set of learned experiences in line with a certain amount of unique talents. For instance, George Washington, had an incredible ability to spot talent even in places where it wasn't obvious. He also was able to let his leaders do their jobs with freedom and he was not afraid to let them fail and it is through the failure that he was able to assess their leadership and strength.

One of the key talents today has to do with the leader having real strength and talent in the arena of listening. Listening beneath the surface. To hear what they aren't saying as well as what they are saying. Knowing how to ask questions. Knowing how to direct the topics to see the deeper and more significant thoughts and actions of the leader or potential leader.

I work with people who have some of the greatest potential for leadership today. I love it! I get to see fledgling efforts. I also see weak initiative, even in the midst of strong potential. (I hate that!)

I overheard a conversation a couple weeks ago between a senior and a Teach For America Representative which gave me great concern. It was obvious this student had great leadership potential. She carried herself well. She had held a number of significant leadership positions on campus. She was well recommended by her professors and peers. It was obvious that she was seriously interested in TFA as a career. When pushed by the recruiter to fill out the application and move onto the next interview, she resisted. When asked by the recruiter, why she wouldn't apply, her answer was (and I'm not joking about this), "I am afraid that I would apply, go for the interview and then be rejected or not placed." I could not believe that someone who seemingly was the right fit in every discernible way would not risk failure by filling out an app!

I have great concern for a certain type of person who fails to risk for the sake of a 'possible' failure. I know many of these folks have never failed at anything. but we know logically that failure will come. In time a level of failure will be apparent. It happens to all of us.

I know for myself that it is only in my weakness that His strength is made obvious. I know this is a paradigm shift, from the lone woman (faith unknown)who chose to not risk. But in all of God's sovereignty His strength is made perfect in weakness.

Leadership 2

I just finished directing a break-out on Leadership for the Greensboro Greek Conference. Forty eight fraternity and sorority students from all over the Eastern Seaboard attended the Leadership class.

So what is the primary lesson to come out of this program: Servant Leadership! In John 13, we studied Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. This had fascinating applications for our group.

Remember when Jesus selected his disciples. The Gospel of Mark says He chose 12 that they might be with Him. It seems like this 'withness' is Jesus' primary value. When we look at His choices - there is no apparent reason for their liklihood of being together. Several fisherman, a tax-collector, a political zealot among others. At best this august group was a random conglomeration of worldviews, occupations, lifestyles etc. Not necessarily a group we would select to lead a ministry or a cause or an organization. But this is who Jesus chose.

So back to John 13, when Jesus is planning on leaving He provides His final training, by washing their feet. The job reserved for the lowliest servant in the household. The act of course symbolizes humility & serving and maybe even brokenness.

In the Leadership Breakout, we discussed Jesus humility and talked about - that the world's emphasis on leadership is getting position and power, butthe Kingdom of God is based on service & humility.

Somehow in God's economy this equals out to true leadership. Putting others ahead of yourself builds camraderie & trust. Humbling yourself before those you ar 'leading' builds trust & relaibility. 'Washing someones feet' allows them to see how far down you are willing to go to lift them up.