I want to see people changing...

Every March I always ask myself if I really want to be a middle school teacher again next year. The buzz has worn off students are harder to impress and more difficult to motivate. All this feeds a nasty cycle of complaining and impatience for all of us. Heading to in-service this past Friday with John Landis from Millersville University could not have been more helpful. The last thing I expected was to be knocked off my seat with solid presentation. I know it sounds novel that a teacher presenting about teaching actually modeled the how and the what. But he did both in a winsome manner.

The world as we know it has changed. This kind of change only comes about every 400 years or so. John said that the internet capable cell phone is the greatest human invention, a true game changer. In the palm of your hand lies every known fact and every living person in the world. But our classrooms are still modeled after the industrial revolution. How can we adapt? Where do we start? How do we teach digital literacy to students who are more advanced then most teachers?

These questions and many others must be answered or I am afraid my teaching will be done in vain. Using the same tired methods achieving painfully inadequate results speaks to the landscape of education in churches and schools today. I am excited to bring paradigmatic change to both, are you?

Summit Lake Retreat 2009

Before I left for the retreat at Summit Lake, I kept asking myself why I do things like this. It wasn't until about mid-night in the freezing cold did I get my answer. The air was moving but not fast enough to make noise. The mountains were still visible in the moon light. Aside from a few calls from students in cabins, the field where I stood was very quiet. In the stillness of the moment I simply breathed and remembered that Christ is with me.

There is something about mountains, a change in pace and making room for God that cannot be substituted.

Abraham was drawn into the wilderness to meet with God. That act of obedience was risky for old Abraham. The son he had longed for was now at risk of being lost. Faith in God will lead us to take risks. There is a choice to make and a risk to take. If you are still processing this and would like to take a step into further study, then read my post from this summer where you will find a relevant list of books and podcasts for your enjoyment.

BILD Summit 2009

The past two Novembers I have anxiously awaited the BILD Summit in Ames, Iowa. Church leaders from around the world gather for training in the way of Christ and the apostles.

What makes this training unique is it's focus on Socratic discussion. I have been to many of the large pastors conferences around the country. They are characterized by amazing free books and lots of sermons/lectures. It is a preaching marathon. The Summit is structured quite differently. In the three day certification training that I go for there is only one lecture. The rest of the time, 8 hours a day is filled with discussion led by master teachers.

Another distinctive is the global diversity in the classroom. To my right I have a church planting movement leader from Africa. To my left a church planting movement leader from India. All around the room pastor's from across the country share from their context. It is truly a global learning community.

There is much more I could say, but you can check it out for yourself. www.bild.org