Coarse Objectives
December 11, 2011 by Anne Wenger
Filed under Discipleship, Priorities, Recent MMMs, Sharing Your Faith, Student interaction
Phillip A Bishop,
Exercise Kinesiology,
University of Alabama,
[Jan. 8,2012]–
They have to be a bit coarse, because I’m not sure how the class will go. If I can see the target I want to hit, I may still miss, but if I can’t even see the target, any success is pure luck. I need objectives.
It is the start of another academic term. I need a target here too. For newer faculty, the objectives are pretty clear: do those things that will earn a permanent spot on the faculty of this fine institution. For those of us who have been around a while, the objectives may be more flexible, or at least simpler.
Nor long remember…
I contemplate my own long career in the University, the papers written and the talks given. And as I reflect, Abraham Lincoln’s words at Gettysburg come to mind. “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.” Lincoln was wrong about his own words, but I suspect that my words won’t be remembered very long. So setting goals of papers published and grant proposals submitted, though important, usually does not have value for long.
Here are some more important goals from which we can choose:
- Show the love of Christ in our classes.
- Encourage Christian students.
- Identify ourselves as Christians on campus at appropriate times and places.
- Invite students to our homes for pizza and discussion of the Big Questions in life.
- Contact the leader of a Christian student group and offer to be of service.
- Start a prayer meeting.
Volunteer to…
- Meet with Christian colleagues.
- Mentor a younger faculty member academically and spiritually.
- Give a service talk with a minor or major Christian apologetic to fraternities, sororities, etc.
- Go on a Christmas break, spring break or other retreat that a Christian student group has planned.
- Help an international group.
- Go on an international mission trip with a Christian student group.
- Speak to students or in the community when you take an international trip. (Contact Faculty Commons for more info).
I have tried all of these but one, and they have all proved enjoyable and productive, at times. Don’t be intimidated by the list, just pick out a few objectives for the year, and go with those.
As professors we have numerous opportunities on one of the best mission fields in the world. Let’s set some objectives and ask the Holy Spirit to bless our efforts.
© 2012 Phillip A. Bishop
© istockphoto
Open the Package
December 2, 2011 by Anne Wenger
Filed under Discipleship, Priorities, Recent MMMs, Student interaction
Dr. Lisa G. Bullard,
North Carolina State University,
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
[Dec.11, 2011]–
Looking at this student holding her package, I had a choice: I could tear open the package, toss the wrapping aside, take a brief look at the contents, and then get down to business. OR, I could accept the package, spend a moment admiring the beautiful wrapping, carefully unwrap it, take a few more moments to admire the contents, and thank the person for sharing this beautiful and special package with me.
A Reminder
Here’s the thing: the second approach doesn’t necessarily take more time than the first, but it does require being totally present during my time with the student and seeing the student as Christ would see her – as an individual worthy of my time and attention. This image so moved me that I bought some beautiful wrapping paper and a lovely bow and wrapped a small square box to sit on my desk where I can see it each time a student comes in.
It reminds me that each person who walks through my door comes in holding an invisible package. Each is an offering to me, and it’s my choice as to how to respond to the gift given: their talents, their hopes, their inadequacies, and their fears.
Each, A Treasure
I am thankful that God sees each one of us as the unique individuals He created. He lovingly makes time for us, as if we were the only person in the world seeking his attention. He carefully removes the external wrapping to view and admire the treasure within.
Although He knows exactly what is contained inside, He is pleased when we offer up our best to Him. Even if our bow is a little crooked, the wrapping is ragged on the edges, or the tape job is sloppy, He treasures us for the unique gift that we are.
Faculty — especially Christian faculty — are the front line to connect with students. These students come to our office hours holding an invisible wrapped package. They appreciate it when we take the time to receive them. During the Christmas season and all year, remember that every student is a gift: open the package.
(c) 2011 Lisa Bullard