David Joe and Bev Hatter served as our amazing hosts for our Student Leader Retreat. Here are some of David Joe's thoughts from the weekend.
The ancients said there were only four elements--Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. The Greek physicians said there were four "humors," or basic personality types--Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, and Phlegmatic. The four student leaders we had the privilege to host--Dylan, Josh, Lindsay, and Naomi--are in many ways as varied as you can imagine. Some are task-oriented, some are touch-oriented. Some are more extroverted, some are more introverted. Some are product-oriented, some are process-oriented. Some are oriented toward the group, some are oriented toward the individuals. That's a good thing. The campuses on which and from which they serve, the situations they will face, the environments in which they live, the individuals & groups with which they will work, and the tasks they will perform will be as varied as one can imagine. God has shaped each of them individually--as well as the campus ministry team as a whole--to do His tasks in an ever-changing place. Therefore, God will, in His own time & way, continue to shape and reshape them for the tasks at hand and the tasks ahead. The church--that is, the body of disciples--is not a reservoir, but rather a river; and a river is constantly being reshaped and redirected.
Student ministry--and student leadership--is not just ministry to students; it is also ministry by & through students. And, campus ministry is not just ministry on campus; it is also ministry off campus to the wider community. It is exciting to watch student leaders get excited about the possibilities of partnerships with other community-service groups.
One more thing: From where I'm sitting, the ISB staff (Lowell & Katie, Sarah, Tom & Jill) have had a very long summer and a very long two years or so. They are starting the school year exhausted. Pray for them. Do whatever you can for them. Maybe God wants you to be the answer to their prayers.
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