Hello, friends!
At long last, we are approaching the new school year! In just a few days, the ACF leaders and I will be coming together in Columbia to reconnect with one another, reconnect with Jesus, and set our agenda for the upcoming year. This is right about the time when the impending school year really feels like it is on its way. Instead of using the term "next year," it is officially "this year."
With the new school year comes a new set of goals. Understand that I love goals, especially when they are reached. I may not love them as much as this guy but I still think they are a valuable tool to use in order to achieve one's best. Right now, I am working with some of the ACF leaders to solidify what our goals will be for this year.
But, this is where things get tricky. See, campus ministry isn't like a business in that the goals are a little more fluid and harder to define with integrity. There is always a tension between setting numerical goals and using more qualitative goal metrics. Let me give you an example.
Let's suppose we use a numerical goal and our goal is to average 40 people at Large Group per week. The temptation there is to make the goal an idol of sorts and do whatever it takes to make sure that goal is achieved. There are healthy ways to achieve that goal, say, doing better follow up and printing more flyers but there are also unhealthy ways, like guilting or begging students to come and giving out $5 bills at the door. To make sure we do not fall into that temptation, we could go with a totally qualitative goal, like, "this year, we want folk to love Jesus more." The problem with that is that there is no way for us to measure that well.
So, that is what I am working on now. I want ACF, BCM, and Flo Valley to all pursue goals with integrity and trust in Jesus, not the schemes of man. Would you please pray with me as we prepare for the new school year to come?
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Roster Changes...
Hello, friends!
For better or for worse, professional sports (which I love) is a business. It always has been a business but it seems like lately, it has become more of one. This is seen through endorsements, merchandising, and a number of other avenues, but the one that probably makes my heart hurt the most is rosters. I could be wrong but it seems to me that there was a lot less roster moving back in the day. Folk used to stick with their teams for longer, allowing for chemistry and dynasties to be built. Mind you, some of this was because of things like the reserve clause and I am glad that players have more rights than they used to have. I get that roster changes make teams better and that sometimes change is in order to find that one piece that will turn your team from an also-ran into a contender. As someone who is generally adverse to change, I would love it if players and teams showed one another a little more loyalty but when players change teams I understand that it is part of the business and that life goes on.
Yesterday we had our first Area Team meeting of the new school year. On top of a new school year being in front of us, we also have made a few roster changes. Ashley and Elizabeth have moved on, Ashley moving it Seattle on account of getting married and Elizabeth taking a job with Urbana. We have added Robert to our team as an intern and Howie has returned to be our interim Area Director while we search for a new one. Chioma, Esther, Kale, Will, and I are still on the team but the roster does look a little different.
What will be interesting will be how team dynamics change on account of the roster changes. Suddenly guys outnumber gals (5-2) and PC's outnumber Macs (4-3). Personalities are different, swapping an ENTJ and an ISFJ for an ESFJ and an ESTP. Howie leads differently than Elizabeth does and Robert processes differently than Ashley does. How we interact as a team will be different from last year.
Added to that, each individual has changed a bit as well. With the departure of Ashley, I am now the longest tenured staff in the Missouri Area (Howie has been on staff longer but he hasn't always been with the Area). It's a little odd being the grizzled veteran. =0).
Ultimately, we are a different team. There is no denying that. What I love is that although there may be some roster changes and some role changes, one thing still remains the same, and that is our committment to our students and our dependence on Jesus. We have no choice but to accept the change and I believe that with Jesus guiding us, this year will be better than ever.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for our new team. Pray that God will unite us and that we will work together for the benefit of all our students.
- Pray for me as I prepare ACF's Pre-Fall Retreat. There are many details to cover and I need all the help I can get. =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
For better or for worse, professional sports (which I love) is a business. It always has been a business but it seems like lately, it has become more of one. This is seen through endorsements, merchandising, and a number of other avenues, but the one that probably makes my heart hurt the most is rosters. I could be wrong but it seems to me that there was a lot less roster moving back in the day. Folk used to stick with their teams for longer, allowing for chemistry and dynasties to be built. Mind you, some of this was because of things like the reserve clause and I am glad that players have more rights than they used to have. I get that roster changes make teams better and that sometimes change is in order to find that one piece that will turn your team from an also-ran into a contender. As someone who is generally adverse to change, I would love it if players and teams showed one another a little more loyalty but when players change teams I understand that it is part of the business and that life goes on.
Yesterday we had our first Area Team meeting of the new school year. On top of a new school year being in front of us, we also have made a few roster changes. Ashley and Elizabeth have moved on, Ashley moving it Seattle on account of getting married and Elizabeth taking a job with Urbana. We have added Robert to our team as an intern and Howie has returned to be our interim Area Director while we search for a new one. Chioma, Esther, Kale, Will, and I are still on the team but the roster does look a little different.
What will be interesting will be how team dynamics change on account of the roster changes. Suddenly guys outnumber gals (5-2) and PC's outnumber Macs (4-3). Personalities are different, swapping an ENTJ and an ISFJ for an ESFJ and an ESTP. Howie leads differently than Elizabeth does and Robert processes differently than Ashley does. How we interact as a team will be different from last year.
Added to that, each individual has changed a bit as well. With the departure of Ashley, I am now the longest tenured staff in the Missouri Area (Howie has been on staff longer but he hasn't always been with the Area). It's a little odd being the grizzled veteran. =0).
Ultimately, we are a different team. There is no denying that. What I love is that although there may be some roster changes and some role changes, one thing still remains the same, and that is our committment to our students and our dependence on Jesus. We have no choice but to accept the change and I believe that with Jesus guiding us, this year will be better than ever.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for our new team. Pray that God will unite us and that we will work together for the benefit of all our students.
- Pray for me as I prepare ACF's Pre-Fall Retreat. There are many details to cover and I need all the help I can get. =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
An Olympic Sized Post...
Hello, friends!
We have reached the halfway point of the 2012 London Olympics. We have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We have seen the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat. We have seen Meg and me getting SUPER distracted by watching the Olympics every night and trying to multi-task. =0). I figured that now would be a good as time as any to post a few thoughts on the Olympics.
Winter vs. Summer: Meg and I both agree that the all the Olympics are awesome. Where we disagree is between which of the games we would rather watch. Meg prefers the Summer games, home to gymnastics, swimming, and track and field. I, on the other hand, think that the Winter games are the most fun to watch, home to hockey, biathlon, and, of course, the greatest Olympic sport known to man.
The joy of obscure events: Sure, we know about the big events. The average individual on the street would be able to tell you about who won gold in gymnastics or how the USA men's basketball team crushed Tunisia but how many know about handball, rowing, or field hockey? See, those are the events that make me smile the most. It could be because I like to know random facts about random things, or that I have a serious addiction to competition, or because I'm just a little odd. Either way, the obscure events are where I find the most excitement.
Rooting interest: There are so many countries that I want to see win! On the one hand, of course, the US of A is first in my heart. But, there is also China, the land of my ancestors. What about Great Brittain, the host country? Or, how about Canada, the country with which I have an unusual (and possibly unhealthy, obsession? Usually there isn't too much conflict but I do have a number of different rooting interests.
Prayer at the Olympics: I was reading a book a while back that talked about "prayer hooks." Prayer hooks are things that remind you to pray for certain things or people. The example that the author gave was that whenever he uses chapstick he prays for his son-in-law, who uses a chapstick a ton. A while back, I decided that the US national anthem was going to be my prayer hook for praying for our country and our elected officials. Usually, this means when I go to baseball games and such but with the US being so awesome at the Olympics, I have been praying for our great nation quite a bit. =0).
Ultimately, the things that I love so much about the Olympics are the competition and the sense of world comraderie that comes from the games. In about a week, the world will go back to focusing on how broken things are. But, for the next few days, the Olympics are a what I would consider a little glimpse of heaven.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
We have reached the halfway point of the 2012 London Olympics. We have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We have seen the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat. We have seen Meg and me getting SUPER distracted by watching the Olympics every night and trying to multi-task. =0). I figured that now would be a good as time as any to post a few thoughts on the Olympics.
Winter vs. Summer: Meg and I both agree that the all the Olympics are awesome. Where we disagree is between which of the games we would rather watch. Meg prefers the Summer games, home to gymnastics, swimming, and track and field. I, on the other hand, think that the Winter games are the most fun to watch, home to hockey, biathlon, and, of course, the greatest Olympic sport known to man.
The joy of obscure events: Sure, we know about the big events. The average individual on the street would be able to tell you about who won gold in gymnastics or how the USA men's basketball team crushed Tunisia but how many know about handball, rowing, or field hockey? See, those are the events that make me smile the most. It could be because I like to know random facts about random things, or that I have a serious addiction to competition, or because I'm just a little odd. Either way, the obscure events are where I find the most excitement.
Rooting interest: There are so many countries that I want to see win! On the one hand, of course, the US of A is first in my heart. But, there is also China, the land of my ancestors. What about Great Brittain, the host country? Or, how about Canada, the country with which I have an unusual (and possibly unhealthy, obsession? Usually there isn't too much conflict but I do have a number of different rooting interests.
Prayer at the Olympics: I was reading a book a while back that talked about "prayer hooks." Prayer hooks are things that remind you to pray for certain things or people. The example that the author gave was that whenever he uses chapstick he prays for his son-in-law, who uses a chapstick a ton. A while back, I decided that the US national anthem was going to be my prayer hook for praying for our country and our elected officials. Usually, this means when I go to baseball games and such but with the US being so awesome at the Olympics, I have been praying for our great nation quite a bit. =0).
Ultimately, the things that I love so much about the Olympics are the competition and the sense of world comraderie that comes from the games. In about a week, the world will go back to focusing on how broken things are. But, for the next few days, the Olympics are a what I would consider a little glimpse of heaven.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Thursday, August 2, 2012
It's Time!
Hello, friends!
Happy August to you! Do you know what August brings? No, not just the Summer Olympics, although those have been epic. August also brings the start of the new school year!
That's right. In less than 3 weeks, Mizzou students (as well as Flo Valley students) will be starting classes for the 2012-2013 year. It promises to be an amazing year.
One of the reasons why this time of the year is so important is because it sets up InterVarsity for the rest of the year to come, and even for the next 4 years. Every year, a new class of Freshman enter college. Within the first few weeks of school, they find their group of friends and usually what extra curricular activities they are going to do. These choices often stick with them for the rest of their college careers. Added to that, every year we see students return to school who had a change of heart over summer. Some want to "get back to Jesus." Others want to believe that there is something more to life than what they have now. In either case, those first few weeks often determine whether or not these students will get what they are trying to find.
Friends, the truth is simple. I really want the students at Flo Valley and Mizzou to know who Jesus is and follow Him with their lives. That means that we need to meet them first. These next few weeks, as we prepare for students to return, will you pray with us and for us? This ministry does not happen without your prayers and support. Please join us.
Prayer Points:
- In 2 weeks we will be having our pre-Fall retreat for Mizzou. Please pray that this will be a time of reconnecting with Jesus, reconnecting with each other, and reconnecting with the vision of ACF and BCM.
- Please pray as I continue to do work work connecting with faculty and administrators at Flo Valley. Pray that we will find "people of peace" who can advocate for what InterVarsity wants to do on campus.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Happy August to you! Do you know what August brings? No, not just the Summer Olympics, although those have been epic. August also brings the start of the new school year!
That's right. In less than 3 weeks, Mizzou students (as well as Flo Valley students) will be starting classes for the 2012-2013 year. It promises to be an amazing year.
One of the reasons why this time of the year is so important is because it sets up InterVarsity for the rest of the year to come, and even for the next 4 years. Every year, a new class of Freshman enter college. Within the first few weeks of school, they find their group of friends and usually what extra curricular activities they are going to do. These choices often stick with them for the rest of their college careers. Added to that, every year we see students return to school who had a change of heart over summer. Some want to "get back to Jesus." Others want to believe that there is something more to life than what they have now. In either case, those first few weeks often determine whether or not these students will get what they are trying to find.
Friends, the truth is simple. I really want the students at Flo Valley and Mizzou to know who Jesus is and follow Him with their lives. That means that we need to meet them first. These next few weeks, as we prepare for students to return, will you pray with us and for us? This ministry does not happen without your prayers and support. Please join us.
Prayer Points:
- In 2 weeks we will be having our pre-Fall retreat for Mizzou. Please pray that this will be a time of reconnecting with Jesus, reconnecting with each other, and reconnecting with the vision of ACF and BCM.
- Please pray as I continue to do work work connecting with faculty and administrators at Flo Valley. Pray that we will find "people of peace" who can advocate for what InterVarsity wants to do on campus.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Counting...
Hello, friends!
It's July 29, which makes poses a very interesting question. When people ask me "how long until your wedding?" how do I answer? Here are a few interesting possibilities:
- In terms of days, it is 62 days until the wedding.
- In terms of weeks, it was 9 weeks as of yesterday.
- In terms of months, it is 2 months from today.
So, you see my dilemma? Or is it all just in my head? I have always prided myself on accuracy and precision. When you're accurate, it is much easier to make smart decisions and get the right answer.
I suppose it doesn't actually matter ultimately. No matter how you count it, I am going to be married soon. That sounds pretty sweet, doesn't it? =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
It's July 29, which makes poses a very interesting question. When people ask me "how long until your wedding?" how do I answer? Here are a few interesting possibilities:
- In terms of days, it is 62 days until the wedding.
- In terms of weeks, it was 9 weeks as of yesterday.
- In terms of months, it is 2 months from today.
So, you see my dilemma? Or is it all just in my head? I have always prided myself on accuracy and precision. When you're accurate, it is much easier to make smart decisions and get the right answer.
I suppose it doesn't actually matter ultimately. No matter how you count it, I am going to be married soon. That sounds pretty sweet, doesn't it? =0).
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
To (2 of) My BFF's...
Hello, friends!
It's Tuesday and I think I have finally recovered from my weekend hangover. No, friends, I wasn't out drinking; this was more of an emotional hangover. On Saturday, two of my very best friends in the whole wide world got married. Isn't life exciting?!
Thomas "T-mo" Moore and I have known each other since Freshman year when we were both in a Freshman men's small group for InterVarsity. He was the kid from Saint Louis and I was the kid who acted like he was from Saint Louis. Eventually, he concentrated more and more of his time into Harambee, the Black Campus Ministry at WashU (Go Bears!) and I spent more time with ACF, but we have always been friends. We lived together Sophomore year as well as one year after college when we both interned with InterVarsity. I can't exactly explain it but T-mo and I have always been on the same wave length. I think in the almost 10 years that we've know each other, we've only had one serious disagreement (I was right). =0). We have encouraged each other as we've faced the rigors of leadership and the hardships that come with following Jesus for real. One of the things that I have always appreciated about T-mo is that he has always been willing to help me when I needed it. If I have helped him half as much as he has helped me over the years, I will consider it a good run.
A quick story to illustrate the point. T-mo got married on Saturday but do you know what he was doing on Wednesday and Thursday? He was writing code for my wedding's RSVP site. 2 days before his wedding he's helping me. If that isn't a friend, I don't know what is.
Honestly, the only way that I can describe "Miss" Ashley Moore is that she is my friend. Miss Ashley and I also met Freshman year, although we really didn't become really good friends until Sophomore year. Like T-mo, she was involved in Harambee but also like T-mo, she and I were able to share the rigors of leadership together. Sophomore year it could have been argued that I was her 4th roommate. =0). These past 5 years, I have had the pleasure of calling Miss Ashley not only my friend, but also a co-laborer in Christ. As we have grown as staff with InterVarsity together, I am forever indebted to Miss Ashley for helping me see the other side of things. As someone who does not hold feelings in high regard (I'm working on it, I promise), seeing Miss Ashley's compassion and genuine love for students has put me in my place on more than one occasion.
I would like to think that Miss Ashley and I even each other out a little bit. When I get too business-y or start to forget about people, she's right there to get me back on track. When Miss Ashley needs to relax or do something goofy, you can be that my phone will be ringing soon. Whether it be Settlers of Catan (she always wins) or Tecmo Superbowl (I always win) you can guarantee that Miss Ashley and I are going to have a good time.
Friends, I'll be honest; I didn't see this one coming. During our time in undergrad, and even during our intern year, it never dawned on me that those two would end up together. In fact, I would guess that they didn't think so either. It reminds me of Harry Potter a little bit. Who knew that Ron and Hermoine would get together? But, I'm glad that they did. How could I not be happy? My prayer for my friends is always that they find someone who loves Jesus and will encourage them to love Jesus more too. I know that Ashley will do that for T-mo and vice versa.
So, here's to you, Miss Ashley and T-mo. It has been a pleasure being your friend these past few years and I relish the opportunity to continue in that friendship. Thank you for letting me be a groomsman and the MC for your wedding. I couldn't have asked for a greater honor. Enjoy your time in Seattle, and remember that you have a friend here in Saint Louis.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
It's Tuesday and I think I have finally recovered from my weekend hangover. No, friends, I wasn't out drinking; this was more of an emotional hangover. On Saturday, two of my very best friends in the whole wide world got married. Isn't life exciting?!
Thomas "T-mo" Moore and I have known each other since Freshman year when we were both in a Freshman men's small group for InterVarsity. He was the kid from Saint Louis and I was the kid who acted like he was from Saint Louis. Eventually, he concentrated more and more of his time into Harambee, the Black Campus Ministry at WashU (Go Bears!) and I spent more time with ACF, but we have always been friends. We lived together Sophomore year as well as one year after college when we both interned with InterVarsity. I can't exactly explain it but T-mo and I have always been on the same wave length. I think in the almost 10 years that we've know each other, we've only had one serious disagreement (I was right). =0). We have encouraged each other as we've faced the rigors of leadership and the hardships that come with following Jesus for real. One of the things that I have always appreciated about T-mo is that he has always been willing to help me when I needed it. If I have helped him half as much as he has helped me over the years, I will consider it a good run.
A quick story to illustrate the point. T-mo got married on Saturday but do you know what he was doing on Wednesday and Thursday? He was writing code for my wedding's RSVP site. 2 days before his wedding he's helping me. If that isn't a friend, I don't know what is.
Honestly, the only way that I can describe "Miss" Ashley Moore is that she is my friend. Miss Ashley and I also met Freshman year, although we really didn't become really good friends until Sophomore year. Like T-mo, she was involved in Harambee but also like T-mo, she and I were able to share the rigors of leadership together. Sophomore year it could have been argued that I was her 4th roommate. =0). These past 5 years, I have had the pleasure of calling Miss Ashley not only my friend, but also a co-laborer in Christ. As we have grown as staff with InterVarsity together, I am forever indebted to Miss Ashley for helping me see the other side of things. As someone who does not hold feelings in high regard (I'm working on it, I promise), seeing Miss Ashley's compassion and genuine love for students has put me in my place on more than one occasion.
I would like to think that Miss Ashley and I even each other out a little bit. When I get too business-y or start to forget about people, she's right there to get me back on track. When Miss Ashley needs to relax or do something goofy, you can be that my phone will be ringing soon. Whether it be Settlers of Catan (she always wins) or Tecmo Superbowl (I always win) you can guarantee that Miss Ashley and I are going to have a good time.
Friends, I'll be honest; I didn't see this one coming. During our time in undergrad, and even during our intern year, it never dawned on me that those two would end up together. In fact, I would guess that they didn't think so either. It reminds me of Harry Potter a little bit. Who knew that Ron and Hermoine would get together? But, I'm glad that they did. How could I not be happy? My prayer for my friends is always that they find someone who loves Jesus and will encourage them to love Jesus more too. I know that Ashley will do that for T-mo and vice versa.
So, here's to you, Miss Ashley and T-mo. It has been a pleasure being your friend these past few years and I relish the opportunity to continue in that friendship. Thank you for letting me be a groomsman and the MC for your wedding. I couldn't have asked for a greater honor. Enjoy your time in Seattle, and remember that you have a friend here in Saint Louis.
Have an excellent day!
~Adam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)