We're bringing back Free Resource Fridays later this week but until then, you can watch this short video interviewing Blane. It was created by the Creative Communications Cohort at AU Chi Alpha and we recently sent it out to all of our email newsletter subscribers. Want to get on that list to receive updates?
Intern Mondays // Not Everyone Understands My Job
Have you met the interns yet? They're pretty amazing. The following post is from Nick Holmstedt a recent graduate of Hamline University. He has a knack for making friends easily and even though he doesn't really like coffee, we try not to hold that against him.
Not everyone understands my job. Not everyone even understands that this work is a job; “When you get a real job,” they say. You can put yourself in their shoes, of course. A recent college graduate, going back to a college campus with friends in a place they’ve spent years (or a semester, but who’s counting?). Certainly you could assume there would be comfort, it would be the 'easy' choice, that it’s just an opportunity to stick around with friends for another year.
Reality sets in to define something totally distinct from a student’s experience. We have the beauty of a job whose bounds are that of missional, Kingdom living. Truly, though, our mission is no different than that of any Christian, regardless of vocation: to bring the light of Jesus into the world. In ministry, we are wonderfully blessed to pursue God and share His glory outside of office prisons (because that’s what cubicles really are, right?).
The difference is not our job versus professional jobs, for we share purpose. Instead the change is in the context of our work, our relative freedom to share boldly and often. I’ll tell you, though, the unique challenges of this open box are vast. Each day brings about a new perspective as we explore the depths of God’s people.
When it’s all boiled down, my job is principally about relationship. This certainly strikes another struggle with the term ‘job.’ Traditional American culture sees relationship as only a benefit of friendship, but that’s far from what a biblical community embraces. The conflict in perception is that a job is something you do, but in the case of ministry our job is something we love (you could even say our job IS love, but that’s a little cheesy). We open up our experiences and our vulnerabilities to others and strive to grow together towards Christ. We deal in the eternal, the spiritual: abstract and intangible but absolutely integral.
Of course, the spiritual is related to the physical. We could sit and stare at the sky awaiting Jesus’ return, but at the cost of much capacity for good here. So we do work to facilitate the setting for Christ. Into our campus we want to welcome him, into the hearts of students and faculty and staff and everyone. To do this requires preparation. The hours we spend managing databases, updating websites, practicing for musical worship, studying Scripture, planning meetings, purchasing materials… it goes to serve that purpose of discipleship, evangelism, of fellowship and praise.
This job is worth it. Because it’s more than a job, more than a career. It’s a mission, a vision, an opportunity, a gift. If you can know only one thing about what we do, know this: we love God, God loves us, we work to make known that His love is available to all, and we work hard to do it. Because it's worth it.
Intern Mondays // People You Meet While Support Raising
Have you met the interns yet? They're pretty amazing. The following post is from Bonnie Duncan, who likes making Texas-shaped food and has never seen an impossible race she didn't want to try.
My Chi Alpha pastor often compares support raising to the Tough Mudder. If you haven’t ran a Tough Mudder, then I should warn you, there is an 8-foot wall you have to climb over before you get to the start line. And you see this wall and you’re like well team, we gave it a good run.
It is in this moment when you realize the world can be a cold and unforgiving place. And if you didn’t pay so much for your race fee, you would be temped to throw in the towel at the sight of this wall and comfort yourself by saying you gave it the old college try. But because you would never wake up at 5:30am for nothing, you climb that wall. And others help you. And you make it over. And you do a victory dance. And then you get to the start line. And that’s when the real pain begins. But you’re so stoked you climbed an 8-foot wall, the adrenaline doesn’t wear off until mile 6.
Support raising is kinda like that. And like the Tough Mudder, somewhere between soul-crushing and how much longer til the finish line, you meet people along the way who remind you behind every missionary, God creates a team.
Every pledge faith promise is a reminder of God’s providence and grace, and a reassurance that just as he has called me to go, he has called others to send. Like these awesome people just to describe a few:
The “Down for the Cause” Guy
This guy is all about the great commission. And all things Jesus. You ask for his email for a follow up and its soldoutforJesus@gmail.com. You ask how life is going, he responds saying he’s basking in the glory of God’s will. “Just trusting God in all things you know.” You tell him about support raising, he talks about how the hand of God is going to multiply and provide. You say goodbye, and he says “Live it loud and be sold out for Jesus.”
He’s all about this life.
That Pseudo-All-Knowing Person who Supports you Without Having to be Asked
You don’t ask them, they ask you. Because they are that cool. Call it the spiritual gift of knowledge if you will. (If that is you, there is a convenient link where you can give securely online here.) They’re the “Hey, I heard you are support raising and probably too nervous to ask so I’m just gonna start my monthly support k?” So this has actually only happened twice, but I am most definitely not opposed to it.
Just another reminder that God’s the one who provides in spite of my best efforts.
Lastly, Those People That Warrant a Happy Dance After Every Convo Because they are just that Awesome.
They know who they are. They are those super awesome that just ooze with wisdom and Jesus swag that it is almost hard to finish a conversation with them. Cause all of your energy is focused on keeping your cool. Because they not only support you, but more importantly support the work God is doing on university campuses. They are those people in the Tough Mudder that dress up in costumes and carry around blow up alligators and dolphins. Why you may ask? Because ordinary is not really their style.
And while we are at it, ordinary is not really Jesus’s style either. And while climbing over that wall before the start line is daunting and utterly terrifying, it gives meaning as we run the rest of the race.
Nick Talks Star Wars & The Power of Release
We're bringing back Intern Mondays next week but until then, you can watch this short video interviewing Nick. It was created by the Creative Communications Cohort at AU Chi Alpha and was shared recently on social media.
Free Resource Friday | 11-1-13
You might be ready for the weekend already, but don't forget to share this with a few friends first! We search the web high and low to bring you quality resources at the wonderful cost of $0. Yeah, we try to be awesome. You can grab last week's resource here.
Today's Free Resource » In A Pit With A Lion on A Snowy Day (Audiobook) by Mark Batterson
We found out about this resource from Tiffany Dukes. She works for National Community Church and volunteers at AU Chi Alpha.
A lot of the DC Chi Alpha Staff have either heard the sermon series based on the book or read the book themselves. It's a national best-seller and it's even used by Elevation Church in their New Staff Orientation and their Intern Program.
This was one of the most formative books I've read as it pertains to living intentionally without letting fear set the plans or direction. I'm so grateful for this resource and I find myself recommending it to students and adults often! - Blane Young
This is only available for a limited time via Christian Audio. Even if you've already read this book, send this link to your colleagues, friends or your church staff.
We'd love to know if this a resource that you'd consider using or have used in the past. If you have a resource you'd like to share, just email us!