Friday, September 08, 2006
leader as gardener goes global
I am a very proud lecturer. One of my students, Jocelyn, has just had a piece of work; titled Leader as Gardener, published in The Officer, a magazine that goes out to Salvation Army leaders all around the world.
Jocelyn was in my Pastoral leadership class earlier this year. As part of the class I invited students to explore 6 images of leader in 1 Corinthians 3 and 4;
– servant; 3:5; servants who waited on you
– gardener; 3:6-9; you are Gods garden
– builder; 3:9-17; I laid a foundation on which others
– resource manager; 3:18-4:7; Christs oikonomos [estate manager]
– cross carrier; 4:8-13; we are fools for Christ
– parent; 4:14-21; “fathers” to help you grow
Each student was given practical tasks – like to garden, to serve, to play with a child, to build something – and then invited to blog about what they learned about leadership from these practical experiences. Jocelyn blogged about leader as gardener (here).
She must have then re-worked the piece, because she bounced sort of Tiger-like into Bible College yesterday, beaming, with a September edition ofThe Officer magazine open. Jocelyn is a very gifted student and a very creative and able writer. Well done you.
)
Not to mention that she has a gifted and creative teacher who is no slouch in the writing department. I’m off to read her article.
Comment by Bill Kinnon — September 9, 2006 @ 3:59 am
Long time since we’ve talked, Steve, but I find this entry fascinating in light of what I am needing here in the States. I am looking for authors who are introducing missional/emergent themes for high school age students who are new to this conversation. Most current stuff tends to be for an older crowd. Any thoughts you have or regular visitors to your blogsite would be most welcome. Thanks, Steve.
Comment by Jim — September 10, 2006 @ 6:26 am
I’m interested to read Joce’s images of leadership as Gardener – developed from your course Steve.
My gardening since coming to Aberdeenshire (NEScotland) has mostly been really tough – turning what was a field into some sort of a garden. So much of the year I work with indoor plants. My greatest success has been with Christmas Cactus – doesn’t look up to much most of the year – but when it flowers! Wow!
My original plant is now about two feet in diamater (20 years old). It started off as two leaves! I have found by taking a couple of leaves I can grow a new plant. Earlier this year I gave each of the ministers’ at our fellowship a tiny cutting – they didn’t look like they had much promise – (I’m commenting on the plants here!) but I encouraged each person to look after the cutting, tend it, water it, and meditate on the folk God had placed them in relationship with, to mentor and nourish.
So far I’ve not had any response from them! But that’s usual! However the leader of my support group (to whom I had also given the same type of plants) recently emailed me while I was away on a trip – feeling not great! and out of the blew she emailed saying – I’ve been watering my plant today – it’s grown three new leaves and I’m praying for you.
more ideas like this in spirituality to go
Comment by Olive Fleming Drane — September 11, 2006 @ 4:45 am
Thanks Steve.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to share creatively in your classes last semester. Looking forward to “Emerging Church” classes over next 2 weekends.
I’ll continue to write and see what God does with it.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Comment by Jocelyn — September 11, 2006 @ 5:12 pm