Barnabas File

Brett Younger, associate professor of preaching at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, is one of the best writers in Baptist life today.   He is at his best when writing satirical, humorous columns on the church and its various foibles.   I don’t think his recent post entitled “Seminaries reluctantly selling their souls” was meant to be humorous, however.   If it was, just disregard the rest of this blog. Dr. Younger eloquently presents an argument for traditional, “residential” theological education.   This is the type of model that many of us experienced as we prepared for ministry.   We packed up all our earthly belongings, moved to another part of the country, and spent three years preparing for our first call.   If we were fortunate, we found a part-time church to supplement our income and give us some experience.   As seminary came to an end, we put out our resumes, started working our networks, and prayed fervently that God would lead us to the p

A friend once told me, “There is a time when you have to decide to fish or cut bait.”   To translate into plain English, you can work hard to develop a great plan of action but at some point you have to decide whether to act on it or not.   Many times we play down the importance of commitment.   We assume that once we have laid out a plan of action, no further decision is necessary.   Unfortunately, there are numerous lists of personal resolutions, to do lists, and strategic plans that sit in notebooks or in desk drawers and are forgotten. Commitment is the covenant step.   This is the point when we count the cost.   We know ourselves well so we might ask, “What might I do that would get in the way of accomplishing this? How can I avoid those barriers?”   We know our contexts, too, so we might consider, “What are potential changes in circumstances that might hinder my doing this?   Are there ways that I can go ahead and address those?” I often ask coaching client

“Captain, there are always options.”—Mr. Spock, Star Trek:   The Original Series Once we have chosen a goal, we need to consider how to get there.   There are usually many possible routes that will take us to our goal.    Even your GPS provides choices.   Once we have considered all of the options open to us, we can select one to act on.   There are several ways to assess an option for the best fit. Faith:   Consider the option from the standpoint of faith.   Is the option congruent with the person’s spiritual journey?   Does it line up with what God has done so far in the person’s life? Feeling:   The person might consider the option from an intuitive or feeling perspective.   Does it feel right?   Does it produce a sense of motivation or energy? Logic:   The person evaluates the soundness of the thinking behind the option.   Does it make sense?   Does the person have enough information to pursue this option?   Challenges and Obstacles:   Each option has its

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”—Lewis Carroll Each of us becomes confused from time to time.   The availability to the GPS system has certainly made finding our destination easier, but you have to select and input the correct address to get the right directions.   Defining a clear, specific, and correct goal is mandatory in coaching as well. In Co-Active Coaching, the authors write, "Without a specific goal, there can be endless drifting, a floating on the winds of this good idea and then that one. Goal setting gives clients a specific direction and an action plan for making something real. Naturally, the goals may shift over time as clients make progress, but movement in the first place starts with setting their sights on a goal or outcome."(p. 91) Long-term goals are life-changing.   They bring changes in vocation, lifestyle, or ministry that represents a significant journey in one’s life.   Intermediate or short-te