40 Day Challenge
One of the hopes of this MARKcentral was that there would be more stories of people living out the scripture coming out of this week. This was the inspiration behind David and I introducing some group application for all the Mark 1 studies. which looked like two sessions with two exercises to be completed.
The first session, included an exercise inspired by Mark Scandrette’s book, Practicing the Ways of Jesus. In the book, he lays out an experiment done by his community called Experiments in Truth, where members participating in the experiment do some reflection on their lives and identify one area they would like to see change happen, and then identify one behaviour or habit they would like to give up and one they would like to adopt for a period of 40 days. The experiment is meant to be held loosely and not legalistically but has measurable goals and outcomes by the end of the 40 day period. At the end of the time, participants can make decisions about whether this experiment is something they’d like to incorporate in their lives in a regular rhythm.
Some of the questions to help people identify what they want would like to change are as follows: How do I live in my body? What do I think about or dwell on in my mind? How am I managing my feelings and the stresses of life? Where am I spending my time, talents and resources? How am I showing up to my relationships? After reflecting on where you spend your life energy, you can determine one or two priority areas where changes are most needed.
The second step of the experiment is to explore the patterns and root causes for the issues identified by briefly describing the issue or pattern and considering what are the daily choices you make that support this habit or pattern. Reflecting on if there are deeper issues from which this struggle arises?
I’ve known in my own leadership that it’s hard to lead people to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself, so I also decided to partake in the experiment. After some reflection I noticed an unhealthy pattern around envy. I saw how it particularly affected my relationships with friends and colleagues. I also saw it was far-reaching, innocuously affecting my decisions and I was most vulnerable before sleeping at night and when I first woke up in the morning. So I decided that in order to address the envy, I would adopt a practice of writing 10 things I was grateful for each day. I would also, spend the last 10 minutes before I went to sleep and the first 10 minutes when I woke up reading scripture, starting with the major and minor prophets. As I spent time evaluating how I spend my time and talents, I realized that I’d spent more time comparing myself to others and feeling badly than doing some life-giving activities that I enjoy, so as part of the experiment, I included that once a week I would make art in response to the things I was receiving in Scripture or themes I was noticing in gratitude.
In addition to identifying the thing you’d like to change and the new practice to adopt, the experiment invites people to share their experiments with a a partner and a small group that they check in with regularly. I have been blessed to be paired with a few staff colleagues for accountability. I’ve enjoyed hearing their updates, and sharing the things I have been seeing and receiving.
I’m now close to 30 days into the experiment, I will continue this experiment for 47 days (40 days after the end of the second MARKcentral week), so that I can be checking in and sending updates to participants in both weeks. As time goes on, I’m eager to see and hear stories of how others are fairing with their challenges, and at the end of the experiment, I’ll post an update with images of the artwork I’ve created.
#MCOPC2016
One of the hopes in having two MARKcentrals was that there would be smaller class sizes and a more intimate feel of a conference. The estimated number of people at each week being approx 100. All of our plans for a more intimate conference were shifted when 180 people registered for the OPC week! On the one hand, we were grieved at the loss of some of our programming hopes that couldn’t really be accommodated with the number of people we had. But on the other hand, we were deeply encouraged that there were so many people eager to gather around scripture together! Within that 180, there were approx 10 not-yet believing students!
After coming out of a full week at #MCArden2016, David and I were tired, but eager to see what God would do with this group of people. There were many things about this week that were similar to last year: a staggered 2 meal schedule (as we couldn’t all sit together for meals), a mid-week worship night, and similar teaching and lodging locations. But, we had some new elements like staff stepping into new roles, and some group application for all the Mark 1 studies.
Before heading into the OPC MARKcentral week, I found myself stressed and frustrated at the seemingly endless logistical issues to work out. But, upon arrival, I felt a peace come over me, and actually felt at home. Which surprised me, because as recent as 2 years ago I remember feeling completely lost and out of place at OPC.
Day 2, with the Question of the Day
During this week, I was the primary point person. David took care of registration, budget and lodging details but I was the one that was up front as emcee, and led staff meetings. When I wasn’t taking care of any issues that arose, I joined the prayer team to intercede for the conference and offer prayer ministry for those in need. Being with the prayer team was a huge highlight for me. I’d never served on an intercession team before this week, and I loved the experience! Often I would hear stories of my friends who have interceded for conferences, and I was skeptical about some of the things they would do and how they would pray, but God in his grace and mercy showed me how some of the more unconventional ways we were praying actually were connecting with what was happening for those teaching and participating in studies. In subtle ways, that only I would notice the Spirit moved and revealed how It was drawing all the pieces together, and addressing some of the places of doubt in my heart. I was so grateful to work with Ruth, Ryan, Ruth and PY on the prayer team and see them lead the conference to connect with God in new and familiar ways.
The #MCOPC2016 Prayer Team!
I also loved working with the staff team, which was a mix of brand new staff and staff I’d known for years. It was great seeing staff step up and for many to lead studies on their own. It was exciting to hear about the not-yet believers in the studies and how they were fairing. We rejoiced as some of these students made first-time commitments to follow Jesus and as others heard from God for the first time in prayer and worship! We celebrated as some students decided to join the Toronto Urban Plunge team! I had so much delight seeing Ashley Chan lead an all KCF worship team and lead us in multi-lingual worship. The culmination of my joy with the staff team happened as we ended our last staff meeting with a 2.5 song dance party, with Ashley Chan and Preston leading the charge and setting the pace. In more recent years, I’ve experienced anxiety when spending time with my colleagues so feeling joy while being them had been rare, but this week I was so full of joy and so grateful for each of my colleagues.
There were a few OCF students who attended this week: one of my knights and Jimmy were in the Genesis study led by Jamie, my staff partner; and PY served on the prayer team with me. For Jamie and I, we had a few points during the week to connect with the OCF crew and it was a blessing to be with them as they processed their experiences and as they asked for prayers for what’s next. All of these students are graduating, and even though I had only been working with them for a year, each of them are dear me. My knights, Jimmy and PY were the first students to welcome me with open arms to OCF. They honestly shared their lives with me, and were open and eager to have me speak into their lives. They allowed me to be me, prayed and cared for me and have been a huge part in my heart for campus ministry being reignited. It was a great gift to spend parts of this week with them.
Even now as I reflect on this week, I can’t quite explain what was happening for me. In this season of many losses and hardships, I felt peace and settled in a way that shouldn’t have been true. I received vibrant images and words in prayer, I saw prayers answered, lives healed and new people join the family. It was thrilling! I felt bold in ways I don’t often feel in my life. I felt free in ways I haven’t felt in months. My friend and our camp host Andrew said this of me, “Every time she’s been up here [to say something] she’s had this huge smile”, and as I looked back at the photos of this week and heard from my staff friends, I see that this was true. I even see a huge difference between how I was at Arden and at this week. So I’m still unpacking what that means, but am grateful for this gift.
The #MCOPC2016 group! So many great memories with this group!
#MCArden2016
As the days got closer, I was really excited for the MARKcentral CSR Arden (#MCArden2016) week. This would be a week at new location (one David and I had never been to), with a new staff team configuration and new programming, and even though that could mean lots of unforeseen issues arising, the notion of newness was really exciting for me. David and I drove up before the staff and bus arrived, got a tour of the camp and the rooms we’d be using and started helping get the spaces set up. The first day went by super quick, as the bus arrived on time, filled with loud and excited students.
“How can you say you love Jesus and not have a heart for justice?” – “the Preacher”
This MARKcentral week was significant for OCF, as it had almost all first-time participants in MARKcentral and most of the new student leaders for the upcoming year. I was especially excited as they all took the bus together and had some time to start bonding with each other and other students from across Ontario. It wasn’t long until my fun-loving OCF students were known as the “cool kids” at camp and also the “ruckus-causing” ones. But, to their credit, they were super welcoming to anyone who wanted to join them. One of my students, whom I’ll call “the Preacher”, was deeply impacted by the second half of Mark. She spent some time in lament about how her church and the global church have not done all they could to be about justice for the most vulnerable. Her heart was grieved as she read the passage of the widow in the Temple and saw how this woman trusted a system that was not out for her good, and it resonated with the Preacher as she saw aspects of her own story reflected. This is the same student who at last year’s conference never made a heart connection with the passages. She studied the texts academically and never let the meaning root deep in her heart. But this year, the passages resonated and this same girl who never saw justice as deeply connected with Jesus, now calls all who will listen to be about justice for the most vulnerable amongst us.
Most afternoons this week were free, but mine quickly filled with long one-on-one walks with my OCF students. I got to hear more stories of their year, the joys and hardships and the things they were hopeful for in the upcoming summer and year ahead. Throughout the week, I felt blessed to be able to be with these students, and to see how much had happened for each of them in a year.
Our attempt at making the OCF logo. I love these people so much!
I also felt blessed to co-direct this week, and come alongside the staff as many served in certain roles for the first time, or were new to some of the changes we were implementing. I was so happy to work with Leah and Allyson, who were interceding for the conference and had set up a prayer room with themed activities for each day. I had the Operations Manager at CSR Arden make me some whiteboard sandwich boards and each day I would ask a Question of the Day that would relate to themes in the scripture studies and with the prayer room activites. I was greatly blessed by Dave and Jared and their leading the worship team with 2 UTSC students and the Preacher. God used the 5 of them to lead us in a diversity of worship experiences that helped many people connect with God deeply. I sat in Allison and Melissa’s Mark 1 study, and was encouraged by the diverse group of students as they wrestled with the text and their wonder as they made connections.
By the end of the week, we grew deeply as a community together and were sad to part ways. For me, this was one of the best experiences at MARKcentral that I’ve ever had. I left the week, tired, but eager to see what God would do at OPC.
The #MCArden2016 group. Such a great week with these lovely people!
MARKcentral(s) 2016
If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you’d know from previous posts that in my earlier years in ministry, I wasn’t always a big fan of the annual Gospel of Mark manuscript conference, MARKcentral. This has since changed, as I’ve seen the Spirit move in powerful ways in my life and in the lives of students and use these weeks to begin a transforming work! So, when I was asked to co-direct this year’s conference, with my colleague and good friend David, I excitedly agreed.
The directors: David and I sneaking in some admin work during “free time”.
This year MARKcentral had a few new changes. The one that was probably the most challenging logistically, was that we decided to split the Central Field region in two, and had two MARKcentral conferences at two different times and locations. The campuses at each location were decided not based on geography but exam schedules (as it was noticed that campuses that finished exams early in April had a harder time recruiting students to come to a conference during the first week of May). So the first week of MARKcentral was from April 24-30, at our Circle Square Ranch camp in Arden, Ontario. The second week was from May 1-7 at Ontario Pioneer Camp in Port Sydney, Ontario.
The planning for the logistics of these two weeks at two different locations resulted in many late nights and stress headaches. We longed for more consistency between the two weeks, but ran into many unforeseen problems as the weeks began to take shape. But, I can say from this vantage point, each week had its share of great joys and minor problems. David and I were able to innovate some new programming, empower staff to lead and grow in their leadership, and partner well with each other as we led with our combined giftings and skills.
I’ve written posts for each week of MARKcentral, but for photos and videos from both weeks, follow ivcf.markcentral on instagram.
Emerging Leaders Module 1
Every few years, Inter-Varsity offers a specialized training program for staff that they would like to invest in and could see moving into deeper levels of leadership within the organization. The program is called Emerging Leaders, and it takes place over 14 months, with a commitment to stay with the organization for an additional 18 months afterward and be open to the possibility of a job or role change.
Last spring, I was invited to join the newest cohort that would meet for the first time in February. I was honoured by the invitation and gladly accepted. The first module focused on spiritual development. I appreciated the time getting to know staff from various parts of the organization and also to engage God in new ways through more unfamiliar spiritual disciplines.
The resources I received from this module have been super helpful to apply and try with my students and staff team.
Urbana 2015
Urbana is a tri-annual missions conference hosted by InterVarsity USA and Canada. Every time one happens. there is often lots of vision cast and lots of invitations to consider, and this Urbana was no different. This post is late in coming, just because there is still so much to take in and process about the experience. If you weren’t able to go, video and audio files are available here.
There were 8 OCAD students who attended, 5 did the general seminar track, 2 did the poverty track, and 1 did the Canadian Student Leadership track. It was hard to find each other throughout the conference. but there were some key points where we were able to connect and hear from one another and pray together. And of course, to hang out and take fun photos like these:
Many of the students were moved to be more intentional with how they steward their talents and resources. Some were moved to consider what life in mission post University could look like. Some received visions in listening prayer about invitations God was extending to them. As the months have passed, I’ve been able to hear how and what these students are hearing from God as they continue journeying with Him and offering their lives, talents and resources for his purposes. For some, they realized they cared a lot more about the things of God than spending time with God, and others realized they were too focused on their relationship with God and were not caring about things He cared about like justice. It’s not been surprising how often I’ve referred students back to these talks and these teachings, as many still hold the same relevance now as it did then.
This Urbana, also gave me the opportunity to partner with InterVarsity USA in the Pan-Asian North American Lounge. I’d wanted to serve in this capacity for the past few Urbanas, and this time the circumstances all came together to allow it. I’d never served in a lounge before, so it was a new experience. I enjoyed getting some time to meet and reconnect with students. Some highlights were creating “Tree Auntie” with some of my South Asian staff friends, and getting to reunite with more South Asian staff friends and SALI participants during the South Asian gathering. I also got to reunite with Peter, Parmina, Pintu and Joana from Bangladesh!
2015 Annual Report
Be on the lookout for more stories of this semester, but in the meantime here’s the 2015 Annual Report!
MarkCentral 2015
Ever feel pulled apart in 4 different directions? At our annual week-long Mark manuscript scripture conference, I was wearing 4 hats.
Hat 1
I taught the second half of Mark (Chapters 8-16) with colleagues and friends of mine, teaching some heavy-hitting passages including the transfiguration and crucifixion; and it was also my first time being a teacher at MarkCentral. I enjoyed the group of students we had in our section from York, Ryerson, McMaster, U of T, OCAD, Queen’s and Carleton. After a hard year on campus, being in so many passages related to suffering was challenging but needed. Our section struggled grappling with the depth of these teachings, but by the end of our time together, things really landed for the students as they looked through passages that were at varying degrees of familiarity with new understanding. One of my highlights was finding new ways to make the text more interactive. For the rich ruler passage, I asked the students to write down on a rock things that they prioritize over their relationship with God, they kept those rocks on their tables all week, and then after we finished studying the crucifixion, I led the students to a nearby stream and asked them to reflect on what they wrote in light of the crucifixion and to choose to release the rocks physically and metaphorically into the stream. Words don’t fully give justice to the feelings that arose as I heard the silence pierced by the individual thunks of rocks hitting the water. Afterward at dinner, a student from our study came up to me and told me, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been as happy as he was when he let go of his rock and what it represented.
Hat 2 and 3
I also was going back and forth between serving and caring for the team of students from Ryerson and the students at OCAD, and feeling like I wasn’t really caring well for either, as I technically hadn’t transitioned to OCAD yet, but my staff partner wasn’t around so I was trying to care for the students there in her absence. After each worship night, we were invited to gather with our campus groups and check in and pray with one another. I asked for Ryerson and OCAD to be together so it would be one less thing I was split between. Our first gathering was awkward. But the next gathering which was 3 days later, revealed that in the time that had passed, the students had sought each other out and were becoming friends. I planned to divide the group into the different campuses to pray, but felt actually the Spirit had been doing some good work binding this group together and it made sense to pray together. I was especially encouraged as the students who were studying Mark 2 with me revealed how over the course of the week the Spirit revealed things in their lives they needed to cut out and choose differently. This felt especially redemptive as I heard from some of my Ryerson leaders who named the things that had been holding them back all year and express remorse for not choosing to do something about it sooner.
Hat 4
I also was a major part of the team responsible for hosting our friends from Bangladesh. All year I had been talking back and forth with our hosts and friends from Bangladesh about getting students to come to MarkCentral. After lots of factors, it wasn’t possible for students to get the visas needed to come to Canada, but Brother Peter, the general secretary of the movement and his associate Brother Bony were able to come. It was challenging trying to host them well in the midst of all the other things I was doing that week, but I had a team of Canadian staff and friends to help with hosting. After the week at MarkCentral, Ashley, one of the staff on my GUP team last year and I hosted Peter and Bony around the city and even took them to Niagara Falls!
In the midst of all these hats I was wearing, I was grateful for those of you who had been praying for this conference; and was aware of all the different ways God was calling me to trust and rely on Him to make all things happen. At the end of the week I was exhausted, but grateful.
GROW Training
In the first week of March, IVCF offered training for undergraduate staff in how to grow their fellowships, the training was offered in three tiers. I entered the tier 1 training with trepidation, fearful that I would be scolded for not performing as I should and thus given remedial training. But almost immediately my fears were assailed, and I was able to get some good training and take a step back from the work I was doing on campus and see the ministry with new perspective.
We were given new tools to assess growth in our fellowships, and were able to discuss topics with fellow staff in similar contexts as us. I was surprised at how refreshing the training was and look forward to implementing new strategies in the ministry.
National Staff Conference
Every three or so years, IVCF gathers all of their staff from campuses, camps and the national service centre for a time of training, fellowship and vision casting, as we see where God will lead us in the next season of our various ministries. The theme of this year’s National Staff Conference was “Good News Life”, and it centered on how we are called to live lives of witness with teaching, story-telling and new resources to share the gospel in our ministry fields.
Becky Pippert, author of Out of the Salt Shaker Into the World was the primary speaker and teacher at this conference, and she led us through a seeker study series called “Uncovering the Life of Jesus”. The material follows a format similar to an inductive study with suggested questions to help people look for the answers within the Scripture. I’ve led a few other seeker studies called Groups Investigating God (GIGs) on campus in the past, and I’ve often found the gap between participating in a study and leading one is very big. These GIGs have been effective in reaching seekers where they are at, but often requires a whole different set of training and preparation materials. However, the Uncovering the Life of Jesus material has been formatted in a way that the gap between participating and leading is much smaller, so there’s a higher possibility of the material reaching multiples of people quickly. Since this conference, I’ve led this material with my student leaders and there have been a few people we’ve approached about doing this series with us (more on that in another post).
Since National Staff Conference only happens every few years there’s a lot more that is part of this conference; like dramas, worship, story-telling, silent auction, bookstore and stage design. This is a time when the many hidden skills and talents of IV staff come to the surface as they get to use some of their skills and schooling. For me, I was invited to be part of the stage design team with SFU’s IV staff and my dear friend and Ryerson alumnus Barron and the ever-talented IV graphic designer Rebekah Rotert. I enjoyed working on a team with these two, but re-entering the design world was not a pleasant experience for me. But, as a team we produced a beautiful stage design and designed an interactive marquee that people would engage throughout the week. The premise was that people would seek out light bulbs throughout the spaces of the conference and common areas (like the front desk or Starbucks) and if they retrieved a light bulb they would screw it into the display. It was a marker to show that each effort brings forth light, but it truly is a thing of beauty when all the bulbs are found and light up the whole display. It was a lot of fun seeing the piece slowly light up throughout the week.
Though I was pretty exhausted after coming out of a busy season of ministry and a challenging period of discernment, I found myself receiving a lot during this conference and have seen some of the fruit of this teaching in my own life and on campus.
The Arch 