Pastoring a Wedding
Posted by Todd Engstrom in pastoring, personal on June 5, 2009
I’ve really grown to enjoy the role of officiating weddings as a pastor. I’ve had the opportunity to perform a half-dozen weddings over the last year–some for old friends, some for new friends–and I am consistently reminded of God’s grace in my life to bring me such an amazing woman. Additionally, the symbolism of the wedding ceremony only gets richer with each iteration, and I am consistently finding myself dwelling on different aspects of Christ’s character at different points throughout the typical weekend.
There’s always a little bit of awkwardness that goes on too…I tend to get some strange looks as I am introduced to parents as “pastor”. They’ve got the “I’m pretty sure you just graduated high school…how can you possibly be performing a wedding?!?” face on, and it is generally an fun interaction. It’s also a little strange to perform “pastor” duties like praying for meals and such, and I still don’t know what the proper protocol is when I just want an ice cold fermented beverage at the reception.
The best part, hands down, though, is watching the groom catch the first glimpse of his bride as she walks down the aisle. Maybe it’s because I wept like a baby at my wedding, but I’m always hoping the groom sheds a tear in that moment when he locks eyes with his gorgeous bride.
Sorry to be sappy, but I’ve got a wedding tomorrow…
Spontaneous Emergence and Connectivity | Alan Hirsch meets Seth Godin
Posted by Todd Engstrom in assimilation on June 2, 2009
I came across this quote today from Alan Hirsch, and thought it dove-tailed nicely into my thoughts on assimilation as connectivity.
Most change in complex systems is emergent; that is to say it comes about as a result of the free (and often informal) interactions between the various ‘agents’ in the system. In an organization the agents are people—themselves complex systems. Complexity theory suggests that when there is enough connectivity between them and the complexity reaches a critical point, emergence is likely to occur spontaneously.
In a rapidly growing and complex organization, the function of connectivity creates the framework for the emergence of new systems. We’ve seen this happen in the context of The Austin Stone, with a variety of new and fresh ideas, opportunities, and missional communities doing some really great ministry.
As an assimilation ministry in a missional context, one of the best things we can advocate for is establishing connectivity in the complex system that fosters emergence, which in turn facilitates connection for individuals pursuing mission.
Tribes Thoughts | Leadership is Influence
Posted by Todd Engstrom in leadership on May 29, 2009
One good insight from Tribes has been thinking through how leadership is influence, which is practically exercised through commonality of an idea and communication.
Godin’s most basic argument is that marketing has changed the rules for markets, and more concretely, the internet has changed the face of marketing to provide greater influence to individuals disconnected from institutional power structures.
Smart leadership is found in understanding the ever-changing communication landscape, and how you can continue to connect with your “tribe”.
For me, I think I’m going to make a more concerted effort to share the ideas I’ve been chewing on here, and see if some of them are actually worth pursuing.
So one simple question for you as a reader: will you help me filter some ideas I have for the future?
Picture from Badger.20
Refreshing Perspective | The Blueprint
Posted by Todd Engstrom in books, college ministry, evangelism on May 28, 2009
I’ve really enjoyed reading Jaeson Ma’s book The Blueprint: A Revolutionary Plan to Plant Missional Communities on Campus.
Jaeson is certainly cut from a different theological tree than I am, but I have been challenged and refreshed by his perspective. The book is essentially broken down into three sections: Prayer, Evangelism, and Missional Community. The whole book is saturated with the Holy Spirit, and it has been a good challenge to me to consistently pray for the presence and power of the Spirit in my life.
I just finished the second section, which is an application of a life that is solely fueled by the prescription of prayer that he outlines in the first section. The section focuses on practical demonstrations of the Spirit’s power on campus through worship, evangelism, prophetic preaching, and healing.
Although I’m not sure I agree fully with the strategy Jaeson advocates, it’s a great challenge for me to consistently push myself and students to be more bold in their witness and take much greater risk with the gospel through demonstrative action that is Christ-exalting.
I’d recommend reading this book, simply because it is a refreshing challenge and a great story of what God has done through Jaeson’s ministry. Bottom line, he’s in love with Jesus and desperately wants to see campuses transformed.
Passivity | Between Two Worlds
Posted by Todd Engstrom in christianity, college ministry on May 27, 2009
The following is a quip from Kevin DeYoung’s Just Do Something (via Between Two Worlds).
Passivity is a plague among Christians. It’s not just that we don’t do anything; it’s that we feel spiritual for not doing anything. We imagine that our inactivity is patience and sensitivity to God’s leading. At times it may be; but it’s also quite possible we are just lazy. When we hyper-spiritualize our decisions, we can veer off into impulsive and foolish decisions. But more likely as Christians we fall into endless patterns of vacillation, indecision, and regret. No doubt, selfish ambition is a danger for Christians, but so is complacency, listless wandering, and passivity that pawns itself off as spirituality. Perhaps our inactivity is not so much waiting on God as it is an expression of the fear of man, the love of the praise of man, and disbelief in God’s providence.
This is a good, strong word for many college students I interact with. I hear quite often language like “I’ll pray about it” or “I’m not sure I’m called to that” when talking about simple steps of Christian obedience. Often times the issues shouldn’t be taken lightly (stepping into leadership, going on a short term mission trip, etc.), but I’ve seen such a tendency to over-spiritualize these kind of decisions in order to avoid taking a hard step.
Let’s think comparatively for a second: do you need to pray for weeks on end about spring break vacation in florida? Do you pray for weeks on end about joining leadership in your other school activities?
I’m just sayin’…
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