Written by: Josiah Philipsen on May 8, 2017

                              We are a unique group with a special anointing!

Desires of the Heart  (video)
        COHORTS GLP7

Figure 1.  “SEVENS” In London                                         Figure 2.   Left column – Jason Clark, Daniel Lioy,                                                                                                                               Right Column – Cliff Berger, Loren Kerns   

Personal Interest

Something good can happen to one from Sunnyside, Texas.  My father was a math school teacher and my mother a seamstress. My, oh my, what would my parents think of me now. I am in LONDON!

My Cohorts are a hoot! (“in figure 1”) We blend well and support each other. We even named ourselves “THE SEVENS.” Seven represents completeness and perfection. My mentors and the Seminary leaders demonstrate the heart and love of Jesus by mingling with us daily. (“in figure 2”)

London and Oxford were my “cup of tea!”  We aged beautifully; a little worn but till strong; have a strong and powerful history, and have a welcoming spirit. Transportation was challenging at times but fun most of the time. (“in figure 3”)

Figure 3. The terminal I arrived and departed from, including the train station I traveled on to get to my plane.

I was glad when they said, “Let’s go to Oxford.” (“in figure 4”) I entered and experienced “Harry Potter” and “Alice in Wonderland.” (“in figure 5”)

Figure 4.  London tours                                                         Figure 5. Oxford tours

New Knowledge and Synthesis

In London, we had several lecturers. (“in figure 6”) A few of those presentations left a watermark on my life.

Figure 6. GLP cohorts and I listening intensively to the lecturers. The “before lectures I was fresh and excited. The “after lectures” I was tired and overloaded with information

Since I manage a non-profit, I appreciated Steve Chalke’s personal story on how his passion resulted in his mission. He said, “Your mission would expand when you are serving the people’s needs; partner with others of the same interest or those who support your interest.”[1]  His points were:

“You have to maintain Ethos values which will keep a business running and valuing the people. A nonprofit requires:

• A decent governance
• Theology and ethos team
• Social enterprise – business, donations, volunteers
• Need to be entrepreneurial

Non-profit communication terms are different. I.e. The term ‘blessings’ convert to the term ‘partnerships’;           term ‘ministry’ converts to the term ‘wellbeing.'”[2]

Shawn Holtzclaw paralleled Steve’s views during his “Applying For-profit principles in a Nonprofit World” presentation. They both spoke on business awareness. A few of his points were:

• “Effective at achieving results,
• Hope is not a strategy,
• Experienced Talent is a Must,
• You must combine the business aspect of operating a nonprofit with the mission you were assigned to perform.” [3]

Business awareness would result from one applying critical thinking. Authors Elder and Paul, stated that “Critical thinking is the art of analyzing, evaluating, and thinking with a view to improving it.” [4]

Figure 7. Dr. Martyn Perry,                                                                                           Dean of Christ Church

As ministry leaders, we must not forget discipleship is a part of our divine assignment. David Male spoke on serving the unchurched, saying the “church is multi-culture, there needs to be a fresh expression in the form of church for our changing culture; and we are making disciples of Jesus rather than doing discipleship.”[5] Editors Grenz and Olson said, “Theological reflection should encourage one toward spirituality and discipleship.”[6]  Dr. Martyn Perry said, “the church must make room for those who don’t fit; a leader should possess the qualities of patience, empathy, don’t be afraid, and have excellent communication skills.”[7]  (“in figure 7”)

The Cohort5 presentations were: Nick Martineau’s shared the process of succeeding the founder of the church. He referenced it to “the act as a father giving away his daughter in marriage. It can bring on the anxiety of losing rather than gaining, even though it’s a wonder event.”[8] My church went through the passing of the baton 11 years ago. Phil Struckmeyer’s discussed “Making the Word a Better Place” reflecting on the racial division under the realm of divided by faith. He stated, “white evangelicals believing in white privilege even though it’s not biblical;  he stated that silence is violence.”[9].

At Oxford our speakers were:  Dr. Mark Chapman spoke on Oxford Theology he stated “that the curriculum needs to be broad.  Ask: what kind of character do you want to form?”[10]   I believe the views of Author Adler should be considered in developing an effective curriculum, “Taking the reader from how they learned to read as a child to the progressive stage of where they are now and how to adapt to a method of reading style that effectively works for the reader.”[11]  Dr. Emma Percy reflected on the leadership in a church, sharing “ministry does not fit the module of work, it is a mixture of laboring and action; some of a minister’s duties were similar to motherhood, and Apostle Paul stated he was breastfeeding.”[12] Dr. Cathy Ross spoke on the smell of the sheep, saying “there’s no such thing as pure gospel; it’s embodied in our culture. The mission is about finding out what God is already doing and join in.”[13]  On the views of culture, Author Elliott said, “His research directed him to five social theory themes. One of them was the relation between human action and social structure.”[14] As a ministry leader, we need to study the community we serve. My pastor Dr. Reverend Marcus D. Cosby often said, “As a pastor, the shepherd should smell like his sheep.”[15]

PRACTICE

I had been planting a seed in the minds of the Board preparing them for the harvest. I attended a Fundraising conference to improve and implement skills to increase our donors. In that workshop, the speaker dropped a word bomb “speak the language.”[16] The same term used by Steve Chalke in London. She stated that “nonprofits have a special language (terminology) different from corporations and to be successful, and we need to use them.”[17]

APPLICATION

I invited a nonprofit consultant to our October meeting.to speak with us about board governance and grant writing. Her presentation and review of our organization were powerful and effective. I made an executive decision to hire her to help get our corporate document in order so that we can begin our journey toward organization stability and effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

The London Advance experience rebirthed my courage to travel abroad. I have been idle in my travels since 2008. The books I have read reignited my desire to want to know more. The weekly synchronized chats were awesome. The sessions encouraged us to look within our “inner library,” reflecting on our journey, and knowing we were selected for a reason.[18]

____________________ 

[1] Steve Chalke, Operating a Non-Profit Organization within the Community, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspectives DMin Advance 2016 (Lecture, Lancaster Hotel-Brother Room, London: September 23, 2016).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Shawn Holtzclaw, Applying for-Profit Principles in a Non-Profit World, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Pecha Kucha Research Presentation, Christ Church, London: September 27, 2016).

[4] Linda Elder and Richard Paul, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools (Tomales, CA: The Foundation for Critical thinking, 2009),Location 25, Kindle.

[5] David Male, Unplugged, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Lecture, St. Margaret Lothbury Church, London: September 23, 2016).

 [6] Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson, Who Needs Theology? (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, September 19, 1996), Loc No 414, Kindle.

[7] Dr. Martyn Percy, Ministry and Leadership, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford: September 26, 2016).

[8] Nick Martineau, Church Family – Successor, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Pecha Kucha Research Presentation, Christ Church, Oxford: September 27, 2016).

 [9] Phil Struckmeyer, Making the World a Better Place, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Pecha Kucha Research Presentation, Christ Church, Oxford: September 27, 2016).

 [10]  Dr. Mark Chapman, Oxford Theology, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford: September 27, 2016).

 [11] Mortimer Jerome Alder and Chares Lincoln Doren, How to Read a Book (New York, NY: Touchstone, 2011),Loc. No. 25, Kindle.

 [12] Dr. Emma Percy, Ministry and Mission, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford: September 28, 2016).

 [13] Dr. Cathy Ross, The Smell of the Sheep, George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016 (Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford: September 28, 2016).

 [14] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction (711 Third Street, New York, NY 10017: Routledge, 2014),11, Kindle.

 [15] Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, Clergy Meeting 2010 (Senior Pastor, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, Texas).

 [16] Karen Eber Davis, Income Champions: Seven Ways to Develop Board Member Revenue Heroes, Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Houston Chapter (Presenter, The Junior League of Houston, Houston, Texas: October 21, 2016).

[17] Ibid.

[18] Pierre Bayard, How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read (New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA, 2010),72, Kindle.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alder, Mortimer Jerome and Chares Lincoln Doren. How to Read a Book. New York, NY: Touchstone, 2011.

Bayard, Pierre. How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read. New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA, 2010.

Chalke, Steve. Operating a Non-Profit Organization within the Community. George Fox Evangelical Seminary                   Global Leadership and Perspectives DMin Advance 2016. Lecture, Lancaster Hotel-Brother Room, London,                   September 23, 2016.

Chapman, Dr. Mark. Oxford Theology. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN          Advance 2016. Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford, September 27, 2016.

Cosby, Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Clergy Meeting 2010. Senior Pastor, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, Texas.

Davis, Karen Eber. Income Champions: Seven Ways to Develop Board Member Revenue Heroes. Association of                Fundraising Professionals Greater Houston Chapter. Presenter, The Junior League of Houston, Houston, Texas,          October 21, 2016.

Elder, Linda and Richard Paul. The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools. Tomales, CA: The                Foundation for Critical thinking, 2009.

Elliott, Anthony. Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction. 711 Third Street, New York, NY 10017: Routledge,           2014.

Grenz, Stanley J. and Roger E. Olson. Who Needs Theology? Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, September           19, 1996.

Holtzclaw, Shawn. Applying for-Profit Principles in a Non-Profit World. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global             Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016. Pecha Kucha Research Presentation, Christ Church, London,           September 27, 2016.

Male, David. Unplugged. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN Advance 2016.         Lecture, St. Margaret Lothbury Church, London, September 23, 2016.

Martineau, Nick. Church Family – Successor. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective             DMIN Advance 2016. Pecha Kucha Research Presentation, Christ Church, Oxford, September 27, 2016.

Percy, Dr. Emma. Ministry and Mission. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN         Advance 2016. Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016.

Percy, Dr. Martyn. Ministry and Leadership. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective             DMIN Advance 2016. Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford, September 26, 2016.

Ross, Dr. Cathy. The Smell of the Sheep. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and Perspective DMIN         Advance 2016. Lecture, Christ Church, Oxford, September 28, 2016.

Struckmeyer, Phil. Making the World a Better Place. George Fox Evangelical Seminary Global Leadership and                     Perspective DMIN Advance 2016. Pecha Kucha Research Presentation, Christ Church, Oxford, September 27,               2016.

About the Author

Josiah Philipsen