<\/p>\n
College is such a formative time in one\u2019s life. There are so many big lessons to learn and questions to ponder. By reminding the readers that \u201ceveryone \u2013 especially every Christian \u2013 is a theologian and that every professional theologian is simply a Christian whose vocation is to do what all Christians do in some way: think and teach about God\u201d[1]<\/a>, it helps provide an attainable framework for the exploration of some of life\u2019s biggest questions. While I think University requirements might be what initially draw students toward our office, the fact that we regularly encourage students to engage some of these big questions really develops their theological understanding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grenz and Olson highlighted this concept of \u201cencounter \u2013 formation \u2013 expression\u201d for me in this book over and over again. They articulated that, \u201cGood theology always makes a difference in how Christians live, and it motivates them as well. As they come to know more about God and his relationship to the world, disciples of Christ are drawn to love God more. As they come to love God more, they desire to serve him more. Good theology always moves from the head to the heart and finally to the hand.\u201d[5]<\/a> In essence, the more we encounter God, the more we formulate new ways about loving God and God\u2019s people, which then cause us to serve both God and God\u2019s people.[6]<\/a> I think my students need to hear that theology might just be a way to encapsulate \u201cencounter \u2013 formation \u2013 expression\u201d in fancier words and that they are capable of theologizing too.<\/p>\n _________<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Stanley J. Grenz and Roger E. Olson, Who Needs Theology?: An Invitation to the Study of <\/em>God (Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 13, kindle edition<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Simon Sinek, \u201cHow Great Leaders Inspire Action\u201d (lecture at TEDxPuget Sound, May 2010). https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> \u201cAbout Us,\u201d Port City Church Wilmington, accessed November 28, 2018, https:\/\/www.pc3wilmington.org\/staff\/<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/simon-sineks-golden-circle-great-leaders-start-with-why-300x213.jpg\")
<\/a>Last night, I was training this year\u2019s short-term missions participants. We always start with \u201cWhy\u201d we do, because like Simon Sinek points out, if you can start with why, you better understand your purpose, cause, or belief.[2]<\/a> We do tell them that throughout their training process, they will learn more about \u201chow\u201d to do this work, and \u201cwhat\u201d it is they are doing will be continually defined. But if they understand their purpose, they will know why they exist.[3]<\/a> Part of the way we help them understand the \u201cwhy\u201d of our office is explaining that we use a model called \u201cEncounter \u2013 Formation \u2013 Expression\u201d[4]<\/a> which was developed by Mike Ashcraft, the Pastor of Port City Community Church in North Carolina. At its basic level, what we\u2019re hoping for is that all students have an encounter with the living God, themselves, one another, and their environment, which cause them to process that encounter through a formation of their awareness of new information, and bringing that into alignment with what they know about Scripture. Lastly, we hope and pray that this new information plays out through a different expression of themselves and their faith. It\u2019s why we do what we do.<\/p>\n