by tashmcgill | Feb 28, 2008 | eastercamp, god ideas, Uncategorized
There is a moment of the cross that sticks so wholeheartedly in my soul that I often return to it. Actually there are several, and this year, a long time in the waiting – we are visiting these moments of the cross several times at Eastercamp.
Tonight, feeling battered and bruised, I’m retreating home and creeping online momentarily to stop writing programme and ideas, and just to write ME for a little bit. I drank and dined with one of the Top Five tonight, like a smooth balm to the soul but a mix of mirth and myrrh.
“You’re so angry,” he said. I have nothing else to say to that. I do feel frustrated and angry about so many things that are small and trivial right now. I have so many dreams outside of my life. If only I had another 40 hours in the week to simply let thoughts unfold. Space for my brain is what’s required. There are too many things in my brain getting cramped.
So, lil’angry me is piling in on top of weary, soul hungry, touch-desperate me. And I’m going back to one of my favourite moments, when Christ looked into the eyes of a criminal, and offered him the solace that the Son of Man couldn’t take for himself.
I think that’s what I feel right now – the pain of giving what I do not have; peace, love and joy.
Hold on little one, hold on.
by tashmcgill | Feb 21, 2008 | Uncategorized
Today I’m wearing a matching underwear set. I think this is actually a first in my life. It happened by accident cos I got dressed in the dark, but still, Mum would be proud. 100 points on the girl scale to me. Now, if I can just manage that hair and makeup thing…
by tashmcgill | Feb 21, 2008 | eastercamp, Uncategorized, youth ministry
Around the world we cluster ourselves into various operating strata of community – small, medium and large. It’s one of the guiding principles of what makes Eastercamp work so well for youth communities of any size.
It’s a principle called Family : Village : Tribe based on the premise that civilisation (or insert suitable adjective) naturally organised itself into groups of 5-6 units, that are part of a slightly larger group of 20 – 25 units, which is part of a much larger collective of 150 units.
Example : Many cultures around the world organise their armies in formations as so.
Squad : 5 – 6 troops : Family : Small group or homegroup : Band
Platoon : 20 – 25 troops is the ultimate : Village : Youth group : Labelmates
Company : 150 troops : Tribe : Youth Community : Genre
Interesting reflections for business models, in regards to how we connect with other compatible businesses within the creative industry (film companies, printers, wed designers, artists, copywriters), and then within the broader context of our specialised sector.
Interesting reflections for youthworkers.
Who’s your family?
The 5 – 6 youth leaders on your team. You work together, you rely on each other. You connect relationally, emotionally, spiritually to the same centre hearth, the same values and beliefs. You’re regularly together through stronger bonds than friendship. There’s trust, security, accountability, support, respect and reliance with one another.
or
The 5 – 6 local youth workers that you connect with on a regular basis, supporting one another and working together. There’s a sense of trust, security, accountability, support, respect and reliance with one another. You’re connecting with the same kids, the same places on a regular basis. You rely on one another. You bicker and squabble but always make up.
Do you regularly sit around the dining table with your family? This is a great practice to get into. How do you welcome new members of the family? Are there family rituals that you initiate? Family culture of how it is in your neighbourhood?
Who’s your village?
The 20 – 25 youth workers in your town, the school counsellors, teachers and support staff. A range of denominations and values, different priorities and skills. Still, there’s a dependance on each other for connection and awareness. Things that are difficult with 5 – 6 are much more achievable with 20 – 25.
Do you recognise your village as a co-operative that must work together in order to survive? What do you have to offer your village, what does it have to offer you? Are there compatible and contrasting ministries that require ‘trade’ and communal benefit? Do you know what to do when someone new moves into the neighbourhood?
Who’s your tribe?
The 150 or so youth workers that make up your regional or national “team”. The collective that is shaping the future leadership and direction of your denomination. The big picture thinkers that are devising strategy for the overall movement/goals.
What does it mean to you to be part of your tribe? What are your defining characteristics?
Bigger Questions
What role do you and/or your ministry play in your family, your village and your tribe?
What is your unique contribution in each of those places?
Are you connected strongly in each of those areas? Which area needs work?
What aspect of your full community life is functioning best – big picture or up close? Does up close need to change in order to reflect the dream of big picture or vice versa?
by tashmcgill | Feb 20, 2008 | Uncategorized
…Choosing Your Words Carefully
I got slammed the other night over my choice of words. I am still trying to decide if it was a fair call or night. There are two teams that I operate in, and I was praising the relationships, atmosphere and ownership of the project of one team, to a member of the other. Said member, felt that my commentary on one team also housed a negative bias on the other. The basis of the argument is that because I’m a ‘crafter of words’ (his phrase, not mine), then the standards set for my words are much higher. His expectation is that I put the same amount of effort and craftsmanship into all my words and phrases.
The truth is, it’s just not so. I’m lazy, unstructured and unmotivated to construct all of my words so well. So lesson for the week, leadership is choosing your words well, regardless. Because it’s in the listening that you can’t rely on others.
by tashmcgill | Feb 19, 2008 | god ideas, Uncategorized
This is a direct quote from Henri Nouwen’s journal, The Inner Voice of Love. I am in a deep season of ‘not yet’, just as I was standing at the cusp of a new dawn. I have suffered deep heartbreak before, stunning disappointment, crushing loss. Nouwen is the brother and shepherd that guides me home to the Father. So in my moments of deep despair, I always turn to him in the hope of finding my way back.
I’ve been listening to the words of songsmiths and poets, and in the moments of my own entrapment, I’ve held on to the strength I never had before. I know who I am, even if I am not known. The timing of the Lord is an unusual thing, because when He is ready, and I am ready.. maybe it doesn’t matter if the others aren’t ready. Nothing goes to waste, so I am strengthened with the affirmation, that indeed this season will come to pass. Newness and hope is around the corner. Meanwhile.. I am living with Not Yet, and having to learn a new humility, waiting for Judas to catch up.
A part of you was left behind very early in your life: the part that never felt completely received. It is full of fears. Meanwhile, you grew up with many survival skills. But you want your self to be one. So you have to bring home the part of you that was left behind. That is not easy, because you have become quite a formidable person, and your fearful part does not know if it can safely dwell with you. Your grown-up self has to become very childlike – hospitable, gentle, and caring – so your anxious self can return and feel safe.
You complain that it is hard for you to pray, to experience the love of Jesus. But Jesus dwells in your fearful, never fully received self. When you befriend your true self and discover that it is good and beautiful, you will see Jesus mere. Where you are most human, most yourself, weakest, mere Jesus lives. Bringing your fearful self home is bringing Jesus home.
As long as your vulnerable self does not feel welcomed by you, it keeps so distant that it cannot show you its true beauty and wisdom. Thus, you survive without really living.
Try to keep your small, fearful self dose to you. This is going to be a struggle, because you have to live for a while with the ‘not yet’. Your deepest, truest self is not yet home. It quickly gets scared. Since your intimate self does not feel safe with you, it continues to look for others, especially those who offer it some real, though temporary, consolation. But when you become more childlike, it will no longer feel the need to dwell elsewhere. It will begin to look to you as home. Be patient. When you feel lonely, stay with your loneliness. Avoid the temptation to let your fearful self run off. Let it teach you its wisdom; let it tell you that you can live instead of just surviving. Gradua1ly you will become one, and you wi11 find that Jesus is living in your heart and offering you all you need.
Henri Nouwen
