become a student again

January 25, 2008

I was a horrible college student. I had music on the brain. The irony is that I’m now working at that same college as an instructor and coordinator for a worship program there. Talk about having to prove myself…

Post-Nashville, God called me back into local church ministry and within a month’s time - although the interview process should have tipped me off - I realized I was in a bit over my head with certain folks who were resistant to some things I was doing. So I started to pray. I started to talk to the staff at my church. And I started reading. And I read and read and read.

I haven’t stopped.

Something clicked those 4 years after graduating from college that for me to honor God with my mind, I had to become a student again. And a real student at that. One that could take things like theology, worship, etc. and discern how that knowledge truly intersects with life and ministry.

If you’ve been following the blog of Ron Martoia - former pastor of progressive Westwinds Church in Jackson, MI and author of Static and Morph - you’ll know he is sharing axioms regarding his personal spiritual rhythms.

His most recent axiom caught my eye and is one I think we would all do well to consider, especially those in leadership roles. Check it:

Axiom # 3
Life long learning is a non negotiable for development and creativity.

I am going to be honest with you, this just happens far to infrequently. Not only does it not happen in the life of the average American (the number of Americans who actually buy non fiction to read is woefully small. The number who actually read more than the first chapter - miniscule) it happens as rarely in ministry.

I am not unrealistic in realizing the average person in ministry should have a balance between the various spheres of life. But never read a theology book? Never consider what is emerging in the world of cultural critique? Never consider a consistent practice of familiarizing themselves with cutting edge leadership and semiotics? This sort of laziness is just a recipe for church malaise; a vibe more common than anyone would like to admit. And it is a prescription for a boring, self absorbed person.

This is the single practice that has kept me fresh over the years. (the next post I will talk to you about THE most important practice you could daily engage to revolutionize your life) You don’t have to read three books a week, listen to 12 podcasts and surf cultural trend websites daily. But you do need an intentional plan.

What areas will you become an expert in over the next 10 years (take the long view)? Why not commit right now to one full day in bookstore getting book reading ideas and creative insights? How much time will you commit to taking new material whatever the format it takes? Input may be the most important determinate in creative flow.

Life long learning is not only the way to remain at an exciting place but it is the source of creative injection for the primary vocation into which you are living at the moment. Your ability to enact, creatively shift, and think beyond the box to the sphere or pyramid is dependent on your commitment to input. Go for it!!

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