Lead by Stepping Back

So as I finish my year at S. Luke’s UMC today, (31^st July), I am posting the final team building devotion for Florida City. The past two devotions where apart of this training, that sums up a lot of what the missions department aims to instill its volunteers before they go out to serve, and thus is a lot about what I have learnt the past months. Through helping others go through this training, I definitely have had my own eyes opened, as is the intention of it all.

As I looked back at “Leading by stepping back”, I thought a lot about what it means to not lead from the forefront, and how important this is, not only when doing a joint mission experience, but while working with youth, or within a community, or even just in our everyday lives. It is about empowering others, while working side by side with them.

Lead by Stepping Back

Okay, so I am awful with stepping back, absolutely awful. Two weeks into my internship I went on retreat with the young adult missional movement, up to Georgia. Two weeks in and I needed a break, I don’t know what that says about me, but hey. So while away we did the enneagram personality test. I came out as an eight (as did Ruth by the way) with a strong 9 wing. For those that can’t immediately translate that enneagram language, it reads that I am a “leader, or challenger” with a strong “peacekeeper” wing. This means I am self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace.  

This enneagram combination gives me the title “the Bear”, but the traits do mean that at even healthy levels, I can have difficulties in giving up power and leadership…. This came as a huge surprise to my roommates… but I do honestly have difficulties if I am not in some control of my work. So today’s topic of leading by stepping back is probably the least easy for myself to give a devotion over.

Last week we were looking at gifts and assets, and in the excellent exercise that Adam did, we saw how Branches likely have as much to offer us, for our needs, as we have to offer to their needs. We are all equals and thus one group is not the leader of the other, we are all a part of one body of workers, and cookers, and child minders. We are all working together.

We read:

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

¹² Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. ¹³ We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Certainly the body isn’t one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? ¹⁶ If the ear says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not an eye,” does that mean it’s not part of the body?¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God has placed each one of the parts in the body just like he wanted. ¹⁹ If all were one and the same body part, what would happen to the body? ²⁰ But as it is, there are many parts but one body. ²¹ So the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” or in turn, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”²² Instead, the parts of the body that people think are the weakest are the most necessary. ²³ The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we honor the most. The private parts of our body that aren’t presentable are the ones that are given the most dignity. ²⁴ The parts of our body that are presentable don’t need this. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the part with less honor ²⁵ so that there won’t be division in the body and so the parts might have mutual concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it. ²⁷ You are the body of Christ and parts of each other. ²⁸ In the church, God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, the ability to help others, leadership skills, different kinds of tongues. ²⁹ All aren’t apostles, are they? All aren’t prophets, are they? All aren’t teachers, are they? All don’t perform miracles, do they?³⁰ All don’t have gifts of healing, do they? All don’t speak in different tongues, do they? All don’t interpret, do they? ³¹ Use your ambition to try to get the greater gifts. 

Just think on this. We are all a part of one body of believers, all of us, Branches Florida City and St. Luke’s, (Churches in Belfast, and Bangor, Northern Ireland and America) neither is greater than the other, neither has greater leadership skills than the other, neither has greater construction skills than the other, neither has greater knowledge than the other. We all have our individual skills and personality types, but together our skill sets are so wide and varied, there is no one skill or personality that overshadows the rest. This is the same for the team we will be joining in Fl City, there will be no one dominant skill. This means neither we are them are capable of leading the charge, being at the forefront in everything. Leading about stepping back isn’t just about giving others the chance to grow, or better themselves, it is also about admitting to ourselves, we can't do this alone. We cannot do it all. So when we lead by stepping back we really are leading, by being a team together, St. Luke’s and Florida City. We will be one team!

So before we leave Friday, if you haven’t already, take a personality test, do the enneagram test, or something, just to look at yourself a little closer, and then think “how will I become part of the bigger team, knowing this about myself?” 

Try taking a minute to think how this can be applied to:

1. Your home life
2. Social life
3. Work life
4. Church life

Peace,

Owain Campton

Skills and Assets

So here is a devotion I did earlier in the year, that I have been thinking on recently. I want to share it with you, but here is an idea, if you can, re-read this with another, or in a group of three or more, and discuss the questions, because I do think it is important to appreciate other’s skills and assets, and encourage others, but also it is equally important to look at your own skills, and think on how they can be used in your life and the life of the church.

This was written and lead by myself before going to Florida City with a group of different ages, to go help build a playground with the Branches community. Although it is based around the gifts and assets found by many at St. Luke’s, gifts and assets are very much universal, so also very applicable to Northern Ireland, as I will discuss in a later post, that I'm trying to lead to. Basically I am pulling from my previous work, so one, you can see what I have been doing, but two, lead you in my thought process, so I can share with you what I have learnt, and you can see and understand how I got to that point.

Skills and Assets

1 Peter 4:9-11

9 Open your homes to each other without complaining. 10 And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. 11 Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.

Colossians 3:17

17 Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.

Luke 21:1-4

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.

So I came here in October, but prior to that I had a number of sessions with Britt Gilmore, who is a pastor in Northern Ireland, who went over as a missionary from here at St. Luke’s.

In these sessions we had dinner with his family and then would sit down with him, the American use to Northern Irish culture, his wife Alison, the Northern Irish one use to American culture, and me the blissfully unaware intern to be. No I did have an idea about American culture, but these sessions were set as a cultural preparation session.

One of the things Britt said was “Now Owain, Americans are rather self-assured in their talents, they don’t hold back on how good they think they are. Whereas you all are rather held back, and shy away from compliments.”

So from that stand point this devotion on “Gifts and Assets” should be easy, because you all are so self-assured on what you’re good at! (This said of course to americans!)

Truth is we do all have skills and assets, so quick in your groups I want you to discus, what you think your gifts are, and I want everyone to say at least one!

Now you have all discussed what your skills are I want you to think, how could this be used in the context of Florida City, and how it could be used here, at St Luke’s? (Think on how your skills could be used at your local church or community outreach centre!)

We read

10 And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.

As well as

17 Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.

This tells us that

1.       Our gifts come from God

2.       We should use our gifts to represent and please God here

3.       And everyone has gifts

Now I showed you that clip from the under rated film Megamind, where he is trying to find a way to use his skills to impress the class, but can’t find away, because the young Metroman’s skills keep over shadowing his.

Last week I was on retreat and in our reading, I came across this passage

“Here we touch the most important quality of Christian leadership in the future. It is not a leadership of power and control, but a leadership of powerlessness and humility...” “Leadership in which power is constantly abandoned in favour of love” “most of us still feel that, if we have anything at all to show….” “…we have to do it solo, and make it a spectacle”

Our gifts don’t need to be shown as huge gestures of power in faith, to make everyone say “oh look at so and so, aren’t they so good”, like metroman making the popcorn, but we can use our skills together to follow the call to give up power, and be vulnerable humans, and show love. You shouldn’t look at others and think, like Megamind did, “man their gifts are so much greater than mine”, they aren’t. God gives us all gifts, talents, and assets, though some may show them outwardly, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use your gifts, to quietly build the kingdom here.

We look also at Luke 21, and we see that it doesn’t matter how large the gift or asset, if we give it fully to God, it will please him. Like in the how to be rich series how it talks on “God looks at percentages!” If we give our all, and put a large percentage of our time and effort, if we put all the time and energy we can, just like the poor Widow, into the work we are doing here at St. Luke’s or in Florida City, it will please God.

So here is my challenge for you, go from this place and look at the time you spend during your day, or week, and see if you can break down the time you spend at school, work, eating, sleeping, resting, and how much of that time you spend in worship, service, or prayer. Then maybe look at if you can do the latter more so.

Making Poverty Personal

Devotions

So here is a devotion I did earlier in the year, that I have been thinking on recently. I want to share it with you, but here is an idea, if you can, re-read this with another, or in a group of three or more, and discuss the questions, because I certainly found it interesting how we all have different views of poverty and those in poverty, and its the act of seeing that even those we would see as being in our own social circle, or what not, have different views, that helps open our eyes to our own view on poverty, and a wider look at societies view on it.

This was written and lead by myself before going to Florida City with a group of different ages, to go help build a playground with the Branches community. Although it is based around poverty in America, it is also very applicable to Northern Ireland poverty, as I will discuss in a later post, that I'm trying to lead to. Basically I am pulling from my previous work, so one, you can see what I have been doing, but two, lead you in my thought process, so I can share with you what I have learnt, and you can see and understand how I got to that point.

Florida City Memorial Day Weekend Training

Making Poverty Personal

Take a look at this first!

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40

³⁴ “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. ³⁵ I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. ³⁶ I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? ³⁸ When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear?³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’

Mini-Message

What is it that comes to your mind when the term Global Poverty is used? Africa, poor, Less economically developed countries? What about when the term Local Poverty is used? Benefits, Handouts, minority communities?

Let’s quickly debunk some basic misconception’s, though I am sure you all already know this all.

1.    The US poverty level was as of 2014, 14.3%, that means of the people on that will be going on this trip, statistically 5 would be in poverty. (NB we had somewhere between 35-40 people on this experience)

2.    Poverty does not just occur in pocket communities, within nearly every neighbourhood there will be people facing issues that make it hard for them to keep their heads above water.

3.    The majority in poverty are not there due to “lack of effort”, generational poverty exists massively here.

4.    Those in poverty are not just looking for handouts.

So I want you to think about these four points, and in knowing that think to yourselves, what is my mission as an ambassador of Christ?

We are called in the passage I read, to help everyone, where we see need we are called to help. So we need our eyes to be wide open to the need around us, and a lot of the time it is not going to be fully evident, and others it will be, but we need to be able to see those in need and know that no matter the situation we are called to help.

I want you in small groups of four or five to answer on these four questions. (You can do this alone at home…)

1.    What do you view as poverty?

2.    What are some areas of poverty, that people even in your community may be facing?

3.    What are some judgments I am quick to pass on people who need help, that I should try to drop here?

4.    How will you help support each other as a team (or support those you live or work with), to stop quick judgments, and to help do what this passage was talking about?

Here is one more question for you all to take away with you.

What am I going to look out for this week, to try help me identify those in need, And to help stop myself passing judgment on others?

Prayer

God we thank you for the time we got to spend together this eve, preparing to work with our brothers and sisters in Florida City, and we hope that you can bestow onto us the ability to see the world through your eyes, that we may see those who need help, and that you also help strengthen us to fulfil what you have asked of us.

We bring all our worries, and our judgments, that we may have, and we lay them in your arms, knowing you are the great provider, and sustainer. That with you we do not need to worry.

Let us go back to our weeks, full of your spirit, ready to help build your kingdom here, and everywhere we go.

In your Sons holy name we pray.

Amen

That is the end of the devotion, but I did find this video that I thought was interesting, from a UK stance on the public's view on Poverty



Peace,

Owain Campton

A Letter Home

Before the letter I will give a little information. This was written and sent on June 22nd, of this year. Many from my home church will have already read it, but it contains a snippet of what I have been up to between my last update blog and now.

Hello,

                Is it me you’re looking for? Okay maybe now isn’t the time for Lionel Richie lyrics.

So let me start this letter by apologising for my disappearance from my blog and lack of communication with back home. It has been about three months since my last blog post, and honestly I have been neglecting the importance of letting “Y’all” (yup still using American colloquialisms) know how I am doing.

So I am coming into my final month of working at St. Luke’s UMC and very hesitant about the fact I am having to leave so soon, don’t get me wrong I want to see you all back home, but I have made many connections, and friends here, that I really wish I could somehow bring home and here together.

So what have you missed, well my supervisor in youth ministry has moved on to take a congregation of his own, as he becomes an associate pastor at another church. This has led to two new youth directors coming on, a Gent called Zac, has become the new director of middle school ministries, (the equivalent of p7 through third year). He is, of course completely mad, as you have to be, to work with middle schoolers. Though I would say he is truly excellent, and I am excited to see how the St. Luke’s Middle School Youth develops in the future. A Lady named Caryn, has taken over the High school and young adult ministries, and with her being a member of the church already, I could think of nobody whom would be more ideal for the role.

In missions the mission experience I had been working on since January came together, and we ( a group of about 40 people, of all ages), travelled down to Florida City and worked with the community to build a playground down at Branches UMC. This was over memorial day weekend, and took a lot of energy as we moved tons upon tons of mulch to lay down a protective layer around all the equipment. It was tiring, but immensely fun. I also got to lead a worship group consisting of two St. Luke’s youth, Pedro, and a few Branches musicians, in the Sunday morning service. In the past few weeks I have had more and more time to lead the St. Luke’s Youth worship, and has given me great pleasure in using my music to help guide the youth in their faith journeys.

I have also been continuing my work with the missions council,  in which they try to define the missions criteria, based around St. Luke’s 4D vision. This also has involved looking at their Belfast mission partnerships, and seeing how we change, without losing our partnerships, so that they fit with our vision. So I have enjoyed the chance to help with that home connection, and hopefully over the next month will help set some more things in place to make a difference, both back home, and here.

I went on an excellent retreat to Atlanta with the YAMMERs which involved going to the MLK centre, which was a very moving and powerful exhibition, that all should see if they can. I also went to the CDC (centre for disease control) museum, which was also fascinating to see how our understanding of diseases has changed over the years, from cancer to HIV, right through to Smallpox.

I finish work at St. Luke’s on the 31^st of July, and will be returning home the 15^th of August. I ask for prayers for my friend and pastor Jenn, still, as she has just had her final surgery, in this battle against what she refers to as “Stupid” (Cancer). Please keep her family in your prayers as well, that they maintain their strength as well. Asking for prayers for the other Co-lead pastor, Bill Barnes, as he ends his time in ordained ministry and moves on to other things. Finally please pray for me, that as I try to follow God’s path for me, and leave this place, for the next in my life journey, that I don’t find it to difficult.

I continue my prayers for South Belfast Methodist, and Belfast as we move into the season of parades and bonfires, that peace will prevail through the time.

Peace,

Owain Campton

Hashtag Agapé

So you haven't heard from me in ages, and I'm sorry. The honest reason was because I didn't make time to communicate with yous all, because I was finding it harder to want to put down some of my feelings on paper (well, blog) because sometimes it made it too real, or sometimes I didn't want to let people know that at times I was having some issues. Truth is I'm fine, just at times was homesick, or worried about going home, totally two ends of a spectrum, but still.
I decided to try and post one story ever couple of days about my stay here until I leave, good luck to me!

Today my story is prompted by just stopping at one of St. Luke's mission partners to worship after being on retreat. This was Branches, in Florida City. Now I have travelled here twice this year before today. Once was over MLK weekend, to help with Florida City love yourself, in which I did a lot of gardening with the youth, and moved a stupidly heavy cast iron bell with Andrew. The second was ove Memorial Day weekend, on an inter generational  mission experience, in which St. Luke's missions department took a group of people to Branches to work along side the community building a playground. I had the privilege to play with the worship band that
weekend. It was amazing. Anyhow I digress.

Today (Sunday 26th July) the roommates and I left our retreat in the keys to make our way back to YAMM-lando, for a youth lake day, we stopped at Branches, to worship, and honestly to just say hey to some friends that some of us won't get to see again for a long time. Today was their celebration of  "Summer Shade"
which is their Vacation Bible School, and it was great to be able to see the kids and youth singing, dancing and giving praise to God, and they do it with this feeling of such honesty, as in they didn't seem to hold anything back to try act all "cool" or what not, they just praised, and that's something that I really love about Branches. During the service the kids recalled some of their summer chant followed by "hashtag (#) agapé" and I found this really awesome, coming from a church back home (Belfast south Methodist) who worship in the Agapé centre.
It got me really thinking on the  word.
Of course we all know agapé is the Greek for "love: the highest form of love, especially brotherly love, charity; the love of God for man and of man for God" (from Wikipedia: the fountain of all semi-accurate knowledge). To see this term both sides of the Atlantic makes me mindful that Love is global! God loves all, and we are called to love all as well. My whole year I have tried to focus personally on the passage from John 13:34 "a new command I give you; love one another. As I have loved you love one another!" Don't underestimate how hard that it is to do so, especially when someone finishes the last of the sunny delight and all you want is sunny delight.... But for real, it is difficult. So seeing agapé today helped me remember that love is global, and we are all linked. We sometimes find it easier either to focus within our local community, or only focus on "world issues", but we need to look at both, because they are linked, and this is something I want to look at in my next blog post. We need to love locally and globally we need to love family and non family, we need to love in all things we do. God's love is agapé. We are called to show agapé love to all.