Leadership is a term that is thrown around very often, especially in seminaries, churches, and missionary organizations. We talk about “youth leaders”; we go on “leadership retreats”; there’s even a section in the book store on “leadership.” A search of Lifeway’s website with the term “leadership” turns up 541 product results and 80 articles. Much has been said about the topic of leadership because of its importance for effectiveness in ministry, business, and government.
Right now, many are evaluating the leadership traits of the candidates for president of the United States. We are all observing the leadership qualities of those who want to be president, scrutinizing everything they do and say, trying to find those qualities we believe are necessary to run the country.
It is important for cross-cultural workers to understand leadership and to develop personal leadership in their ministries. In the next few posts, I’m going to share with you some qualities I believe are important for cross-cultural youth missions. They come from my experience, and they are qualities that I try to live by in my daily life and ministry.
This is the introduction to one of the many conferences I am giving in Louisville. See the other parts of the series:
I’ll be speaking multiple times in Louisville next week for Youth Emphasis Week at the International Center for Youth Ministry. Although the schedule looks overwhelming and grueling, I’m looking forward to speaking about what’s happening in Latin America and youth ministry. It will be a great change of pace to speak in English.
The topics I have been given to speak on in classes are:
- Strategies That Work in the US & Internationally
- Am I Called to Youth Missions?
- Cross-Cultural Missions: Partnering with National Entities
- Youth Culture in Cuba
- Programming in Mexico
- Leadership for Effective Youth Missions
- The Family Life of Mexican Young People
- A Non-American’s Perspective of Americans
I’m hoping to post here the notes for these sessions so you can read them and respond as well. I’m looking forward to interact with the few who read this blog on these topics.
(Image by sixs†eps on flickr)
Have you ever wondered what they do with all the t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other merchandise that is printed up in case the losers of the super bowl are the winners? Where do all those “World Champion New England Patriots” shirts go?
Since they can’t be sold in the United States, they are given to less fortunate people all over the world.
According to this article, the apparel will be shipped to World Vision’s distribution center in Pittsburgh, and then it will get distributed to needy families all over the world.
According to their website, World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. They work in more than 100 countries all over the world.
I think it’s great that the NFL teams, even though they lost on the field, can be a part of helping clothe people who are in need off the field. I think a lot of sports stars are recognizing the impact they can have because of their status. I hope more will continue to see what they can do.
Image by: TKnoxb
I’m back in Mexico for a few days. Let me tell you, it’s really great to finally be home after so many weeks of being away. Of course, I don’t have much time to enjoy it because I’ve been invited to go to Kentucky to share at Youth Emphasis Week at Boyce College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
I leave on Saturday and will return 10 days later, on Monday. Then we will be able to get back into a routine and get prepared for next quarter’s seminary classes as well as all the other plans we have for this year. The good news is that Janell will be joining me in Kentucky for a few days (she’s in Florida right now). I’m looking forward to having her there with me.
(thumbnail by: Carribb on flickr)
