Personal Evangelism

This weekend I had the privilege of attending a prayer breakfast with the men of my church. We hold this event once each month on the 2nd Saturday morning at 8:00am. Yesterday, we happened to study about personal evangelism. Our launching scripture was Matthew 28: 18-20: "Go therefore and make disciple...teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." This is paraphrase of the scripture, but the gist is we must be examples of Christ in our everyday walk and leadership styles. It is a matter of our Christian duty. I learned on yesterday that we cannot ignore the fact that it is our duty to evangelize. As a matter of duty we cannot sit back and wait on others to act, we must act because the need is great. I also learned that in our evangelism we must be humble and approach lost person with truth that is spoken with meekness and kindness. Evangelism is truly leading with the soul.

NMSA Conference

Cohort 4!!! How's everyone doing. Hope everyone has had a productive week. I was in Baltimore, Ma. last Wednesday through Saturday attending the National Middle School Association Annual Conference. What a learning experience it was. I attending sessions on new technology innovations and leadership strategies by Alan November, Sean Covey and Rick Wormeli. If you are not middle school, you may not have heard of these notable authors. November works in a reform school off the coast of Masschuesettes and offered some insight into those parts of my dissertation that deal with technology integration in an alternative learning environment. Sean Covey is the son of Stephen Covey and has written a book entitled, "7 Habits of Effective Teens". Covey's session was eye-opening, as I had read his book as a part of a book study last year on my campus...but having the author share personal reflections and insights was very invaluable. I was able to talk with him following the session and got contact information to use for my study. Rick Wormeli is just simply an amazing author and motivational speaker. He gave me tips on campus leadership and strategies to bring the dissenters on my campus on board. He very effectively used Story as a way to teach and present his message. If you have never heard him, please try to do so the next time he is in your area.

The conference overall was very productive. I also attended a couple of sessions on cyberbullying and sexual harrassment. What was most rewarding was when Alan November referenced Daniel Pink as a colleague who bounced ideas off of him. One thing notable he said that really stuck with and had me reflect back on A Whole New Mind related to one of the 6 Senses Pink mentioned in the book. November asked the audience, "what is the number 1 skill needed in the 21st Century for students to be successful?"...answer...Empathy. I was blown away by this. I had voted for collaboration...thinking that must be the answer...such a right brain answer. But as he explained, empathy is even more right brain than collaboration. November explained that in this global society students will need to know what cultural n0rms and values others bring to the collaboration/negotiation table before any effective global change is to ever occur.