1. Challenge the status quo…it’s profitable, and fun
2. Have faith that failure won’t destroy you
3. When you fall in love with the system, you lose the ability to grow
4. The easiest thing to do is react, the second easiest thing to do is respond. The hardest thing to do is initiate.

I’m scared of a lot of stuff…

but things like failure, sounding silly when public speaking and not knowing the answer really aren’t that bad if I zoom out and view my “fears” from a different perspective. In fact experiencing fear almost always leads me to personal growth.

For example, failure with a project is actually applauded in my line of work, assuming I’m taking steps of faith to see our mission fulfilled. Public speaking actually sharpens my thinking and forces me to depend on the Lord (and no one really remembers more than 2 sentences I say anyway). Not knowing an answer to a question is a chance for me to demonstrate authenticity and humility in a way that will possibly open up doors for the Gospel to go forth.

It’s an upside down perspective really. Sound crazy right? Giving thanks for the opportunity to realize our fears? …sheesh!

So when I can’t see beyond the giant fear right before, the question is how can I  live upside down?

FYI: I’m also afraid of spiders. I haven’t figured out how to conquer this fear yet.

Photo: Bernat Casero

This is the 4th post from the ‘Cowtown to Urban Hipster’ series chronicling our transition from small college town campus ministry to large metro area with multiple campuses and 100k students. Feel free to engage in the comments, your collaboration is wanted!

The battle for clarity and simplicity is raging. Stepping into the metro ministry form a traditional campus environment instantly means an increase in complexity. Multiple campuses, volunteers and an abundance of ministry opportunities and partnerships. Half the battle we’re facing right now is knowing when to say no.

The strategy of our ministry is being developed, but we’re still in the birthing stages. I want to be open to where God is leading, but I fear getting bogged down with things that blur our focus and keep us from engaging students with the message of Christ. The result of this complexity pushes me toward crystallizing what I would like our ministry to be about then blowing that horn loudly and as often as possible. So what’s our DNA you ask?

Campus Crusade for Christ in Portland Oregon is about winning students to Christ, building them up in their faith and sending them into the world to live a life of impact for the King. In other words we’re about Spiritual Multiplication. We want to see Christ change students lives and see those students turn around and be used by God to help change others lives. That’s it.  That’s the vision we think will help change the world. That’s how we discern what to say yes to.

So the methods and strategy might be in flux, but the vision and DNA of our ministry remain. In fact our team is probably crazy enough to try just about anything, as long as it moves us toward that vision of Win, Build, Send and Spiritual Multiplication.

I want your help! What are your best tips for keeping clarity in your ministry’s vision, but being open to new possibilities?

Photo courtesy of Jimee