ACSD 2012 Conference App

Posted on May 25, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Today’s ACSD Conference email update indicated that we had an app coming soon. Well, it’s here!

We used Guidebook to build an app for the conference, accessible from your Blackberry, Android phone, iPhone, or iPod touch. This will provide a handy way to refer to the conference schedule, get alerts, or create your own personalized conference schedule on your mobile device. We’ll continue to improve the app experience throughout the preparation for ACSD 2012. Perhaps best of all, it’s free!

Click here to get Guidebook, and the ACSD 2012 Conference app!

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Posted in Resources

Eucharistic Prayer C

Posted on May 21, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Written by Steve Austin of Taylor University

At the Episcopal Church I attend, we have prayed Eucharistic Prayer C twice this month. This morning, before we begin, Father Jim can’t help himself and wryly shares Prayer C’s nickname: The “Star Trek” prayer. It is hard to argue with as the opening lines use of “interstellar space, Galaxies, and suns…” with earth being referred to as “our island home” can feel more like a campy, space TV show voice over than something out of The Book of Common Prayer. Like a juvenile, I chuckle my way through the first part, imagining William Shatner leading us with Leonard Nimoy standing at the ready.

 
However, just like most of the liturgy I have read and shared in over the past two years, I am struck by specific words and phrases, feeling both the weight of their conviction and lightness of their freedom. This morning I am most haunted by a beautiful and challenging thought: “Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal.” Yes, Lord, forgive me of this presumption and grant me your strength and renewal, too.

Eucharistic Prayer C

God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of
glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.

At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of
interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses,
and this fragile earth, our island home.
By your will they were created and have their being.

From the primal elements you brought forth the human race,
and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us
the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed
your trust; and we turned against one another.
Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets
and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the
fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to
fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.
By his blood, he reconciled us.
By his wounds, we are healed.

And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly
chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all
those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to
proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and
made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before
you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the
blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and
said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do
this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and
said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new
Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the
forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the
remembrance of me.”

Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this
sacrifice of thanksgiving,
We celebrate his death and resurrection,
as we await the day of his coming.

Lord God of our Fathers: God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our
eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver
us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace
only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for
renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one
body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the
world in his name.
Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus
Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the
Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship,
from generation to generation. AMEN.

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Posted in Cultivating Wisdom, Spirituality

Saying Goodbye

Posted on May 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Written by Julie Cline of Taylor University

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

It is that time of year for all of us involved in Student Development— it is time to say our goodbyes.

For the past four years, or possibly more, you have invested in students who will soon be leaving to embark on a new adventure.

For some, you cannot count the numbers of goodbyes with students you have had in your lifetime. For others, we are still new to the experience of saying goodbye to students.

Regardless of how many times they have happened in your life, goodbyes hurt. A paradox where you do not want the student to go, but you also know that they cannot stay. At the same time, you cannot wait to see who they will become.

During this time of year I always think of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

For such a time as this, we have invested and poured into our students. Our hope is that everything we have taught them will be an encouragement in their tough years ahead.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

Part of this experience is exciting too. We trust that we are sending incredible people out into the world to make an impact far beyond what we can imagine. We see God’s work in their lives and dream of the ways that He will choose to use each of them.

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.

But we also know that life is not easy, and that is one of the harder parts of goodbye. Knowing that we cannot be there for them in the ways that we have been in past. Because there will be times when things don’t happen the way they expect.

I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.

This is when we trust that our prayers will continue to encourage and carry them through. Oftentimes students are wiser than what we think they are—especially when they need to be.

Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.

Ultimately, we have instilled in them what we can. We thank God for the opportunity we have had to be a part of a life that we expect to do great things in the name of Jesus.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…

you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

Today remember those whom you have built connections with both recently and long ago. Pray that the Lord would give them wisdom wherever in the world they may go.

Dr. Seuss. Oh, the places you’ll go!. (2010). New York: Random House.

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Posted in Culture

Dark Nights

Posted on April 7, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Written by Josiah Hatfield of Taylor University

The Dark Night of the Soul is an idea introduced by Spanish mystic, St. John. It deals with those times where one feels distant and disconnected from the Lord, either because of external reasons or because of no reason at all. It is a time of pain and difficulty. And it is a part of the Christian walk. Here at Taylor, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that we’ve felt a little bit of this.

Today, as I journeyed through my first Stations of the Cross experience, I re-recognized the need to dwell in this place of sadness when it comes. It is an odd place to be and doesn’t sit well with my desire to quickly pass over the grief and move straight to the redemption.

Regardless, as we said at each Station of the Cross,

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

(For a current interpretation of the Dark Night of the Soul, check out an album put out by a variety of non-Christian musicians that reflects this idea.)

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Posted in Culture, Spirituality

Introversion, wisdom, and leadership

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

“When it comes to creativity and to leadership we need introverts doing what they do best.”

So says Susan Cain about three and a half minutes into the above video. Indeed, too often we neglect the introvert in decision-making or confuse introversion with timidity. If reflection and solitude are valuable, let us encourage those practices and value the input of those who excel at such traits.

Susan Cain’s book, QUIET: The Power of Introverts In a World That Can’t Stop Talking, as well as the above TED Talk, detail her experience as an introvert, as well as the importance of recognizing and utilizing the value of introverts in leadership.

Susan Cain’s website

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Posted in Cultivating Wisdom, Culture, Resources

Wisdom of Endurance

Posted on March 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Written by Steve Beers of John Brown University

I have only run one marathon in my life and the day after I ran it I threw away my running shoes.  It is not an understatement to suggest that although I finished the race, crossed the event off my “bucket list” and gained a bit of bragging rights (until someone starts comparing finishing times), I did not enjoy the experience.

But even the difficult life experiences are full of lessons.  The wisdom gained that day that moves to the front of the pack of memories each time I recall that epic event is “pace yourself,” keep moving even if it seems to be slow, and accept the assistance of others.

Pace yourself – The obvious illustration is that marathons are not sprints and therefore you need to pace yourself if you wish to succeed.  One simple life pacing discipline is to keep the Sabbath.  There is a reason God instructs us to rest and even partakes of it Himself.

Keep moving even if it is really slow keeping your eyes on the goal – By the 17th mile the mechanics of my running looked like a walking-jog.  With almost a third of the run still in front of me it seemed insurmountable.  But my goal was to complete the race, and each step no matter how slow was a step closer to the finish line.

Accept assistance from others – at about the 17th mile my wife began to run with me.  This was originally in the play book but I had no idea of how important this was going to be.  Her encouragement, along with the folks at the water/food stations enabled me to keep moving forward.

The writer of the book of Hebrews sums it up this way “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Winter will soon be a cold memory and in less than a few months we will be sending a new class of world restorers into the broken cosmos.

See you at the finish line.

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Posted in Cultivating Wisdom

Learning from the Old Philosophers

Posted on March 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Written by Julie Cline of Taylor University

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”  —Confucius

Why is it that when philosophers like Confucius speak people listen?

Simply stated, because men like Aristotle, Plato, Augustine, and Confucius not only sought wisdom, but they shared it with the world. Regardless of whether you believe differently than these men, it cannot be denied that their words made a difference.

In processing this quote I first wanted to know the definitions of the three main ‘methods’.

Reflection:

re·flec·tion      [ri-flek-shuhn]   noun

  • A fixing of the thoughts on something; careful consideration.

Imitate:

im·i·tate           [im-i-teyt]    noun

  • To follow or endeavor to follow as a model or example: to imitate an author’s style; to imitate an older brother.

Experience:

ex·pe·ri·ence   [ik-speer-ee-uhns]    noun, verb

  • The process or fact of personally observing, encountering, or undergoing something: business experience.

( http://dictionary.reference.com/)

 “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”  —Confucius

First, by reflection, which is noblest—

Before one is considered wise, he/she must take time to process not only their personal thoughts and ideals, but also the thoughts and ideals of others with more life experience.

Reflection demands an extreme amount of discipline, in that it requires a person to not do, but simply be.

Second, by imitation, which is easiest—

For one to observe and then do is quite possibly a very simply thing. However at times our culture enforces an ideal of creation and underestimates the power of imitation. Imitation takes reflection and makes it active.

Third by experience, which is the bitterest— Most often, we learn the greatest amount of wisdom during life’s hardest moments. We can choose what to reflect upon, we can choose what/whom we imitate, but we do not get to choose what we experience. Many of the experiences are beyond our control and by human nature not having control is one of the hardest things. However, experience can yield some of the greatest results, by way of encountering some of the roughest roads. We have to take these experiences and find the wisdom in them.

Take Confucius’ advice from so long ago and practice these three methods of cultivating wisdom this week.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Reflections on Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 25, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Written by Lisa Barber of Taylor University

This past week was Ash Wednesday, a century’s old Church tradition that marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of fasting leading to Easter.

In the Ash Wednesday service, we took time to remember our mortality. We acknowledged that God created us out of dust and that we shall return to dust. We prayed this prayer from The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

The words we recited remind me of the theme for ACSD- Cultivating Wisdom. The video asks the question, “Where is the life we’ve lost in living? The cycles of heaven and 20 centuries have only brought us farther from God and nearer to the dust.”

I hope that during this season of Lent, we can acknowledge that we are dust. I hope this reality does not discourage us, but brings us closer to God – closer to the reality that our life is a gracious gift.

May we echo the question in the video, “What can be saved?” and answer, “We can all be about cultivation.”

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Posted in Spirituality

Sherry Turkle: Alone Together

Posted on February 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

In the above video, Sherry Turkle addresses they way we are shaped by digital technologies, and specifically how such technologies impact our relationships.

Dr. Turkle’s wisdom has relevance to both our personal and professional relationships, especially as we, our peers, and students are increasingly inundated with devices.

Learn more about Sherry Turkle, and her book, Alone Together, here.

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Posted in Cultivating Wisdom, Resources

Call for Programs Deadline Extended

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | 1 Comment

A quick message from the program committee.

Thank you to all of those that have submitted program proposals. We are going to extend the deadline to this Friday, February 17, 2012.

We should heed Solomon’s words (Proverbs 3:21-22a) to seek out wisdom in our lives in order to be effective Christian professionals in student development. We have developed five conference workshop tracks based on wisdom and student development. Our hope is that program submissions will illuminate research, experiences, theories, and principles that will facilitate the development of wisdom in the lives and vocations of conference participants. Please follow this link to find information regarding the workshop tracks and program submission instructions.

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Posted in General Information