Resignation

I started this blog in late September 2010 in my role as facilitator of the UT Christian Faculty Network as a way of building community and resources for faculty who were unable to come to our weekly gatherings, and realized quickly that being an online asynchronous resource meant that it could reach faculty (and others!) around the world, and that has both borne out and borne fruit, a very exciting development.

After about four and a half years or so of leading the UT group, I have stepped down from that position, effective with the end of this semester. A main reason for doing so is simply to take a break. Another reason is to allow and encourage others to step up and try new ideas. This is something I’ve been planning to do for about a year, so it is neither sudden nor due to a sudden problem in the group.

I will continue to be very active in CFN, and of course, this change will have no impact on the Scholar Redeemer. I just felt it appropriate to communicate to you, the readers, of the change in my role in the group, as evidenced by the updated profile to the right.

I am looking forward to having additional time to focus on other things, including forming and implementing new ideas into my teaching duties, some of which may find their way here.

Please continue to lift our faculty ministry, those at other institutions, and faculty in general up in prayer. We all need it desperately.

SDG

Wanted: Community

Several years ago, a group of new faculty from across UT decided to intentionally stay in touch after new faculty orientation. I somehow managed to join them even though I’d been there two years already. The group still gets together infrequently. Tonight was a ‘newer faculty happy hour’ at a popular watering hole near campus.

It was good to see some of the old crowd and meet some of the new. I seem to be the only Christian in the group, so I don’t always feel like I fit in. However, I was talking with a Chinese faculty member there from the Accounting department. She has been at UT for two years, and this group are her only friends in Austin outside her department. But she doesn’t come often because she doesn’t drink.

Old School

Think back to the time when you first decided you wanted to be a professor. What did you imagine it would be like?

Hours in the lab or library finding either new cutting-edge or ancient discoveries?

Drawing new conclusions from apparently tired out data?

Teaching starry-eyed students waiting to hear wisdom pour forth like a refreshing mountain stream from your mouth?

Shaping the careers of future scholars in your research group like fresh clay in the hands of a master potter?

Writing monographs that revolutionize your field, drawing accolades from your academic idols?

Sitting in a richly furnished study talking over deep things with colleagues that have become close friends?

Yeah, me too.

Requirements for a Faculty Ministry 2: Evangelism

Like prayer, evangelism is a touchy subject for faculty, probably more so. In the academy, Christianity is viewed as out of date, intolerant, and pushy. This is primarily because of the exclusive truth claims it makes. Evangelism as traditionally understood and performed exacerbates nearly all of the issues our colleagues have with our faith.

How dare we say that Jesus is the only way! How dare we even consider telling others that they should convert from their own worldview! It is a beautiful expression of their culture and individuality. How dare we declare that certain activities are unacceptable and even sinful. Morality is outdated. Ethics are the new standards and if my personal choices do not directly harm you, then what right do you have to tell me they are wrong?

Ministry Ideas

Even though it is only June, I am starting to begin to maybe think about what the faculty ministry here will look like in the fall. What will we do? How can we engage ‘lurkers’ in our fellowship who are on our list, but otherwise seem to be ‘silent partners?’ How can we effectively and with sensitivity seek out other faculty who may be interested in fellowship or even in asking questions about issues of faith in a safe environment? How often will we gather? Will we attempt any ‘major’ events? How can we stand up for Christ on campus in a winsome way that seeks reconciliation?

More fundamental questions are: Where and how is God already moving on campus and how is He inviting us to participate? How can we be more faithful and fervent in prayer (one of my greatest weaknesses)?

I am inviting suggestions and comments, preferably from other faculty, both in the States and around the world. What has worked for you and what hasn’t? If you know why, please share that also! Let’s make this post a forum for sharing ideas among the worldwide body of Christian faculty.

SDG

Global Impact

You never know when God will tap on your shoulder…

I received an email recently from someone in a closed country who has been sharing with a woman and her husband. The woman wants to attend a UT PhD program, and my correspondent was directed to me by someone who knew of our faculty fellowship. The writer was looking for believing faculty to assist in the application process and ultimately to continue sharing with the couple upon their arrival.

In this case, I became involved simply because I am the contact person for our faculty fellowship. If no one knew me as a believer, then I would have missed out. Who knows that you are a servant of Christ? There are times and places where it is wise to be undercover, but rarely should we be undercover from each other.

When I travelled in grad school, my advisor was always amazed that I never needed a hotel because there were always brothers in Christ with whom I could stay. I may not have known them personally, but all I needed to do was find out a contact at our sister church on that campus or in that city, and they came through with some guys who had a couch or extra bed. Just that was a witness to my advisor.

As faculty members, we don’t have to travel the world to have a global impact. The Lord has placed His people throughout the world, so that we can work together in all places. As folks with whom we minister move on, we can prepare a place for them when they land by contacting believers there, and even provide support along the way. This is how our body works—transporting needed resources to their destination and getting some types of cells to the right place. It only makes sense that the church does the same—moving or receiving people that all may be supported in times of need.

There are many ministries who desperately want to partner with Christian faculty. When we travel, we have a platform internationally that few do. It is surprising how open we as faculty can be, even in closed countries, just because we are scholars, especially from American universities. We have more freedom to be light abroad than we often do at home. Also, when international Christian faculty come to the States to study or speak, they want to have fellowship with believing colleagues here. What a wonderful blessing to find someone in your field from across the world with whom you will also share eternity. Talk about a long-lasting collaboration!

If you are an undercover academic, I exhort and encourage you to contact Faculty Commons or other faculty ministry, just to let them know you are there. They can often tell you of other Christians on your campus or in your area, can provide resources for encouraging you in your walk, and provide a conduit for you to have a global impact with your faith.

SDG

What Do You Need?

As the facilitator of our campus faculty ministry, I continually struggle to see what we can do to minister to our believing colleagues, much less reach out to the others. We have about 100 on our email list, but on a good day have 5 come to our weekly lunchtime gatherings. This tells me that 95 or so of them do not find the gathering vital enough to open their schedule over lunch (we brown bag it) or have class over that time.

That begs the question, what perceived needs are we not meeting? For some, church is the avenue for their ministry, and that is fine. I humbly challenge these brothers and sisters that where we spend the majority of our time is a green field in which God has planted us to do His work. When we gather even just as believing faculty, we encourage each other in so many ways—navigating the often hostile culture, integrating our faith with our teaching, research, and service, challenging our assumptions about our faith, praying together, putting our heads together to address contemporary issues in both the academy and culture at large, and just knowing there are others who share our faith.

Can Christian faculty stand together on campus to graciously offer alternative viewpoints to some of the dominant assumptions of campus culture? Not tearing down or attacking other worldviews as much as offering reasoned explanations, suggesting new perspectives, and providing students and colleagues alike with a sanctuary from the pressures of the world.

In short, we have unique opportunities to be salt and light.

God’s Spirit provides synergy when we work together.

What do you say?

SDG