This is a commercial we used for the Radicalis Conference :
Archive for the ‘People Are Talking’ Category
The following post was taken from an open comment in Rockbridge Seminary’s course “Lead Like Jesus” by Rock’r student David Leister – Wednesday, 27 January 2010, 07:13 AM CST
As I’m in a new church now and still getting acclimated, I’ll take the liberty to use Rockbridge as an example, also in hopes that Dr. Eldridge and other students can tell me if I’m making sense or not!
I think that in today’s world where everything is available at the click of a mouse, where distribution logistics of a DVD player made in Asia can be completely controlled by a pre-teen in Idaho, those at the traditional base of an organization’s pyramid need to be empowered and filled with organizational vision. Customers are more readily in contact with diverse areas of an organization. No longer is there one simple 800 number for customer complaints. Now you can call most large churches and be waltzed through a number of menu options and departments to get you right to the nitty gritty.
Chains of command are being ruptured and what used to be following Point A – B – C – D to arrive at E, is now AE merged together. In today’s world of proclaiming the Gospel through churches or selling titanium heavywares manufactured in New Jersey to Brazilian petrochemical customers requires that everyone wearing the organizational “logo” live their organization’s mission, vision and values. The days of passing the buck seem to be dying.
At Rockbridge, I see myself at the traditional base, not so much as a customer, but as a student according to the diagram. But the difference is that instead of paying, learning and leaving, I feel empowered and motivated to make the sale as well. Rockbridge’s mission, vision and values are easily recognizable and explainable. And it seems that Rockbridge’s leadership wants everyone involved, from faculty to students, to feel like valued members of the organization. I find myself sending site links to friends for encouragement as well as information to prospective students or gifted leaders who I know would enjoy and benefit from, for example, the MML program.
I believe that this is because the pyramid has been turned upside down so that everyone is in tune with and has ownership in the vitality of the organization. Information about anything from the accreditation process to daily counseling on learning plans is easily accessible. There doesn’t seem to be too much red tape and risk in misrepresenting what Rockbridge stands for. If you ask me to encapsulate my alma mater’s vision, I don’t know where to begin, and coming from someone who loves to talk and write (too much!) I get tongue-tied.
Based on the reality of today’s global, internet world of business and academics, Rockbridge is thriving by getting its message in the hands of its students and faculty, who altogether have the potential to reach countless numbers of potential customers/students.
OK, I feel like I just did a promo. You guys hiring? lol
Why do we need these new churches? Shouldn’t we invest our efforts into continuing these other churches that have plenty of room to grow or some dying congregations that need a jolt of life breathed into them? …Continue reading Nils Smith’s reflections during his Church Planting Course at Rockbridge Seminary.
My students at Rockbridge Seminary (an online seminary where I teach) reminded me through their postings this week of our longing for … biblical community. Read more from Kerry Mackey’s church planting experience.
Pastor Pat Giraldin had rarely been to church for 14 years when his girlfriend took him to Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley in 1995.
“It was the first time I heard a pastor talking to me, not at me,” said Giraldin, who was raised Catholic but left the church at 16. Continue reading the news about Pat.
On August 21, 2009 Pastor Kerry Mackey contacted Pat to see what God was doing in his life. After sharing the vision with Kerry, Pat learned that Kerry not minutes earlier had been challenged by his mentor Dr. Daryl Eldridge (Rockbridge Seminary) to consider planting a church. Pat and Kerry began praying daily for God’s direction and timing of next steps. Since that date, God has given many signs to both Pat and Kerry as well as their wives and others that they have…Continue reading the news from Kerry.
I was praying for a long time regarding a seminary. I did not want to leave ministry because I was learning in that context and I also had a family to support. After much searching and prayer – I came across Rockbridge Seminary. It was a huge answer to my prayer. My wife and I knew that this was the right school for me (us). I can still be in ministry; learning and supporting my family. I also did not to take time away from the family as I went to a classroom for lectures and learning. I usually did my seminary work after the family went to bed and after I spent quality time with them. There were times when I did have research and work to do during the day and did not spend with the family, but most of it was done without sacrificing time with my wife and children. In fact, my oldest son continue reading…
Rockbridge Seminary Professor Randy Millwood made a video to introduce Rockbridge to the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware.
Awesome video Dr. Millwood! Thanks!
I am now in my second class at Rockbridge Seminary and am loving the experience. The class I am taking now is called The Theology and Practice of Fellowship. Its focus is on the reason for and the how-to of biblical community. In reading a book, called The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community
The Fourth Movement I see in Leadership Development is HI-TECH, HI-TOUCH APPROACH.
Because we live in a Hi-tech society many organizations are now capitalizing on technology and providing their leadership development content online. But if you simply put courses online and expect people to work their way through the content and “be trained” you will be disappointed. The Hi-tech approach is not enough on it’s own…it must be combined with a Hi Touch element. This means providing the content online but ensuring the learner then engages with a coach or mentor to debrief their learning experience.
Using this approach you can provide training any time, any place at any pace. For example, I am currently acting as a mentor for a Rockbridge Seminary student. This week he will…Continue Reading
Obviously, before going back to school I wasn’t sitting around with an excess of free time, looking around for something to fill it. Instead, I was sensing in my heart that there was so much more God wanted to teach me, and in particular wanted my life to be less about me and more about others. I was involved in a lot of little things, all seemingly disconnected, without having much of an impact in any one area.
So I needed to get a better handle on why I am here, get training on how to be a better leader, and get a deeper understanding of God’s mission in this world. Together, those pointed me to considering seminary. Practically speaking, my job, marriage, four young kids, and a desire to stay active in the church and community where I’m located [put] some extreme restrictions on what that education would have to look like. Continue reading…
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