This Fall I’m trying something new with my professional students at Creighton. Ordinarily at second Saturday brunch, I’ll have a guest faculty member join us and talk about their discipline. “What was your path through training and into practice? What was your faith like when you were in professional school – what challenged you? How have you been able to connect your teaching and practice with your Christianity?”
These are great questions students love to hear faculty talk about. But how would THEY answer similar questions? What would students do with the opportunity to tell their story to their peers? I decided to sketch an outline for them and start recruiting volunteers. I told them, “This is kind of like a TED talk. On yourself!
Mara and Katherine took the challenge and did a terrific job! Very different spiritual journeys. Same energetic personal vision for God using them in their disciplines (OT – Mara and Pharmacy – Katherine). Each time we meet I have students give me feedback via a google form. To my surprise (maybe shouldn’t be) every student has checked the last option! I think we’ll try to get through the whole group throughout the whole year!
Getting students to give this kind of talk does several things. 1- It helps them identify as Jesus following Christians in their academic and professional context (no small feat). 2- Telling their Christian peers their story first paves the way for telling non-Christian classmates and professors about themselves including the parts where their faith connects with who they are and what they care about.
Another way to think of My Story is to see it as a sort of passion narrative. At Kansas State University there is a faculty lectureship series called, What Matters to Me and Why. Professors sign up to give the WMMW lecture, the college of business where the lecture is held monthly buys lunch for attenders. And faculty, regardless of their faith or world-view, are given the entire hour to tell their peers what they really care about in their discipline. Wouldn’t it be cool if students could do the same thing with their classmates and professors? My Story is an on-ramp for students to become more articulate about their faith and calling.
Still looking for where to park my camels! Keep praying!
Thanks for keeping me in mind and in your prayers this Fall. Ministry opportunities are full. Leading my team is fun and demanding. Pray that I can keep focused on finding resources and staff potential people as we head into October and November. Hope you are enjoying a wonderful fall season!
Be blessed!
PBR 