“In physics, tension describes the pulling force exerted by each end of a string, cable, chain, or similar one-dimensional continuous object, or by each end of a rod, truss member, or similar three-dimensional object. Tension is the opposite of compression.”

I had a great conversation with someone that I have known of for a long time and admired from afar. After chatting with him today, I have a good sense of why so many of my friends like him and speak very fondly of the type of person he is.

After noting that he had read the blog post Thin last week, we got to talking about a tension he has felt in YL for a long time.

The tension between training and education.

I had mostly thought of those words as synonymous.

He noted that there has always been a tension between getting things done/reaching more kids vs. teaching staff pastoral theology or other worthy theologies.

“There is a tension between training (how to start new schools, build a network, train a committee) and paying attention to the theological foundation to all of that work.”

This tension comes from a few places in YL it seems:

• Training periods are short (one week in most cases) and there is a need to get loads of information to the staff person and get them back to their area doing ministry.
• During times of our history when theology was valued, growth (reaching more kids) was seemingly limited.
• Outside theologians do not speak the language of YL (and we do not speak their language either!)

In physics, tension is the opposite of compression.

“Compression is the application of balanced inward (“pushing”) forces to different points on a material or structure, that is, forces with no net sum or torque directed so as to reduce its size in one or more directions.”^[1]

Can we figure out how to compress training and education in YL to more succinctly  prepare staff theologically to reach more kids?

Can we pepper our training with a bit more theological education?

Is weaving the two together beautiful?  Helpful?

Possible?

Will this rid the tension?

Can peppered in theological training help us be more productive? More confident in our call?

Or do we start a training with a devotional and then move onto the business?

Can training and theological education hold hands? Be married even?

That’s an exciting possibility! (And already existing in many areas of our mission).

Here is the thing about tension: It speaks to us.

Wether it is tension in our shoulders or neck.

Tension in our relationships at home or in the workplace.

Or maybe it tension in our souls.

Will we listen to the tension? Or will we ignore it in hopes that it will go away or get ‘better’ on its own?

May we listen to the tension.

May we find harmony in the tension through dialogue and presence with each other.

In YL, may we move toward the compression of training and education, in the push and pull of our lives and businesses.

K

 

I was at UPS right as the doors opened this morning to pick up a missed delivery.

There were 6 people in front of me (and another dozen behind me) for one thing, and one thing only.

Their new iPhone 7’s had arrived.

It’s simply amazing what type of tech is packed into such a thin piece of metal.

Camera. Speakers. Processing Chips. Storage. A beautiful display.

And even Siri herself lives in there.

At times, thin is what is hip, what is gorgeous. Thin is the thing that packs the most punch and that everyone wants.

So, when is thin a disadvantage?

I was sitting with a couple of really smart fellas yesterday. Men whom I admire and respect greatly.

We were talking about many wonderful memories that each of us have in YL.

And then the conversation turned to theology.

And the word “thin” came up. And it wasn’t hip, gorgeous or the thing that everyone wants.

“YL has a thin theology around most of what it does.”

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by this remark. On the other hand, as I dig into the D.Min research even more, I am starting to see this in certain seasons of our mission in my specific area of study.

In the early days of our mission, theological training informed most of what YL did.

Did something change along the way? Are there still pockets of it that exists in our mission?

Will we be committed to continuously developing a thick theology ? Will we allow it to inform how we relate to kids, committee, leaders and donors alike?

I think that theology is still valued in many places in our mission – and it propels us towards excellent ministry with kids, leaders, committee and donors.

I also think that there is work to be done. And I’m excited to keep learning about our great mission through this process.

So the question for all of us is this: Where are we thin? Where does that hurt our relationships? Our mission? Our value systems?

What do we need to thicken up around us?

Kevin

PS:

A summarized quote from someone that I interviewed yesterday (A 25 year YL Staff Person):

“Donor Development coaching, underpinned in rich theological thought and scripture reading, gave me a confidence to ask that I had never had before.”

WOAH.

 

That’s one big book.

A few takeaways from my time reading through the diaries of the founder of Young Life for the DMin. project:

• Dude prays
• He is very honest (in the diary at least) with his feelings
  • Rayburn is often overjoyed with the Lord’s provision
• He owns it when he messes up.
• Rayburn works hard and long days
  • He also takes time to rest, pray and seek God’s direction

What if our lives were a semi-open diary?

What if we really prayed?

Were honest and kind with those around us? Even when times were tough and we were embarrassed by what we are going through?

What if we owned our mistakes? Owned them in a “I’m calling to set this straight with you, to apologize and to ask for forgiveness.”

What if we (I) took time to rest, to reflect, to pray and to seek direction from God?

Our lives would be more open. More full. More alive.

May each of us attempt these things TODAY.

And then again, maybe, tomorrow.

Kevin

“Here again…you folks believe in God. SO many things happened that can’t be accounted of, except for the leading of the Lord. The laws of mathematical probability would prove it. God led.”- Jim Rayburn, Leadership Training Institute speech. Aug. 1951