Chris Bean

One of my goals for the upcoming year which I attempted a couple of years ago (not even coming close) was to read about a book a week for the year.

Here’s my list…we’ll see how it goes.

Book List for 2010

Hope…

Hope has been a key word and reminder for me during this Advent season. Now the things that have been hoped for and realized in the coming of Christ also provide great hope for the coming year.

Gospel…

Paul points out in Romans 1 that the Gospel is the manifestation of God’s saving power in the world…for everyone who believes. That is certainly reason for hope. Regardless of economic, political, financial, and cultural upheaval…God’s mission is one of reconciliation, restoration, and redemption. And I’m on the lookout for ways to partner with God in Christ through the Spirit…engaging in any possible opportunity to live out the Gospel.

Twelve…

Specifically, in terms of ministry at the University of Cincinnati, I am hoping for spiritual influence and transformation in the lives of at least twelve students. If I could have the blessing of sharing life, friendship, and a discipling journey with a dozen college students this year I know I’d be well on my way to seeing a whole new trajectory of hope and Kingdom living.

My first quarter at UC is mostly a blur now, but this two to three week “break” has given me a great opportunity to bring some clarity to the previous few months of life and ministry.

Actually, I have felt inclined to include an significant opportunity for reflection, planning, and spiritual refreshment at the end of the calendar year. I had originally planned for that to take the shape of a 2 or 3-day retreat/sabbath get-a-way starting this past Sunday. But due to some poor planning and some back pain, I post-poned for a few days.

Along with this 2-3 day end-of-the-year reatreat, I am adding two more similar spiritual pilgrimages to my calendar in order to maintain a good rhythm of rest & reflection. My next one will probably be at the beginning of Spring quarter and then another in late August or early September.

As I look forward to planning and setting a good trajectory for the journey in 2010, that playful impulse to just poke my head out the window and enjoy the ride is definitely getting the best of me.

This word “secular” has been giving me fits recently.

As I was reading a good post over at Jesus Creed here, I found this question.

How do you integrate your Christian faith with “secular” life and discipline?

The question itself reinforces the great chasm.

It’s one of those words the church came up with to talk about everyone/everything else and the idea works against a biblical worldview of integrating our faith with all of life.

My first quarter of campus ministry at UC has come to an end. Most of the students survived their final exams and projects and have left Clifton Heights for a few weeks.

Having a few weeks now to reflect on the previous 10 or 12 weeks of ministry, relationships, events, bible studies, etc will hopefully become the fuel for what is to come in 2010.

The outcome which I would celebrate most as I look back and evaluate my first quarter’s worth of campus ministry would be the relational rhythm of it all. Although we hosted some events along the way (at the Edge House, local Nazarene Churches, CCO stuff, etc)…the past few months were certainly most defined in terms of relationships and time with students. THAT is a win as far as I’m concerned.

There about a dozen UC students who have allowed me the opportunity to know them, spend time with them, and even coach/disciple them spiritually. And I’d say there are 5 or 6 students with whom I have developed intentional “be with” time. I am looking forward to pouring more relational and spiritual effort into these students as the next quarter begins.

In terms of an “opportunity” (which is how we referred to weaknesses and behavioral challenges at Starbucks)…I believe my greatest opportunity is connected with my own personal spiritual development and growth. I am more convinced than ever that the greatest thing I offer to students is the demonstration of a life completely surrendered and integrated with faith and Gospel and Kingdom. If college students are going to be transformed and living out their faith ten years from now, it will probably have more to do with my character and devotion to Christ than the content of my teaching or the number of events I convinced them to attend.

Between now and the new year, I hope to think more deeply about achieving two main objectives:

–The spiritual development and formation of the campus minister (myself)

–Creating more opportunities for ‘being with’ students and building those relationships.