NEXUS Leadership Program World Missions Trip Updates Women’s Retreat Recap Summer Reading List
Members. Ministry. Mission. SUMMER 2009
Issue No. 7
Second Act
Baby Boomers Get a Game Plan for Life After 50 Ephie Johnson (front) and Jack Quinlan of the Neighborhood Christian Centers
6ACATION "IBLE 3CHOOL
*UNE ¯ ¯ AM &OR MORE INFORMATION VIST WWWPCORGVBS OR CALL -ANDY -ORSE IN THE #HILDREN´S -INISTRY /FFICE AT
Contents 2 Members: Leading Roles
Baby Boomers seeking greater impact for Jesus are turning to Second Act Ministries.
6 Mission: Trip Notes
Ukraine, India and China teams report on recent short-term trips.
8 A Hasty Retreat
Women of all ages enjoyed a weekend at Victory Ranch exploring how they can become “Filled with His Spirit.”
9 Ministry: Double Vision
Worth the Wait — Remember Meredith* from our Comfort & Joy story in the Summer 2008 issue? She and her husband were a part of the infertility encouragement group founded by 2PC member Joy Madison. At that time, they had been waiting for three years for God to answer their prayers for a child. Meet Truman! They adopted him in the fall of 2008. In the story Meredith said, “…we come to a place where we realize that God’s provision isn’t always how we anticipate it will look, but He will provide.” Indeed He has, and we think His provision is pretty cute! *not her real name
STAFF
First Word
Adult Pastoral Ministries Rocky Anthony, Pastoral Executive Jon Becker, Evangelism Mike Gatliff, Middle Adults Tim Russell, Assistant Pastor Ron Sadlow, World Missions Mike Stokke, Young Couples & Discipleship Andy Wells, Senior Adults Sandy Willson, Senior Minister
The sparks are really flying around Second these days and I don’t just mean on our new construction or even the July 4th fireworks that are just around the corner. Ministries like NEXUS, our leadership development program, and Second Act, a resource for Baby Boomers seeking greater significance, are sparking change all across our community.
Student Ministries Staff Leadership Todd Erickson, Student Ministries Executive Sandy Hazelwood, Children Andrew Keasling, Youth Robert O’Kelley, Recreation Wes Simmons, Pastor to College Students Program Staff Leadership Scott Hanson, Program Executive Eddie Foster, MissionUSA Yvonne Hardin, Women John Hodges, Music Brian Lewis, Campus Outreach Robb Roaten, Communications Fenton Wright, Shalom Project Administrative Staff Leadership Harold Ware, Administrative Executive Second look Robb Roaten Creative Director Dana Hay Senior Contributor/Editor Carl Fox Art Director Timothy McCollum Designer Christy Paganoni Production Manager
In this issue, you’ll meet two young NEXUS protégés who found encouragement and inspiration through this mentorship program to take on some real challenges in our educational system. You’ll also meet a man who, though successful in his career and family life, refused to ignore the quiet voice of God calling him to take a risk.
Two NEXUS graduates use their leadership skills to create new opportunities for Memphis students.
12 A Good Word
Sandy Willson shares some keys to effective leadership.
13 Hot Off the Press
Check out this list of cool, poolside page‑turners that our staff is diving into this summer.
13 Book Smart
Todd Erickson, Executive Director of Student Ministries, has a fab four of favorite books to round out your summer reading. Cover PHoto by Lisa Buser
After reading their stories, ask yourself, “Will I follow where He leads?”
Senior Editor Second Look Members. Ministry. Mission.
Second Look is published quarterly by Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111-6022 © 2009. All rights reserved. Second Presbyterian Church holds services every Sunday. The 10:50 a.m. service is broadcast live each week on WHBQ (AM 560). In addition, the same service is telecast one week later, every Sunday at 10 a.m. on WREG-TV (Channel 3). The television broadcast is edited for length. For more info please visit our website at www.2pc.org. Phone: (901) 454-0034, Fax: (901) 327-1204.
SUMMER 2009 Second Look
2
COVER STORY
Jack Quinlan receiving his second bronze star from an Admiral at the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California. (Photo credit: U.S. Navy.)
Set Changes As Baby Boomers turn 50, many are re-evaluating how to spend their “Second Act.” Jack Quinlan knew as soon as his feet hit the floor each morning that the spark was gone. He was 40+ years into a very successful career, but he no longer felt energized and motivated about his work. Instead of accepting this as the unavoidable fate of any man sliding into his 60s, he decided to take a hard look at his “second act.” First, he talked with his wife, Mary. Together, they sought the Lord’s guidance through prayer, friends and study. They knew God was leading them somewhere, and they were patient in the journey. They signed up to par-
3
Second Look Summer 2009
ticipate in the Creating Your Second Act class led by Mike Gatliff, Second’s Minister to Middle Adults. The New “Wonder Years” Once the Baby Boom generation hit 50, a new phenomenon appeared in our culture. For the first time in history those turning 50 can expect to have 30 years of productive living ahead of them that no generation before has enjoyed. And 12,000 of them turn 50 each day. That represents a lot of experience, knowledge, resources and power. As followers of Christ, many find
themselves wondering, “how does He want me to use these 30 years?” For some the answer could be a complete career change. For others it may mean setting aside five or ten hours a week to devote to a ministry that inspires their passions. Or maybe the answer is somewhere in between. The Creating Your Second Act class is a six-week small group experience designed to help people discern how God is calling them to use their next 30 years to build His Kingdom. There have been eight classes at Second so far with about 40 participants completing the program. The class is only one tool in a set of resources created by Lloyd Reeb of the Halftime
organization that we are using to build our ministry. How do you know if you need a “set change” for your Second Act?
you going to do with it? Are you going to go through it intentionally, or are you just going to drift through it? “Baby boomers have been through a lot of stuff and persevered. We’ve seen
Back to Jack “For about a year, Mary and I had been talking to friends, my accountability group and business contacts about making a possible career change. Honestly, ministry had never entered my mind. Then I got a call from Mike Rhodes asking if I’d be interested in a position as Chief Operations Officer with the Neighborhood Christian Centers. About that same time, we’d joined Second Act, and it just confirmed all we’d gone through over the past year,” Jack says. Jack met with Ephie Ballard Johnson, NCC President, and board member Jim Witherington to begin exploring this option. It was a time of transition for the NCC, founded by JoeAnn and Monroe Ballard, Ephie’s parents. Her father had recently passed away and her mother had stepped aside into an advisory role, leaving Ephie in charge.
Jack Quinlan in his new role as COO of the Neighborhood Christian Centers. (Photo: Steve Roberts)
“There are signs,” says Mike. “Many people feel restless and discontented, but you don’t have to be unhappy where you are. If you feel that God may be calling you to something different but you’re not sure about direction, just call me and we’ll start working on it,” he says. The class is geared for folks in their late 40s and up, although it’s not tied to any specific age. The bottom line, Mike says, is that everybody is going to have a second act. The question is, what are
change that some people said could never happen—the fall of the Berlin Wall without a single shot fired, the fall of the Soviet Union, the collapse of apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela… the point is we’ve seen huge problems overcome when there was little hope for change. That should encourage us when we look at the problems of our city through this lens—we’ve seen bigger change take place. We know it is possible,” Mike says.
“Jack brought vital business experience,” Ephie says, “but he was also patient and willing to learn the way we do things. It was a process for both of us. He is able to share with us and offer valuable perspective and that’s been helpful, but he’s also brought accolades and validity to our approach which was encouragement we needed.” “I looked back over my life and realized that the Lord has been making preparations all along for me to assume this role. I felt immediately embraced by everyone involved in the ministry.
Summer 2009 Second Look
4
At a recent memorial service for Mr. “Few people really understand how prenatal care and minister through to Ballard, I looked around and was over- unique and broad the NCC is in what death, and all the programs are linked. whelmed by how unworthy I felt based we do. Others have excellent programs, We have 78 affiliate churches (including on the kind of man he was 2PC), and they take the mesand the legacy he has left sage out, along with food, “I was in the staffing industry clothing and more. Because behind,” Jack says. of their involvement, the for 19 years, and I was 62 But now Jack is building ministry is so vital,” he says. his own legacy. “I was in when I took this class. I never the staffing industry for “Jack is the first-fruits of saw this coming; it wasn’t 19 years, and I was 62 this new ministry,” Mike when I took this class. I something I thought about.” says. “I have so much renever saw this coming; it spect for him because he –Jack Quinlan wasn’t something I thought could have stayed with what about. I was raising a family he was doing but instead he and paying bills, like everyone else,” he no doubt, but they are like silos. Here, took the risk to explore where God says. His vision is a little broader than the interest is in relationships and every- might be leading. It led him to a place that now. thing is linked together. We start with perfect for him—for his giftedness,
5
Second Look summer 2009
SecondACT ministries
The vision of Second Act Ministries is to challenge, equip and encourage the Middle Adults (50-64) of Second Presbyterian to expand the Kingdom Reign of Jesus in Memphis, the United States, and around the world. We plan to do this through several teams, each with a specific ministry focus. These teams include Prayer; Journey; Impact; and Nurture and Enrichment. The Second Act Prayer Team, led by Mike Warner, is responsible for building and maintaining the prayer foundation without which this ministry has no hope of having genuine Kingdom of God impact. The Second Act Journey team will be responsible for helping middle adults pray, think through, and clarify the particular call of God for the second half of their lives. The Second Act Impact team will be responsible for helping mobilize middle adults to have Kingdom impact locally, nationally and internationally. Students who are NCC clients study for an upcoming Bible quiz competition. (Photo: Steve Roberts)
his experience and his willingness to learn.” Now, when Jack wakes up in the morning, his feet hit the floor with energy and enthusiasm. His advice? “Don’t struggle through a time of transition like this by yourself. It’s not a sin to stay where you are, but you have the option to go through and test it. Second Act is a great way to explore, and you’re not signing up for anything. Take advantage of the resource and use it,” he says.
your community,” she says. “Ask yourself: ‘Where is God going to use me as a mentor?’” The next Second Act small group will begin in the fall of 2009. If you are interested in joining the class or finding out more about Second Act Ministries, please contact Mike Gatliff at 454-0034 or
[email protected].
The Second Act Nurture and Enrichment team will offer ministries to help middle adults navigate common challenges of life in order to effectively pursue Kingdom endeavors. Topics addressed will include marriage, caring for elderly parents, caring for spouses, “boomerang” kids and finances. For more information about Second Act Ministries, contact Second’s Pastor to Middle Adults Mike Gatliff at 454-0034 or
[email protected].
Ephie also offers encouragement for those thinking of transition. “Prepare yourself for a support role for
Summer 2009 Second Look
6
WORLD MISSIONS 2009
Trip Notes China Businessmen’s Trip
Author: Ron Sadlow Dates: March 20-29, 2009 Target: Young professional Chinese men and women We hosted a seminar where Earl Blankenship spoke on the topic of surviving the economic crisis and it went very well. About 90 guests showed up with a total of 110 in attendance including us and the national team. We were very encouraged to discover that some of those assigned to sit with us at tables to help translate were new Christians who came out of the followup to last year’s seminar. The teams did well on their individual follow-up appointments over meals and tea and a number of folks had spiritual conversations. Ginny Nearn spoke about flower arranging one evening after the seminar and about eight new contacts came. She was able to weave Scripture into her presentation. Bryan and Ginny continued their relationship with a local Communist Party official. Subsequently, his son, an exchange student in the U.S., came to Memphis Easter weekend and some spiritual conversations followed the worship service. Brent Stenberg made a great contribution counseling with both ex-pat and national staff and training in a group setting. He also met with a Christian psychologist and an aspiring student who wanted to become a psychologist. He partnered with the team by hosting a table at the seminar and meeting with a man who was looking for spiritual guidance. Brent was able to hook him up with a national Christian. Top: Justin Green joined the China businessmen’s mission team. Bottom: Ginny Nearn, a member of the team to China, speaks with one of the seminar attendees. (Photos by Brent Stenberg)
It was a great team marked by unity and initiative in reaching out to the new contacts. We grew to love our partners there.
India
Dental Trip
Author: Kitsie Hendrix Dates: February 26–March 5, 2009 Target: Kachhwa Christian Clinic My granddaughter, Mason Kitsie Harmon, and I went to India the first week in March to encourage Dr. George and Dr. Stella at the Kachhwa Christian Clinic. George and Stella, the husband and wife dental team at Dr. Raju Abraham’s modern dental clinic, lost a baby in September. We wanted to praise them for continuing on in His work rather than returning to their families in Dubai. At Kachhwa, they provide world-class dental care to missionaries and the poorest of the poor. On this trip, I completed my teaching of periodontal surgery and implant surgery that’s been underway for the last three years. Now George and Stella can deliver these services to selected cases. Untreated gum disease puts people at ten times risk of heart attack or stroke, so Raju has the vision to provide ultra sonic periodontal scaling and surgery if needed to all staff. And thanks be to God, Stella is again pregnant! 7
Second Look Summer 2009
UKraine
Second Impressions
Meet a Member
Dental Trip
Author: Mary Quinlan Dates: March 27–April 5, 2009 Target: Mizoch Internat School John Whittemore and Tima did such a fabulous job setting up the clinic for us at Mizoch that little was needed other than to set up and run the new x-ray developer. You cannot imagine how much this new machine sped up the process of screening patients and enabled us to treat more people than ever. I dropped Chris Craft a thank you note for the generous contribution that the missions committee gave us for that last year. This year we saw more than 160 children from the Mizoch Internat School throughout the week. We did 137 fillings, 14 crowns, 12 extractions and other miscellaneous procedures. Valya Bondarchuk is a whiz at organizing and keeping track of all the vital details! David Morris treated most of the older kids while Steve Fuson took care of the little ones. Sasha Homich worked with us and he was incredible. He has such a gift for working with children and has learned to be a VERY proficient assistant. We worked until Friday at noon seeing patients and then began our pack up process. This year we went through all of the big boxes and tossed stuff that was outdated or unusable. An accurate inventory was made so that we now have a better idea of what we need to bring the next time we go. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to take the team. It is always a blessing to see how God works not only in lives but in the circumstances where we are. I am thinking of the words said at the end of Passover, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Next year in Armenia!
Mike Rhodes Birthday: St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 Family: My wife, Gay, the wonderful artist and life partner, I met her in the singles class over 25 years ago!; my son Michael (23) and his wife Rebecca who are in Kenya for the next two years with a mission called “Planting Faith;” and our daughter Katie (20) at Covenant College. Ministries you’re involved in: International Christian Fellowship CC (ICF) and Restoration & Peacemakers. The biggest life-changing decision I’ve made lately is: To become Shepherding Elder for ICF. They are a wonderful group of folks from all over the world. Many of them, and a number of American members involved with ICF, love the Lord deeply and serve Him with great energy in reaching out to other international friends so that I have a real challenge in keeping up with what they and the Lord are doing! If you have international friends, please bring them to visit us in C104 on Sunday mornings. If you have a heart to reach out to Internationals in Memphis we have some ideas! I think Second is really good at: Excellent Bible teaching and helping young marriages get off to a good start and helping young families raise their children in the Lord. There are so many practical blessings that come from just being close to God’s family! I wish I had known when I was 15 that: God is in charge and not me and that He works all things out for His glory and my good so I can relax a little more. And I wish I would remember that at age 52!
Above: Dr. David Morris gives some much-needed dental attention to a young patient from the Mizoch Internat School in Ukraine.
People would be really surprised to know: That my wife and I are bird watchers and get really excited seeing new kinds of birds. I’ve often thought that God could have created the world in black and white, but chose Technicolor instead. We recently saw an American Kestrel (Google that). Birds like that remind me of the intricate design, love and glory of our Creator! Summer 2009 Second Look
8
Weekend Warriors
Bottom Left: Retreat attendees embark on the Prayer Walk. Right: Karen Klemis (L) and Suellen Warren (R) enjoy a chat on the porch.
By Kelly Kaye
Women retreat from the battle of busy lives to relax and refuel.
Imagine having time to survey all the colors of the sky and be able to actually hear the gentle whirr of the wind or smell the springtime earth. Imagine hearing a message from God’s Word followed by a chorus of women’s voices responding in praise. Imagine uninterrupted meaningful conversation, uncontainable laughter, an hour of silence… Imagine God revealing Himself in new ways and the opportunity to share it with someone who is experiencing or has experienced the same thing. The 2009 Women’s Retreat “Filled with His Spirit” encompassed all these things and more! What a special time of renewal, insight and fellowship it was for our women
9
Second Look Summer 2009
at Victory Ranch this year. Our weekend was filled with inspiring music, truth-laden lessons, plenty of recreational fun and a surprise or two from a talented crew and the attendees themselves. Games were played and deliciously prepared meals were enjoyed. We danced. We crafted beautiful crosses from metal stakes and decorative glass beads to distribute to shutin and elderly members of our congregation and challenged ourselves physically on the zip-line and rock wall. We pondered the Holy Spirit as our Teacher, a precious Gift, and Living Water and what it means to surrender our lives to Him. We relaxed in rocking chairs and on yoga mats. There was
precious time for deep communion with our Holy God on the trail of the prayer walk and we interceded with and for one another in the prayer cabin. What a rare opportunity and a blessing to experience the weekend and share life together with women of all ages and stages of life! If you were there with us, we thank you for your integral participation and hope that you will apply the truths you learned and preserve the new relationships that were created. If you missed our time together we encourage you to talk to those who did go and prayerfully consider being a part of His retreat next spring!
Mike Whaley (R) recruited most of his board members for Memphis College Prep through contacts he made while in NEXUS.
Follow the Leader
NEXUS recruits Memphis’ brightest and best to bring about change.
Ever read a story in the newspaper about or work alongside someone you really admire as a leader? They do great things, not only in their careers but also in their communities. Other people benefit from their talents, resources and gifts, and as a result, everybody’s better off than where they started. Think Memphis could use a few more people like that?
They meet monthly on Thursday evenings at Second to hear from well-known speakers on topics such as Leading through Change, Dreaming and Asking, as well as meeting together privately at least once a month to discuss the topics and share life lessons.
and was working at E-Serv, an employee benefits company, as well as helping out with the family business, Owen Brennan’s restaurant. “NEXUS came at an important time for me and set my direction,” Austin says. He was deeply committed to the U of M and felt there was too much disconnect between the professional world and students in the business school. So, in true NEXUS fashion, he led a change to make things better.
“NEXUS came at an important time for me and set my direction.”
That’s the whole idea behind Second’s NEXUS program. Founded by Second in partnership with MPACT Memphis, a civic organization, NEXUS seeks to replicate proven, successful leaders in order to multiply their influence on our community. They do this by calling on Memphis’ best and brightest from all walks of life and asking them to mentor younger protégés. The pairs commit to a nine-month curriculum beginning with a weekend retreat at Victory Ranch in August and culminating with graduation in May.
–Austin Baker
All of this hopefully prepares the protégés, as well as the mentors, to become effective leaders for positive change in Memphis. A Memphis MILE Austin Baker, 27, was in the NEXUS Class of 2006 with Dr. Neal Beckford as his mentor. He graduated from the University of Memphis in 2004 with a degree in Management and Finance
He, along with professor Dr. Robert Taylor, established MILE, the Memphis Institute for Leadership Education. In its first year, 2007-08, it paired 25 of the best juniors and seniors in the business school with 25 successful business professionals in the Memphis area. The idea caught on quickly with the students,” Austin says.There is a careful selection process to choose who will be in the program.
Summer 2009 Second Look
10
Second Impressions
Meet Your Staff
“We assess how well they’re learning in the classroom, their deeper commitment to the community at large, how well they demonstrate what it means to be a Memphian, their GPA and their leadership experience, and then there is a panel interview with professionals,” he adds.’
“I liked everything about the program. The speakers were great— on topics like business ethics, public speaking and networking, and the opportunity to mix with other
Mentors are recruited just as carefully. They are often alumni, business owners and leaders with a teaching heart and a connection and commitment to the University as well as leadership experience.
Heather Hunt Family My husband Chuck of almost 10 years and threeyear old daughter, Hadley Job at Second: Director of NEXUS Came on staff: June 2007 The thing I enjoy most about Second is: I grew up in a very small church in a very small town. I feel like Second is a small community with many ways to serve. I feel I can really make a difference when: I connect people! The best thing about Memphis is: There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference. Through my position at NEXUS I love seeing the energy and passion from so many young and proven leaders in Memphis. They are all truly making a difference. Please don’t EVER ask me to: Take out the trash! My friends would describe me as: Creative & thoughtful. People would be surprised to know I: Listen to Sports Talk Radio. Kindest thing somebody has done for me lately: Recently a friend sent me flowers!
11
Second Look Summer 2009
Like NEXUS, MILE participants have a speaker once a month and outside sessions together, but they also experience mock interviews, job shadowing and volunteer together. “We’ve found that these activities are very helpful when it comes to preparing a student to successfully pursue a job upon graduation,” Austin says. MILE just graduated its second class, which jumped from 25 pairs in the first year to 83 pairs in the second. “We feel we’ve created 100 new leaders for the city, and they’re out there serving on boards and working on problems,” he says with pride. Austin is quick to acknowledge NEXUS as the inspiration for his efforts. “I was so fresh from college, and seeing those relationships being formed made me realize that this idea could be helpful to students as well,” he says. Andy Ling graduated from MILE2 in April, after completing the first year of the MILE program in the spring of 2008. “We liked it so much we asked for more, so they came up with MILE2,” he says. Andy’s mentor for the first year was Blake Carson with local insurance company Lipscomb and Pitts.
Austin Baker speaking to MILE students at a recent meeting.
like-minded students and mentors was very helpful,” Andy says. He graduated in May with a degree in Business Management. He says he feels better prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to the community as a result of his time in MILE. “I not only learned from my mentor but everyone else’s as well. And there were a myriad of different businesses and professions represented,” he says. He feels that the strength of MILE is that it takes the students beyond what they can learn in a textbook or classroom and puts them in contact with people who are doing “the real stuff,” as he puts it. “Whatever community these students end up in will benefit,” he says. “They graduate smarter, better prepared and wiser about business ethics than they would be without MILE.” Memphis College Prep Mike Whaley, a graduate of the NEXUS class of 2008, went through as a protégé to Dr. Cayce Lawrence, a graduate pro-
fessor in the business school at Christian Brothers University. At the time he was teaching at Getwell Elementary and was halfway through the Build the Next One program, a national program that recruits teachers and others to begin highperforming charter schools in urban areas. There are six schools set to open across the nation next year. He was a little nervous and unsure about his mentor at first. “I wasn’t really interested in higher education and didn’t see how this relationship was going to help me in what I wanted to accomplish,” Mike says. He’s quick to acknowledge now that the two had and still have a great
Mike Whaley with students at Star Academy, a local charter school. (Photo: Steve Roberts)
relationship and that Dr. Lawrence turned out to be a valuable source of advice and connections for his new endeavor. Mike is working hard to open Memphis College Prep in the fall of 2010. Its location is still undetermined as he and his board evaluate possible sites. He’s been busy in the year-long fellowship program, training and serving residencies at other schools in low-income areas. Right now he’s at Star Academy, a kindergarten through fifth grade program housed at Golden Gate Church on James Road.
Memphis College Prep will be a college preparatory elementary school (K through 5th grade) that stresses character development, rigorous educational standards and higher education. “We will focus on the foundational level that will lead to their ultimate success. We want our kids to enter middle school working at or above their grade level and on par with their more affluent peers coming from private schools,” he says. He’s busy recruiting students from all over the city to commit to Memphis College Prep. “It’s going door-to-door in the neighborhoods where at-risk kids live, mostly minorities who are zoned to attend failing schools. It’s visiting leaders of preschools, Head Start and other programs, working to identify the children who will most benefit from this opportunity. Most will come to us below where they should be academically. It’s our job to catch them up,” he says. NEXUS has served Mike well in his dream beyond just providing him with a helpful mentor. “Almost half of my board members came through NEXUS, and they are a great group of committed members who are using their expertise to get this school off the ground. NEXUS opened doors to leaders who have a passion for public service and especially for public education,” he says with conviction. And who is the NEXUS speaker that stands out the most in his mind? Our very own Sandy Willson, speaking on Motivating. “It made me think about what motivates others toward your cause, because you can’t assume it’s always money. It really helped me in the board-building process in getting weight and people behind this idea. I was able to describe to them how this project will impact other areas of Memphis that people care about passionately,” he says.
Recruitment efforts for both mentors and protégés for the 2009/2010 NEXUS class are underway. Admire somebody’s leadership skills? Tell them about NEXUS. Interested in serving as a mentor yourself? Let us know. Think you could benefit as a protégé and learn from some wise and powerful Memphians? Then NEXUS could be the place for you. For a complete description of the program, visit www.nexusleaders.org, or contact Executive Director Heather Hunt at (901)454-0034. NEXUS meets monthly on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church for dinner and a speaker. The scheduled list of speakers and topics for the 2009/2010 class follows: August 7-8, 2009: Your Leadership Strengths, Opening Retreat Victory Ranch, Boliver, TN September 10, 2009: Leading Through Change Micah D. Greenstein Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel October 1, 2009: Motivating by Mentoring Tomeka Hart President & CEO, Memphis Urban League, Inc. November 5, 2009: Funding Susan S. Stephenson Co-Chair & President, Independent Bank December 3, 2009: Planning Tom Schmitt President & CEO FedEx Global Supply Chain Services January 14, 2010: Asking Bobb Biehl Executive Mentor, Masterplanning Group February 4, 2010: Building Interactive Panel with Community Leaders in Non-profit, Corporate & Education Sectors March 4, 2010: Ethical Decision Making Sandy Willson Senior Pastor, Second Presbyterian Church April 22, 2010: Dreaming Gordon MacDonald Author & Speaker May 6, 2010: Focusing, Graduation Bobb Biehl Executive Mentor, Masterplanning Group Summer 2009 Second Look
12
a Good Word
Lead Like He Did A Letter From Sandy Willson Dear family: How encouraging it is to look out upon our congregation each Sunday and see men and women, boys and girls, who are actively serving as leaders in many places – in homes, in schools, in the workplace, in the city, in the church, and in the world. As a follower of Christ it is the duty of each of us both to become effective leaders and also to encourage others to be the same. That is why we have mentoring programs, small groups, Sunday School classes, training programs and discipling relationships – so that all of us will become more effective leaders. It is good for us to ask ourselves on occasion: 1) Am I clearly progressing as a leader? If not, what should I do? and 2) Am I helping others develop as leaders? If not, what can I do? Jesus was the most amazing leader in all of history – full of grace, full of truth, courageous yet tenderhearted, determined yet patient, relevant yet holy. He calls us to follow Him. That means not only that we lead but also that we lead like He did. Knowing Him, loving Him and imitating Him are the keys to effective leadership. This is what we are about. When the Church is being what we should be, we will be providing the best leaders for service in the world. In this edition of Second Look, you see examples of people who are leading – not perfectly, but genuinely – and you see opportunities for getting equipped and deployed into His service. Go for it! Always,
Sandy
Wednesday, July 1, 6:30PM · Dinner at 5:30PM 13
Second Look Summer 2009
Book Smart summer Reading Suggestions We polled the 2PC staff to find out what books they’ve been reading lately and what they plan on reading over the summer. Here is a sampling of those books across a wide range of genres, suitable for the beach or backyard. Business/Leadership Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, Dan Heath & Chip Heath Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading, Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John C. Maxwell True North, Bill George Theology A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, Timothy Keller The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship, Dallas Willard John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology, Edited by Burk Parsons In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life, Sinclair Ferguson Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin Missions & Evangelism The Heart of Evangelism, Jerram Barrs Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions, John Piper Honor & Shame: Unlocking the Door, Roland Muller Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity is Changing the Global Balance of Power, David Aikman Cross-cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility, Duane Elmer Culture Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, Andy Crouch Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture, Makoto Fujimura Why Johnny Can’t Preach: The Media Have Shaped the Messengers, T. David Gordon The Road from Eden: Studies in Christianity and Culture, John Barber
Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World, Allen Wakabayashi Dealing with Difficulty Desperate Marriages, Gary Chapman How Long O Lord: Reflections on Suffering and Evil, D. A. Carson Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, Richard A. Swenson, M.D. When People are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man, Edward T. Welch War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggle, Paul Tripp History & Biography American Lion, Jon Meacham Flannery O’Connor and the Christ-Haunted South, Ralph C. Wood John Adams, David McCullogh Jonathan Edwards: A Life, George Marsden The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perseverance in the Lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce, John Piper Other Nonfiction The Match, Mark Frost Alton Brown’s Gear for Your Kitchen, Alton Brown Drawing with Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too, Mona Brookes The Economics of Politics and Race, Thomas Sowell Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, Scott McCloud Fiction Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien Everything That Rises Must Converge, Flannery O’Connor The Miracle at Speedy Motors, Alexander McCall Smith Lord of the Flies, William Golding Jack London’s Stories for Boys, Jack London
Staff Recommendations: Todd Erickson Extreme Pursuit author
John E. Davis genre
Parenting
The best book I have ever read on parenting boys. Extreme Pursuit does a great job of steering you away from managing behavior, and towards shaping their hearts. This book is full of practical and tangible advice, rather than merely philosophy to think about.
5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter author
Vicki Courtney genre
Parenting I have looked for over a year for the “girl version” of Extreme Pursuit. I believe this is it.
The Enemy Within author
Kris Lundgaard genre
Theology
I have always loved John Owen’s teaching on sin and temptation, but Owen can be difficult to read. This book takes Owen’s teaching and makes it accessible for anyone.
A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa author
Howard W. French genre
History Since my times as a missionary kid in the former Zaire, I have always had a passion for Africa. This is a great book for understanding the recent history of Africa and helps us better understand the current politics and economics of the continent. It is my favorite book on Africa.
Copies of these books may be available in The Bookmark Bookstore or the Growing Place Library. Summer 2009 Second Look
14
June 1-5 3 5-8 8-12 10 25-27
Camp Narnia Gospel Concert Inquirers Class Vacation Bible School Church Picnic General Assembly
July 1 2, 9, 16, & 23 2 4 31-August 2
Patriotic Pops Concert Me & U Program Church Holiday* Independence Day Officers’ Retreat
August 3-7 26
Arts Camp Vision Banquet
September 2 3 4-7 7 13 25-27
Midweek Begins Health Fair Family Camp at NaCoMe Labor Day* Promotion Sunday CityServe 2009
*Church Offices Closed
Second Presbyterian Church 4055 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38111-6022 www.2pc.org return service requested
15
Second Look Spring 2009
PERIODICAL U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit No. 340
