Summary

• God created us in His own image
• We rebelled, inviting death and evil to corrupt all human endeavor
• Jesus provided the path to rescue, restoration and reconciliation with God
• Through Christ, work, creativity and human endeavor can be redeemed for God’s good purposes
• Technology can be developed, utilized and leveraged for Christ’s Kingdom, including the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Expanded View

“This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes.” – Ecc 7:29 (NIV)

Those schemes led to open and willful rebellion against God.  Sin was welcomed into the world (Genesis 3), severing our bonds with the Author of Life (Heb 12:2), in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3) .  Untethered and self-exiled, all humankind’s  creative and noble aspirations became ghostly corruptions of of their original Divine potential.  The original, creative imprint of God on humankind, the Imago Dei, remained within each individual (Gen 1:27), but was exposed to sin’s nature to serve selfish and destructive purposes.  Humankind had opted for a temporary and deceptive self-mastery in exchange for eternal death and separation from God (Rom 1:25).

Via God’s long-suffering love, however, rescue and restoration was provided solely in the person of Jesus (Rom 5:8).  Being fully God and fully human, Jesus alone provided the bridge required to reconcile God and humankind.  The rescue plan provided both immediate and eternal restoration for all voluntary recipients.  Thus restored, Jesus enables followers to again lay hold of hope, noble work, love and creative potential (Acts 17:28).  All that is good comes from Him (James 1:17).

God’s creative nature is declared and celebrated in the opening lines of Scripture.  This nature, His nature,  is imprinted on all of humankind.  Artists, scientists, inventors, engineers, etc take their charter from the original and divine spark of creativity.  Human endeavor and discovery, including the development of technology, are understood to be sanctioned by, and acquire purpose from, God’s original design (Gen 1).

Therefore, while technological development is inspired by God, it attains nobility and God infused purpose only when subjected to and redeemed by Him.  The human creator willingly releases the creation to the Creator for His purposes (Prov 16:3).

Among those purposes are God’s declared desire for His followers to take the good news of Jesus to every nation & tribe, and to make disciples of all people (Matt 28:19). Technology holds unique and powerful promise as a tool in this service to Him.  The portals for the Gospel made available through technology are facilitating its spread. Information & community building resources are available to growing disciples as never before.

Our world awaits the final return of Jesus and the complete restoration of all things.  Until that time, technology will carry the potential for both nobility and evil.  As examples, transportation technology will be used to deliver medical supplies to a mission field as well as carry a man to an illicit affair.  Medical technology will be used to both extend and prematurely end life.  Information technology will distribute both truth and falsehood. Unintended consequences will surface that challenge the discernment and wisdom of learned leaders.

Notwithstanding these tensions, God continues to call us in times such as these.  He continually extends the invitation to partner with Him in unveiling His love and exposing the majesty of His created order to a waiting world.  The call is to a deep, thoughtful and reverent exploration of the world He has created and expressing this creativity for His glory.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Col 3:23-24 (NIV)

Q:  Do you believe a “theology of technology” is necessary?  How do you subject your involvement with technology to Christ?

Levers extend capability.  Levers expand capacity.  They transport heavy loads.  They relieve burdens.  They remove the stubborn.  They provide advantage.

Technology provides advantage.  Technology is a lever.

Advantage is not equivalent to benefit.  Technology can be used to many ends, not all of which are beneficial.  The tech lever can enable good, harmful and unintended consequences.  It can conceivably be used to move things better left in place.

Technology is a lever.  It disturbs the status quo, the prevailing assumptions and the existing environment. It is a change agent.

Knowing what to move, what you’ll disturb, what follows in its place and how it creates benefit for the new world you’re creating factor into the tech decision matrix.

Technology is a lever.  It might be a benefit.

Q:  Do you understand why you’re using tech & how it’s benefiting your constituency? 

GLS Leadership Team: Beth Dahlenburg, Lucky, Dave Wright, Eric Hood - Grafton St, Dublin

One of the great blessings of 2011 was the opportunity to join Willow Creek’s leadership team in Dublin for the Irish version of the Global Leadership Summit.

The GLS is hosted each August in the states by Willow Creek via simulcast to almost 200 church sites.  Over 70,000 leaders participated in the event in 2011. Following on the heels of the US event, the GLS takes to the road and is hosted in hundreds of cities globally throughout the fall.  I was privileged to attend Dublin’s hosting of the Summit in November.

During one of our breaks, I had a chance to interview Sean, an Assemblies of God pastor from Newbridge.  Here are some of the things I learned from him:

Jarrett Ruffino, GLS International Team

• Ireland is ethnically very diverse:  of the 500 people in his congregation, there are 16 nationalities represented (Newbridge is a town of 20,000 in county Kildare)
• Ireland is 1% evangelical Christian
• Ireland is 95% Roman Catholic
• 20% of the local population attends church each week
• Since gaining independence from the British almost a century ago,  individual responsibility for personal leadership and moral decision making has been abdicated to the Catholic church.  The tools required for moral decision making are a rapidly fading part of individual consciousness.
• Due to its history with the British, religion is primarily a question of nationality, not of individual decision
• In 2011, an average of 1,000 young people leave the country each week due to the global economic downturn.  Many go to Australia to work construction jobs created by the 2011 floods.

Peter Mercier: Irish Businessman and Host for the Dublin GLS

My thoughts frequently return to this amazing trip.  I’m looking forward to seeing how God will leverage the trip for future (and, as yet, unknown) purposes.  At this point, I’m learning all I can about how partnerships, collaborations and other connections may aid the leadership development effort in Ireland and other countries.

I’d be interested to hear how you are mentoring, training and developing leaders, both at home and abroad.  I’d be especially interested to hear of leadership development efforts you may be familiar with in Ireland.

Blessings!

As a VP in a small (9 people) tech firm, I’ve turned over this question many times in my mind. Recently, while going through some executive coaching material, I came across this simple definition from Henry & Richard Blackaby’s book Spiritual Leadership:

Spiritual Leadership: Moving God’s People Onto God’s Agenda

Our organization is a faith-based non-profit, and this is obviously a faith-based definition of leadership. However, it seems pretty transcendent. It could easily read “Moving Acme’s people onto Acme’s agenda.”

Directing organizational change, aligning vision, refocusing on core values – none are easy. But this little definition helps me to keep in mind what leaders are about.

Q: What’s your definition of leadership?

There’s been plenty of each this year.  We thank God for never leaving, never forsaking us.  We’re here in spite of ourselves and are pursuing His good purposes for our lives.  Our names are written on the palm of His hand – we’re never forgotten. and always cherished by Him.

Family

• Dorothy (Lisa’s mother) – after a hellacious health start to the year, she’s getting stronger.  The kids look forward to seeing her when she’s up for it & we’re blessed to have her with us still.
• Mom & Dad (Jerry’s folks) – they’re alive and well after enduring another grueling Santa season in West Palm Beach.  Dad had a bypass this summer & is feeling great. They’re never home.  They’re hipsters with iPhones & have learned how to text.  And Skype.
• Weston – 4th grade, 2-3 hours of homework every night, never takes off his Tebow jersey.
• Aubrey – 2nd grade, destined for law school, is in pre-team gymnastics.
• Molly – our cat.  She sleeps.  Once caught a mouse.  Then went back to sleep.  Has cattitude.

Audience Of One

Ao1 is a huge blessing in our lives (click the link).  An awesome south metro Christian Community theater group.  Great kids, great energy, great staff.  Lisa has been the music director for several productions over the years.  In 2011, Weston was in Seussical, Jr and Peter Pan.  Aubrey was in Once Upon A Timeshop and Annie, Jr.  All 3 are involved in Beauty and the Beast (Spring, 2012).  I employ my vast artistic talents by driving them all over creation to rehearsals, etc.

(Back in a minute – the kids are fighting)

OK – where were we…

Lisa Work

Lisa’s Kindermusik business continues to grow.  2011 was a banner year for her – more students & locations than ever.  In addition, she received several notable recognitions:

• Board Position – she was nominated and elected to the PKE board in November (3 year term)
• Maestro – she achieved Maestro status in the summer.  Places her in the top 5% (out of 5,000) Kindermusik educators worldwide

Travel

We were privileged to take to the road several time this year.

• Carlsbad Caverns – went to the caverns during spring break.  Cool place.  Learned what guano is.
• Phoenix Road Trip with Weston – Weston went with me during a 2 week business trip to Phoenix in July.  Thanks to the Baude cousins for watching him while I worked.  We did some man stuff.  A massive haboob greeted us on our arrival into town.  Cool.
• Fall Break in Kansas – honestly, the kids pretty much think this was the highlight of their year.  A week with Grandma & Grandpa without mom & dad.  Doesn’t get much better than that.
• Ireland – I somehow fanagled my way into a 5 day trip to Dublin in November, courtesy of the folks at Willow Creek’s Global Leadership Summit (more below). Words cannot describe the memories & impact this trip has left on me.  Or the food. I’ll never forget the generosity & hospitality shown me on this trip.
• Scottsdale Four Seasons – courtesy of the Wheaton Dillon’s, Lisa & I were able to get away for 5 freakin’ awesome days at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale in May.  Did NOT suck.  At all.  Lisa had a personal pool boy.  Nuff said.
• 14ers – bagged a couple 14ers with my brother Jon over the 4th of July holiday. Belford & Oxford.  That brings me to 20 successful summits.

Cherry Hills Community Church

Building on the many years of service and community at New Life in Aurora, we made the move to CHCC in 2009.  The weekly call to courageous faith, the challenging thought, the opportunities for growth and expression of faith resonate deeply with us.  CHCC took a risk on me in January by appointing me Promotional Strategist for the Global Leadership Summit.  It’s been rewarding beyond measure – a perfect fit for my talents and calling.

Global Leadership Summit

I simply cannot express how grateful I am to be associated with the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit.  We had 800 ministry leaders, pastors, business executives and volunteer leaders at our local event at CHCC in August. Nationwide, 75,000 leaders attended the simulcast from Willow Creek.  We received volumes of feedback describing the effectiveness and impact of the Summit.  It’s  so refreshing and encouraging to provide a forum for the sole purpose of helping leaders get better at what they do.

In October, I received an invitation from Willow Creek to join their national leadership team for a local hosting of the Summit in Dublin.  We were there for 5 days in November (that’s me at the Hill of Howth along the Irish Sea in the photo above).  Buy me a Starbucks & I’ll talk your ear off about the insights gleaned regarding global leadership, the Irish perspective on faith (not that they’ve ever had any church conflict) and Guinness.  Dave, Eric, Beth, Jarrett and Grame – thanks for including me.  You guys rock!!

Executive Coaching

The thing about me is that, no matter where I go, there I am.  After fuddling through some personal challenges & self-imposed glass ceilings, we decided it was time for me to seek out some Executive Coaching to help me get better at whatever it is that I do.  I signed up for a one-year commitment with Ministry Coaching International in October.

We meet a couple times a month to discuss personal blind spots, better life practices, courageous faith and visionary leadership.  I write a lot of stuff, read a lot of stuff and try to apply some of it.  There’s been some significant soul searching and reality to deal with, but this is turning out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  It’s not shrink-wrap.  It’s solutions.  Much appreciated.

CIM

The organization I work for, Computers In Ministry, enjoyed our best year ever. We added new Ministry Partners throughout the year, became members of Microsoft’s Cloud Champions Club and hired several new key members to our team.  We currently have staff up & down the front range, as well as in Phoenix, Seattle and Indianapolis.  I love my position with CIM and am blessed to work in partnership with so many ministries focused on kingdom building.

Books

Reading continues to be a passionate hobby of mine.  I was moved and challenged by a number of great reads during the year.  I manage my book list at Goodreads – you can have a look if you’re like to see what’s on my current reading list.

Friends

There have been a number of friends that have helped us do the life dance this year. Numerous folks that have shouldered the weight of marriage, parenting, work and life with us.  God has moved them at strategic times to assist, challenge and process the seasons of life with us.  They are the unsung heros that have kept us on the high road and breathed hope into dark places.  May God grant them increase in 2012.

Farther up & further in.

Jerry