Surrounded

The other night I picked up a book entitled The Story of God, The Story of Us. Now every book generally has acknowledgements, but most of us glance over them quickly in order to get into the meat of the the text and to get going with it. Somehow I got myself caught up in what Gladding called "Sleeve Notes." He recalled how he used to spend hours in his room growing up listening to CD's and reading the sleeve notes of the album over and over again to see who produced and wrote what; who played this and who played that on each song.

Gladding's sleeve notes ran through some of the significant people in his journey who had helped him become a disciple of Jesus. That night after putting the book down, I laid in bed thinking through my life and some the significant people who have helped shaped me to who I am today. I'd like to share with you my sleeve notes.

My Mom and Dad

I am so very fortunate that from the earliest moments of my life, my folks committed to an alternative lifestyle marked by following Jesus. They did what they could to show me the way of Jesus. Prayer and Scripture became part of my primary speech because they were not taught to me out of fear or dispair but out of hope and love.

Marguerite Schwartz

Marguerite...er, Mrs. Schwartz I mean (I used to get in trouble for calling her by her first name) was my Kindergarten Sunday School teacher. Though there were three of us in our little Nazarene church in Iowa, she cared deeply that we know the stories that shape the history of those who follow Christ. Though now she is resting with Jesus, the things she taught us live on.

Kay Shumaker

Kay (yes, though still impolite I called her Kay) was my 2nd grade Sunday School teacher. I still remember the day we were learning about the 10 commandments and it hit me that things I own can replace God. She taught me very basically the meaning of serving God with all our heart and putting no other gods before him. I'd like to say that my heart has not wavered since 2nd grade! But alas, I've fallen short. The truth of the matter is that without learning that lesson I might have served a whole lot more false gods than I actually have in my life. For this lesson, I'm thankful.

Vince Flippo

Pastor (I called him Pastor, not Vince) was indeed my pastor. He nicknamed me Mattman, and the name was so awesome that I put it on my first little league jersey (which, by the way, I wore through college because it was massive on me in 2nd grade. Tragically, it was lost in the travels of the summer of 2005). He was my pastor in the sense that he didn't just preach every Sunday morning at the church we happened to attend, but he knew me and cared about me--a annoying little kid with a high pitched, incredibly loud voice. Through his life, he taught me a thing or two about pastoral care. I am thankful for this.

Norma Nelson

Mrs. Nelson was my fifth grade Sunday School teacher. What I remember about being a part of that fifth grade Sunday School class (besides the fact that my first crush was also in the class) was that through the years Mrs. Nelson took us through the story of Scripture. Learning the story has shaped me. I am thankful for the time she put into preparing to teach us God's story.

Chris Miller

Chris was a youth sponsor when I entered high school. He let me drive his car. He hung out with me. He invested hours in me when he had a job and a family. Chris represents multiple adults who surrounded me and supported me through high school even though at times I was arrogant, proud, and difficult. He (and they) showed me the value of investing in the future of the church.

David Wine

Prof. Wine was a professor at Olivet that I didn't have for a class until the last semester of my senior year. Without question, he should have pounded my roommate Levi and me when we conveniently forgot an presentation we were supposed to do for his Gen. Ed. Church and Christian Living course. Instead, he responded to us with grace by simply saying, "That's not good" upon hearing the news that we were unprepared to present. Prof. Wine cared more deeply for our spiritual formation than any other professor I have encountered. He along with his wife led Nicole and I through pre-marital counseling. I am thankful for him because I know I am still in his prayers.

Keith + Judi Schwanz

My first semester of seminary was difficult. The word to best characterize it was uncertainty. I wasn't sure if it was a fit, I wasn't sure of the direction of God's call on me, it was just tough. My conversations with Keith + Judi (both who were seminary profs) were always opportunities for direction and hope. They represented, for me, the community at seminary that existed to help me, as well as other students, through the uncertainty about the future. I am thankful that they are the sort to sit with students through very difficult questions.

These people are just a sample of the network of support that has surrounded me and cared that I become a passionate disciple of Jesus Christ. Absent from this list are other mentors, pastors, family and close friends who has played a terrific role in my via salutis.

Now, it is my opportunity to have a role in the spiritual formation of young people. I care deeply that the students of our church not just have one or two people who have played significant roles in helping them to follow Jesus, but to assure that there are a network of people to show them the way. I want them to form significant, appropriate, healthy relationships that are so meaningful that when they reflect on their lives, they see God's grace through these people.

I know I have.