Meet the 2009 - 2010 Parent Mentors.  We have 40 of them this year (up from 23 last year), working at 6 different schools in District 131.  For a very small annual stipend of $1,000, these women will serve 10 hours/week at their children's schools as teacher's assistants.   We know from previous years that these women will become school leaders over the next nine months, and their self-confidence will blossom.  Some will be motivated to go back to school to get their GEDs or learn English or computer skills.  And all will be deeply loved and appreciated by the kids and teachers they work with day after day.

Thank you all so much for your prayers as I have worked through the decision whether or not to apply for the open School Board position.

I have decided not to apply.

There were many factors and conversations that went into my decision, but one of the most significant was a re-reading of Andy Stanley’s book, “Visioneering.”  Over the past week, I have been reminded of my original calling---to be a voice for the poor within the church and to unite people around a mission of restoring under-resourced communities.  Neither of those things do I believe will be best served by me pursuing a School Board position.  

Stanley has a section about “distraction,” and talks about how the biggest distractions to accomplishing a vision are often the biggest opportunities.  After 2 ½ hours at a Board meeting last night, I am more convinced that the influence/authority gained by being on the Board would not outweigh the distractions (and potential detriment to some of our work).

I know that there will be some who are disappointed with my decision, but I believe our influence and authority must continue to come from our good works in the community, and not from any position I might hold.

So, as Nehemiah might say, “Let’s get back to building the wall!”

I have a big decision I need to make in the next week or so.  I've been wrestling with it for the past two weeks, and am still waiting for God to give me that neon sign telling me what to do.  The group pictured here is the current District 131 Board of Education.  One of the members recently resigned, and so the Board needs to appoint a replacement.  I have been asked by several members of the administration to consider applying for the position.  This opportunity has been presented to me before, and I always felt that it was not the right thing for me to do.  But, for whatever reason, this time, I don't feel at peace about turning away so quickly.  So, I have spent the past couple of weeks praying, talking to principals, district staff, the retiring Board member, community members, and my team trying to discern whether this is an opportunity God is putting before me "at such at time as this," or if it is a tempting distraction that could hinder/impede the work we are doing in the community.  I have come up with a long list of reasons why I should not pursue it, and an equally long list of reasons why I should.  I haven't struggled with a decision this much since we grappled through the whole "do we relocate to East Aurora or not" dilemma.  In the end, God did give me great peace about moving.  But, I didn't have a deadline I was up against, so I had the time to wait for God's direction.  This time, I do have a deadline.  I am praying that God will give me peace about one direction or the other before the deadline.  But, if He doesn't, should the default be to take the risk or not?  I'm going to choose to believe that He will make it clear . . .but I must seek Him and wait.  Neither of which is easy for me to do!  

CCDA is partnering with Community 4:12 to offer a 1/2-day-training based on a new book co-edited by John Fuder and Noel Castellanos entitled A Heart for the Community: New Models for Urban and Suburban Ministry.
 
In the workshops we'll look at the biblical basis for working with the poor, learn about Christian Community Development, and focus on Kingdom-enhancing Partnerships.

September 26, 2009.

9 am to 1 pm.  Click here for more information and go to www.ccda.org to register!