So, it is upon us. For those of us who are connected to non-quarter colleges and universities, the beginning of Fall Semester is here!
For me, being in Blacksburg Va and co-pastoring a church that works to empower both local residents and college students to see more clearly the picture God is trying to show them; fall is an exciting time. Just this morning I was walking into my office and heard the Marching Virginians drum corps practicing. You could here the reverberating drum beats all over town! That is one of my favorite indicators that fall kick-off is about to commence.
As is our custom, this past week our campus staff team met for the entire day to plan, pray, reflect, dream a bit and discuss our mission for the year. I always look forward to that time to hear what God is saying to those I serve with, and to see how they reflect on what I sense God is saying to me. One section of that day is where we discussed the events that we undertake in those first two or three weeks. Overall [nlcf] isn’t a church that puts on a ton of events. In fact, we typically try to pull back our meetings to as few as possible so that people can we out living the gospel and not just meeting to talk about it.
But the first couple of weeks is different. What we have seen over the years is that the majority of the literally thousands of people who will be arriving at Tech (many for the first time) are helped by having certain events available to them. So, we have our list.
During that time, I was asked a question by one of our newer staff people, Sarah. She asked how an introvert was expected to navigate the numerous events that we host, almost all of which are built around meeting new people and trying to help them feel at home and get involved in whatever groups they prefer. IE NOT optimized for introverts.
I thought it was a great question and as I have reflected on it, I have a few thoughts. So, I will list our events that we are hosting, the goal of the event, and how different personality types might manage those times. Away we go…
Monday August 16 — The Welcome Back Cook-Out
The goal of this time is to allow members of [nlcf] that have been spread out all over the world for the summer, to reconnect. In many instances, Jesus would disperse the disciples to perform the work of the kingdom. Usually this would be for a period of several weeks, then they would meet back together at a certain point. Almost every time Jesus would then spend time alone with them, likely so they could talk about how it went, commiserate, and celebrate. That is the goal of the cook-out. Just enjoy one another’s company, and welcome everyone back. For the extrovert, this is pretty straightforward stuff, hang out with a lot of people. Use the fact that your extroverted tendencies are helpful and look for those one the fringe, those that seem less comfortable than you are. To the introverts in the house, focus on a fewer number of conversations that might be more involved than some of the extroverts will have. Still be on the lookout for those on the fringe, but maybe alternate a conversation that might be more comfortable for you with one that is less so.
Tuesday Evening August 17 — The Vision Event
The purpose of this event is to make sure that we are all on the same page, that we collectively understand the direction we sense God is guiding [nlcf], and to spend some time in some creative ways that helps us all internalize that vision. There will be worship, guided prayer and reflection times, celebration and challenge. This one is one you just engage in. Simple as that. Will be a good time!
Wednesday and Thursday 8:00-3:ish August 18 and 19 — Time to Move In some Stuff!!
This one is also pretty straightforward. People travel from all over the country with piles of stuff and a kid. Not only is it overwhelming to be dropping off that kid, but the shear volume of stuff that comes with them can break the strongest of wills. Add to that our fantastic hot and humid Blacksburg weather AND the fact that thousands of other clusters of stuff and kids are converging on the same area at the same time… It can be tough.
As followers of Jesus, it is simply the right thing to do to help. Paul challenges us to remember the example that Jesus set. He gave up his rights to serve and be with us. We should do the same thing. Likely we already are moved in to where we will be living and we have moved enough stuff to reach our lifetime maximum. But the reality is that we know how to set up a room, we know where to send people for the inevitable information they need, and we know that setting up Tech’s loft systems without a hammer is typically futile, regardless of what they say. So we should give up our right to not have to do it, and do it anyway.
Our goal is to set up teams of 6 – 8 [nlcf]ers, on those teams we try to have one person who hangs with the student moving in. Making sure they get their questions answered, just being there with them. We usually have one who does the same with the parents and the rest are Sherpa-ing stuff up twelve flights of stairs in Slussher Hall. We give the student information about local businesses, some coupons for free stuff and some information about [nlcf] if they are interested. We also make sure they know that they can come to our Free Pizza Party by War Memorial Chapel.
For those of us who are extroverts, we should expect to take the bulk of the talking jobs. I don’t think it should be just us doing that, but we should be ready to do a lot of it. Introverts in the house, should share the responsibility, but won’t do as much chatting it up. One thing that both personality types can focus on is being an encouragement to the team you are working with. I can tell you, after helping with this process for years, about 2:00, it is hot, you might be covered in sweat (I will be), and you will be tired. That is when we need to encourage one another. The scriptures refer to it as spurring one another on to love and good deeds… All of us should be careful to not complain, but to encourage one another.
Wednesday and Thursday Evenings (5:30…) — Pizza Parties!
This got started a number of years ago when we realized that Tech allowed Freshman to move in a couple of days before the dining halls opened. That’s right. They could move in, but not eat!
So we decided we could buy hundreds of pizzas, and give them out. This event is very free flowing, we stack up the pizza boxes, have drinks,have music, tailgate type games and raffle off a few prizes. The purpose of this time is to give new people and returning students a chance to meet some new people and us. People come, hang out a bit and leave. So we spend our time going from cluster to cluster of new people, getting to know a few, inviting them to our Sunday gatherings, answering questions they may have, and just trying to welcome them to Tech.
Every year we also have something occur that frustrates many, but shouldn’t. Every year we have people that like to show how rockstar awesome they are by walking up to our piles of pizza boxes and taking one or two full pizzas, wink to their friends and leave. Happens every year.
Don’t let it bother you. In an event like this, it is unavoidable. Let it go, pray they enjoy their ill-gotten gain and focus on those that are hanging around.
In my expereince, this is the one that is the hardest to make it through. First of all, you are tired from carrying stuff in the heat all day. Sometimes, you don’t even have time to get home to shower, so you are hot, sweaty and you stink. Not fun. The other reason it can be tough is that conversation can get stalled after you run through the big four questions.
1. What’s your name?
2. Are you are Freshman? Can jazz this one up with shifting to How long have you been at Tech?
3. Where do you live? Can also mix this one up with Where are you from?
4. What is your major?
After you get through the magic four, it can be tough to keep it going. Here are some alternatives for you regardless of your personality type.
1. Pair Up! Jesus would send out the disciples in pairs even though they could have covered more ground on their own. Grab someone that you are comfortable with or that you want to spend time with and meet people in pairs. It can really help.
2. Remember the comfortable conversation/uncomfortable conversation/comfortable conversation thing we talked about before, do that here.
3. When you need a break, take five and pray for God to provide you the stregth you need to keep going. In the past I have gone into the chapel for just a couple of minutes of quiet. It worked wonders. I try to remind myself that this isn’t just something to do, it is something that can be a part of changing peoples’ eternities.
4. When you are talked out, join in the games. By participating you make it more likely others will. Maybe ask someone who looks new and uncomfortable to join in with you.
Friday August 20 — Iron Man 2 on Drillfield
Okay, this one is easy, go to the movie. Iron Man was awesome, and we all know that sequels are always better than the first. Right? But before you go, reflect on whether there was anyone you really connected with during the earlier events. Invite them along to join you and a few others. Then, sit and watch. If you are like me, the challenge will be to not fall asleep.
Then, after the movie, head on over to 130 Jackson (the new building) for the first Club 130 event of the 2010/2011 academic year! Their will be music, food; oh the fun we will have. For our introverts, try to take this opportunity to really focus on a couple of people and ask a few deeper questions about their backgrounds, have they ever really gone to church, what are they looking for in 
one (if they are looking for one.), there is always the topic of Tech football if you really want to take it deep. The extroverts can do this as well, but be especially aware of anyone that seems to be off by themselves. Try to do what you can to make sure they know they are welcome and can join in with anything they would like to. Some will prefer to stand back and observe, which is fine. We just don’t want anyone to feel left out.
Sunday August 22 — Sunday Gatherings
Wow! What a week! But let’s keep our focus as we head into Sunday. Here is what that will look like.
Continue to be welcoming. Approach people and see if they are new. Don’t worry about reintroducing yourself to people you have already met. I have done it a thousand times. I just apologize and see how they are doing. Invite people to sit with you and your freinds. Include them in your plans for after the gathering if you are heading out to eat or whatnot. Invite them to the HomeGroup event and make sure they know where it is. Make sure they know that you would love to have them come to yours. This is not about getting numbers, this is about loving people that are likely much more uncomfortable than you are and helping them to connect with godly community. You can also do this in pairs.
We also really want poeple to invoke the ten-minute rule. This very creatively titled rule states that for ten minutes after the
gathering is over, you don’t hang out with your friends, you focus on those who seem like they are new. You can show them where we have food after, ask them some questions about what they thought of the incredible teacher who spoke… anything like that.
Here is the point. Ready? Go into this week with expectation. Expectation that God is watching what you are doing for him and is excited to use what we do. That he sees the value in this. Go into this week having reflected on what your overall role in the process is. Do your part. Don’t get discouraged when you hit a wall, likely all of us will. Be honest about it, but remember that God really seems to believe that he can give us the power we need to make it when we need it. Trust him and expect him to do just that. And by all means, don’t neglect your times with him during that week. I have done this a lot of years, and there have been ones where I have not taken any solitary time with God for reflection and replenishment. Those are, by far, the hardest weeks I have had. Now, I have shorter check in times, but I need those times. Don’t neglect them even if they are different than normal.
So, this has been long enough. Peace.
Jim
