I had a chance to spend an evening with three really wise sages this week. It was one of those rare moments in my life when I knew it was best to sit down and listen, and once in a while ask a question. Most people know it is very hard for me to do this. One of the gents, Lee, was the former director of christian schools in British Columbia and is possibly one of the wisest men I know; another find gent, Sampson, is the current director of the Association of Christian Schools International for all of Africa; and one is my good friend Oense.
There are too many stories to tell, especially stories of what is happening with schools in Africa (for example, did you know there are 6,000 Christian schools in Congo! 6,000) This is not to suggest that there is no work to be done in Africa, but we also must cling to good things when we hear it). There are different Christian school associations both in North America and Africa, and as with most Christian organizations, they find ways to let politics get in the way. When I asked Sampson if some of the political bickering gets in the way, his answer was simple- "We invited them to come along, if they say yes it is terrific; if they say no, we wish them well and hopefully they join us along the way." I love that idea of "joining along the way." Maybe that is a definition of grace. God desires us to join with him right here right now; and if not, hopefully we will join him along the way. The invitation is always open. Finally, Lee reminded us that the definition of leadership is "building community in a faithful direction."
It was the kind of evening that I wish I videotaped.
1 comment:
Was this a dinner/coffee thing, or a more public event? This sounds like the kind of thing I'd like to be a part of!
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