Merry Christmas

Recently, I have found myself asking the question – “What is it that makes an institution/ministry healthy?” I have often looked at Black Forest Academy and been impressed by the leadership and the inherent health of the organization despite the transient community and lack of major funding.  I have been around ministry circles, churches and Christian institutions my entire life and am painfully aware of what an incredible blessing this is.  While BFA is far from perfect there is an overall health that intrigues me. What brings about this kind of health? What are the leadership characteristics that are being modeled and most importantly what can I learn from them? 

The Sunday School answer is “Jesus” and of course this is true BUT the leadership of any institution has to be willing to put Him first, not just in word but in deed. 

I believe that part of what makes BFA so unique is the fact that no one is paid and we are all dependent on a foreign government to allow us the opportunity of serving.  Believe me, it is something that I have often wished weren’t true but I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the primary reasons for the health of BFA.  Each staff member has a call and has chosen to live dependent on Jesus and the generosity of others to follow that call.  What it forces us to do, hopefully, is to live with our hands wide open, not grasping at security, pay checks, or positions.  Don’t misunderstand me, I am NOT saying that this can’t happen with a paycheck!  I have seen it, and am so thankful for those examples, but sadly it is rare.

Support raising alone, however, does not necessarily make for a healthy institution.  At BFA every staff member knows that the longest they will be there is five years and then they will have to leave for a year.  Each person is valuable and yet each person can and will be replaced at some point.  This reality is hard at times.  Our staff invests so much to get there and then so much once they arrive.  And while we know the investment is eternal, let’s be honest, we all like to think of ourselves as irreplaceable.  This year for example there is a large number of new staff that don’t know the impact and legacy of those that have left but had invested 10 or more years at BFA. I believe this reality is crucial in keeping each one of us humble and reminding us that God allows us the privilege of “partnering” with him but His work is not dependent on us.  On the one hand this is a hard pill to swallow, on the other hand it is incredible freeing! This reality preempts any self preservation or promoting and allows the focus to remain on following our Savior and being a support system for the families that are on the front lines. 

This question has led me directly to the Christmas story.  As the days we are living in seem to grow darker and evil often appears to be winning, I think it is normal and even human to look for security in these uncertain times.  But I don’t believe this response to be Biblical or part of the Christmas spirit.  In the most uncertain of all times, God sent His One and Only Son to earth as a baby.  Talk about radical living.  He shows us what it means to live, not grasping, but open-handed.  Willing to do whatever it is the Father asks.  Not seeking position, security or recognition but living in absolute surrender to the One who sent Him so that you and I could know true freedom in Him. 

This Christmas, I am thankful for a Savior who “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:6-8)

This is the meaning of Christmas, our Savior did not hold on to position or security because of his love for YOU and for ME!  And that obedience and love cost Him everything!  How could I offer Him anything less than my all this Christmas season?