[Aug. 28, 2011] —

I once was a Naval Flight Officer and our aircraft had landed for a few hours in Rota, Spain. I was in the Air Force base book store when a small paperback caught my eye. The book was, This Beats Working For A Living, by Professor X, who explained that he would be expelled from the profession if colleagues discovered his identity.

I’m not sure why, but I read the brief book with gusto and marveled at the great job the anonymous author was describing with genuine enthusiasm. I had no thoughts of higher education as a career.

It would be about eight years before I joined academe. As an assistant professor, I learned that some parts of Prof. X’s book were a bit exaggerated, but that the professorate was truly a wonderful career. After 26 years, it strikes me that our job offers opportunities unlike any other. We get paid to travel, read, think, and occasionally we get invited to speak, inside and outside the USA. Because we get paid to study, we can become one of the world’s foremost experts in our narrow field of interest.

People of Influence

We are people of influence. We influence students, colleagues, and sometimes the public. If we play our cards just right, people may even be interested in what we think, write and say. God is not impressed, but I am.

God called all believers to go into all the world and make disciples. I have been fortunate to travel to a large portion of the world. Making disciples has been a bit more challenging. Both have been rewarding.

I think about some of those I have influenced a bit over the years as a professor. There are Paul and Matt, Eric, Andy, and Matt #2, Eric #2, Jay, Wes; there are Stasia, Justin and Stephen, Ryan, Annie, Corey and Krista. I have tried to influence a lot more, in fact every person with whom I have had contact.

How much impact have I had? I have no idea. We walk by faith, not by sight.

I don’t really have any good measure of my effectiveness, but that’s not stopping me. I can’t make my students learn, I can only create the best learning environment and circumstances. I can’t make a disciple; I can only pray and create the best environment and circumstances. Fortunately, God’s call to professors doesn’t involve peoples’ responses, only our obedience.

New Approaches, New Ideas

After 26 years, I have found some things that seem to effectively influence students for Christ. But, I am always looking for new approaches, new ideas, and new means for influence. I have to be on guard against making my students MY disciples, and instead point them towards Christ.

The temptation we Americans face is to lay up for ourselves treasures on earth; but moth and rust consume and thieves break in. So, I have to constantly remind myself of that treasure in heaven, and that’s worth the effort.

At the start of a new school year, I resolve to try once again to help make disciples, and leave the results to God.

© 2011 Phillip A. Bishop