Phillip Bishop
Kinesiology
University of Alabama
We all spend time and money going to professional meetings. But do we think about attending one that can help in developing our spiritual lives?
In 1987 Rae Mellichamp, then here at Alabama with me, convinced me to go with him to a Christian Leadership Ministries [now Faculty Commons] conference in Dallas. Howard Hendricks of Dallas Seminary spoke about “Leadership on the College Campus” and I bought the tapes. Over the next few years I wore out those tapes listening to them over and over. To this day, I quote from that conference.
Teachers Who Influenced Him
Hendricks mentioned simple practical things like marking student papers. He told inspirational stories about how teachers (like Ms. Snowy) had influenced him. He told stories about some of his own students. He told about the power of admitting our weaknesses to our students. I don’t have a good memory, so the fact that I recall so much useful information is a tribute both to his teaching and to the practicality of that conference.
Ministry is an investment. University teaching and research, combined with having a personal ministry and influence for Christ as a professor, can be demanding, fatiguing, and discouraging. I find that at times I can begin to feel like I am surrounded by people who don’t want to hear about Christ, and that my presence isn’t making any difference.
It’s at these conferences that I find that I can get encouragement and my “batteries recharged.” There is something about being in a room with hundreds of other Christian professors — who fight the good fight year after year– that reminds me that I am not alone, and that I am not weird (well at least not too weird).
Re-Motivated
I learn new information and new skills. I get re-motivated to stay active in campus Christian ministry. I learn of new ways and new opportunities to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, we have used Walter Bradley’s advice and example in doing evangelistic “movie nights” in our home.
I have used Walter Bradley’s advice and example in doing evangelistic “movie nights” in our home. I have made a bunch of CLM mission trips with great friends because of the influence of CLM meetings. We are in week 11 (of 13) of the Faculty Discipleship Curriculum because Rae Mellichamp recommended it at the last NFLC. I am even writing this essay because of this past NFLC. Perhaps I would have done a few things on my own, but the greatest blessing of my academic career has been those things I have done with eternal significance.
June 22-25, 2006, we all have a new opportunity to gather again in the Washington, D.C. area. There will be some great plenary speakers, some interesting specialty tracks, and always great opportunities to meet old friends and make new ones. I hope to see you in DC so we can “spur one another on to love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24-25).