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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
So, a co-worker of mine recently introduced to me the web site Pinterest. I've quickly grown to like it as I enjoy collecting thoughts and ideas (especially visually). Beyond using pinterest as a new hobby or time-waster, I have aspirations of using it for different design projects that our Creative Media Team could embark on. Since you can set up and share pin boards, it seems like it could be a useful virtual collaboration environment for creatives. Thanks Jamie!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Reaction and Critique of Name Change
A close friend of mine pointed me to this design blog BRAND NEW that commented on the name change of Campus Crusade for Christ. The title cracks me up: A Crusade Against Long Names. It's interesting and helpful to see how some in the design community are reacting to our name change. Thanks Armin.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
New Look. Same Mission
As I step into my new role as Director of Design, I'm actually pleased at the timing of the recent name change of our organization from Campus Crusade for Christ to Cru. Though I can be quite nostalgic at times (especially with things very close to my heart), I believe that this name change and re-branding was already overdue.
It was very interesting for me to watch the media response and hype surrounding this significant change for such a large ministry organization with a significant legacy both here and around the world. The assumption that we set out to remove Christ from our name and that we were leaving our spiritual and theological moorings was quite absurd. No, the real reason is to remove any barriers from the mission so that we can have a broader impact and clearer Gospel message then ever before.
Recently, Starbucks changed there logo and dropped their name "Starbucks Coffee Co." from around the iconic mermaid. You know what? I didn't hear people raising a concern that Starbucks was changing for the worse as a company or that they were loosing their passion for coffee (or even worse yet, that I'd walk into one of their stores to find that they don't sell coffee anymore). No, their change also reflected a desire to show people that about MORE than just coffee and don't want their brand name to keep people from experiencing all that they have to offer. In a similar vein, I can assure people that Cru is so much more than just reaching campuses for Christ and reassure them that we aren't about "conquering" people in some form of crusade for Jesus. We are the same at our core yet growing and pursuing new ways to invite people into a global community of believers so that they might experience the life-changing Truth of knowing and following Jesus Christ. Amen.
It was very interesting for me to watch the media response and hype surrounding this significant change for such a large ministry organization with a significant legacy both here and around the world. The assumption that we set out to remove Christ from our name and that we were leaving our spiritual and theological moorings was quite absurd. No, the real reason is to remove any barriers from the mission so that we can have a broader impact and clearer Gospel message then ever before.
Recently, Starbucks changed there logo and dropped their name "Starbucks Coffee Co." from around the iconic mermaid. You know what? I didn't hear people raising a concern that Starbucks was changing for the worse as a company or that they were loosing their passion for coffee (or even worse yet, that I'd walk into one of their stores to find that they don't sell coffee anymore). No, their change also reflected a desire to show people that about MORE than just coffee and don't want their brand name to keep people from experiencing all that they have to offer. In a similar vein, I can assure people that Cru is so much more than just reaching campuses for Christ and reassure them that we aren't about "conquering" people in some form of crusade for Jesus. We are the same at our core yet growing and pursuing new ways to invite people into a global community of believers so that they might experience the life-changing Truth of knowing and following Jesus Christ. Amen.
Regional Director of Design
It has been just over a year since I and my family returned from our four year mission in Wellington, New Zealand. It was definitely an amazing opportunity to pioneer a new campus movement and trust God to do a work in raising up Kiwis (nationals) to take over the mission and reach their own for Christ. Coming out of our overseas STINT, I can look back and see the definite growth, benefits, and blessings in it. So, it was very good... but it was also very hard.
Part of God's work in my personal life and calling to mission during my time in New Zealand was to show me that I have some unique and specific giftings that I've shied (or perhaps even "steered") away from, believing they weren't entirely applicable, in light of working with students on university campuses. But God has been gradually and faithfully revealed to me that some of these gifts and strengths are part of who I am. They're inherent in who He has made me and purposed me to be. In some ways, it has been a path to rediscovering who I already knew I was. It has explained why I gravitate toward different roles and tendencies even in light of my calling and work within the Great Commission.
So, what did I rediscover? It has been apparent to me over the 10 years I've been on staff that I am very good at managing projects, people, tools, materials, and resources. (Never mind that my major in college was Construction Management.) This has played out in the ways I've coordinated my teams, set up events, facilitated and built partnerships outside my ministry, and stewarded the financial and material resources I've been entrusted with. Beyond the management strengths, I've seen my love of the creative. Designing and writing newsletters, helping develop new methods and mediums with which to extend the Gospel to people, promoting and encouraging worship through music, poetry, and art... finding within these a fresh and deep way for myself and others to connect with the Creator.
What does a Regional Director of Design do? There is still a lot to be discovered about this particular role for sure. But being invited to come back to Colorado to oversee and manage projects related to the creative disciplines... I can't think of a better spot for me to land right now! My hope is that this is a perfect marriage of using my both my strengths and passions for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission for the Glory of God.
Part of God's work in my personal life and calling to mission during my time in New Zealand was to show me that I have some unique and specific giftings that I've shied (or perhaps even "steered") away from, believing they weren't entirely applicable, in light of working with students on university campuses. But God has been gradually and faithfully revealed to me that some of these gifts and strengths are part of who I am. They're inherent in who He has made me and purposed me to be. In some ways, it has been a path to rediscovering who I already knew I was. It has explained why I gravitate toward different roles and tendencies even in light of my calling and work within the Great Commission.
So, what did I rediscover? It has been apparent to me over the 10 years I've been on staff that I am very good at managing projects, people, tools, materials, and resources. (Never mind that my major in college was Construction Management.) This has played out in the ways I've coordinated my teams, set up events, facilitated and built partnerships outside my ministry, and stewarded the financial and material resources I've been entrusted with. Beyond the management strengths, I've seen my love of the creative. Designing and writing newsletters, helping develop new methods and mediums with which to extend the Gospel to people, promoting and encouraging worship through music, poetry, and art... finding within these a fresh and deep way for myself and others to connect with the Creator.
What does a Regional Director of Design do? There is still a lot to be discovered about this particular role for sure. But being invited to come back to Colorado to oversee and manage projects related to the creative disciplines... I can't think of a better spot for me to land right now! My hope is that this is a perfect marriage of using my both my strengths and passions for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission for the Glory of God.
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