What is your label?

Ever since my college undergraduate experience I have had to contemplate whether or not to proceed with any form of ordination or licensure as a "professional minister" [if such a person can even really exist (see next entry)]. Having earned my B.A. in Theology and being in process with my M.A. in Religion (Missional Leadership) I well exceed the educational "requirements/qualifications" to be a "licensed" minister in the Church of the Nazarene. There remains something unsettling, however, every time I consider officially affiliating myself with any given denomination. To an even greater degree I find it problematic to own a certificate labeling myself as a "minister" (once again, see next entry).
Why do we insist on methods of labeling and categorization?
Can we not be followers of Jesus / teachers of the way of Jesus without "credentials?"
Why do we adhere ourselves to certain denominational tribes?
What labels are healthy or unhealthy?
How do you label yourself?
How do others label you?
How do you label others?
Please leave your thoughts and check out the survey tool to the right.

A Confession for the Church.

There were about 70-80 well-dressed, "appropriately adorned," monetarily secure and even affluent individuals conversing, smiling, and mingling while circling the San Diego Bay on a dessert cruise. Cheesecake and chocolate truffles had been served along with coffee and much remained to be eaten. The cruise was a type of celebration or at least a designated time to relax and enjoy company after several days of meetings and meals in dialogue about leadership, strengths, and vision for student leadership in the way of Jesus on college campuses. After consuming the freshness of the crisp air, the sweet flavored delicacies, the lights of the city, and the warmth of relationship the boat docked.
Upon descending from the ramp connecting the boat to the city sidewalk and proceeding to the shuttle for the return trip to the hotel, there were about 70-80 well-dressed, "appropriately adorned," monetarily secure and even affluent individuals conversing, smiling, and mingling while three individuals prepared their separate "beds" on cold, hard, street-side benches. One had a shopping cart with some blankets and cardboard. As he laid down and covered up there were about 70-80 well-dressed, "appropriately adorned," monetarily secure and even affluent individuals conversing, smiling, and mingling who WALKED RIGHT BY.
The "religious elite" composed of student leaders and staff members from a theological seminary and eight "Christian" colleges WALKED RIGHT BY.
I... WALKED RIGHT BY.
Not a word spoken.
Only a glance.
I... WALKED RIGHT BY.
I thought for only an instant... "I should stop. I should ask if there is something I could do to help. I could catch a cab back to the hotel after having a conversation with this man."
"But everyone will see me. I don't want to appear hyper-religious or provide a poor representation of engaging people with the love of Jesus."
So I continued on.
I was part of the "religious elite" who had better things to do or at least a certain image to maintain. Meanwhile, I was hyper-religious and provided a poor representation of engaging people with the love of Jesus.
On behalf of the Church.
To the church.
I apologize.
Grace.

A Community Mind.

Last night I re-watched A Beautiful Mind, one of the films in my "Top 5 Films" list. John Nash is a student at Yale who reforms the dynamics of economic theory proposed by Adam Smith. His underlying principle is that one making a choice must not make a decision for his own benefit but rather make a decision for his own benefit and the benefit of the community. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross initially benefited/benefits the community but not himself. He suffers terribly for the sake of the community. Am I to suffer for the sake of my community or am I to make decisions in line with the Kingdom of God that benefit myself with the hope that a kingdom-approach will ultimately benefit the community (presuming that the community needs realigned with the Kingdom of God)?

Presidential Candidates.

Just for fun I completed an online survey to see with which 2008 presidential candidate's views my opinions most closely match. Though I didn't like the ambiguity and overly-general questions here are my results:

Dennis Kucinich (D) - Ohio Representative: 78.33% match
Ron Paul (R) - Texas Representative: 68.33%
Mike Gravel (D) - Former Alaska Senator : 66.67%
Joseph Biden (D) - Delaware Senator : 49.17%
Hillary Clinton (D) - New York Senator: 48.33%
John Cox (R) - Businessman: 48.33%
Christopher Dodd (D) - Connecticut Senator: 48.33%
Barack Obama (D) - Illinois Senator: 48.33%
John Edwards (D) - Former North Carolina Senator: 47.50%
Bill Richardson (D) - New Mexico Governor: 46.67%
Mike Huckabee (R) - Former Arkansas Governor: 44.17%
Sam Brownback (R) - Kansas Senator: 40.00%
John McCain (R) - Arizona Senator: 40.00%
Governor Mitt Romney (R) - Former Massachusetts: 40.00%
Tom Tancredo (R) - Colorado Representative: 31.67%
Rudy Giuliani (R) - Former New York City Mayor: 28.33%
Duncan Hunter (R) - California Representative 23.33%
Fred Thompson (R) - Former Tennessee Senator: 23.33%

I am ecstatic that 15 of my 18 matches rank below 50% with only 3 between 60% and 80%. I am for the abolishment of the two-party system and my results may reveal why. It is impossible to find a candidate with whom I highly agree due their stances being formulated not on a per issue basis but on a "party-line."
Take to survey for yourself: http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html

Leadership Reduced // God is Green

This is from post I published a blog for MVNU student leaders:

Leadership is very complex. I have read several books on leadership along with attending conferences that include "leadership" break-out sessions. It is intriguing to read and hear all the different perspectives and ideas that surround the buzz-word topic. I have discovered that my own leadership is flawed if I do not experientially demonstrate any concept or behavior that I wish to communicate.

I have been accused lately of being a "tree-hugging-hippie" because I am a non-violent activist who has taken up reducing, reusing, and recycling. Sarah, Kyla, and I have bins in our kitchen area for the recycling of plastic, metal, cardboard, and paper. When a bin fills up I take the materials to the Knox County Recycling Center on Columbus Road. I hope my attempt to "live green" leads others to do the same.

As lovers of creation, the staff of Oakwood Hall is planning to initiate a large recycling campaign. Many automobile manufacturers and social organizations encourage people to "Live Green" by reducing oil usage and automobile emissions along with caring for streams, lakes, and rivers and preserving the natural habitat of creatures. I would contend that followers of Jesus should follow the lead of said associations not as conforming citizens but as worshipers of our Creator. God is green. He has entrusted humanity to care for ourselves and the rest of creation. We are to control our consumption and reuse our resources as stewards of Creation and as leaders.

May we reduce leading others to our own demonstration.
Live Green.