Meaning and Significance

2008 August 08

by Tyler

Today was the first day of being a satelite host for the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. Aside from saying hi to friends from all over the state, watching the sessions, and eating…I was running around doing all sorts of things to make things go off without a hitch. I’ve been going since 7am and now its 9pm. Wow! What an awesome day.

Special thanks to those of you who came out for dinner after wards, so great to connect and meet new people.

Lots of the Leadership Summit is on philosophy, ideas, and vision casting. It is heady stuff. My highlight of the day was when Wendy Kopp spoke about how her idea for Teach for American began to take root. Her target group for workers: college seniors from elite universities. This idea came out when she was a senior at Princeton University. Her advisor thought she was crazy. These students generally graduate to six-figure salaries and she was trying to recruit them for a salary no where close to that.

Here was my first thought about her idea: genius.

You see I’m only a year and half removed from undergrad education. Most of my friends from college graduated to dead end jobs, or were working endless hours just trying to move up. Most of them have now decided to go back to school for a masters or have moved on to a more meaningful, low paying job.

If you wonder why your church doesn’t reach college graduates, I think I know why. College grads are qualified enough to be given respect, power, and leadership. Most churches don’t give any of those to people who are 22. Wendy Kopp and Teach for American is a success story because she knew that college grads don’t just want money, they want to work for meaning and signifcance.

Question for you: Would you rather do a meaningful job or a high paying job?

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http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

hands down, meaningful. of course, i’ve chosen the arts as my ave. for work and well, rarely, is that a 6 figure gig. of course my dad thinks i will sell an award winning book and share the reward for his retirement & corvette….but what are dads for? i love what i do and i could accept nothing less…while i want to be able to be self sufficient and have adequate provision…i’d rather love what i do and where i’m going than have all the money in the world.
http://www.aaronivey.com aaronivey.com

dude, that’s a really great point. i think you are right as to why grad students aren’t typically in church. no place for them. difficult to find community much less significance and a place of leadership/influence. yes, i would rather do what i love doing. even though i am also loaded beyond measure… haha.
http://www.sovannsblog.blogspot.com Sovann

Come to our church! Plenty of meaningful work to do for no pay
I’d say 80% of our church is under 30 years old.
http://www.melindalgroth.blogspot.com/ Melinda Groth

I actually have a half written blog draft on this subject. Many of Christina and Josh’s friends graduated several years ago. They majored and found employment in what they do very well, but not necessarily what they love to do. This topic has been volleying back and forth a lot. Many are saddled by enormous college debt. Some have young families to support and insurance needs that the higher paying jobs provide perks for. It is always the right thing to clear debt. Sometimes that happens by doing something that pays really well, but not necessarily something that is meaningful. Some people are able to have both meaningful and gainful employment.

For many, if they are Christ-followers, the meaningfulness is an essence that comes out of the way they embrace the opportunities of each day, reflecting their love of Jesus. It also is the product of service, outside of employment, using God-given spiritual gifts and talents. That is what provides an abundant and meaningful life.
http://www.adamintheocean.wordpress.com adam

Tyler,

right now it could be said i do a meaningful job. and in the end i would rather do that.

ultimately, as long as i loved the job, the money wouldn’t be as important i think.
Jos

Love Melinda’s comment.

Part of being a of living in the real world an being mature is realizing that you have to pay bills and you don’t always get to do what you want. But you find places in your life to make a difference and it doesn’t mean you’re a sell-out just because you earn a comfortable living.
Lindsey

First of all…I LOVE Teach for America. It’s a great organization, one that I’ve wanted to participate in since I first read about it during high school. Now I’m an education major…but I might participate anyway, to help out in a school that really needs it.

Of course, I think everyone is going to say they prefer something meaningful. I’m going to say it too. When I started college I was a journalism major, which I think I would have loved and found meaning in. But ultimately, God wanted me to be a teacher. I love children, I love to learn, and I know that I’ll find so much meaning and fulfillment there. For me, though, the problem wasn’t finding a career I loved. I think I’d be happy doing a lot of things. But God had to work on my heart A LOT to get me to a point where I didn’t care about prestige, money, respect, etc. I guess that makes me sound pretty selfish, but hey, I’m just being honest. It took some work, but it’s not so important to me anymore, because I realize now that this is where God wants me, and I will do whatever He requires.

And, like Melanie said (I LOVE her commment), I hope to find my meaning in serving God, wherever He wants me.
http://newheights.wordpress.com/ Darin

One of the best days at the Summit I have had.

She was great. She inspired me in many ways.
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

Melinda brought up a great point. College debt is a real thing, believe me. I KNOW!!!

But you can pay off college debt making 40k instead of 100k. And no I don’t make 40k…not even close.
http://www.GAJohnson.org Greg Johnson

A meaningful job. I left a career in which I was making in the six digits to become a pastor and now a church planter. The pay is not so good, but it is very meaningful.

gaj
http://www.GAJohnson.org Greg Johnson

Tyler,

Send some of those 22 year olds college grads that want to use their life to make a difference my way. We are a church that will give them leadership positions both in the church and in point of need ministry in our city.

gaj