November 18, 2003
Volume 1: Issue 3
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with Brent Crowe
Visit Brent's Website
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The Big Picture
The other day, as I was
sitting on a plane awaiting takeoff, I pulled out my copy of USA Today
and began flipping through it. Nothing was particularly surprising; 9
U.S. aid relief workers killed in the Sudan, a suicide attack on a Italian
paramilitary base killing 31, North Korea in talks with other nations
about their nuclear arms program. But then, about the time our pilot came
over the loudspeaker to inform us we were about to reach our cruising
altitude of 30,000 feet, something in my newspaper struck me and caused me
simply to stare. On one half of the page was an article discussing the
thousands dying in Africa every month due to AIDS and hunger and
positioned directly parallel to this heart-breaking article was an
advertisement for a $500 women’s purse! What kind of message did this
send? “Hey, the world around us is suffering and dying but don’t worry
because we in the US can by $500 purses.” Now don’t get me wrong, I am not
against having nice things or living in nice houses and I am extremely
grateful to live in the United States, but there is a danger in living in
this great land and that is that we often go through life with blinders on
to what is happening in the world around us.
If you
have had any involvement with SLU then you have most definitely heard Dr.
Jay say, “Leaders see the big picture!” If anybody ever saw the big
picture it was Jesus, just listen to his mission statement, “For the Son
of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11). If we are to
be leaders, we must understand and practice what it means to see the big
picture. Let us discuss the characteristics of those who do:
1.
Those who see the
big picture view the world through the grid of Scripture.
Everyone has a
worldview. Dr. Danny Akin, Dean of Students at Southern Seminary and one
of our amazing professors at Student Leadership University, defines this
as “a comprehensive view of life through which we think, understand, and
judge, and which determines our approach to life and meaning.” As leaders
we must constantly seek to be exhaustive in viewing our culture and other
cultures through the grid of Scripture and not allow our vision to be
skewed by any other vantage point. The key word here is exhaustive. This
discipline is what sets leaders apart and allows them to rise above that
they may see the world from an eagle’s point of view.
2. Those who
see the big picture see those who most fail to see.
While so many
things marked the ministry of our Lord, it may be this characteristic that
never fails to captivate even the non-believer, yet in all the talk about
leadership; it may be the most overlooked. As leaders, how many times do
we fail to see those who seem unimportant to an all too busy world? Mother
Teresa said it well when she expressed, “The meaning of my life is the
love of God. It is Christ in his distressing disguise whom I love and
serve.”
3. Those
who see the big picture are proactive in their response.
Leaders find solutions rather than merely
stating the problem. I heard a professor say once, “Be a voice, not an
echo.” Leaders are those individuals who go beyond just echoing the
problem and are proactive in their view of culture because they are the
ones who find solutions. They do what others never even think of doing. |
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with Luke Lin
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The articles we feature
this month deal with compelling stories and issues that have been
broadcasted around the world. Yet, as seemingly diverse as these stories
are, one common thread can be illuminated: everything rises and falls on
leadership. As Christian leaders, we need to constantly remember that
every choice carries consequences. Those outcomes, either good or bad, can
have a tremendous impact on not only our own selves, but on the lives of
potentially countless people.
Think of the leaders
you admire – they are the most famous representatives in their fields but
even these icons are not immune to disaster. This is true globally –
Mikhail Khordorkovsky is a case in point. Khordorkovsky, the richest man
in the economically struggling Russian empire, was arrested and charged
with fraud and tax evasion. Imagine being the wealthiest person in the
land with the potential of contributing to the revolution of the economic
system, then being busted for withholding money. As a result of his
arrest, the international markets fell subsequent to what had been a
progressive economic season, and the portfolios of millions around the
globe were affected. Everything rises and falls on leadership.
Conversely, another
article we feature this month highlights the new modus operandi for Iraqi
residents. It details the response of the Iraqi people to their newly
realized liberation and the ensuing paradigm shifts. Although President
Bush has endured more criticism than acclaim for his decision to unshackle
Iraq, and the hardships of the war on terrorism remain with the loss of so
many troops, the fact still remains that a new day has dawned for the
people of Iraq and the surrounding areas. As the Iraqi leadership under
Paul Bremer formalizes and finalizes plans for their new government, it is
essential to consider that without the leadership of Bush, the people of
Iraq would still be living in poor conditions, fearing for their very life
each day. Certainly, Bush has dealt with many critics in his strivings to
liberate Iraq, but he knew the possible consequences of doing nothing.
Iraqis have many more challenges ahead, but roaming the streets of Iraq
today, one entity is present that has never been before: freedom.
Everything rises and falls on leadership.
As you scour the news
and study the effects of global events on the lives around you, remember
that you can make a difference. In fact, you are called as leaders to make
a difference. Always know what is happening around you, and develop
thoughtful responses in which you can actively partake as you seek to be
salt and light as effective leaders. Everything rises and falls on you.
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featuring Lindsay Curtin
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"Begin a
new life in me Lord. Almighty, please give me another chance.
I have taken your love, your mercy, and your grace for
granted; and now I come before you, on my knees, begging you
to begin a new life in me." Prayers such as these were the cry
of my heart as I was in the difficult, yet liberating, process
of turning my life from a deep depression to self-succession.
As I was reaching out to the Father above, he reached back
down to me, providing me with an amazing opportunity that
would illuminate my life - Student Leadership University.
Questions
of my purpose began to overtake my mind as I began
experiencing the many trials in adolescence. I sought for
answers in Scripture, I got involved with my youth group, and
I went to Student Leadership University in Orlando, Florida. I
arrived there the summer before my senior year in high school,
ready to learn, and I could not believe all that I ended up
learning from Dr. Strack. This is an excerpt from my prayer
journal that week:
"I want all
of the expectations that Dr. Strack has for me as a student to
be fulfilled. A large portion of the lecture tonight talked
about mediocrity. This lesson made me come to the realization
that I allow myself to be content or satisfied in being
average. Lord, I pray that you would give me the strength, the
perseverance, and most of all, the confidence in myself to go
all of the way, and to do the very best that I can do."
Through
these many challenges of not settling for mediocrity, setting
goals for myself, and truly believing that I was created by
God to accomplish so much more than I was allowing him to do,
I had a paradigm shift. A light went off, and I knew that I
needed to take God out of the box that I was trying to confine
him in. I needed to let him “begin a new life in me,” one that
contained a wealth of knowledge, an abundance of joy, and a
purpose to serve God and his people. I began my new journey by
setting some goals for myself. First, I planned to attend
Oklahoma Baptist University*; secondly, I aspired to become an
SLU intern, and thirdly, it was at 101 that I felt called to
give my life and career to the Lord, which led to a thriving
passion to serve youth. Once the goals were set, I moved
towards making them a working reality.
I have
discovered that no matter how many clubs one is involved in,
leadership is not a matter of one’s title, but a lifestyle.
SLU taught me that leaders must think a few steps ahead of
those around them, must first motivate themselves before they
can motivate others, and must possess great character. God has
given me many opportunities to build and strengthen the
leadership qualities that I was taught and am continuing to
learn through SLU.
Currently, I am pursing degrees in both psychology and Bible
at OBU. The most amazing blessing that I have been able to
take part in is my family coming to know the Lord. I am also
an active “Big Sister” in the “Big Brothers and Big Sisters”
organization in addition to reaching out bi-weekly to
juveniles in jail. I have also completed my first summer as an
SLU intern and am preparing myself to return next year! From
the essential lessons that I have learned there, I know how to
prepare myself, how to prioritize, and how to be purposeful in
all that I do.
*Editor's note: Oklahoma Baptist University is one of the
founding partners of SLU. Be sure to visit them
online. |
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As the holiday
season approaches, SLU registrations are already at record
levels! You won't want to miss out on SLU this year - our
Tenth Anniversary year! Prices have never been this low
and will never be this low again. Students - Make sure you put
SLU on your Christmas wish list! Parents - give the perfect
gift for your children and loved ones by
registering them for SLU today!
Want to stay on
top of the curve? Our new
Critical Issues section features the latest happenings in
a variety of fields. Discuss current events with SLU alumni,
faculty, staff, and students in our Critical Issues chat room,
respond to an article you read, or submit papers and essays
that you've written on current events. We'll feature your best
work in our Critical Issues Responses. Check out Critical
Issues regularly to stay informed and on top!
CRITICAL UPDATE!
Wow! SLU 301 is already breaking records. As of
today, we are at 165 attendees and registering new groups almost
daily. We managed to claim more seats on American at the same
price and now have about 30 left. If you are contemplating
going, please get your deposit in quickly as prices for flights
will go up about $200 or more. Don't miss these incredible 8
days as we cross the English Channel into Normandy and then make
our way to Paris before exploring London and hearing speakers of
prominence and faith!
Our 401 trip is also bursting at the seams. There are just a
few slots remaining and only 2 airline seats left. This
Mediterranean cruise will be one WOW of an adventure with Dr.
Jay leading the sessions. If you have any questions, contact
Diane at (888) 260-2900, ext 12. Europe is about to be invaded
by SLU!
To view past
editions of The Edge, check out our archive
here.
Questions or comments are always welcome. E-mail us at
edge@studentleadership.net
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November 2003
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On the
Edge
Brent
Crowe, Dean of Students for SLU, explains how we can begin
to grasp the big picture when we look at the world
around us |
Edge Ledge
News is always
happening. But what's the common thread in all of the
events around us, and how does that apply to leadership?
Read this month's Edge Ledge to find out |
Life on the Edge
Another SLU
alumnus shares what God has done and the benefits of
goal-setting. Have a story? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net
This month, we
feature Lindsay Curtin |
Cutting Edge
Important
Updates on 301 and 401! Also, get the latest scoop on
what's happening here at Student Leadership University |
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Follow the links for the
full article. |
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Life in Iraq: Tales of a
New World
With Saddam
Hussein out of power, normal Iraqis are experiencing
something different, something liberating...
Read full article
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Markets Fall, Russia's
Putin Calls for Calm
Russia's
President Vladimir Putin appealed for calm after the
arrest of Russia's richest man sent financial markets
tumbling over doubts about the Kremlin's resolve to reform
the former Soviet state...
Read full article
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Nine USAID Relief Workers
Killed in Sudan
Nine Sudanese
relief workers for an American aid agency were killed
during clashes between warring tribes in western Sudan, an
agency official said...
Read full article
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Iraqi Police Say Saddam is
in Disguise
Saddam Hussein
has disguised himself and moves around outside of his
hometown of Tikrit, but not in the city itself, where he
would be easily recognized, an Iraqi police official
said...
Read full article
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Al-Qaida link in Turkey
Blasts
Two
Arabic-language newspapers received separate statements
Sunday claiming the Al-Qaida terrorist network carried out
the car bombings outside two Istanbul synagogues - attacks
that killed 23 people...
Read full article
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Death Toll Up to 31 in
Italy Base Attack
In a crackdown
on insurgents, U.S. troops destroyed an empty dye factory
in Baghdad and chased attackers seen firing mortars, while
the death toll from a suicide bombing at an Italian
paramilitary base rose to 31...
Read full article
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North Korea Mulling New
Talks
The United
States and North Korea have begun discussions aimed at
holding another round of six-nation talks over the North's
nuclear arms program, a Japanese newspaper reported...
Read full article
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"No
snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."
Unknown
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"The world is my
country, all mankind are my brethren."
Thomas Paine |
"The most tragic
person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no
vision."
Helen Keller |
"Then He will answer
them saying, 'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do
it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' "
Matthew 25:45 NKJV |
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We want to hear from you! Do you
have a thoughtful response to the articles here? Have you
written a paper on one of the issues we're discussing this month
or have discussed? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net
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Established in 1994, Student Leadership University's
purpose is to empower students to conquer the future!
Combining hands-on experimental learning with a dynamic
classroom setting, students are equipped to influence
their generation for Christ with confidence.
For more information, visit us at
www.studentleadership.net or call us toll-free at
888-260-2900.
Edge Executive Editor:
Chris Crowe
Edge Producer / Assc. Editor:
Luke Lin
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