With that said, I'd like to take a second to share some thoughts with you, specifically thoughts that came out from being a part of KASE (Korean-American Student Empowerment).
1. Picked up a lot from Dr. Josephine Kim's "Leading Small Groups" workshop. I've been looking for some good help to make me a more effective small group facilitator, and this was definitely that. A few highlights:
- Encouraged to see the possibility of small group time as "mini-counseling". I've been warned away from this by people who, I think, didn't want to ask too much of the person facilitating the discussion. But Dr. Kim brought up the point that the face-to-face time made possible by being in a small group is precious and has a lot of potential. Talking about difficult things during small group may open up the door for someone who might have been suffering silently and alone.
- Related to this: seeing small group time as a place where participants can be told the truth that they are not alone in their wretchedness, that "no human deed, thought, or experience is fully outside humanity" (paraphrased). I needed to be reminded of that myself.
- Personally challenged to see a lack of sharing in my small groups (something that has been bothering me for years) as a sign that my group doesn't feel safe enough to be completely vulnerable. Whether that's more about me personally not breaking the ice enough, or about the make up of the groups I've been leading, or a combination, I'm not sure. But I'm pretty sure that the core problem I've been encountering has been safety issue.
- Given a good goal for all small groups: "shared discovery" (this is based off of the Johari Window). Through the use of self-disclosure and loving observation, participants in small groups can become more and more self-aware and confidently vulnerable.
2. Really got hit hard by Pastor Eugene Cho's final message, especially the part where he called out Generation Y (and beyond) the "Over-Rated Generation". It hit many of us so hard that it may actually be the theme for KASE next year.
Now, I'm actually a part of Generation X, so it doesn't apply to me specifically (right?). What hit home, though, was what this means for KASE as a conference:
- KASE, as a college conference, has the unique ability and responsibility to speak to a generation. Statements like Rev. Cho's not only help focus the mission of KASE, they also call for KASE to be a space and time where and when an entire cohort can be impacted. I'll admit it: I've wondered a lot about conferences like KASE, often negatively: KASE is not a cheap thing to put together. Knowing, however, that KASE can be a unique platform from which the Holy Spirit can affect an entire demographic really convinces me that it is worth it.
- What is more, Rev. Cho named KASE's greatest asset: collaboration. I think this is both spot on and tied to the first item. a) KASE is unique in that it brings together people from very similar situations. And, just as homogeneity in a crop is dangerous because of how quickly things can spread through it, so impacting the participants in KASE can bring exponential impact to their home churches and schools. b) Bringing people together in this way helps them to see that they are not alone in what might be very difficult situations. By extension, this makes it easier for them to see the bigger picture: patterns and systems all become clearer when you see them repeated in different cities, churches, and schools.
3. One Day's Wages is a fantastic idea. Check it out: onedayswages.org.
Okay, I think that's about enough for now. Obviously this is just a small slice, but hopefully this gives you a taste for what KASE was all about!
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