core values

Summit number 1 of the summer is in the books. I am now two days out from the experience and I am still trying to transition into the "real world". For those of you who don't know what Summit is; Summit is a radical two week experiment that gathers InterVarsity students into a house and steeps them in Prayer, Community, Service and Simplicty. These core values are lived out in community service, simple living, daily spiritual disciplines and outreach to the Hilltop community of Tacoma.

My job at Summit this year was to be the keeper of the Summit ethos. I defended, taught and harped on our values in group discussions. For two weeks I attempted to live our values, so that I could help impart our values. I prayed that Jesus would make those values mine so that it would be the most natural thing in the world to re-enforce them.

Now I am back. I am typing on a laptop, drinking a cup of coffee, staring at an InterVarsity budget and wondering if these are the values that define my own life.

I had a dream last night that Donan and I bought a house in the inner city and charged a group of people $400 per month for rent and food costs (essentially the cost of Summit spread over a month) and made Summit values our life values.

I am not sure that dream is realistic or is consistent with the other calls that Jesus has put on my life (namely doing college ministry!) but it does challenge and rupture a part of my heart. How much privacy do I need? How much financial freedom?

I have participated in six Summits and will do one more this summer and two next summer. I am asking myself how much these values have sunk in. Do I really believe that service is a joy? That prayer is essential and makes a difference? That we hear God better without the noise affluence?

Perhaps the central question really is...can I allow Jesus to be the keeper of the Summit ethos in my own life?