WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE GRAVEL ROAD

The picture above is:
A) A reminder of the rugged adventure of senior staff life
B) Proof that every cloud has a silver lining
C) The GPI Gravel Road of the Month
D) Of a stark wasteland - much like the CU football season

If you live in a post-modern world you can answer "E" - all of the above. If you are a CU alumni D is the absolute truth. But if you want a shot at a free copy of a Tim Keller book, the answer is C because this is the senior staff blog Gravel Road of the Month.

If you are the first senior staff person or team leader to tell me which state this gravel road lies in you will receive your free personal copy of our book of the month: Prodigal God by Tim Keller. If you enjoyed Tim at staff training you will love letting Prodigal God rock your view of God's Grace towards those within and without the faith. We have been using it for our GPI office study and have found it to be a "must read and apply" book for those in ministry to reach the next generation.

As we are well into the fifth season of the Gravel Road Blog it may be time to inform the newcomers to the purpose of the official blog site for the Senior Staff Leaders of the Great Plains International Region. And just why do we call this the Gravel Road?

In short, the gravel road is a fitting metaphor for the senior staff development experience. As new staff, the training and development process can be compared to an interstate highway. Sure, there can be bumps and roadkill along the way, but the road is wide, paved, and painted. Using your manual as a map and your trainer as a guide you can change lanes to fit your speed and know the bumps (a.k.a. staff teammates) on the road shoulders will warn you if you are about to go in the ditch. There are plenty of mile markers and road signs (conferences, projects, etc.) to let you know where you are, where you are going, and even how to best get there. And if there are troubles you can count on roadside assistance (the "wiki") or a rest stop (day with the Lord) along the way for support and encouragement.

After finishing those "rookie" years there is an initial sense of freedom and adventure from the well-defined and beaten path of new staff training experience.

But over time your senior staff personal training and development can bring the confusion and frustration of navigating back country dirt roads at night. Senior staff ministry can be like a single lane path, unpaved and unmarked, with no signs for direction, and no roadside assistance should you find your way to the ditch. Even feelings of discouragement and not feeling appreciated can get you "high centered" in the SS experience. Far from the fast lane and bright lights of the superhighway, you are now on the gravel road.

So this is the place in cyberspace where we highlight, honor, and humor our senior leaders of the great plains while also providing information, resources, and opportunities to make their way a little wider and smoother in their personal growth and ministry development. From "shadowing a leader," "book of the month," and specialized conferences just for you, to the Mentors' Forum, long distance learning groups, and senior leader best practices, the gravel road has ample opportunities for you to utilize as much or as little as you desire.

And as we do every year, we will be rolling out some new tools specifically with you in mind in the coming months. Consider this your weekly oasis to let the dust settle and check in with other senior staffers and your old buddy Bert on the journey with you.

Gravel Blessings,
Bert