blog

Spending the day with Dr. Betty DeBerg, Professor of Religion and Director of National Study of Campus Ministries at the University of Northern Iowa. We have been talking about the future of campus ministry; possibilities, ideas, hopes, dreams and cooperative opportunities. She is a gifted leader with significant insights and a true friend. A great day.

I’ve known Jim since 2002, when my oldest daughter became involved with the INN Ministries (where Jim served as Director).  I was able to see the results of his leadership in the lives of both my daughters and a number of other young men and women from our church and at Western Washington University.  Jim is a gifted and caring mentor.  His ability to allow, and even encourage, students to grapple with difficult questions of faith, theology, and praxis with grace and integrity helped them to mature into adults who continue to think deeply, passionately, and empathetically.

In the past few years several of Jim’s students have enrolled at The Seattle School.  I can say without reservation that we are always excited to have these students join our school. They are passionate and purposeful, committed to academic excellence and maturity, and dedicated to serving God and others. I hope to have the opportunity to work with Jim again at some point in the near future.

      Cheryl Goodwin, Director of Institutional Assessment & Library Services, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, Seattle, WA

I had the privilege of working under Jim’s leadership for several years. His vision, leadership and character have been instrumental in my professional development and as a person. Jim has the unique ability to build productive teams that promote the core values of an organization while inspiring individuals to new horizons of growth. He sees the potential in those he leads and is devoted to developing individual’s strengths. It is Jim’s commitment to personal growth coupled with his natural gifts that makes him such an effective leader. 

   Hilary King, Mental Health Practitioner, Harborview Mental Health and Addiction Services

Monday June 4 I will be at the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust http://www.murdock-trust.org/ offices in Vancouver, WA. I will be joining Terry Stokesbary (senior program director) and Mary Hill (program assistant for enrichment) and the 2012 Murdock summer interns for a time of welcome and orientation. Additionally, I will be meeting with Terry as we continue to work to strengthen the Trusts Vision & Call http://www.murdock-trust.org/enrichment-programs/vision-call-internships.php internship program. Later in the day I will be meeting with Cody Lail (executive director) Tacoma College Ministry (TCM).

Today I discussed the transition to adulthood on the Karolyn Merriman Show. You can hear my interview with Karolyn at: http://karolynmerriman.com/2012/05/31/5-31-2012-how-to-help-young-adults-transition-into-adulthood.aspx. I’ve shared a friendship with Karolyn for many years and it was a joy to spend the time with her discussing this important topic. for specific help and coaching related to this and other topics follow this link: https://jimschmotzer.com/services/life-coaching.

A great morning with Terry Stokesbary and Mary Hill of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust working on the future of the Vision & Call Internship program: http://www.murdock-trust.org/enrichment-programs/vision-call-internships.php

Round two, day two with the M. J. Murdock Trust Essentials of Development training: http://www.murdock-trust.org/enrichment-programs/essentials-development-seminar.php

M. J. Murdock Trust Essentials of Development, session two, here we go: http://www.murdock-trust.org/enrichment-programs/essentials-development-seminar.php

I’m on my way home after five days of great Summer Staff Training with Experience Mission (EM) http://www.experiencemission.org/. EM has strong staff leadership and a commitment to staff development that is exemplary. Through creative communication, team building and active learning they trained a team of 27 young adults to serve in eight locations this summer. The Summer Staff will provide on site leadership for Mission Teams building relationships to help develop communities through service and relationships.

Here are some pictures from the training time:

Here is a link to the EM Summer Staff Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/EMsummerstaff/ . There are some fun pictures and great videos that will give you an overview of the training I’m participating in this week.