Blog

Connectedness

2007-10-12T23:28:00Z

I just returned from a conference with the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). It is a large gathering of counselors, programs, and professionals involved in Christian outreach and care. Walking through the booths and listening to the speakers, I was struck by how big of a community we have become, and yet we seem weak and confused. Isolated and separate, we each promote and pursue our own agenda. Are we truly one body as described in the Bible – operating in a connected way and maximizing our effect in people’s lives? Secular programs spend a great deal of time and energy investing in self-awareness and self-discipline, trying to empower the individual. How are we different in the Christian community? Are we focused on the same techniques as the lost world or have we tapped into something different, more powerful and transcendent? By the number of books promising success and happiness that were sold, I am not sure we have yet found what we are looking for.

When I attend secular conferences I am often asked how Shelterwood works. And certainly I can explain that we, like any other professional program, are able to get to the root of the problem through therapy and enlighten the family in crisis such that they can choose a different path in the future. But does that create real heart-level change? Is that truly how we as a Christian program create change in one’s life? Change really occurs through the power of Christ which is experienced and displayed through intense community. This is something that separates us from the secular world and something in fact that they don’t even understand. Sadly, it is something that in the Christian world we are beginning to lose touch with as well.

Larry Crabb highlights in his book Connecting that only two things have ever changed mankind at a deep soul level. Through the power of Satan and the power of God we experienced the fall and then grace. As we read the Bible or sit in a pew on Sunday it is easy to see the power of Christ but how does that get my kid off drugs? How does a program use the power of Christ in the life of a non-believer to change a worldly behavior? At Shelterwood we believe that real change only occurs through a deep intimate level of connectedness that only Christ can provide. Our society craves connectedness as evidenced by the explosion of chat rooms and websites like MySpace. Millions of people are sharing intimate details about their lives. Why are they investing all of this time and energy to broadcast their secrets? I think we want to experience others at a deeper level so that we can better understand ourselves, but fear and shame often keep us operating at a distance. While being a voyeur of sorts feels safe, we miss out on the healing power of openness and the energy that is experienced with another person.

It is this deep connectedness that makes Shelterwood special. It is a community made up of many people connecting to a just a few. Our goal at Shelterwood is to connect with those around us, not everyone on property, but somebody. Unlike other treatment programs where all the focus is on the paying customer, Shelterwood is a community that recognizes that everyone (leadership, staff, student, and volunteers) is expected to reveal him or herself and be open to feedback and growth. A community that is open to feedback is not weaker, but stronger, and sees each other not in terms of equality of power, but in terms of respect and value. As a Christian community we have to get past the excuse that we are not capable or qualified to affect another life. The very task of the Holy Spirit is to add power to our feeble earthly body and mind. The Holy Spirit emboldens us and creates an excitement within us that spurs us on to impact others lives.

John DeVries, Director of Admissions

Baptism

2007-05-07T15:37:00Z

This past weekend four of our Shelterwood teens decided to express their recent profession of faith at the church they have been attending in Denver during their stay in our program. One of the teen’s family was able to attend. It was an exciting time for the teens and their families along with our staff and the big sisters in our LeadTime program who have poured out Christ’s love to her. In addition to this, another former Shelterwood teen who attended our Branson facility a couple years ago was also baptized this same morning at this same church!

Family Weekend

2007-05-04T15:34:01Z

Shelterwood recently held the bi-annual parent’s weekend at both our Branson and Denver locations. The parents were able to come out and visit their teens at our facilities, take part in parenting classes, parent group sessions, family counseling, parent/teacher conferences with the school professionals, in addition to opportunities to get to know the house staff. Once again it was a very impactful weekend for not only the parents and teens, but also our staff. We are so thankful for the families we work with and the ways God is moving in their lives to accomplish His purposes. One family that went through our program in 2003 in Branson was able to return and share their experience during the weekend. She typed out the testimony she shared and it is included in our links section to the right. Please take time to read it as I’m sure you will be encouraged.

Mission opportunity

2007-03-12T15:22:01Z

At various times throughout the year Shelterwood teens take part in activities that provide service in the local community and the world. Some of our Shelterwood teens recently had the opportunity to go down to Juarez, Mexico with staff and LeadTimers in partnership with International Family Missions (IFM). They took part in ongoing relationships IFM already has down there with a local colonia, an orphanage, churches, and a men’s rehab. The picture is the entire team that was able to go.

Feedback

2007-01-12T15:21:00Z

The staff at Shelterwood continues to be blessed by the feedback we receive from the families we serve. One current Shelterwood father recently wrote:

"He is doing great…it has been an incredible transformation… I respect him as much as any man in my life…it is not something I would ever say without meaning it...he has truly earned my admiration… thank you for putting such a caring team of bigs, counselors, teachers and staff at SW…SWood has saved our family"

Gulf Coast Experience

2006-11-29T15:17:00Z

Wow. What a great week. The group is exhausted but a "good" exhausted.It’s been an awesome time of serving and giving and learning. We finished up at Charles Lassar’s home in Chalmette, Louisiana. Chalmette was one of the hardest hit areas of New Orleans. It’s on the east side where the storm surge hit the hardest. This is the home where we worked last year too. It was a beautiful home but trashed by the 10 feet of water that sat in it for weeks. Charles shared with us the story of his home and family. He said,"we all say we depend on the Lord, but we lean on our homes and families and communities. When those are removed, it really tests your faith". It reminded me of the quote from Marvin Daniels at our Leadership retreat, "Whatever you own that you’re not ready to give up really own’s you". That really hit me hard as we witnessed the destruction- how much of my life own’s me?Am I really not my own and dependent on my loving God? We saw that illustrated on our way to Chalmeete one morning when the car right in front of us swerved on the rainy road and flipped into the woods next to the Interstate. We went to help the lady and her baby out of the vehicle. Miraculously, they were OK, but it reminded us that life is so fragile. It’s all about depending on the Lord, period. Our other project was at the "By Water Retreat Center" in Kiln, Mississippi owned by Charles and Teresa Boyle. That is also where we stayed and the facility was awesome but a mess. The water didn’t do the damage (like in Chalmette) because Kiln is 18 miles from the ocean, but the wind knocked over hundred of trees. We spent our time cutting countless trees and clearing debris. The team of 13 Leadtime, Shelterwood kids and Leadership did a remarkable job. Michelle Beadle, my sister-in-law, stayed with us and prepared all the meals. She is amazing and said she already has projects for us for next year! There will be plenty to do a year from now! President Bush said it’ll take 25 years for the Gulf Coast to be rebuilt. I think he was right. It’s simply been an awesome time of ministry. I hear the Thanksgiving Serve Project in Branson has gone great also. Whether a "Mission trip" in Branson, Africa or right here, it’s been a great "classroom" to make us all a little uncomfortable, get our eyes off ourselves and serve the Lord. Thanks for your prayers and to those who gave financially, thanks for making this trip possible. We make the drive home tomorrow. Please pray for safety. Thank you
-Joey

Joseph Staples
Executive Director
Doulos Ministries/Shelterwood-Branson