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(Advice from
the 'Real'
Doc Greens)

The fictional Mark discovered these things because of help he got from some of last year's real-life student leaders. In a year-end survey, SLJ asked, "What was one thing you learned in your role as a chapter leader that you wish someone had told you when you started?" The responses helped inspire "Back to the Present" and the lessons Mark McFlew learns.

WHO YA GONNA TRUST?
"As a leader, I really need to be a man of prayer," says David Kim of Northwestern University. He advises this year's leaders to talk to God in prayer rather than just talk about prayer. "Too many times, our leadership got so caught up in the concept of prayer that we didn't actually take the time to pray."

That same reality also hit home for Eugene Lee of Cornell University. "No matter how good you are at organizing meetings and conducting yourself in public, that means nothing in God's eyes until you seek to receive and do all things with his blessing. So pray!"

Trusting goes beyond the act of prayer itself. Karla DeGrafft of Beaver College says that trusting God is vital, especially during the rough times when a chapter seems to be going nowhere. "I have been learning to turn my frustrations to God in prayer because it is his plan, his timing and we are his children."

In "Back to the Present," Mark couldn't know the result of his efforts until he returned to the future. He had to act on what he knew and leave the results to God. Joel Vaughn of Duke University wished someone had told him that. "I wish someone had assured me with examples that the chapter would survive and go on even if I messed up. This would have freed me to dream more and worry less."

If you're already exhausted from the start of the school year, these words from Marshall Benbow of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill may be for you: "As a leader, you don't have to carry your chapter. You can't even carry yourself. Rely on Jesus and don't be so busy pouring out that you do not allow him to restore you-not only through the Word and prayer, but through relaxing with a book, taking a drive or getting away from people. Rest in the grace God allows you."

DEVELOPING CHARACTER
Mark knew there were parts of him that could easily resent others and seek to protect himself from personal pain. He also knew that those parts weren't likely to be used by God to craft a better future.

"It's not about how many things you do and how many events you plan," cautions Mark Ruzicka of Susquehanna University. "It's how you go about doing them. I believe it was Mother Teresa who talked about what really matters-that the love is in the doing."

The role of leadership itself can help you develop the character you need-or at least give you a lot of chances to do so. As a leader, says Jeni Emmons of the University of Windsor, you're accountable to other leaders, staff workers, your small group and your friends. "That was an important thing for me to learn and experience. And being held accountable did wonders for my devotions, prayer life and evangelism."

That sense of accountability can help you grow throughout the year, although at first it can be somewhat disconcerting. "You're in the spotlight more than you know," says Stephen Rech of Alfred University. "I wish someone had told me that people would be watching the example of my life more than I realize."

LEADING THE CHAPTER
Eventually, all good ideas turn into work. So it is with the ongoing operation of an InterVarsity chapter. "Being a leader takes dedication and a lot of time," notes Kristi McMahon of Cal State U.-Monterey Bay. "God always has something planned for you."

Inevitably, there will be disagreements among chapter leaders. Matt Cleveland of the University of New Mexico says, "I wish I had understood the importance of agreeing on very clear job descriptions and of clarifying expectations for members of the leadership team."

Like McFlew, sometimes you're dealt the unexpected and you just have to jump into the midst of it by faith. What looks like a problem to others may be God's preparation for showing his power. At the University of Windsor, a strike by janitors, housekeeping staff and food workers led to tension and bitter feelings on campus. Seeing this as an opportunity for ministry, chapter members delivered coffee and tea to those on strike and cleaned bathrooms and the floors in residence halls. "We received many funny looks and confused responses," Jeni Emmons says. "But we gained a real sense of unity among the group. We felt God was showing us how much his love and service needs to be demonstrated on our campus."

As Mark McFlew learned, the future is often shaped not by great events, but by small day-to-day acts, motivated by love.

Mike Kern, writer and training consultant in Madison, WI.