(Before I write anything today I want to emphasize that the “What is the purpose of Bible class?” discussion has been very interesting and even helpful. It has been interesting as your comments and explanations have stimulated our thinking and challenged us to really examine our approaches. It has been helpful because I have shared your comments with my “Teaching K-12 Bible” class. Your points, suggestions, and admissions have provided excellent springboards and gateways into class discussion and deeper learning.)
We aren’t done with our Bible class discussion (e.g. – we haven’t even mentioned Bible class and choice theory yet), but today . . . well . . . today is my 40 year reunion at Rio Lindo Academy. And, apparently, with 40 year reunions comes reflection. What have I experienced in the 40 years since I was 18? What did I make happen? What did I let happen? How have I changed? The change question got me to thinking about the big ideas that led to significant changes in my life. I don’t know how complete this list is, but these areas definitely stick out in importance for me. For some reason, they each begin with the letter C.
COMPETITION
I was very much involved with sports and competition as a young man (it was basically my life), yet by the time I finished college I had come to the conclusion that competition was unhealthy for me, and basically unhealthy for everything and everyone it touched. This was a remarkable epiphany for me, given the extent to which I had come to rely on competition. Coming into a better understanding of how competition shows up in our lives and ways in which it affects us marked much of my early career. I did some writing on the topic. See Should Adventist Schools Be Involved with Inter-school Sports? Review & Herald, Oct. 13, 1988.
COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Cooperative learning was a huge discovery for me. I remember feeling like the little boy (I’ve heard a story about this somewhere) who was playing beside a puddle on a foggy morning, but as the fog lifted he could see that the puddle was connected to a pond, and then to an inlet, and ultimately to the ocean. It was incredible to me that someone who had fought for competition so vehemently could now be seeking to turn people on to cooperative formats. In 1986 I began to get training in cooperative learning (from the Johnson brothers) and soon thereafter I started The Cooperation Company, a mail order company with a catalog of over 130 books, games, and resources, all of them focused on cooperating. I let the company go when I became an associate superintendent in 1996, a mistake, I think. Two of our blog family, Dick and Anita Molstead, I actually met because of The Cooperation Company. I did some writing on topic. See the April/May, 1995, edition of the Journal of Adventist Education.
CONTROL THEORY
I read Schools Without Failure, for an MAT class I was taking at Andrews University in 1978, and it did have an impact on my thinking. During my early years of teaching–Kingsway College, in Oshawa, Ontario, and Feather River School in Oroville, California–I adjusted my grading practices because of Glasser. But I didn’t in any way see the big picture, the more far-reaching implications. In 1991, though, I read The Quality School and not only re-discovered Glasser, I also began to get a glimpse of the importance of his ideas. This era would have been during my time as principal of Foothills Elementary in Deer Park, California, and especially during my time as principal of Livingstone Junior Academy in Salem, Oregon. I began to try and apply the concepts of control theory at home and at work. I liked the results, especially how it seemed to affect my own thinking. I began to see that I could be less controlled by my feelings. The faculty and staff at LJA participated in a control theory in-service and I don’t think Livingstone has been the same since. Control theory certainly helped me to begin to be a better husband and father, too. I began to write Soul Shapers during this time.
CHOICE THEORY
I can remember how surprised I was as an associate superintendent in the Upper Columbia Conference to learn that Glasser had changed control theory to choice theory, and that he had rejected school discipline plans, in general, and especially a management approach known as Restitution. I had been drawn to his ideas, even applied them as a principal and presented them as a superintendent, yet now I wondered was going on. I wondered from a distance, as I had never met Glasser and didn’t know anyone with whom he was close. I certainly had no idea then that I would meet him in at the 2000 NAD convention in Dallas; that we would become friends; that I would begin a doctorate and conduct a biographical study, with his involvement, on the development of his ideas; and that I would become his authorized biographer as a result. Since 2000 I completed training to become a faculty member for Glasser International, Inc., completed the doctorate, and after years of interviews and research, completed the manuscript for Glasser’s biography, which is being published this year.
It is interesting that I would think of these guiding ideas, these big idea eras, on a nostalgic day like a 40 year reunion. Apparently, my basic need for purpose and meaning is pretty high. When you look back, what are the big ideas that have influenced you? Is there one in particular that has been significant for you? I would love to hear about your big idea list!
The Better Plan . . 
As we conclude 2nd semester here with 4th quarter syllabai being handed out in my Junior Bible class, I am framed with many of the same questions. The concluding paper my students have to write is a ‘brief’ personal beliefs paper, a written commentary on their most fundamental and forming beliefs. I give them my own copy of a not so brief personal beliefs paper, something I have been working on for several years and continue to add to.
I would have to say that the ‘most impact’ idea that I have had is that of righteousness by faith. I grew up as a pastors kid, a pastor who taught grace and righteousness by faith from the pulpit. But when I went to college and began to hear the common understanding of righteous by works, or legalism, I wondered about the value of the institution of the church, especially when it so often makes mistakes and/or is full of hypocrites. My big aha moment in college was in understanding that my role in the church is not determined by others in the church, but rather my role is in large part determined by my relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. Being at peace with the church has not always been easy, but keeping in mind that the church is not God or my relationship has helped me become a part of my church family and school where I can have an influence pointing to our loving God.
And it is that ‘being at peace’ that I want to share about here. I too have been profoundly influenced by Choice Theory. It has brought a clearer understanding of how life works. Recently I came across another idea that has as much potential and actually builds on Choice Theory – that is I read the book titled “The Anatomy of Peace.” As a Christian I know I am at constant war with Satan and his team. But as a Christian, I need to be at peace with fellow man. This book puts into words the concept of loving the sinner while hating the sin. Too often we clump the two together and end up making Christianity looking like every other worldly endeavor.
Jim and Chris have hit home runs. This can be your next book. Be the editor and write the first chapter. Invite others to contribute chapters. Put me on your invitation list.
Chris, you and Fritz Guy agree on big ideas. Grace and unconditional love was his most important concept he has learned. I am going to write a first draft this week of my ideas. You both have hit “big ideas” that are on my list.
I agree with Chris, too. Even before I hit the Publish button on the recent blog, I realized I was leaving out two very important ideas in my life — Righteousness by Faith, thank you, Morris Venden, and God Makes Sense and Can Be Trusted, thank you, Graham Maxwell. I look forward to seeing your list, Ed.
My most significant discovery is that love is a real and compelling force at work in my body, spirit, soul.
This fact crystalized after discovering the four forms of love as used in the New Testament.
Storge, Phileo, Eros and Agapao, as it was outlined by our Greek ancestors.
With the exception of Eros, I do my best to honor these powerful leadings when they appear.
This usually isn’t easy….
I should add that my lexical aid defines Agapao, “to love, indicates a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in something. Contrast with Phileo, to be contented with denoting interests, hence befriending. Apapoa is used of God’s
love toward man and vice versa.” This differs from the C. S. Lewis idea of charity as he described in The Four Loves.
That means that God finds joy in us and directs his will toward us.
Whenever I find Agapao I try to balance the joy and direction of my will. Things always seems to go wrong when one outweighs the other.
Most recently Choice Theory has influenced my thinking. Ha….
That would explain my interest in this blog.
Thanks Jim for hosting this site.
I appreciate your reminders regarding the scope and power of love. The answers to the problems and challenges of life seem to always be based on it, love that is. I also liked your reminder that God takes joy in us. I believe that, too, yet I am too quick forget it and perceive Him in a different light. He is rooting for us, cheering us on, encouraging, empowering, and loving.
Hi, I log on to your new stuff on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is witty. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thank you, Jeannette. Classes begin this coming Monday at the college in which I teach, so this week has been a lot of meetings and getting ready for the new year. I hope to get something new out, but there is a chance I won’t. I will keep it up soon, though.
After perusing the Internet I found this article. My name is John Goetsch and I provided a one week inservice at Livingston Academy during the summer of 1994. Were you the principal there that I worked with at that time?
John, wondering if you got my email yesterday. Yes, I am that principal and it would be great to re-connect with you.