Caz Tod
I came from New Zealand to be part of Mission Year as a team member in 2004. It’s certainly been a life-changing journey and one that has taken me from team member, to assistant city director and now city-director in three cities. I have been privileged to participate in Mission Year in these different capacities, each one forcing me to ask deep questions about what I believe, why and how I live that out in the world. I am challenged daily as I endeavor to live out this radical discipleship and as I journey with team members doing the same.
Let me share an excerpt that articulates my journey.
“Not being able to use any of the skills that had proved so practical in the past was a real source of anxiety. I was suddenly faced with my naked self, open for affirmations and rejections, hugs and punches, smiles and tears, all dependent simply on how I was perceived at the moment. In a way, it seemed as though I was starting my life all over again. Relationships, connections, reputations could no longer be counted on.
This experience was and, in many ways, is still the most important experience of my new life, because it forced me to rediscover my true identity. These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self – the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things – and forced me to reclaim that unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.
I am telling you all this because I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer, but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God’s love. The great message that we have to carry, as ministers of God’s word and followers of Jesus, is that God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love and has chosen us to proclaim that love as the true source of all human life.”
Caz Tod's Blog
A significant evening! / Nov 4, 11:43 PM
A week ago Thursday the four teams from Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington gathered for our commissioning service. We gathered in small church in Wilmington to commit to live out this year together. Each team had written a covenant that they then read aloud as the rest of us witnessed them making their commitment to each other. The covenants were deep and thoughtful. I then posed questions to team members according to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation! (vs.12-13a)
Do you commit to listen to the urging and guidance of Caz your city director, and your team captains as they humbly lead you in the journey of this year?
Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. (vs.13b)
Do you commit to working out life with those around you? Understanding that there are both stark and subtle differences that may need to be overcome?
Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet, (vs.14)
Do you commit to keep yourself and other team members accountable?
Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. (vs.15)
Do you commit to honest and healthy conflict?
Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. (vs.15)
Do you commit to look for the best in others and encourage each other?
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (vs.16-18)
Do you commit to befriending your emotions, acknowledging them and letting them pass by, building a deeper sense of our beloved-ness?
Don’t suppress the spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. (vs.19-22)
Do you commit to asking deep questions?
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole make you holy and whole, put you together – spirit, soul and body – and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The one who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it. (vs.23-24)
Team members answered with resounding Yes’.
The evening significant and reminded me what a privilege it is to be leading these great people.
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