Nick Martineau
DMIN 717: Visual Ethnography Learning Synthesis Blog Post for Face-to-Face
George Fox Evangelical Seminary
Dr. Jason Clark
Friday, November 28, 2014
Visual Ethnography Assignment
Students Personal Interests
Many things stood out at my first face-to-face Advance to Cape Town, South Africa.
Going into the trip I was excited to meet my cohort, other cohorts, advisors, and
professors. The Global perspective part of this course has been intriguing to me and I was
really curious to see how it would play out. In the final chapter of David F. Ford’s book,
Theology: A Very Short Introduction he asks the question, “How can dialogical and
comparative theology flourish?1” Ford goes onto explain “Mutual hospitality,
conversation, facing differences, rigorous argument, friendship with integrity: if those are
not possible between people who pursue theological wisdom in different disciplines, faith
communities, and nations, then what hope is there for the world?2 During the Advance I
was really thankful to see this play out. It was exciting to enter into a group of theological
thinkers that ask good questions, stimulate thought, and respect one another. As this
program goes on I am looking forward to being surrounded by Global perspectives and
with mutual hospitality facing our differences in search of the truth. We are helping
dialogical and comparative theology flourish. As I learn from this Leadership and Global
perspective program I am looking for ways for this to plan out in Wichita as well.
During our time in South Africa I was also struck by how much racial tension still exists
in their daily lives. My wife and I adopted two boys from Uganda so I am always drawn
into conversations about racial reconciliation and honest talks about where we find
ourselves and how the communities around us view race. Reading Road 2 Bridges3 and
meeting with authors Leon Oosthuizen and Xola Skosana was a powerful part of the trip
for me. Oosthuizen and Skosana engaged these issues unlike many have. They showed
1
David F. Ford, Theology: a Very Short Introduction (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000),
2
Ibid., 174
Leon Oosthuizen, Xola Skosana, Road Roads 2 Bridges (South Africa: Emmaus Media, 2013).
174.
3
love and respect for each other while not dodging the issues and current climate of South
Africa’s culture. You could sense the tension they are still walking through but they
genuinely appeared committed to working it out and their relationship. It is easy to avoid
difficult topics but Oosthuizen and Skosana provide a clear example of how leaders can
lead their churches through uncomfortable, challenging issues.
Since returning I have also thought often of Golden. Golden’s son walking us through his
neighborhood, meeting Golden’s family, and watching Golden turn someone’s trash into
beautiful flowers, was an amazing picture of our heavenly Father’s love and grace. I was
taken back watching the love Golden and his family had for each other. His girls seemed
to love the attention, posing for the cameras, and appeared to have true joy. Golden’s son
took pride in his tour guide role and when asked he looked forward to one day making
flowers just like his dad. And Golden seemed empowered. The Father gave him a vision
and Golden’s hard work has resulted in blessing and provision for his family. Golden’s
story has reminded me to listen to God and believe the unbelievable. I use to be someone
that dreamed big dreams in my sleep. I use to pay close attention to my dreams and
journal them when I woke up. As I’ve grown older and life has gotten busier I’ve stopped
paying attention to me dreams. Golden has reminded me that our God still speaks to us in
our sleep and I want to pay closer attention to what He is saying.
New Knowledge
I had an understanding of Apartheid before going to South Africa but there is no book
that can prepare you for walking through District Six or hearing testimonies of forced
removal. Restitution isn’t a new concept for me but being in South Africa gave it new
meaning. Listening to Mary Burton share her desire for more to be done on the area of
restitution stuck with me. When we wrong someone we should try our best to make it
right but is restitution actually possible? Healing in South Africa hasn’t taken place
because the wounds are still fresh and while forgiveness has been offered, restitution
hasn’t taken place for most people. I kept thinking that true restitution is impossible
without Jesus. When we commit a hurt on another we can never fully return what was
lost or stolen in this life. That’s why our only hope is in Jesus. How does South Africa
really heal from the evil of Apartheid with Jesus? Not just Apartheid but even in my life.
How does one heal from the evil we’ve all experienced without Jesus? Can true
restitution even exist? These are questions I’m still pondering.
Another new concept I’ve been thinking about since our time in Cape Town has been
Caroline Ramsey’s presentation and my conversations with her about leadership versus
leader. She helped me articulate thoughts I’d never been able to articulate before. I’m
intrigued by the idea that appointed leaders often create a hindrance to actual leadership
taking place. I’ve seen this play out time and time again in organizations I’ve been a part
of. We all have potential for leadership and when an organization places all leadership
into one leader we lose out on the gifts of many, and we are limited by the gifts of that
one leader. Nitin Nohria and Rakesh Khurana in their book Handbook of Leadership
Theory and Practice4 go into great depths on not just developing leaders but taking an
indepth look at leadership. The idea that leadership should be expected and looked for in
an organization from top to bottom is a lost art in the United States. Caroline spoke with
me about how different the European academic management principles are from the
management principles being taught in the United States. I left the Advance with a desire
4
Nitin Nohria, Rakesh Khurana. Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice (Boston, Mass.:
Harvard Business Press, 2010).
to learn more about facilitating participatory conversations and learning more of narrative
leadership.
Practice:
I came home with a handful of things from the Advance I wanted to put into practice. Not
all have been successful but at least I have tried. Chris Ahrends characteristics of a leader
motivated me. Particularly, his explanation of the need for a leader to have silence really
convicted me. Chris said, “Americans have lost the art of being, we are too busy doing.
We have lost the art of facing ourselves. The matrix of values are found in the depths of
silence...5” Adding this doctorate program to my plate has squeezed my time and it’s easy
to just throw out silence and time to listen. I’ve been trying to take time in the morning
and after lunch to just be still, even if it’s only for 3 minutes. I’ve failed more times then
I’ve succeeded but it is an area I see great value in and I’m committed to continue
growing in.
Chris Ahrends, “Leadership Thoughts Insights for Servant Leadership/ Facilitation Leaders”
(lecture, Cape Town, South Africa, Octo+6ber 1, 2014).
5
I’ve also been sharing Leon Oosthuizen and Xola Skosana Road 2 Bridges6 book with
other leaders. I serve as the chairman of the board to World Impact, an urban church
planting ministry here in Wichita, Kansas. My role connects board members to World
Impacts vision and the missionaries that carry it out. As a white suburbanite I often feel
inadequate when teaching/leading in the urban city. I’ve been using Roads 2 Bridges as a
conversation starter. I have found that since it reflects South African culture we are able
to read through it with in a non-threatening way. It has been helpful for urban leaders to
read the book and share with me what cultural struggles they can relate to and what issues
they don’t see existing. The conversation has been welcomed but few people know where
to take the conversation next. I foresee continuing to use Road 2 Bridges as I attempt to
build relationships in the urban city and understand their daily life.
Since returning from Cape Town I have also moved into my new role at my church. I am
now in charge of managing and developing our 11 staff members. For some this is a
welcomed transition and for others they are still trying to get comfortable with me as
their new boss. I have a Business undergraduate degree but it has been years since I
studied leadership theory. It has been good for me to hear leadership principles at the
Advance and to read Nitin Nohria and Rakesh Khurana book Handbook of Leadership
Theory and Practice.7 I’m inheriting a staff situation that has lacked accountability,
vision, and structure so my initial desire was to quickly go in and clean things up. After
coming away from the Advance I have been reminded of the need to move slowly and I
am motivated to facilitate staff conversations to hear what ideas they have for improving
our staff atmosphere. I know Caroline Ramsey would be proud! In Chapter 25 of Nohri
and Khurana’s book Bruce Avolio goes in depth on a leadership paradigm change he
went through. He use to have a reverse telescope approach that closely studied in on a
leader but has flipped the telescope around to get a good look at the larger global context
to see exactly where good leadership practices take place.8 This has really helped me
change my approach to my first couple months in my new position. I’ve taken a step back
and looked at our organizational structure and the spirit we’ve created instead of directly
focusing in on individuals. I don’t know many people that enjoy being micro managed
and it’s not the best way to empower individuals.
6
Leon Oosthuizen, Xola Skosana, Road Roads 2 Bridges (South Africa: Emmaus Media, 2013).
Nitin Nohria, Rakesh Khurana. Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice (Boston, Mass.:
Harvard Business Press, 2010).
8 Nitin Nohria, Rakesh Khurana. Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice (Boston, Mass.:
Harvard Business Press, 2010), 739.
7
Application
Nelson Mandel had a vision for equality and led a nation. I was amazed that his resolve
and humbleness could be felt throughout the entire country. Nelson Mandel’s example
has stuck with me and has played a part in how I view my leadership role. I want to be a
leader that serves with humility. I desire to never be shaken from my vision to unite
people around the truth of Jesus. I know that won’t happen with just eloquent words.
Mandel’s example of service, sacrifice, and determination will serve as a constant
reminder to me. I’m still pondering our tour of Robben Island. Suffering and sacrifice in
my life play out in short seasons but for Mandel it was years and years. I’m still
processing the significance of that tour but it’s very present in how I’m thinking about
my role in the Kingdom.
Meeting my cohort and the other cohorts gave me a picture of what these next few
years will look like. An expanding of my perspective took place during the Advance. I’ve
always been a guy that “gets things done” but I haven’t always put thought into why I do
the things I do. I’m very aware that the Father is using this program and these people to
make me be more intentional about what I’m doing in my life. This thought has
permeated everything I do since returning from the Advance. I know there needs to be a
“why” to my actions. This really connected for me when I read Dr. Richard Paul and Dr.
Linda Elder’s book Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools9. Their
writing about the unreflective thinker and the accomplished thinker has really challenged
me. I too often take the easy approach and I don’t want to do that anymore. I desire to
grow as a thinker and I am sure this program will be a big part in helping make that
happen. I spent my time on top of Table Mountain pondering what these next few years
and beyond will look like. It’s impossible to truly know but while looking out over Cape
Town I had this overwhelming sense that this program will change me. I’m not just
9 Paul, Dr. Richard, and Dr. Linda Elder. Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and
Tools. 6th ed.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 1999.
looing for a new degree at the end of this but I hope to come out of this program why a
greater ability to explain the “why” in my life.
Bibliography
Ahrends, Chris “Leadership Thoughts Insights for Servant Leadership/Facilitation
Leaders” (lecture, Cape Town, South Africa, October 1, 2014).
Ford, David. Theology: a Very Short Introduction. 2 ed. New York: Oxford University
Press, 2000.
Nohria, Nitin and Rakesh Khurana. Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice.
Boston: Harvard Business Press, 2010.
Oosthuizen, Leon and Xola Skosana, Roads 2 Bridges. South Africa: Emmaus Media,
2013.
Paul, Dr. Richard, and Dr. Linda Elder. Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts
and Tools. 6th ed.: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 1999.