Cullen Allen oversees Next Gen. ministries (including children, youth, and young adults) and the MCM School of Ministry at Allison Park Church. He is a man with a full plate in ministry and the truth God's speaking to my heart about is likely one of the many reasons why he gets it done so successfully.
I asked Cullen a few questions during our time together. One about consequences and the other about confrontation. While it sounds like I asked questions about two very cold and authoritarian-related subjects, Cullen shed so much light on why these two things, even though difficult, are important and Godly.
Consequences: Cullen said that one of the things he's done in the past that he would never do again was requiring high levels of discipline without consequences. In his words, it is "a recipe for failure." He said that standards and disciplines are absolutely meaningless without consequences. Consequences should be consistent and immediate. As a leader in a discipleship and ministry training program, I want my students AND myself to succeed where we haven't in the past. Quick and definite consequence allow us to catch old bad habits and tendencies early on. Sometimes the idea of putting consequences in place in our program makes me feel like I'll just push people away... but I have a totally different perspective now. Even though it can be frustrating when I feel in my spirit the consequences of sin, or a lack of discipline, or poor time management, I am very thankful that there are consequences. The yucky feeling I get after choosing to waste time on useless stuff instead of being with God is a consequence that moves me to change (if I'll let it). Even though it's unpleasant at the time, God uses it for my good. This is a principle I need to apply in my leadership and in my life. He is such a loving father in the way he disciplines.
Confrontation: Cullen told us a story about a recent confrontation with a student. The student had arrived late to class and as a result was locked out, missing the entire 40 minute session. Cullen met with the upset young man to talk about why MCM enforces their requirements. The student was in tears by the end of the meeting after Cullen expressed that they care about him and want to see God's best happen in his life. The student was just thankful that the school and leaders cared about him enough to stick with consequences AND confront him when he went off track. Confronting people, when done in love, isn't an attack. It's a way to help people walk into the fullness of the life that God has for them. It helps them become great in the kingdom of God and be open to the beautiful things God wants to do in them. The thing I love most about confronting in a godly way is that you get to speak life and potential into people. It's not about picking out every mistake. Instead, by speaking over them how much you love who they are, you can kindly and directly point out the ungodly things that just don't belong in someone who belongs to God.
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