Jay Gordon, Jr., Grace
Q: Describe the range of emotions you have felt over the past couple of months.
There is deep sadness about leaving behind what is really a way of life for me, and shifting to something unknown. I will miss this place. Dock has been professionally stimulating for me, and it has also been my spiritual support, my church family, my faith community. What am I going to do without all that? But I am excited to go to Mennonite Education Agency, and excited to take the best of what Dock is, out and beyond to bless other educational institutions.
Q: The Dock community has already begun talking about your legacy and what we think it is. What legacy do you believe you are leaving to Christopher Dock?
If I have a legacy I hope it will be my intention to carry God’s light and further His kingdom. I have always tried to work from a base of ‘organic’ leadership, praying that God would provide the right people, and that I could, as a leader, allow teachers to develop professionally to the point where they can do their best work. This place is nothing without those who teach on a daily basis. If teachers feel empowered and free to do their best it makes Dock a special place for students.
Dock faculty see teaching as their vocation and calling. Because of that, Dock is a model of education that works. “Building Community” was genius—and it came from faculty! They brainstormed about an educational program with Anabaptist distinctive, and came up with the “Building Community” concept. It has now unfolded into a four-year experience all linked to curriculum—an integrated way to work at faith-infused distinctives that complement the academic, spiritual and lifestyle choices of students.
Q: In your view, what is the greatest impact Dock has had on students? On faculty? On parents/families?
The way Dock encourages lifelong learning and lifelong spiritual formation. There is a sense of “settledness” here that allows education to happen in the classroom, that creates a space where hard questions can be asked and people can talk in a safe environment. Students learn to trust questioning and discussion, that they will have an opportunity to change their mind. An engaging classroom prepares students for whatever they choose as a next step, whether they decide to go to college, work in business, have a family, or go and do service.
It’s an absolute thrill to see the children of former students enter Christopher Dock. We are always blessed when Dock grads let us know how much the educational program here has kept up with the times, how it has continued to shape and grow them as people, and how it has provided so many opportunities for them to test their God-given abilities.
Q: How have you grown as a person, as a leader, as a follower of Christ as a result of your experiences here?
This community taught me everything I needed to know about leadership. They have been patient. They have challenged me, provided professional support and allowed me to grow. They have been gracious, and for that I am grateful.
One of my models as a leader was Elmer Neufeld who was president of Bluffton when I taught there. He taught me about humble, organic leadership, and how one can empower people to shape the institution. That was a huge influence in my life. Going to Lehigh for my superintendent certificate also helped me refine my leadership thinking.
The board members I have worked with, including five board chairs, were all very influential in helping me to lead within this community as a unique region for Mennonite education. Donella Clemens was the first board chair I worked with. She helped me understand how much this strongly supportive community values people.
The passion and care of this place is really a result of a community of people committed to living their faith in practical and authentic ways that take care of the least of these and bless the whole. This school is just one example of how that plays out. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to get to know the people who were on the ground floor of all that—people like Paul Godshall and Horace Longacre, who were mentors and contributors and caretakers of this school.*
*See the Spring 2009 issue of Lamplighter for the full interview.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.