The Words of Timberline

As Daniel neared completion of high school, we encouraged him to take a year to focus on some solid spiritual formation. “Go to a discipleship school, get involved in a surf ministry, visit missionary friends in China or Africa,” we said. In providence, it turned out to be Timberline Lodge in Colorado. We just attended their concluding ceremonies and came home overwhelmingly happy. Timberline is a place where young people enlarge their boundaries. Let me summarize why in four words – transformation, community, mentors, affirmation.

Transformation – Timberline doesn’t stress academics. It teaches the Bible and stresses transformation. As Dan Thomas said, “We do not have anything to give to the students. We simply expose them to all that they already have in Christ.” This summarizes the transformational focus of this school, discovering the riches of the inheritance they have already received.

Community – There’s just something about 30 students being together 24/7, snowboarding, hanging out at the Rocky Mountain Café or repelling the arches of Utah that creates community. It’s created in these activities and a hundred others like it, but their community is so much more. What we saw was a group of students and staff who are developing the attitude of community. A group of imperfect people with imperfect ways caring for one another. Caring enough to confront trespasses, speak vulnerably, apply grace, admit wrong, love unloveliness, grow steadily. It’s the kind of community I want for my kids…and for myself.

Mentors – “When you go to college look around and find a godly person who can mentor you. Look for someone who is passionately seeking God, someone who prays. It may be the president of the school, or it may be the janitor.” I’ve preached that for a long time. What I didn’t anticipate but what we found was that at Timberline everyone is that kind of mentor. Whether it’s the kitchen assistant, the IT guy, the program director or the wife of the maintenance man, they are all intentionally pursuing God and intentionally mentoring others.

Affirmation – The concluding ceremony was a huge affirmation for the students. I’ve never seen anything like it. Each student came to the platform and was given a special word that summarized their life and strengths – words like freedom, garden, teacher, radiance, Viking, and vase. And then those words were expanded to encourage, affirm and challenge them. It was so powerful. There were so many tears. Diana was crying over students she had never even met. As they walked off that stage they moved forward with a year’s worth of affirmation, mentoring, community, and transformation.

Thanks so much, Timberline! Thanks for the words of Timberline becoming a part of our son’s life. Check out their website at http://www.timberlinelodge.org/