Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Leadership Lab Learnings
Last night, I started teaching our fall semester Leadership Lab class. I can't think of a better way to spend a Tuesday evening than with a group of emerging and growing leaders who are pursuing God. During our orientation night, I asked each person to fill out an information page for me so I could get to know them a bit more. At the end of the class, I collected them and brought them back to the office with me this morning. Wow! Remember the movie, A Beautiful Mind? Well words and phrases just lit up on the pages as I read over them; each one highlighting how God has so gifted our church through these people and revealing hearts that are hungry to know God in more intimate and purposeful ways.
I am continually amazed by people and the work of God in their lives. Reading through these sheets, I learned about these people's gifts and passions, what they want to learn, what character qualities they are eager to develop, and what leadership skills they want to hone. I love how God has a unique plan for each of us and the way He works His purposes out in each of our lives is so amazing. It is beyond us.
In the next couple of months, I will be a grandmother. That looks weird when I read that. Anyway, the older I get, the more I don't know what I really thought I knew. I do know this. God is as multi-faceted as there are people on the planet. The plans He has for me are not even close to the plans He has for you. The journey He is taking me on is completely different from the one you are taking with Him. I love that I can turn to Him wherever I might find myself on that journey and He is there. And He is right there for each of us; wherever we are. I don't know what God has in store for the people who have stepped out to participate in this group. But I do know that it will be amazing. Just like Him.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
When I first felt “called” to ministry, I wasn’t sure what I was feeling or experiencing. I had a very clear knowing that God was calling me to serve him in the church; but I had no idea what that looked like or how it would work. Something that I’ve recently read and its nothing new, but it struck me as I’m meeting and talking with women frequently about their lives and their service to God, that there are different callings and I just want to touch on those in case you haven’t heard this for a while
There is the call to faith that is reflected in 1 Corinthians 1:26. This is a call to salvation. You definitely sense it, feel it or hear it in some way and have the choice to respond to it.
There is the call to minister. This is reflected in Hebrews 2:3-4 and 1 Corinthians 12:18. God is calling you to serve others, serve people, serve one another. This is also something you sense to be; others-oriented and to see your work as a minister to God; whether you are a wife, career woman or mom.
Then there is the call to ministry. This is reflected in Romans 1:1. This is more of a vocational call. You might discern a clear direction to a people group, church, mission or organization. This is full-out, life-long ministry. If you are called in this way, God will continue to pursue you, no matter what you do, no matter where you run. You will feel the holy discontent of not fitting unless you are in ministry.
When I first stepped into the glass slipper of ministry, I landed in the Kitchen Coordinator ministry position. I had applied for something else that was available. I wanted the bookstore/library position. I love research and reading and helping people learn to live into what God has created them for so working with books was just perfect FOR ME. Books have no problems and sit quietly on shelves, but, that isn’t where God wanted me. It was where I wanted me. I felt I had completely surrendered to what He wanted, so I just questioned His invitation for a day or so before saying a very loud and excited “YES!” And, let me tell you, I have said “yes” many times along the way and it has been an incredible adventure. I’ve been in ministry on our church staff for 14 years as Intern, Women's Pastor, First Impressions Pastor, Connections Pastor and now as Leadership Development Pastor, but look at where it all started. In the kitchen. It is a Cinderella story!
Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” So, don’t be quick to say “no” to opportunities that might not look like what you first envisioned ministry should look like for you. Be open. Be daring. Be ready for an adventure. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “you are not your own”. Live like you know whose you are. Here are a few things I've learned in this adventure.
1. Make sure you have surrendered “your” ministry, your goals, your ideas, your way to His way. It helps ease any pain you might encounter later when things don’t work out exactly like you planned. Romans 12:1, “present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
2. Find a mentor or two. Ask a lot of questions of one who is older than you or has more experience in ministry. It is smart to find one who does not attend your church and will challenge your thinking.
3. Be respectful of everyone you work with. Be kind. Be gracious. You will not always want to be. You will find people who rub you the wrong way. You will come up against some who do not think you fit there. Be kind. Call it when you need to, but speak the truth in love.
4. Be inquisitive. Be a life-long learner. As you engage in ministry, take on learning opportunities that are outside your realm of immediate ministry or service through seminars and conferences. Stretch yourself.
5. Be vocal. Share your thoughts, your questions, your insights and your stories from your ministry and experience with your staff. Make suggestions. Share your opinion when the floor is open to you. Don’t let opportunities to speak and share your wisdom pass you by. Engage in the staff discussions.
6. Be bold and courageous. God did not give you a spirit of timidity. If He has called you, He has you there for a reason. Continue to discover it and live into it.
7. Assume the role you've been given. You’ve been given a role, a responsibility and the authority it carries. Don’t act like an admin, if you are not an admin. Don’t act like a lead pastor if you are not one.
There is the call to faith that is reflected in 1 Corinthians 1:26. This is a call to salvation. You definitely sense it, feel it or hear it in some way and have the choice to respond to it.
There is the call to minister. This is reflected in Hebrews 2:3-4 and 1 Corinthians 12:18. God is calling you to serve others, serve people, serve one another. This is also something you sense to be; others-oriented and to see your work as a minister to God; whether you are a wife, career woman or mom.
Then there is the call to ministry. This is reflected in Romans 1:1. This is more of a vocational call. You might discern a clear direction to a people group, church, mission or organization. This is full-out, life-long ministry. If you are called in this way, God will continue to pursue you, no matter what you do, no matter where you run. You will feel the holy discontent of not fitting unless you are in ministry.
When I first stepped into the glass slipper of ministry, I landed in the Kitchen Coordinator ministry position. I had applied for something else that was available. I wanted the bookstore/library position. I love research and reading and helping people learn to live into what God has created them for so working with books was just perfect FOR ME. Books have no problems and sit quietly on shelves, but, that isn’t where God wanted me. It was where I wanted me. I felt I had completely surrendered to what He wanted, so I just questioned His invitation for a day or so before saying a very loud and excited “YES!” And, let me tell you, I have said “yes” many times along the way and it has been an incredible adventure. I’ve been in ministry on our church staff for 14 years as Intern, Women's Pastor, First Impressions Pastor, Connections Pastor and now as Leadership Development Pastor, but look at where it all started. In the kitchen. It is a Cinderella story!
Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” So, don’t be quick to say “no” to opportunities that might not look like what you first envisioned ministry should look like for you. Be open. Be daring. Be ready for an adventure. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “you are not your own”. Live like you know whose you are. Here are a few things I've learned in this adventure.
1. Make sure you have surrendered “your” ministry, your goals, your ideas, your way to His way. It helps ease any pain you might encounter later when things don’t work out exactly like you planned. Romans 12:1, “present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
2. Find a mentor or two. Ask a lot of questions of one who is older than you or has more experience in ministry. It is smart to find one who does not attend your church and will challenge your thinking.
3. Be respectful of everyone you work with. Be kind. Be gracious. You will not always want to be. You will find people who rub you the wrong way. You will come up against some who do not think you fit there. Be kind. Call it when you need to, but speak the truth in love.
4. Be inquisitive. Be a life-long learner. As you engage in ministry, take on learning opportunities that are outside your realm of immediate ministry or service through seminars and conferences. Stretch yourself.
5. Be vocal. Share your thoughts, your questions, your insights and your stories from your ministry and experience with your staff. Make suggestions. Share your opinion when the floor is open to you. Don’t let opportunities to speak and share your wisdom pass you by. Engage in the staff discussions.
6. Be bold and courageous. God did not give you a spirit of timidity. If He has called you, He has you there for a reason. Continue to discover it and live into it.
7. Assume the role you've been given. You’ve been given a role, a responsibility and the authority it carries. Don’t act like an admin, if you are not an admin. Don’t act like a lead pastor if you are not one.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Glass Slippers
All of us are familiar with the story of Cinderella, right? Cinderella was an orphan left at the hands of her unkind step-mother after her own mother and then her father died. She was assigned a place among the ashes of the fireplace and worked hard to serve and please others. Her rightful place was overseeing the household and enjoying the inheritance her father had left to her, but her unkind and greedy step-mother wanted it all for herself and her own daughters. So, poor Cinderella was relegated to a position that was far less than what her father would have ever intended for her.
Like every girl, she had dreams of a good and purposeful life, but somewhere in all of the twists and turns of her destiny, she lost her identity. Others shaped her path; her step mother, her step sisters. She didn’t own the house and land that was rightfully hers. She knew in her heart that there was more for her, but she was unable to attain or accomplish it.
She heard about the Prince hosting a grand ball, a party, and she wanted to go. She was teased by her step mother and sisters with the possibility of going, but they had no intentions of letting her go. They just dangled the carrot. But, someone heard her cries. Her God-mother. Her God-mother made her presentable for the party. She was cleaned up and given a new dress and new hair-do and transportation and people to serve her needs and most importantly, brand new shoes. Glass slippers made just for her.
Some boundaries were given along with this new opportunity and new freedom. She was given a specific time frame for all of this to happen. Of course, she meets the Prince, dances all night, they fall in love; but, her time is up. As she is racing against the clock in order to keep her promise to her God-mother to be back home by a certain time, she loses her glass slipper. This led to some problems. The carriage that carried her to the party turned back into a pumpkin. The horses that powered the carriage turned back into mice and her beautiful new dress turned back into dirty rags.
But, her shoe remained where she lost it and as the Prince chased after her, he found it. He determined to find her. After much searching, he does find her and the glass slipper designed precisely for her, fit perfectly. She married her Prince, forgave her step-mother and step-sisters and a new life opened up to her. Cinderella rose out of the ashes and into the castle.
Cinderella is a story of unjust oppression and triumphant reward. In fact the word “Cinderella” means one who unexpectedly achieves recognition or success after a period of obscurity and neglect.
Now, this story speaks to my heart. It seems similar to my life experience. In other ways, it does not. Any of you feel like Cinderella in any way, shape or form? Can you see the similarities of her life and ours as women, as women who want to serve God in the way that He gifted us? Has God lifted you out of the ashes and into His castle, His church, His world, His service?
Like every girl, she had dreams of a good and purposeful life, but somewhere in all of the twists and turns of her destiny, she lost her identity. Others shaped her path; her step mother, her step sisters. She didn’t own the house and land that was rightfully hers. She knew in her heart that there was more for her, but she was unable to attain or accomplish it.
She heard about the Prince hosting a grand ball, a party, and she wanted to go. She was teased by her step mother and sisters with the possibility of going, but they had no intentions of letting her go. They just dangled the carrot. But, someone heard her cries. Her God-mother. Her God-mother made her presentable for the party. She was cleaned up and given a new dress and new hair-do and transportation and people to serve her needs and most importantly, brand new shoes. Glass slippers made just for her.
Some boundaries were given along with this new opportunity and new freedom. She was given a specific time frame for all of this to happen. Of course, she meets the Prince, dances all night, they fall in love; but, her time is up. As she is racing against the clock in order to keep her promise to her God-mother to be back home by a certain time, she loses her glass slipper. This led to some problems. The carriage that carried her to the party turned back into a pumpkin. The horses that powered the carriage turned back into mice and her beautiful new dress turned back into dirty rags.
But, her shoe remained where she lost it and as the Prince chased after her, he found it. He determined to find her. After much searching, he does find her and the glass slipper designed precisely for her, fit perfectly. She married her Prince, forgave her step-mother and step-sisters and a new life opened up to her. Cinderella rose out of the ashes and into the castle.
Cinderella is a story of unjust oppression and triumphant reward. In fact the word “Cinderella” means one who unexpectedly achieves recognition or success after a period of obscurity and neglect.
Now, this story speaks to my heart. It seems similar to my life experience. In other ways, it does not. Any of you feel like Cinderella in any way, shape or form? Can you see the similarities of her life and ours as women, as women who want to serve God in the way that He gifted us? Has God lifted you out of the ashes and into His castle, His church, His world, His service?
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