Thursday, July 29, 2010

Recertification Time... It's A New Day!

Am I overly demanding? I seek not to be critical, but sometimes I'm irritated by those who don't put their best foot forward in ministry. I mean if God has called us to a specific area of ministry, isn't it our responsibility- our duty to operate in excellence? Now I know that some people do the best they can with what they have, but what happened to improving ourselves. I mean if real estate agents are required to attend refresher courses to keep their licenses, just as insurance brokers go to classes to be re-certified and people in their various careers attend seminars, workshops and conventions within their given fields, why do we as Christians think that we don't need a refresher at times and that the knowledge or giftings we have relied upon and drawn from for the past 20 years will do in a world with people of ever changing needs.

It may seem like I'm being hard, but come on people, God gives us opportunities to make advancement for His Kingdom. He gives us opportunities for learning and growing so we can better serve Him and His people. The least we can do is read a couple of books, do some online study classes - something to stimulate continued growth in our areas of ministry. There may be a time someone taps us on the shoulder and tells us that what was once considered good is no longer good enough. We need to see it as a wake up call to step up our game! To get a new pair of glasses and see things in a new light. See it as a challenge and a kick in the pants to shore up the ship, get our act together and become better use for the kingdom. If we have resigned ourselves not to change or to think that what we have done over the past two decades and continue to do is still relevant and good enough, we may need to re-evaluate and take another look at ourselves. We may need to take some courses or be mentored by those who are already on the path or we may need to bow out and allow those who are ready, willing and able to progress to do just that. It may be that God wants to use us in a different way and our season has changed.

We as leaders also need to help youth come into the fullness of who they are. I remember when I was young, I think they allowed me to serve on every auxiliary board and department in the church - from usher, choir director, announcement reader, Sunday school teacher, etc. The older saints (Over 35) would push the youth to find their niche in the church. Nowa' days older saints are so busy trying to hold on to their ministry departments (control which is as the sin of witchcraft) that little emphasis, if any is placed on helping others to succeed and progress in ministry. UGH! It really is a sore spot with me. I did say I would be venting in this blog just a bit.

Lord help us (me) to give you my best, to think of others, to treat others as we (I) want to be treated, to make room for others that you lay on our (my) heart to help, to be patient with others just as You have been and continue to be patient with us (me) and to be kind and gentle to our (my) brothers and sisters despite our (my) thoughts and preconceptions that through love and kindness WE all will make it together.

Friday, July 16, 2010

MinistryMindset: Thin, Plump, Healthy

MinistryMindset: Thin, Plump, Healthy: "Okay its Friday sunny and I cant wait to get off work. First thing after work is to get the nails done. Yep! Definitely get the nails done,..."

Thin, Plump, Healthy

Okay its Friday sunny and I cant wait to get off work. First thing after work is to get the nails done. Yep! Definitely get the nails done, then its off to the hair supply place to get some beautification products. Yep, time to get the hair done too! Ive lost 75 pounds and I'm completely psyched! Whats interesting to me is how differently people treat you when you lose weight, not just men but women too. Its funny because I'm the same person I was 75 pounds ago, or maybe just a little different if I want to be honest about it. I definitely take more pride in the way I dress. That may be because I have more cute things to choose from. Either way, I'm feeling kind of cute today and I think that's okay as long as we don't go overboard in thinking that we are better than others. I am pretty well grounded in that area. Having been thin then been plump :) now on my way back to thin or at least to a more healthy weight, I have seen both sides. I have experienced people's view of me on both sides of the fence and I can't now way look down on others with a weight problem.

What I can say is that I feel a lot better. I can cross my legs, wear regular sized clothing. Yep! It feels pretty good and even better is when I am in the service of the Lord (singing, teaching or preaching) I can serve without feeling like my heart is going to jump out of my chest or sweating profusely. I think that is one of the best results of all.

I think its okay to feel good about yourself... honestly I think God wants us to feel good about ourselves because when we feel good about ourselves, we feel really good about God and our relationship with Him and with others. Because we were created in His image (imago dei), to feel good about ourselves is to feel good about God. Image of God denotes the symbolic relationship between God and humanity. So when we have a healthy perspective of ourselves, for the child of God it promotes a healthier view of who we are in Christ, what we were meant to do and accomplish on the earth and become more in tuned with the purposes of God. So I thank God for getting healthy and maybe, just maybe I am a little different now.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Lesson Learned

As I think about what the sphere is for this blog, the Lord has given a word of caution. First, not to reflect on the actions of others and my superiors. He has cautioned me not to be critical of my leaders and those in authority but rather to reflect upon my own growth in the process of bringing to maturity in ministry. When we are critical of leaders, we are saying that God doesn't know what He is doing for He is ultimately the one who allowed that leader to be in place. When we have such criticism, we are saying that we can do a much better job that God and that just can't be true.

When things are not to our liking we must bathe our attitudes and dispositions in prayer. We don't want to be found self righteous and foolish in the sight of God, so even though we may not understand God's methods, our adverse situations should push us to seek the face of God that He may help us learn the lesson He is teaching us.

The second thing He is helping me to see (which corresponds with the first) is to have honor for authority. A preacher I heard this weekend said that honor means "not to treat as common". I was like WOW! You mean that when we try to get buddy buddy with our pastors and leaders that we are treating them as common... like a friend. Well, the bible says that we are to give honor to whom honor is due and this is not predicated on whether we think they deserve our honor or whether they have earned our respect, it is because God has placed them in a specific place of authority whether we agreed to it, voted for them, went to high school with them, or knew them before they were appointed to authority.

That's what God showed me this weekend. Thanks God because when He shows us something, its for our good and that of the ministry.

Friday, June 25, 2010

New Opportunities

Today is a new day. Yesterday someone offered me the opportunity to minister at their church. Funny how those outside can appreciate what God is doing in your life while those in your own church, the ministry you pay tithes to, do not readily acknowledge whats going on in your life. I choose not to be bitter about it because it is indeed a choice. We serve a big God who is able to work miracles. Also, just because we have a particular area of gifting doesn't always mean it is for this particular season. God can change up circumstances and situations to place you right where he wants us and where we can bring Him the most glory.

I guess it comes to recognizing why you possess a gift in the first place and a lot of times God has to work on us a lot - our motives, attitudes, way of thinking, how we deal with others - before He can use us to bring about the most good for His glory. Sometimes we get it twisted. We think we are more anointed, more knowledgeable than others and God has to bring us down a peg or two before we are placed in meaningful ministry - the ministry He has called us to. But I am glad for the opportunity to minister in another part of the vineyard. I just need to make sure I'm prepared and ready for what He wants to do through this open door.

Its also good to get out and see what others are doing in ministry. Sometimes we get so boxed into our own little world and never venture out beyond our home church. Its good to fellowship and see other perspectives and another way of doing things. Some people call it networking.... maybe so, but there is value in sharing. You can bounce ideas off others and see if you are balanced for kingdom work. Who knows... maybe there is a better idea than yours LOL! (okay mine).

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Starting Out

Well, here we go. I've been wanting to do this blog for some time now. A blog that consists of my daily struggles as a new minister, trying to balance what I think is right . When I first embarked upon ministry, I thought everything was spiritual. Those in ministry I sometimes see it as a battle for control. Its really sickening the games played at church, but at the same time I feel a sense that God wants to use me to bring balance. I once heard an adage, that reflected that you should be a part of the answer to the problems we experience, well that takes a lot of faith in God, a lot of hearing from God for His direction and I am just starting this journey of obedience. Won't you join me for an interesting learning experience as I seek to follow Him. There will be a lot of venting I'm sure, but who can I talk to but God and you guys in cyberspace.