The following illuminating ideas/quotes came from my first day of class this term. I'm taking "Philosophical Foundations of Ministry" with Dr. David Rahn. We will be developing our own POM. I must say I went in to this class kicking and screaming. After today's class filled with a lot of deep, even painful thinking, I'm only kicking.
1. How is a balloon like your philosophy of ministry? For me: The balloon is my life. Just as it is easier to blow up or grow a balloon into fullness if you stretch it first, God has been stretching me over the years through various life experiences - good and bad. When I allow myself to be stretched and then filled with the breath of God or His spirit, I grow as a follower and my circle of influence becomes greater, thus allowing me to have a greater impact on God's kingdom.
2. "Is to think better a requirement for greater fruitfulness?" (Dr. Rahn) For years I have said I am not the type of person to analyze or think my faith into being. I believe. Period. However, I am beginning to see that there is more to it than that. After all, the Bible tells us to love God with all our minds. If philosophy is the why we do what we do, I guess I better pay attention and know what I'm doing so I can have a fruitful outcome.
3. "When the one way becomes THE way, we've lost focus on why we're doing what we're doing." (Dr. Rahn) Need I say more? We fear change and allow it to get us stuck. It's like the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing but expecting a different result. This is a real danger in many things: ministry, parenting, marriage, friendship, life. . .
4. You've heard it said that you can't see the forest for the trees. Counter that with this thought: "You can't know what a forest is until you know what a healthy tree looks like." I'm still pondering this one. I will say that often I get ahead of myself in ministry and in life I can get focused on the big picture and forget to think about what it is I should be viewing as health. Is it numbers, big - ness, growth, OR transformation into healthy, fully devoted followers of Christ.
As you can see it's a lot to think about and ponder. It hurts my brain, but I suppose that's what God gave me a brain for. When the day finally comes that I'm able to articulate my philosphy of ministry, I'll post it here. Until then . . . pray that God will stretch my thinking capacity!
1 comment:
Love that. I think I need to be in that class!
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