How are you doing in your response to those who speak truth to you in love?

I think this is a tough one for me. I often times have a hard time speaking the truth. What I mean by that is that I often will hold my tongue as a means to avoid confrontation. There are times when I want to say something, yet I hold in for the sake of avoiding an argument. The issue with that is that it can often turn into a passive-aggressive situation, where the frustration I might be holding by not saying anything appears in another situation, or in my disposition or attitude. Sometimes holding your tongue is not the best thing to do. Sometimes you have to say how you feel, truthfully, but not with ill intentions.

Recount one incident you had this week where the words that were spoken either helped heal or hurt a relationship.

I recall an instance where someone said something about a particular event that I found to be highly offensive. The individual made a blatantly racist remark, and it caught me off guard. He had a great laugh out of it, and I was so uncomfortable that I didn't really know what to say. I let him know that it was offensive on so many levels, but I don't believe he took me seriously. It is interesting how quickly something that is said can change your perception and perspective of who a person is. Sometimes, a simple sentence can completely wreck your credibility in the eyes of another person. We have to be very careful with what we say, lest we lead individuals astray.

What are you learning about “incarnational leadership”?

I think the thing that sticks out to me about incarnational leadership is allowing God to lead me, and not try to lead myself along. I find that for me, I like to chart out my own course for how I am to go about doing the things I am going to do, and I can find myself forgetting to see what God would have in store for me! Often times it can be so easy to seek God's help when everything has gone to a chaotic level, but in leadership we have to seek his wisdom and guidance first!

I find that for me, incarnational leadership is about choosing to live and lead the kind of life that God is calling me to lead. I have to be willing to put myself aside for the sake and glory of the Gospel.

More specifically, if I could accomplish three goals in the next 90 days that would make a significant difference in my ministry effectiveness, what would I do?

I think the first thing I would like to do in the next 90 days is create an effective service program during the school year. In the Summer time, I have a great volunteer program, in part because the kids I work with do not have school. When school kicks back on, It becomes very difficult to find the opportunity to engage the kids in works of service.

The second thing I would do is do a better job of planning my days in the local schools. I would like to have a more visible presence in the local schools, but there are over 10 different schools that are on my watch list.

The final thing I would do is continue to plan better for my Wednesday Night lessons. For example, tonight. I had to work at another job all day, and I didn't have time to plan my lesson, and it was met with mixed results. I have to do a better job of coordinating my time to make sure I am giving my best to these kids.

Record your reflections about new things you learned today about two or three of your classmates. Write a one-sentence prayer for each of them.

I think one of the things that I have learned about my classmates is their level of commitment to this course work. In the discussions, some of them will write profound, thought provoking responses to the questions asked, while others will attempt to further the conversation with responses like "Amen", or "I agree!". Please give me something to work with! Feel free to disagree, to talk about the differences in your thinking! Please contribute more to the conversation than just a simple acknowledgement that you have attempted the bare minimum to complete the assignment.

"Lord, I pray that as the content of this study touches our hearts and minds, that we would be responsive to the power of your word to enlighten our thinking and further prepare us for the work you have set out for us."