In your journaling time record your reflections on the three most significant times of Bible study that you have experienced in the past year. Be specific. State the passage, the setting, others who may have shared the experience, and how your life and/or ministry have changed because of those experiences.

The passages that I will mention are Hebrew 5 (the milk passage), Micah 6:6-8 (what is good), and John 10:10 (the best and fullest life possible). Each one has made its way into my teaching or preaching this year, and I am so thankful it has, because it continues to affirm in me the fact that I am on the right track in my journey with God. I am able to share what God is doing in me through these passages, and communicate that to the young people I am ministering to. God is so good! 

How do Christian disciples “serve the world, but not . . . be a servant of the world”? · What are some ways that we may live out the words of Matthew 6:33, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”? · Do we seek to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist?

I think Christians can serve the world without being a servant of the world by always keeping focused on their perspective. Why do we do the things we do? It is to build the Kingdom of God, to bring glory to the name of Jesus! When our works of service become more about feeling good about ourselves, or getting recognition or a pat on the back, we are losing our perspective. We must continue to do what God calls us to do, including standing up for what is right, fighting against injustice and persecution, and loving the way God calls us to. 

How do you feel about being a mentor/coach? Are you willing to make that commitment? · Who are the people that you should be mentoring/coaching today? · What skills and experience do you have that you would be willing to share with others? · What is your reaction to being mentored/coached by someone else?

I think I could do a very good job of being a mentor to someone. There are some young people in my youth ministry that could very well benefit from some one-on-one engagement and encouragement. I can use my strength finders strength of Harmony to engage and find a common rapport with the people I am working with. I can share my life experiences, my struggles, my shortcomings, show that I am just a person, trying to figure out this life.

I certainly appreciate being mentored by someone else. There is something so rewarding about being able to share with someone who can provide an outside perspective on the situation you are dealing with. I have some great mentors in my life that I am thankful to have!

In your journal write the final draft of your definition of Christian theology.

I don't know that you can have a "final draft" to define Christian Theology, but I think this will suffice as my best effort. Christian Theology is about being a part of the Narrative of God. It starts with the Narrative of his creation, the failure of human creation to stay in a right relationship, and his attempts to reconcile himself with that creation. It follows with the appointment of a holy people, chosen to bear witness to God's great glory, mercy, and justice. It culminates in the person of Jesus, who bears the sin of the world so that one and for all can be reconciled with God. It continues through Jesus' followers, those who seek reconciliation with God, and attempt to share this reconciliation with others. We are all theologians, participating in the great redemption story of Jesus Christ.

· When it comes to being all love, holy love I find myself feeling very inadequate to the great power and majesty that is the essence of God - Love. God's love is so great, and unyielding towards me that he would send his son to death for me to be reconciled with him. And who am I that I deserve reconciliation? I am nothing, a single person trotting on an earth filled with billions, not to mention billions more throughout the course of history. Yet this God, who could be concerned with all sorts of more important things, loves me and wants a relationship with me. Baffling and overwhelming, to say the least.

Write a one-stanza song of praise to God for your own “transforming moment” of conversion. If you need help to get started, sing some songs such as “Why Should He Love Me So?” “Victory in Jesus,” “All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus.”

I praise you, my savior.
I praise you, my Lord.
I praise you, my friend.
For being all of these things, and loving me.
Loving someone as insignificant as me.
Filled with your majesty and power,
pouring out your mercy and grace,
on one like me, a worm of the earth.
I praise you for all that you are and all that you do.
My God, my Rock, my Redeemer, my friend. 

Not much of a song, but I think it gets the point!

Theme 3 implies that every Christian has a call to minister. What differences, if any, do you see between a call to full-time Christian service, such as pastoring, and God’s leading and gifting someone for other types of employment (teacher, builder, doctor, laborer, etc.)? · To what has God called you? What gifts have been given to you by God to allow you to fulfill His call?

I think the difference between those who are called to a "secular" vocation and those called to full-time ministry is the emphasis on leadership and direction. Those in the secular field are part of the "priesthood of all believers" and play their role in their world, job, vocation, etc. Those in full time ministry are there to help facilitate and develop those who are out in the "real" world, if you will. We are called to help those be prepared for works of service, out in their context.

I think God has called me to be a very good associate pastor / executive pastor. I could see myself being on staff, leading behind the scenes, not so much being the face of the franchise, but a major contributor in what goes unseen that makes things happen. I think God has given me gifts like planning and organization, vision casting, and the ability to promote that would make for a very good assistant / executive type role. 

Write in your journal about a new concept that you encountered in today’s lesson. In what ways could this new idea influence your life? Your assumptions about religion or spirituality? What feelings did this new insight provoke? Suspicion, fear, anger, freedom, joy, relief?


The new insight that I received in reading for this lesson was the thought that the role that I have in forming my take on Theology is influenced by hundreds of thousands of men and women of the last 2,000 or so years that have dedicated their lives to knowing Jesus, loving him, and living life the way that he calls them to live. I get to play a part in sharing the great news of God's reconciliation plan! Every once in a while you have these moments, these times where you get to reflect and look at what has come and dream about what will become. This thought is overwhelming and exciting at the same time, knowing that God is going to use me, just like he used The Disciples, the Catholic Priests of Old, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and a countless number of others to further his great, loving redemption plan. Shock and awe indeed.

Note an idea or concept that either had a positive or negative impact on you. · Record an emotion you experienced while processing the content of today’s lesson. · Write about something you decided or actually did in your personal life, spiritual life, ministry, or family life in response to this lesson.

I have to record the emotion of exhaustion! I am so tired of doing course work! I know that it is essential and important for my continued progress in ministry, but I am tired! I feel like I have so much other stuff going on in my life and not enough time to get all that I am responsible for taken care of. I need a break from life!

Record in your journal any corrections, adjustments, or expansions that this lesson brought to your concept of God.

I think one thing that this lesson helped affirm in my life was the goodness of who God is. He is so very good to me and to every person in this world, even when we have no right to deserve the goodness that he bestows upon us. He has blessed us in so many ways, starting by reconciling us with him through Jesus, and with every proceeding blessing or gift that comes from him. He is just so good to me.

In what area discussed in Theme Two do you have the most problems with your faith community?

I think the biggest problem I have is empowering and equipping people to do the work God has called them to do. One of my top five strengths is "achiever", so often I will tackle a project and get it done the way I want to get it done. I sometimes will do everything myself, when I could be having someone else do the work. I need to show a little humility and allow other people to discover the gifts and talents God has given them to honor their lives towards Him.

What is God teaching you about how you personally handle conflict in your life? · How can “speaking the truth in love” help you to gain greater understanding of those with whom you have conflict? · What conflicts have you delayed resolving?

I think for me the handling of conflict is a tricky proposition. I tend to lie in the school of the "passive / aggressive" type. Often the way I handle conflict is to block it out, to hold my frustrations in, until they eventually explode in a situation that is not becoming of an individual. I have to be willing to clearly communicate the issues that I am having in an open forum; too often I let things pick at me. Speaking the truth in love allows me to express my feelings before it builds up and festers into something greater than it ever needed to be.

I can't think of any conflicts that I need to resolve; I feel like certain conflicts need space for perspective before a resolution can come to pass. When we distance ourselves from the situation a bit, we are better able to understand every side of the story. 

Three key words to make part of your journal experience this lesson: · Acknowledge that sin has had devastating effects in your own life, family, and world. · Confess any known sins in your present life—and forsake them at once. · Praise God for past and present forgiveness for sin and for cleansing your heart.

As I look at this list of things in regard to sin, I am most intrigued by the last one. It seems easy to acknowledge the problems we have in our lives, the sin that so easily entangles. It seems easy to confess that to God. I think we run into issues with forsaking our sin and praising God for his forgiveness. I think often the Devil creeps into our lives, with his lies and deception that makes us think that we are not truly forgiven. We have to continue to hold to the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the blood that makes us whole. We can never let go of the great thing that Jesus has done on our behalf in extending his great mercy towards us.

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."

List in your journal endings, in-between times, and new beginnings that you have experienced in the past 10 years. I have found for me that I don't experience a whole lot of beginnings and endings. I have a lot of in-between times in my life, where I am just going along with the day to day "drudgery" of life, if you will. I can point to new career experiences, deaths and births, and changes in relationships, but I think that these things often blend in to the average, ordinary, everyday things. I am reminded of a song by the Orange County Supertones called "Jury Duty", and the chorus goes "Every single moment whether sleeping or awake its your creation, and what you made is good. I don't always thank you for the rough days and the hard times in my life, even though I should." I think we just live life, missing the things that we should be thankful for, in good and in bad.

The effort that I am willing to put into this course and into my own spiritual formation during this module is best described by the word… Struggle. I think spiritual formation is the most difficult thing to teach, train, and build in the Church. It sounds so simple: "Just go read the Bible". Well, how? "Just go and pray". Well, how? Even when the principles and ways of getting into a devotional happen are learned, the commitment to do those things is difficult, if not impossible sometimes. Spiritual formation is a struggle, a struggle between growing in our knowledge and relationship with God, and taking care of the responsibilities and pressures that our family, friends, careers, and life in general put on us. God give us the strength to grow in our love, knowledge and understanding of who you are.