I. Calls and Plans: Because of our life circumstance, my wife and I plan to stay in Marin County and to pursue a ministry within reasonable commute distance from our home. I am still doing my best to hear God's call. I have received my ministry by the mercy of God and I place my trust in Him to match me with a congregation of His choosing. Plans for the next three years: My life can go into one of three directions that I can see. (1) I may be called as a senior pastor to a smaller church in the area. (2) I may be called as an associate pastor at a larger church. (3) I may be called to minister in a multicultural church as pastor of the English speaking congregation. I identify with the Apostle Phillip. I have heard the first call to arise and go to this desert crossroad in Marin County. I am still listening with eagerness for the Spirit to say to me "Go near and join thyself to that chariot (Acts 8:29)". I have been actively engaged in seeking out opportunities to minister. I trust God with the results. |
II. Personal assessment of my abilities, skills, and knowledge Lead: I know that I can lead. In most of my seminary classes, my challenge is not to take charge. I strive to leave space for other students to lead. My years in the military and in front of a classroom have given me the bearing to stand and to be heard. I do believe that I am the kind of leader who people choose to follow to a place they would not go by themselves. My continuing challenge is to combine my leadership gifts with a servant's heart. Care: I care instinctively with the ones that I love. I care for my wife, my two sons and my larger family. My challenge is simply to love more people than I do now. I believe that as I love more, my care and compassion will be extended to more people. Caring involves deliberate decisions everyday: to accept inconvenience, to seek out opportunities in unlikely places, and to see loveliness in the unlovely. Proclaim: I can see the hand of God in the way He has prepared me to proclaim His Gospel. I once looked upon myself as a "teacher" first and not gifted to preach. The past few summers in Africa have shown me that "preacher" is my prime identity and that "teacher" is my style of proclamation. In my youth I memorized scripture as a personal devotion. In God's time He is now using my scripture recitation as the purest possible proclamation of His Gospel. Personal: I am understanding that ministry flows from character. I am recognizing that the Gospel message may be impacted by the lifestyle of the messenger. With God's help, I am dealing with many "loose ends" in my life. Because I have received my ministry by the mercy of God, I am working with God to keep my personal life upstanding. I recognize the warning that Jesus spoke the religious leaders of his time: "cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also". (Matthew 23:26) |
III. My learning experience in Theological Field Education The learning goals in my covenant: In September of 2002, I set five goals for myself. All of these goals were met to some degree but only goal #4 was fully met. Most of the goals included finding and reading certain books. In taking seven seminary courses each term, I read many fine books. But these were not the ones originally envisioned. (Maybe they were better). A few new opportunities arose during the school year, that were not part of my covenant. I have been busy every Saturday morning with a Bible class at San Quentin Prison. I have also been preaching once a month at the Tamalpais Convalescent Facility. Goal #1 dealt with pastoral activities. I listed four books to read and discussed with my mentor. I have read two and only discussed one. I was to read two books and discuss them with Jerry Stubblefield. I have read one and am scheduled to meet with him. Goal #2 dealt with participation in the ordinances of the church. I have been involved with the Lord's Supper, assisted in a baptism, and will practice baptism on May 5. There has not been an occasion to participate in a wedding or funeral. Goal #3 dealt with learning more about Baptist traditions and organizations. Scheduling conflicts prevented me from attending a state convention. I have certainly learned more about how our local congregation is organized and functions. I also did some work on the History of TBC. Goal #4 dealt with clarifying my call to ministry. This goal was more than met. As I approach graduation from seminary, the need to find a ministry position looms large. One might say that this goal sucked away much of the oxygen from other goals. Goal #5 dealt with personal self-control, about how to overcome negative anger, aggravation and frustration. This goal is proceeding in fits and starts. Accepting people as they are helps me in this regard. I am finding that a good dose of humility is the best antidote for a negative response to people. Meeting with people in my Supervisory Circle: This has been a good experience. I met with Barry Stricker (my mentor/supervisor) every week from September to December. I met with my Bob Royall as an interim from January to March. Now I am meeting again with Barry. My once-a-month encounters with my spiritual advisor, ken eakins, have been profitable to me. My peer group, led by Larry Laxton, has recently become a joy rather than a chore. My MRSG people are great. I still find it awkward to impose upon them once a month to talk about me. I know it is a requirement, but it seems counter to humility. I also maintain that all of this paperwork and pain deserves more than 2 hours of credit per term. Learning that is related to doing ministry: Most of my good learning has taken place by observing how key people in my supervisory circle not only "talk the talk" but "walk the walk". I have been impressed with what have seen so far. "Follow me a I follow Christ!" |
IV. My Plans for continuing growth: I feel like an anaconda having just swallowed a 3-year meal of seminary studies. It will take at least three more years to digest all that I have learned. I hope that most of the relationships that I have established with people in my supervisory circle will continue. This will make me grow. Since I intend to stay in the local area, GGBTS will probably play a part in my continuing growth. I have also learned that who I am is more significant than what I do. For my growth to continue, I must make room for those quiet moments when my God can deal with His servant.
|