Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Dormant Gift


God has blessed me with gifts to use for His glory. Yet the gifts remain dormant. I wish I could get better at expressing and using my gifts for the benefit of others. One person whose dormant gift got discovered inspires me. Paul surprises and overwhelms his judges and his audience with a great performance. Don't let your gift lay dormant. Discover your gifts and use them for the benefit of others! Check it out.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Ongoing Journey

One of the valuable things in life is time to think. I am one who likes to mull over things before sharing what's going on in my head. I've been on a quest lately to discover what and where God wants me to do to serve Him.

I've been given a great opportunity to explore options and to investigate fully opportunities over the past six months. I am grateful to Northwest Chapel for helping me on my journey.

God does speak to individuals. He has spoke to me. Over hours, days, months, and miles God has prompted my heart to transition out of Northwest Chapel to pursue a missions pastor role in a multi-staff church where I can better utilize my gifts for advancing God's kingdom. As I shared with the leadership of Northwest Chapel:
I’ve been responsible to lead in many areas of ministry in our church where my biggest strength is seeing the big picture and how individuals can connect with the overall vision of the church. I am a voracious learner—by nature I love acquiring knowledge or new skills but I refuse to rush the process. I naturally identify with an individuals’ situation and seek to develop their gifts and talents. I have found a new ministry position in missions developing God’s church to impact the world where missions is a high value.
This is where the journey begins!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Self-Assessment

I don't like talking about myself--much less thinking about myself. I am an introvert. Most people who get to know me are often surprised. I do regain energy by being alone. So I don't like me being the central focus.

My strengths assessment energized me. If someone were to ask me about my strengths, I would have struggled. Now I can verbalize a lot better. Knowing more about yourself can strengthen you. In my case it has invigorated my outlook out to the future. I surmise that knowing yourself better can also be debilitating. But in my life so far, I have gained confidence in knowing more about myself.

Though reluctant, I am curious about me. What more will i discover in this journey? I can't wait to find out.

pastor d

Friday, June 22, 2007

Learning New Things


My Top Five Strengths

In the past few days I've discovered a lot more about me. I've taken the Strengths Finder 2.0 instrument by Tom Rath. My top five strengths are: connectedness, learner, developer, context and analytical. Upon reflection this instrument summarizes who I am presently.

I am a person who seeks to make things fit into a big picture--I connect the dots in my life to see the larger picture. My primary strength at this time of my life is connectedness. I see the big picture and how things are connected.

Likewise, I am someone who is a learner. I've always liked books. Information to me is a prized possession. Data informs my life for today and tomorrow.

I like to develop others. I naturally identify with someone's situation and seek to develop their gifts and talents. I love people and strive to care for and to shepherd them with sincere nurture.

I am someone who learns from the past. I take things into context--seeking to implement new things to advance present tasks and projects while proliferating ideas for future solutions to come.

However, I am methodical, selecting to work things out beforehand so I can make sense of things by gathering data into a logical sequence and solution. So I may take too long collecting data before acting upon anything. I am a reasonable person.

Taken together my strengths can be used in connecting and developing leaders for ministry around the world where future generations can be impacted. I may like to minister with those who may allow me to innovate and learn new ways of doing things, thinking in new directions, and explaining things in logical sequences. I could see me as a mentor, coach, and teacher of leaders who go out to impact the world for Christ.

Seeking God's call,

Pastor D

Monday, June 18, 2007

A New Beginning

As i begin this new direction for my life I am confused. Things happened so abruptly, yet I still trust God. As i move forward in my spiritual journey, i will share how God is leading me and how I want to desire God more in my life. May these words I share, the thougths I ponder, and the wonder of it all, provide insight into your own journey to know God better.


Seeking God's call,


Daron