Usually I give you a play-by-play of my week, telling you all the little details of everything I do. But I know that can get a little old, so tonight I'm going to be less descriptive and more reflective. This week, PJ gave us a writing assignment. I haven't officially finished (read: started) it yet, but one of the questions is, "How have you grown in skills, spiritual maturity, and/or knowledge since your arrival in Tallahassee?" I think I'll reflect on that here tonight.
Part of growing in skills is practice, practice, practice. Since arriving in Tallahassee, I've definitely been using my ministry skills more often, and that's helped me grow. I've been writing devotions on at least a weekly basis, for example. This is something I've always enjoyed; however, I've never had the opportunity to write devotions regularly. Now that I do, I'm finding that it's both easier and harder than I thought. I don't have trouble writing them, but when I read them over, I find that I'm not always including some necessary components, like both Law and Gospel, or something tangible to take away from it. I suppose the devotional skill I'm developing is the ability to look at my devotions from a Law/Gospel/Sanctification perspective.
I'm also coming up with my own Bible study materials. Again, this is something I've always enjoyed, but rarely had the opportunity to do. I'm learning that it's not as much about the information as it is about the questions. Information can go in one ear and out the other, but if a question is asked and discussed, the information and its meaning will stick. In a Bible study, it's better for the leader to ask a question than to tell the answer. Sometimes, the people you're teaching will actually have a better answer anyway!
Another skill I'm developing is the ability to be coached. I like to think that since I have a Lay Ministry degree, I have it all. Yes, you can laugh, because that's definitely not true! Pastor Jay and I have weekly one-on-ones, and during these sessions, we have discussions about whatever's on my mind. Sometimes this is Vespers, sometimes it's a person, and sometimes, it's completely random. He takes great care not to tell me the answers, but to allow me to discover them through our conversation. It's humbling to observe that without these weekly sessions, I would be in a very different place. Sometimes I just want him to tell me the answer, but as I've been learning, it's not about the answer, it's about the question. As I'm learning to be a coach, I'm also learning to be coached.
The last skill that comes to mind is the ability to have normal conversations. This might sound strange, but let me explain before you start talking about how not-normal I am. Evangelism has always been hard for me. I tend to seclude myself in a little Lutheran bubble and not talk to anyone outside of it; or if I do, it's awkward and forced. Here, we put such a big emphasis on relationships that I have to talk to many people outside of my Lutheran bubble, and it's becoming more natural. I'm learning to build relationships and witness through those relationships.
That's all, folks. I hope you enjoyed my reflections, and that you'll let me know what your thoughts are. I'll leave you with this picture of an absolutely adorable puppy. (Oh, and me and Sarah.) This is why you should volunteer with Children's Home Society, people. Puppies.
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