Now Discover Your Strengths

The five strengths that I received after the calibration of the ‘Strengths Finder’ test were: Consistency, Input, Harmony, Belief and Empathy.  After the conclusion of the test, and reviewing my answers and sharing with three other people, I feel that these top five strengths do fit my well. Reading through what each one stand for and means I could definitely see how it could very well relate into my life and be a part of who I am, my strengths.

The first strength: ‘Consistency’, I feel, fit me well. The beginning of the definition of Consistency is: “Balance is important to you”. This is very true in the essence of structure also. It spoke of ‘being in direct contrast to this world of special favors…” I also agree with this.  I feel everyone should be treated as equal, not matter where one came from, or who they are, fairness is deserved by all.

My second strength that was listed was ‘Input’. This began with speaking upon collecting things, which I questioned a bit, but as I read deeper into the definition of Input, I felt I could not agree more.  As it mentioned “yours is the mind that finds so many things interesting”. I could not agree more. How it portrayed the ‘input’ strength as one who reads to have to one’s archive, this was completely true. I personally cannot stand reading Fiction books. I cannot understand reading something without getting any true knowledge from it. When I read, I love to read about history and of the church, the church fathers, and of God. Things that will fill my mind, and make me think, and as it mentioned in the explanation: “It keeps your mind fresh.” I could not agree more.

The third strength that was listed was ‘Harmony’. Although I do agree mostly with the explanation of the strength of Harmony, I would also see this strength used differently in some areas than how it is listed. I do agree that I look for areas of agreement and that I believe there is little to be gained from conflict and friction, completely. It goes on to mention how one of this strength, amongst people with different views, tries to find the middle ground. I feel that in the secular world, being Christian, this would not completely work, being that I would never leave my foundation of Christianity to seek a middle ground with those who do not follow the faith. I would agree, though, that this would work in the church, finding the middle ground between believers. I feel this would look something like Paul mentions in II Corinthians, dealing with the ‘weaker brother’.  I may not merge completely merge my objectives to meet with those around me, and never my values, but I do agree on focusing on more ‘down to earth’ topics then arguing high in the sky concepts. Even though I do not completely line up with ‘Harmony’, I can see how it relates to me.

The fourth strength, and another that I strongly agree with is: ‘Belief’.  It is defined, if one possesses this strength, as having ‘core values that are enduring’. It was nice to see this strength come up, being that my core values, I hope, pray and struggle for them to be, are that of Jesus Christ. This is the core answer to ‘Belief’, and everything can be poured out of this. “They (core values/Jesus Christ) give life meaning and satisfaction…they provide you with direction, guiding you through the temptations and distractions…” I could not agree more with my walk with Christ, and I am honored to have this strength come up in a simple test from a ‘Strengths’ book. How great is our God.

The final strength that came up was that of ‘Empathy’. I am also in agreement with this response, for I feel I have always been very sensitive to reading people. It comes very easily, and while growing up, I have often wondered if people can read others in such a way. I have struggled with wondering if it is gossiping, speaking of how or what I felt from someone, just in their actions, their movements, their facial expressions (I believe it is a fine line over to gossiping). I agree in its saying; “you hear the unvoiced questions…and anticipate the need.” And with this strength, I feel I am able to speak and talk with people easier. I feel this is a gift and a blessing, and I truly thank God for it.

Following the discoveries of my strengths I then began to seek out those whom I could share the results with. I sought out my wife, a good friend of mine, and also one of my parents. I feel it was a smart decision in choosing those whom new me fairly well, my parent and wife most definitely, but my friend also, being that all three of whom I shared the results with could very much see the results in who I was, in my personality. I am thankful that I did not happen to have any random “Strengths” show up, ones to which I would wonder why they would even by my strengths, but sharing the ones that I have received through taking the test all three of those whom I had look over my results fully agreed that it fit me very well, to which I was ever more appreciative of this test and being able to see what possibly characterizes who I am. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. 

Bill Hybels Interviews Richard Curtis

As Bill Hybels began to interview Richard Curtis many thoughts popped into my mind. Who exactly is Richard Curtis? What type of ministry he does? And is he a Christian? As I continued to watch, many and all of my questions were answered and I surely left with a deeper appreciation for Richard Curtis.

 Shortly after the interview began, who Richard Curtis was became more and more clear to me. He was a director and has directed many motion pictures and even famous television series Mr. Bean. Richard Curtis is surely a well off man in many ways. But then Curtis began to share his heart. He was not some ‘stuck up Hollywood folk,’ but was very much a kind and generous man. He has a great heart for the homeless, hurting and needy in the 3^rd world countries, and especially has a heart for Africa.  You would not first guess this of a successful movie director, that he has given so much of himself and money, even directing movies, “The Girl and the Café,” that situate around world hunger, and the lack being done. One would think, ‘this man truly be a great Christian.’ The kicker is, he claims not the faith.

Although Richard Curtis was well aware of Christianity and its teachings, he did not claim to be a part of any religion. This was what spoke so much to Bill Hybels, as he mentioned later talking about the interview, and this also spoke much to me. A man, not claiming any religion, not claiming Christianity was devoting much of his life to the hurting, much of his life to the hungry, much of his life to the needy, and he was doing it out of the goodness and compassion of his heart, that he has for these individuals. This man, not claiming any religion, was giving so much more of his resources than so man who claim a religion.  Although he was not Christian, how much more Christ-like was he acting? A great quote that Curtis said was, “Jesus continued to live amongst the poor.” Christ was always with the poor, and I am sure Richard Curtis will always be helping out the best he can those who are less fortunate them himself. 

Ken Cooper

 Out of all those who have spoken in Discipleship Making and Equipping, Ken Cooper has to be living one of the most incredible testimonies. Living in Ohio most of his life, his first awareness of God was watching an Iranian hostage crisis when one of the American hostages thanked God for his situation. This spiritually leveled Cooper, and he could not comprehend how one could be so thankful.

Ken Cooper was a heavy drug user up until he got married and had a plan about getting into heaven. Like the thief on the cross, he would give his life to the Lord amongst his last breaths. He believed in this plan until he was following one of his friends home, who was on a motorcycle when a semi pulled out, hit his friend and killed him.  God spoke to him “it doesn’t work like that” – one cannot simply decided to give their life to the Lord the last moment of death, because no one knows the moment they will die. Unfortunately  this did not stick with Cooper.

Cooper was later divorced and within hours was at the same bar he had been at when he was twenty, doing drugs. Eventually it would cost him his job and he would have to go to rehab. He was forced to move, and eventually moved close to Glad Tidings. Ken Cooper began attending Glad Tidings and through seeing the workings of GT, and work put into such projects, he was so deeply moved. “He wouldn’t do that for God” he thought. He began to slowly turn his life around.

Now, Ken Cooper has been serving the Lord and is an amazing help at GT. He is a worker for the Lord. Ken Cooper is on fire for God and has a very intense passion for doing God’s work. Cooper, later on in life, gave a Kidney to what turned out to be another Christian, granting that woman new life. I thoroughly enjoy Ken Cooper’s passion for God and his amazing, hard working mentality for the church. 

George Krebbs

 Out of all the speakers we have had speak in Discipleship Making and Equipping, George Krebbs, for me, has been the deepest and most relatable speaker I have yet listened to. George Krebbs, like many, did not have a beginning with the Lord. He mentioned that his father had only been to church twice, that was his and his brother’s dedication as children. Growing up George faced some challenging experiences at a church he was invited to which involved him being laughed at because he didn’t know what a “scripture” was. This left a bad taste in George’s mouth, and It would be a while until he was back in a church once more.

Goerge explained how he got into drugs with this one particular friend, Pete. Pete left the school they were attending, and later returned, but not at all a druggy, but a Jesus-Freak. George expected him to be “pushy” with his newfound Christianity, but found the opposite. Later on, like many of such era, George was watching Billy Graham speaking about reading one’s bible. This spoke deeply to George, and George began just that. A while later George found himself in a church, and eventually being discipled by the head pastor (being that he liked his daughter). George exclaimed that it was the way the pastor lived that witnessed most to him. He was Christian inside the church and out.

Now, George has been serving the Lord for many years. George is also a fishing guide, and he likens his fishing talents the same as fishing for men.  What I enjoyed so much was his method in discipling. His method was not a “throw out the biggest net and see what you catch,” but a very much one-on-one disciplieship, often time spent with those he fished with. Numbers was not a big deal to George, only that single lost soul he was loving on, and working with. It was George’s method of discipleship that spoke to me so greatly, and also the testimony that he is facing now in his life with the battling of his wife and cancer. Any man that goes through such trials as one’s he is currently facing, and can still praise Jesus with the utmost honor has my deepest respect. Life is challenging, and he is moving through some of the most challenging trials.

It is the kind of man that George Krebbs is seen in his method of discipleship and his attitude now as he travels through some of the toughest roads anyone can know that make him one of the most genuine, true and God-fearing men I have listened to. 

Deb Bube

Listening to Deb Bube, Leadership Development and Director of Creative Arts at Glad Tidings Assembly, I am more and more impressed with the inner workings of Glad Tidings and the people that help bring everything together, and help Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings come to fruition. I enjoyed Deb’s simple yet very truthful lessons in working with volunteers, such truths that can and seem to be easily forgotten in the workings of ministry: “If people are going to be involved, it needs to be fun” and also “It can be spiritual and fun at the same time,” simple and yet so true. All to often and quickly can the volunteer job become just that: a job, and it loses its meaning and value, but keep it fun and spiritual, put those with gifts where they belong, and it will go such a long way.

I was also blown away by the amount of volunteers that are needed to ‘run the show.’ Around 150 are needed at Glad Tidings, in many, many different areas. One can understand such a high number with that greatness in number that attend, 2400, but in my world, 150 is a decent size church, let alone the group that volunteers for a church. Being from New England, we deal with a different ‘ball game,’ but while we may have less in attendance, the truths that Deb Bube presented on volunteering can work with any church, and size. Keep it fun, and keep is Spiritual. 

Dave Barnett

Listening to Dave Barnett was quite the interesting experience, and I am grateful for it. Dave Barnett’s upbringing cannot be any more different from the common Pentecostal believer, but his journey towards the Holy Spirit is nonetheless inspiring.

Growing up, David Barnett called a local Christian college campus his home. Barnett’s father played a large role in the Christian college, pastoring and teaching, and from young Barnett’s perspective he was always busy and never around. This left Barnett with a bad taste in his mouth about the ministry, and did not at all want to be a part of it when he grew up.

While attending Messiah College, he was asked to join the staff of the Brethren in Christ. At this question he knew he was to become a part of the ministry. He therefore turned his focus to the ministries and being involved at this church where he worked on staff for seven years. It was during a transitional time in the church that would change his life and ‘life track.’ God began speaking to Barnett about the Holy Spirit, but being from conservative roots and beliefs, Barnett didn’t have deep beliefs in the present movements of the Holy Spirit. God spoke to him saying: “my disciples waited in the upper room, what do you think your doing?” Barnett new he needed to wait upon God, and the Holy Spirit.

Although the Brethren in Christ speak of holiness, they do not speak on the Holy Spirit movements. David began speaking upon the Holy Spirit, and in his own life the Spirit began moving. While taking this rash move in the conservative world, Barnett met up with much back lashing against his prodding the Holy Spirit, but he kept doing just that. Seeking the Holy Spirit, studying and searching for him. Through searching and researching, evidence of the Holy Spirit eventually poured into his life, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues.  Along with the Holy Spirit, came a burden for the town he was in. Barnett didn’t begin planting church, but planting individual small groups. Barnett’s idea, ‘Put small groups in every development and you’ll reach the town.” Barnett tends to shy away from the ‘big church’ idea and focuses on the core groups first, and from this there has been much success.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to David Barnett’s unique adventure unto the Holy Spirit and the deepening of his faith. I feel he has a complete unique path that us, being Pentecostal, should lend an ear too. I also believe his views on ministry are unique, focusing church on a ‘small group’ mentality. I’m glad this is working for him, and am thankful for his unique and fresh perspective on the Holy Spirit. 

Discipleship Interview

I decided to get in touch with my home church, being that there are two full time positions, a youth and head pastor, and also somewhat of a part time children’s pastor. In these three positions there are some differences when it comes to discipleship, mainly due to the age of the group they work most with, but much was the same, being that the ultimate goal was the same, disciplining a life of Christ. Following are an overview of the written responses from the pastors.

Children’s Leadership

Although children’s ministry, or children’s pastors may be seen as ‘lesser’ in the pastoral world, being that all ministries is important, children’s ministry is definitely fundamental when it comes to beginning and creating a foundation for that of Christ. The discipleship process if very simply, and yet has to be when working within the children’s ministry world. The process is not so much a process containing many steps, but is more a continual reinforcement of the Biblical truths. It is not done in small groups, or through three point sermons, but in pushing the very foundational truths of God found in the Bible through creative, memorable and retaining ways. Being a loving embodiment of the love of God, having fun with the children, loving on them and teaching them the beautiful basic truths of God is the process of discipleship. The biggest challenges faced in this particular children’s ministry is that it is of a small church. Attendance of children’s church fluctuates and at times it can be the same children for long periods of time, though this does not change the necessity for discipleship.  Effectiveness is of course measured by those children whom give their lives to Christ, but also measured by the retaining knowledge of the children of the Biblical truths taught. If they can remember last week, or many week’s of lessons, or if they see an object used in an object lesson, and then remember the lesson or Biblical truth that goes along with it.

Youth Leadership

The discipleship process at this age group is first and foremost embodied in the simple act of ‘being there’ for the youth. A youth that is struggling (all are with and in many different areas) needs someone to be there, embodying the love of Christ for him or her. All to often there is no one there for them. Embodying and showing the youth Christ’s love in their times of need is the most important act/part of the discipleship process. As a youth pastor, you are their (and often times only) Godly example.  Discipleship also continues into small groups, meetings and keeping in touch with the youth. The biggest challenge in making disciples is that the church is located in small town Vermont, not the easiest to disciple. Starting with a small youth group and growing it is challenging, therefore you often find yourself with a core – which you focus on and disciple - but when high school graduation comes, your core is gone and you have a new core.  Effectiveness is hard not to be measured by the numbers, especially being in Northern New England, but that is always an aspect. Effectiveness is also seen when the youth begin to ‘interweave’ the biblical truths and their Christian walks deeper within the fabrics of their lives.  When they begin seeing how pleasing God is so much more, and begin walking what you are speaking about, and also see you walking.

Adult Leadership

Discipleship making is best seen in our small groups that we have through the church. Although the head pastor can preach on Sundays and give specific actions points to follow, the head pastor cannot have a personal, discipline relationship with everyone in the church, which is why small groups are so very important to the church body, and discipling the adults. We have groups from the 20’somethings to our ‘wiser’ (elderly) folks who meet together and may watch a video followed by discussion. Discipleship is seen when people seek council from the head pastor. In their times of distress, there can be guidance given. The biggest challenge in the discipleship making process is getting those who do not attend small groups plugged in. Being that it is a smaller church, there cannot be a small group for everyone’s likings. Small groups are very important, but one cannot fit everyone’s wants. Effectiveness is measured when you begin to see the fruit in one’s life, the effects of turning their lives over and begin following the Lord.