Final Class

It doesn't matter how long one has been in the ministry, we never stop learning! This has been an amazing class. Each week I have left saying to myself, "This has been the best one of all." That held true until the next guest came along.

I have learned many new and exciting ways of how ministry can be done. And I must say the creative ideas were amazing to me.

As I sat and listened to the 'take away' from each of the students I felt mixed emotions:
*Remembering what it was like when we were ready to leave Valley Forge Christian College and 'conquer the world for Jesus'
*Remembering how my heart was over joyed that my Heavenly Father had chosen me, a barefooted little girl from the hills of Kentucky, to work for His Kingdom.
*Remembering the hard lessons of ministry and how with each one I seemed to grow that much more in love with Jesus. Because with each hard place He revealed himself to me in a deeper and more tangible way.
*Remembering how each challenge made me want to push even harder toward God's call upon my life.

It's good to be reminded of where you have come from and have a fresh look at where you are in ministry.

More than anything I want to be in the center of God's will and make a difference in the lives of others. Confession....there are times I want this so bad that I neglect to see that it is actually happening. If anything I have been reminded during these past months to open my eyes and look around...take inventory and see what God has done.

I use to say, "I don't want to miss anything God is doing. I want to be right in the center of it." Well, I have learned that God is always 'doing' and yes I am there...but because of all the 'business of ministry and undue pressure I place upon myself...I don't always see it.

I have been reminded that it's alright to take time off and not feel guilty. And that I don't have to be so hard on myself and others, namely my husband.

I have been reminded that God has not called us all to use the exact same ministry idea, but we each must stay true to our own unique personalities, giftings and talents. Then and only then will be truly happy and contented in the ministry.

The greatest reminder of all was last night, with Gil Trusty. Gil said that when he came to VFCC he quickly excelled. His giftings took him all the way to the top of the class and allowed him to be the graduation speaker. He said, "I was the BIG man on campus. Leaders in the District called me 'the bright star in the horizon in Pentecost.' I might have been the BIG man on campus but my soul was so lean because I was doing everything in my gift not my relationship. I may have been to number one District speaker but my prayer life was gone and my soul was barren. Because I ignored the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I paid not attention to the red flag that kept going up. I sought success, not the face of God."

As I listened to this I was not only reminded of the importance of spending time in prayer, seeking God for directions and heading the promptings and leading of the Holy Spirit...I was once again reminded what can happen when we are leaders don't do what we know we must to survive in the ministry.

In the past few months I have been feeling the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my own life. Calling me to once again inter that place of prayer. However, it seems I make plans to do so and something always seems to come up to take that time. How thankful I am for the gentle reminder I received last night. ...For the Grace of God....

I have already made steps toward that directions and yesterday it came in the mail. I ordered the book and DVD of "When God's People Pray" by Jim Cynbala. What timing, that both would arrive on the very day Gil speaks in class reminding us and warning us of what can happen to those who go after success and minister out the their gifts and not relationship.

When I was at VFCC, years ago, Dr. Brown's wife (can't remember her name) taught a class for the wives of senior. She would always say, "Bloom where you are planted." and "The grass is not always greener on the other side." As I look back over our 28 years in ministry I can say a thousand times over these statement are so true.

Tom I want to thank you for allowing me to attend the class. Thank you for your words of encouragement, for listening to me and praying with and for me. I must say I have never had another man, let along a college professor tell me, in so many words, I was P.M.S-ing! LOL I find that to be the funnest thing ever. Yes, oh Yes God has a since of humor!

Many Blessing Be Upon You!
Cindy McKinley