ideas and outreaches - Rhema

We asked the questions.Your fellow grads shared their answers.Q. If you could do it all over again, what would youdo differently?A. “I wouldn’t put people in leadership so fast. I’d let them dothe work without the title first, and only put them in charge ofa ministry as the Holy Spirit leads.”—Tony Finley“I would have taken more time to be healthy. At first I allowed thepassion of the call to push me beyond the limits of wisdom. Webelieve in divine healing, but maintaining divine health shouldbe a high priority.”—Ken Taylor“I would ask the advice of more seasoned ministers—and I’dlisten to them! I also wouldn’t worry. God was always faithful.Worrying was a big waste of time, and it robbed me of living indays of peace and joy.”—Beth Webb“I would trust people more and make ministry more about thepeople and less about me. I would not have tried to handle somuch of the burden of ministry alone.” —Stan SaundersQ. Throughout your ministry experience, what hascaught you by surprise?A. “That most of my problems were natural and not spiritual.Growing a church has more to do with ‘natural’ decisions andstrategic planning than with a tangible move of God in theservices.”—John Nuzzo“It surprised me that those you do the most for are often theones who turn against you first. I knew troubles happen inevery church. The surprise was who they came from.”—Reggie KnowlesQ. What has been your most troublesome thingand how did you overcome?A. “Persevering when people disappoint you or turnagainst you. I have learned to overcome these trials by (1)asking myself, ‘What is my motive for serving people?’; (2)remembering that it’s not always my fault. God is the perfectFather, yet Adam and Eve rebelled. Jesus was the perfectleader, yet He had frustration with His disciples and even wasbetrayed; and (3) walking by faith, not by sight!”—Timothy Jerry“Removing people from leadership positions. It puts themin position to get offended. I cast the care on the Lord andtrust Him to work it out. I overcame in this area by loving thepeople unconditionally and by consistently teaching andpastoring according to what God wants, not what peoplewant—ministering out of the overflow of my personal walkwith Him.”—Tony Finley“My own limited thinking and humanity. To overcome I aimto remain teachable; to realize everyone is not like me andappreciate the differences; to continually develop a Spiritdominatedlife; and to keep a good sense of humor and nottake myself too seriously!”—Kevin Cooley“When people leave the church and you can’t tell your sideof the story. Then people question your leadership. How toovercome? Pray! And let your congregation know you will befaithful to them for years to come.” —Joe Hernandez“Working under someone in ministry and seeing things youdo not agree with. I tried to overcome by keeping a servant’sheart and remaining submissive in my role, being a blessingto people and honoring the Lord.”—S.T.“The amount of time it takes to truly effect change, createmomentum, and sustain it in the hearts of people.”—Tommy Figart“How fragile a church seems to be. Loyalty to a congregationdoes not seem to be very deep in some people. Their attitudeseems to be ‘what is in it for me?’ rather than ‘how can I servethis congregation?’ ”—Sam Smucker“The amount of spiritual and emotional drain ministry has onthe body. I knew nothing of ‘pacing’ myself and I thought itwould be like jobs I had in the secular world. Although I enjoyevery moment, ministry is W.O.R.K!” —Marcus Avalos“My lack of personal ability to do what God has called meto do. By nature I am a self-reliant and driven person, butnatural ability alone will always end or spiral into a worksbasedmentality. I’m overcoming it by learning to rely on Godwhere my understanding and ability fall short. Without Him, Ican do nothing.”—Tommy FigartJesus will not say, “Well done thou good andsuccessful servant” . . . it is “well done thou goodand faithful servant.” Be faithful in what God hascalled you to do. —Reggie Knowles14 | fall/winter 2008