Thursday, August 09, 2007
♥ Thursday, August 09, 2007
The Challenge of Teaching Ministry.The election of the head took place without discernment or prayer, without even the toss of a coin or an argument, not because the choice was crystal clear, nor was it because we were such faith filled people. The election and its subsequent results began simply as one person suggesting another, and that other being resigned to it. That was our rough start. We're a team of 3 men. We're people who on paper, believes conversion begins through teaching. We're the ones to look at vatican documents and prayer notes and testimonials and sermons, and we're the ones who're suppposed to make it interesting to the rest. The ministry is to set the grounds and environment for challenge and discussion, of prayer and sharings. And is it as simple as it looks? Perhaps you've not read in between the lines. We have to plan sessions which have to have the right speakers; it musnt be something remotely similar to what we had in the past for fear of you sleeping, it must be fresh! There are those themes that we got to think about, since theres not much point in forming you if its stuff thats irrelevant isnt it? So we've gotta figure the topics, the subthemes and the details of each subtheme. Getting complex yet? See, its no point just having theoretical knowledge, as what many would agree. So we try to appease you. Give you an avenue of service, to practice what you preach. This begs the question of what avenues do we create? Does everyone fall under the same category? Is everyone as receptive? What are the consequences if we simply compel all to do the same thing? Taking into mind our resources, time, and abilities to commit etc..it doesnt leave much room for anything creative. Oh... so we go through the arduos task of asking what you feel. What you think is relevant to your lives, and what you particularly need. Perhaps its prayer? Perhaps its just more time, perhaps its just rearragning of your priorities etc. Thus, one of our techno-savvy members came out with an online survey. Which only approximately 1/3 of the members participated in. Its ok, we understand you've got too much work at hand. OR wait! wasnt that one of our survey questions? Oh ya..i forgot. You din do the survey!Now, we've only scratched the surface of session planning. Then there's that FLOW. One session gotta lead into another..otherwise you'll be like "huh? whats going on?"Now the challenge with this FLOW is that for a person who has been there from the start, its all well and nice. But for the half hearted, lukewarm, non-chalant "i'll come when i feel like...so stop asking" person, who steps in right smack in the centre of this FLOW, we'll face this "huh? whats going on" thing again. And so when you feel lost, it just becomes another pathetic excuse for you to leave and not turn up for subsequent sessions since it "doesnt make sense". Rest assured your accountability (or lack thereof) is well scrutinised and followed up by the more dedicated members. Well well, after we've achieved what could be a vague semblance of a flow, we have yet find the speakers. And wait, its not just any speaker. THe speaker must fulfil a list of criterion. He must be charismatic, have a prayer life, must speak with relevance so on and so forth...rather virtuos qualities. Probably a priest or a seminarian could do the trick. But wait... let me correct that, not just a priest or a seminarian, one whom the OIC approves. (pardon the usage of acronyms)And why do we have to do all these? Because we're Kingdom Builders, Soldiers for Christ..."go out and baptise the nations", church enthusiasts? Hmm..possibly.More probably.. So that if you didnt experience God, it wouldnt be on our consience. Haha..our raison de' tre is simply to make sure you will have no excuses to yourself or to God. That if we set the platform and make it ludicrously easy for you to step up on that platform, you'll have only yourself to blame if you dont. This is all politically insenstive of course, and might even make you cringe. But its just a matter of speaking the truth without the facade of 'tact'. And so i am personally excited about heading this ministry. Haha 'bringing the community to new levels of spiritual growth and development, challenging sharings to be of a depth like never before and to nurture young spiritual leaders to handle the every dynamic movements of community.' Noble enough? Change the positions of 'L' and 'E' in "noble", u'll get the name of a reward the ministry deserves!
