Fidelity

Table of Contents
Preface V

Session 1: A Broader View of Ministry 1

Life Vision Exercise 1: Assessing the Vessel 7

Session 2: The Keel 13

Life Vision Exercise 2: Ministry Priorities 15

Session 3: Winds and Currents-Spirit-Directed Ministry 19

Session 4: Voice of Experience 23

Session 5: Ports of Call 25

Life Vision Exercise 3: Ministry Destinations 29

Session 6: Bill of Lading 31

Life Vision Exercise 4: Ministry Preparations 34

Sessions 7-12: Life Vision Presentations 37

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iv I Fidelity
 Preface

Welcome to the final semester of your Spiritual Formation group at Dallas Seminary! This
series of group reflections provides a crucial component of this course. Authentic spiritual
growth or formation in Christ results in a turning outward to serving others for the glory of
God. Christian maturity is expressed in a life of faithfulness and service. As we approach this
final module together, let's take one last look at our definition of Spiritual formation. Spiritual
formation is:

The process by which God forms Christ's character in believers by the ministry
of the Spirit, in the context of community, and in accordance with biblical
standards. This process involves the transformation of the whole person in
desires, thoughts, behaviors, and styles of relating with God and others. Such
life change is manifest in a growing love for God and others-a dying to self
and living for Christ.

As we have discussed, Spiritual formation involves God's progressive formation of Christ's

character in us-a holistic, inner transformation that orients us more and more toward
loving God and loving others. This last module focuses on the final sentence in our
definition-Spiritual formation results in a growing love for God and others-a dying to self
and living for Christ. Together you will consider each of your unique stories and designs and
explore how God might be directing your path-in what ways will each of you serve others
for the sake of Christ? How does your story reveal God's direction for your life? In what
specific contexts might you extend His love to others? What might be your unique way of
imaging Christ to the world?

Together you will look back at the things you learned in the Identity, Community, and
Integrity sessions and consider them with an eye toward the future. How have your
experiences and relationships, temperament and gifts, struggles and strengths shaped and
prepared each of you to be used by God to build up the body of Christ and bear witness to a
lost world? In a context of mutual insight, encouragement, and trust you will consider the
different directions in which God might be leading the members of your group. The goal is to
explore how and where you might faithfully and effectively use the gifts, experiences, and
resources that God has entrusted to you for the good of others and for the sake of His glory.

Each of you are in a unique life stage-some fresh out of undergrad, others in the midst of
raising a young family, while still others may be on a second or third career path. Regardless
of what decade of life you currently inhabit or how long you may have been "in ministry,,
already, it is essential that we hold a posture of humility with an open heart toward God's
direction for our lives. Throughout Scripture, you see God guiding and redirecting the paths
of His followers at a variety of ages and stages (David, Moses, Esther, Ruth, Abraham, and
Paul just to name a few). We hope this semester will encourage and spur you on in your faith
journey regardless of your current life stage.

These sessions employ a central metaphor-that of a sailing vessel designed with certain
features, loaded with a particular cargo, and headed for specific ports of call. Every metaphor

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has its limitations and this one is no exception. As you move through the exercises toward
your Life Vision presentation, we encourage you to consider other metaphors that might
apply to your life and preparation for ministry-perhaps something that you discovered in
the process of writing your Life Story. In place of a sailing vessel, you might utilize other
creative metaphors such as a map, mountain climbing, a motorcycle, an airplane, a sport, a
patterned quilt, a board game, or even apps for an iPhone. May you sense God's presence and
direction as you enter this final reflection in Spiritual Formation. Our hope is that God will
use your time together to help clarify how He desires each of you to love and serve others in
the name of Christ and by the power of the Spirit.

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 Session 1: A Broader View of Ministry

Too often we define ministry as the work done by pastors, missionaries, Christian conference
speakers, or evangelists. We rarely think of the work done by bankers, lawyers, engineers,
janitors, or parents. We sometimes believe that those who receive a paycheck from a church
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or other Christian organization are the ones who "do ministry. The great reformer Martin
Luther understood that ministry is not just the work done by pastors:

The idea that service to God should have only to do with a church altar, singing,
reading, sacrifice, and the like is without doubt but the worst trick of the devil.
How could the devil have led us more effectively astray than by the narrow
conception that the service of God takes place only in the church and by works
done therein ... The whole world could abound with services to the Lord ... not
only in churches but also in the home, kitchen, workshop, and field. 64

In this session we hope to expand your vision of ministry so that you view all that you do,
regardless of your occupation or location, as what it can and ought to be-ministry that
glorifies God and influences other people. Throughout this study, we will be using the term
ministry in a way that is much broader than the way this term is often used. Our definition
of ministry is the faithful service of God's people rendered unto God and others on His behalf to
bring him glory, build up his church and reach out to his world. Let's look at this definition in
more detail.

The Faithful Service of God's People

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The Greek word in the New Testament that is often translated "ministry is diakonia. The
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basic meaning of this word is "service. It can refer to tasks as basic as waiting tables (see
Acts 6:1), caring for the poor through monetary gifts (see 2 Corinthians 9:12), or proclaiming
the gospel (see Acts 20:24). The term is not limited to the service of a select few appointed
to particular offices within the church. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Paul said that those
who hold offices in the church are given gifts for the purpose of enabling or equipping God's
people to do the work of ministry:

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be

evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for
works of service [diakonia], so that the body of Christ may be built up.
(Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV)

The leaders of the church are not the only ones doing the work of ministry. Leaders are given
to the church for the purpose of preparing every member to do ministry-to render service
to the Lord, the church, and the world with their lives.

64Martin Luther, as quoted in R. Paul Stevens, The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical
Perspective (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999), 77.

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Rendered unto God
In our fast-paced, over-scheduled world we often fail to recognize God's intimate
involvement in the details of our daily lives.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1
Corinthians 10:31)

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving
the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Each of these exhortations from Paul's letters uses the phrase "whatever you do." This all-
inclusive phrase points out that God wants to be prominent in every aspect of our lives-in
both the "significant" and the mundane. We rarely think God is terribly concerned with our
day-to-day activities in the boardroom, classroom, or laundry room. Yet when our work is
done "to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians
3:17), and "as for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23), it becomes an act of worship. All of our life and
work, however grand or trivial, is our ministry.

And Others on His Behalf

The ultimate example of ministry is Jesus Christ. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he tells
his readers that their attitude toward each other "should be the same as that of Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 2:5 NIV). Paul goes on to describe the kind of attitude he is referring to:

[Christ Jesus], though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with
God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled
himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
(Philippians 2:6-8)

Jesus set aside the glory due him and took on the form of a slave. His entire life on earth, and
ultimately his death on the cross, was others-oriented. Paul's admonition to the Philippians
and to all of us as Christians is to imitate this selfless, others-orientation. This is particularly
challenging in Western culture, which is consumed with self. For example, this cultural
preoccupation often dominates our view of the way we make a living. We often think of our
jobs in terms of the financial benefits they provide. This isn't necessarily wrong, but we also
ought to consider how our work benefits others-either customers who benefit from our
goods or services, or perhaps our coworkers, whom we can serve in times of need. If we are
to imitate Jesus and thereby do the work of ministry to which we have all been called, we
must learn to look at life with an others-orientation in our workplaces, homes, churches, and
every arena.

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To Bring Him Glory
The Westminster Shorter Catechism begins, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy
Him forever.% 5 If this confession is true of all of humanity collectively and of each human
being individually, then it should also be true of the pieces that make up the whole of our
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lives-from the way we parent to the way we play, from the time we spend "on the clock to
the time we spend at the dinner table.

In the passage from 1 Corinthians quoted earlier, Paul said that activities as simple as eating
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and drinking can and should be done "for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). God is
glorified when we do everything with thankfulness, integrity, and a whole heart.
Thankfulness comes from a recognition that all we have and all we are comes from God. We
fail to glorify God when we act and think as if we are self-sufficient rather than utterly
dependent on him. Likewise, we live with integrity when our thoughts and actions are
consistent with God's ethical intentions for his people. We compromise our integrity when
our desires conflict with God's intentions.

Wholeheartedness means giving our best in all we do out of a desire to do all things as unto
Christ (see Colossians 3:23). As we go about our daily tasks with thankfulness, integrity, and
wholeheartedness, God sees and is pleased. Others see and his reputation is enhanced-he
is glorified. When we live a ministry-oriented life-a life oriented toward serving God and
others, we can glorify him with all things, however trivial it might seem.

Build Up His Church

Each ofus has been uniquely gifted to minister to others in some way. In his book Redeeming
the Routines, theologian Robert Banks likens the coming together of believers in a local
church to the gathering of children for a birthday party. Everyone brings a gift; the only
difference is that in the church, the gifts aren't for one person but for everyone. 66

The New Testament makes it clear that all who have been born of the Spirit have been
endowed with a spiritual gift (or perhaps several gifts). The main point of the New Testament
discussion of spiritual gifts is that each of us, as individual members of the body, needs the
contribution of the entire body and conversely the entire body needs the contribution of each
individual member.

As we come to see that as Christians we are all called to ministry, we ought to reflect upon
how God has uniquely designed and gifted us to build up His church. We will visit this topic
of design and giftedness again.

65 "Shorter Catechism," online: www.opc.org/sc.html, accessed 2006.

66 Robert Banks, Redeeming the Routines: Bringing Theology to Life (Wheaton, IL: BridgePoint, 1993), 29.

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And Reach Out to His World
In the book of Genesis, God gives a set of covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants.
He promises that he will bless them and that through them he will bless "all peoples on earth"
(Genesis 12:3; 28:14). Throughout Old Testament times, God wants his people to be a
missionary people who will visibly demonstrate to the pagan world around them that the
Lord alone is the one true God. As God's beloved people, Israel has both a blessing and a
purpose-to make God known to the world. Psalm 67 captures these two themes of blessing
and purpose:

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine_ upon us, -Selah
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, 0 God;
let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. -Selah
Let the peoples praise you, 0 God;
let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase;

God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!

These same themes of blessing and purpose apply to Christians as well. We have been richly
blessed through Jesus Christ and have been given a responsibility to spread the good news
of his life, death, and resurrection. This is not a job reserved for a select few-it is God's
purpose for every Christian. Certainly God has uniquely designed some to take the message
of Christ to people in the far reaches of the world, but all of us have our own "mission fields"
in our homes, neighborhoods, places of employment, and the like. It is our responsibility to
spread the gospel and make disciples.

A New Kind of Metaphor: Ministry as a Voyage

To help us grapple with how we as individuals involve ourselves in this broad understanding
of ministry, we will gather together the themes of Identity, Community, and Integrity and
consolidate them into a line of thought that draws its strength from all three. We will use an
ongoing metaphor or leitmotif to visualize the process. Just as the fig tree, olive tree, or
vineyard are ongoing metaphors for Israel in the Bible, and the interconnected human body
is Paul's leitmotif for the church, our metaphor for the individual believer will be an ocean-
going sailing vessel. No metaphor is perfect, and certain elements of this workbook will not

41 Fidelity
have specific connections with the motif. Nevertheless, this device is a tool to help you
explore key aspects of the Life Vision process.

During the coming sessions, imagine yourself as a sailing ship. Ideally, this approach will
enable you to assign appropriate significance to the various insights gained in previous
modules. We anticipate that this project will inspire you to "chart a course"-both for the
short term while you are at DTS and for the longer voyage of your life and ministry. Of course,
any plans that we make are done so in light of God's good and sovereign direction of our
lives. His Spirit guides us in ways that are often surprising or unexpected. Many ministers
say that they never dreamed of being where they are now, but that it was all God. Finally,
acknowledging God's sovereign direction of our lives, there is benefit to our prayerfully and
intentionally mapping our future course as best as we can, particularly with the help of a
group of fellow believers who know us well.

People do not design ships by accident or caprice. Every sea vessel is made and tested to
meet certain criteria. What kind of seas will the vessel cross? How much can it carry? How
far can it go? What kind of weather must it withstand? In many ways, God has uniquely
created you to sail a certain kind of sea and reach a certain kind of port: near or far, foreign
or home, safe or hostile, rough or calm. There are as many kinds of boats as there are
harbors-such is the nature of ministry.

First we will look back and assess what type of vessels that we are, and how God, thus far,
has shaped our sea voyages and harbors. Then with that in mind, we can more clearly discern
what future harbors or
destinations fit our divine
design, and what cargo we
will need in order to prepare
for the journey and be useful
once we arrive. The goal is to
help you narrow down your
ministry options in order to
find several contexts or roles
that seem to fit your divine
design. We want to celebrate
your design, and encourage
you to set out on your voyage
with the right equipment and cargo as you arrive in the various contexts in which God leads
you to serve.

The task at hand for the next several weeks is two-fold: to gather and summarize the data
and substance of the previous three modules and to set in place the "keel" of your vessel-
your ministry priorities. The keel is the backbone and foundation of any ship, the single most
important element upon which everything else is built and to which everything is attached.
People often describe the keel as a blade in the water that prevents a boat from drifting off
course, yet it also serves to provide strength and structure to the vessel. So it is with your
ministry priorities. These priorities will inform the direction and range of your voyage. As

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you reflect on what you have learned so far in Spiritual Formation, the vision of your voyage
should begin to emerge more clearly-particularly in light of ministry as a lifestyle, not just
an occupation.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Reflect upon the Word
1. Read Philippians 1. How do Paul's words reflect an attitude that understands a holistic
concept of ministry?

Reflect upon our world

2. In your experience, how has the church viewed the work of those in secular jobs?

Reflect on your Spiritual journey

3. Consider the definition of ministry suggested in this chapter as you think back over your
life. Is there one component of ministry that you've tended to emphasize over the others?
If so, why?

Reflect on your life now

4. What roles are you in now that wouldn't traditionally fall under the category of
"ministry"? Discuss these with your group.

Digging Deeper:
Reflect upon Foundations of Spiritual Formation reading
5. What is one takeaway from your reading in Pettit's Foundations of Spiritual Formation
(Chapter 9, "Calling and Spiritual Formation") that you can share with the group?

Please complete Life Vision Exercise 1.

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 Life Vision Exercise 1: Assessing the Vessel

In this exercise you will collate and summarize the work of the past few modules-Identity,
Community, and Integrity. The following pages contain tables in which you can record your
insights. We have provided samples. Try not to be too lengthy here. Write concise, accurate,
and honest summaries of what the sessions revealed to you about your unique design. The
illustration of your whole self as a sailing ship might be helpful as you work through this
process. In this metaphor, you have a unique design as a "vessel." Think of the sails as your
spiritual gifts, which enable you to respond to the Spirit of God. The hull is your heritage,
gifts, character, values, etc. The keel is the "backbone" that gives structure and strength to
the vessel, and reefs are external threats to be avoided given certain weaknesses or
limitations-things that might steer you off mission or off course from God's will for you. You
may imagine your own will as the rudder, setting direction this way or that. As mentioned
above, no metaphor is perfect, but try to have fun with this motif as you work through this
exercise.

Roles
When we discussed roles in Identity, the goal was to help distinguish our roles from our
identity-to help us examine where we may be defining our identity by what we do.
However, it was not designed to extinguish significant roles and responsibilities that will
continue with us into our various ministry destinations.

Record any significant roles (like family obligations) that will persist into your next phases
of life. For some that will include citizenship in a particular country. For others, this will
include familial relationships in which you have responsibilities. This category may include
how you expect those roles to change, and perhaps any actions that you need to take to
maintain these roles.

I Sample 1: Sample 2:
• Husband • Wife
• Father • Future mother
• Brother of a disabled sibling • Daughter of aging parents

Roles: responsibilities that will persist

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Gender
Record anything related to gender that influences the way you minister, work or even relate
to family. This category may include convictions about how and when you relate to members
of the opposite sex in your work setting or how you relate to your spouse and children.

Sample:
• Have difficult time supervising men and women equally
• Struggle with being supervised by authoritative men (because of alcoholic father's behavior)
• Prefer to have an assistant of same gender

Gender: how it influences my life and interactions with others

Personality/Temperament
Our particular orientation toward people, ways of gathering information, making decisions,
or responding to situations are borne out of our temperament and/ or personality. While
temperament is hard to define and assess, it's worth exploring because it's part of God's
sovereign design for our lives. In Identity, you completed the DiSC Discovery Report
personality profile. The following is a summary of those personality dimensions.

Summary: DiSC Personality Profile

D-Dominant I - Inspiring
• Outgoing, task-oriented • Outgoing, people-oriented
• Dominant, direct, demanding, decisive, • Inspiring, influencing, important,
determined, doer interactive, impressive, interested in
people

C-Cautious S - Supportive
• Reserved, task-oriented • Reserved, people-oriented
• Cautious, calculating, competent, • Supportive, steady, stable, sweet,
consistent, contemplative, careful sensitive, sentimental
Source: Personality Insights, Inc. (www.personalityinsights.com)

It's important to remember that this (or any assessment) is not meant to label you! Instead,
it is to help you better understand and discover how God has created you so you can enjoy
your unique personality and the strengths He's given you.

Using the information you gleaned in the Identity session and your personalized DiSC
Discovery Report, make note of the characteristics and potential blind spots of your
particular type below.

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 Dominant (D) Inspiring (I)
Characteristics Characteristics
• Leads directively, from out in front. ''I'm • Leads inspirationally, from the middle.
going. Follow me!" They inspire others to join them in effort.
Blind Spots Blind Spots
• Defiant • Illogical

"Before you can be IN authority you must first learn "It's NICE to be important, but it's more
to be UNDER authority." IMPORTANT to be nice."

Cautious (C) Supportive (S)

Characteristics Characteristics
• Leads carefully, from the side. • Lead supportively, from behind.
Blind Spots Blind Spots
• Cold • Sucker (can't say no)

"People don't CARE how much you know until they "You may actually HELP people by saying NO."
KNOW how much you care."
Source: Personality Insights, Inc. (www.personalityinsights.com)

My temperament: how it impacts my life and interactions with others

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Values
Reflect upon the values listed below. Consider these and others that are most important to
you. Record those five or six values that are most significant and a description of their
meaning for your life.

• Accountability: being responsible to one another

• Authenticity: expressing thoughts and emotions genuinely
• Closure: completing tasks
• Confession: verbally admitting failures
• Conflict resolution: getting conflicts out on the table
• Conforming: fitting in with a group or culture
• Courtesy: having a friendly and hospitable attitude
• Creativity: trying new things, expressing new thoughts, doing things differently
• Development: improving and refining skills and gifts
• Direction: having clear goals
• Diversity of personality: valuing the uniqueness of yourself and others
• Efficiency: pursuing high levels of productivity
• Exclusion: being left alone
• Faith: depending on God
• Forgiveness: not holding grudges
• Grace: giving freely to others
• Honesty: speaking truthfully
• Inclusion: being included with others
• Influencing: changing the way others live
• Intimacy: engaging deeply with others
• Loyalty: sacrificing personal interests for those of others
• Peace: maintaining a sense of harmony and unity
• Recognition: receiving feedback and approval for one's work
• Shared goals: holding common goals along with others
• Spontaneity: continuously developing plans
• Structure: having clearly defined expectations and plans
• Training: repeatedly teaching effective principles/lessons/processes
• Working alone: accomplishing tasks individually

Values: how they guide my decisions

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Spiritual Gifts
Record the spiritual gifts identified in the Gifts session of the Identity curriculum. List a few
characteristics that describe the way you most naturally exercise these gifts.

Sample:
• Teaching, shepherding, administration
• Enjoy long-term relationships in a stable community
• Shepherding and teaching same group of people
• Enjoy exercising administration for events/retreats

Spiritual Gifts: how I am gifted to serve others

Heritage/Life Story
Consider various aspects from the Heritage session, as well as specific events and
relationships from your life story. Based on your past experiences, beginning with childhood,
reflect upon the development of various interests, passions, talents, abilities, etc. Record
significant factors from your past that might affect your future ministry or work

Sample:
• Have a heart for equipping believers to be effective witnesses in their workplaces
• Enjoy learning and using new technology
• Passion for helping others be successful in their endeavors
• Concerned about managing finances/resources
• Enjoy cultural diversity
• Heart for those who struggle with being driven (when it can be destructive in relationships)
• Themes: Driven towards Madness; The First Time is Harder; Life is Not About Being Perfect, but
Being Perfected

Heritage/Life Story: how it influences my life and my relationships

Themes from my life story:

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Integrity
Describe the key areas in your life that are critical to the development of Christ-like character
in your ministry and work. Reflect upon your discussions oflife story, the flesh and the Spirit,
and your "Screwtape Letter exercise. 11

Sample:
• Need to ask questions in order to hear others, understand their needs, and serve in appropriate
ways
• Remain committed to revealing my intentions, desires, feelings of deficiency, personal failures to
1) my spouse and 2} a few close friends
• Refrain from having a public or private meal alone with the opposite sex
• Limit commitments to the extent that I can be readily available to those in my sphere of influence

Integrity: how it affects my life and service to others

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 Session 2: The Keel

Walter Wangerin, in an autobiographical essay, reflected on the words of the Apostle Paul as
follows: "When I was a child I spoke as a child, I understood as a child. When I became a man
I put away childish things, but the man I became was shaped in childhood, and that shape
remains forever. 1167 In previous sessions we looked back at those things that have shaped and
formed you into the man or woman that you have become. In this session, you will look back
at those formative aspects with an eye toward future goals. In what ways does your story
reveal God's direction for your life? How will your temperament and your spiritual gifts
affect what ministry opportunities you pursue and how you operate in those positions? How
will your heroes, high points, and hard times influence your future service to the Lord and
his people? How will your struggles and your strengths shape the way that you serve?

In order to help you better answer these kinds of questions, this session and the
corresponding exercise are designed to help you identify and define your ministry priorities.
Think of these priorities as "the fundamentals" that you bring into any ministry situation. For
example, perhaps you have a passion for cross-cultural contexts. This passion will continue
to be a priority wherever you go and in whatever you do. Others may feel passionate about
serving in the inner city and will make that a part of their future regardless of what position
they hold. You might feel strongly about working with a team, while others might value
striking out on their own. Perhaps you strongly favor a traditional style of worship, while
someone else might be dedicated to a more contemporary, seeker-sensitive approach. These
passions will drive and direct your life decisions and ministry priorities.

Ministry priorities are "where the rubber meets the road" -where our passions turn into
commitment. Along the journey, your passion may wane at times, but your commitment to
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your ministry priorities will continue. They are the "non-negotiables of any future direction
you choose to pursue. In keeping with our overriding metaphor, these priorities correspond
to the keel of the ship. They keep you from drifting off course.

Your ministry priorities reflect the way that God has sovereignly designed you and
providentially guided you through the formative experiences of your life. For example,
11
consider the person with a "feeler personality and the spiritual gifts of mercy and
exhortation, who was profoundly influenced by a close relationship with a mentor at a time
of personal crisis. Regardless of what type of position this person pursues, it will probably
involve building personal relationships to help hurting people. This reflects a priority of
relationships or a relational ministry priority. Understanding what this priority is and where
it comes from could help this person evaluate potential positions and provide important
insights into how to function in whatever ministry capacity she finds herself.

67 Walter Wangrin, Jr., Hans Christian Andersen: Shaping the Child's Universe, Reality and the Vision, ed.
Philip Yancey (Dallas, TX: Word Publishing, 1990), 1.

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In the exercise that follows, you will identify your ministry priorities, and attempt to describe
their origins in your life. In completing the exercise, consider how you want your ministry,
whatever it may be, to be characterized. What tasks do you want to pursue? What motivates
you to accomplish those tasks? Remember to prioritize the glory of God above all else. But,
as we seek to glorify God, we can celebrate the fact that he has given each of us unique
abilities to do so. God has uniquely crafted us for service to him and his people (Ephesians
2:10).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Reflect upon the Word
1. Read Ephesians 2:10. Consider people mentioned in the New Testament. How did their
lives reflect this verse? Be prepared to give some examples.

Reflect upon our world

2. In what ways does your particular culture exalt some priorities over others? Which
priorities are given more preference and why?

Reflect on your Spiritual journey

3. Have you ever been in a position where you felt alive and fully yourself? What were some
of the characteristics of this position? Think of a time when you were in a position that
made you feel unfulfilled or compromised. What characteristics were lacking?

Reflect on your life now

4. Complete the Life Vision Exercise and be prepared to share with the members of your
group.

Please complete Life Vision Exercise 2.

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 Life Vision Exercise 2: Ministry Priorities

Consider the priorities that you most desire to reflect in your life (which is your ministry).
These elements make up the keel, which keeps your vessel moving in a specific direction and
giving your ministry a unique character. Record no more than five ministry priorities.
Provide descriptions and/ or illustrations of each, as well as any insights as to how each
priority flows out of your story or life experiences.

As a catalyst for determining your priorities, consider the lists below. Your five priorities
may come out of these three categories or other categories. You may use priorities listed
below, but create your own description of the priority.

The following is a list of possible priorities pertaining to forms and contexts of

ministry:
• counseling: helping others address and/or overcome struggles or challenges
• equipping: developing others' skills and training in methods for effective ministry
• evangelizing: proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers
• fellowship: being a catalyst for others engaging in Biblical community
• leading: guiding others toward goals/mission
• local church: ministering in the context of a local church
• missions: evangelizing/discipling, developing churches outside your dominant culture
• parachurch: ministering uniquely for a specific mission as a complement to the church
• preaching: motivating assemblies to apply biblical principles in their lives
• serving: providing support and resources
• teaching: teaching truths of Scripture
• . unity: bringing together people of varied giftedness or ministries for cause of Christ
• worship: creating environments for worship

The following is a list of possible priorities pertaining to relationships and work

environments:
• accountability: being responsible to one another
• authenticity: genuine expression of thoughts, emotions, etc.
• boldness: willing to take risks, take on challenges
• closure: reaching completion with tasks
• confession: verbally admitting to failures
• conflict resolution: getting conflicts on the table
• conforming: fitting in with a group/culture
• courage: enduring pain or struggle for a mission
• courtesy: friendly and hospitable attitude
• creativity: trying new things, expressing new thoughts, doing things differently

Fidelity j 15
 • dependability: doing what was promised
• development: skills/gifts being refined in others
• direction: clarity of goals
• diversity: valuing the uniqueness of yourself and others
• education: a context of learning
• efficiency: pursuing high levels of productivity
• exclusion: being left alone
• faith: maintaining a dependence on God
• forgiveness: commitment against holding grudges
• grace: attitude which freely gives
• honesty: speaking truthfully
• hope: the expectation of God working
• inclusion: being included with others
• independence: accomplishing tasks individually
• influencing: changing the way others live
• intensity: passionate focus
• intimacy: engaging deeply with others
• love: pursuing the best interests of others
• loyalty: sacrificing personal interests for those of others
• peace: maintaining a sense of harmony and unity
• productivity: getting tasks accomplished
• recognition: receiving feedback and approval for one's work
• shared goals: holding common goals along with others
• spontaneity: low structure, free flowing environment
• structure: clearly defined expectations and plans
• team work: working with others as part of a team
• training: repeatedly teaching effective principles/lessons/processes

The following is a list of possible priorities pertaining to life stages, specific

communities, and interests:
• collegiate
• elderly
• families
• a particular people group or culture
• high school
• online community
• low income
• marketplace
• parents
• prisons

16 I Fidelity
 • recovery (alcoholismJ divorce; etc.)
• singles
• young married couples
• youth

Consider the sample ministry priorities list below and create your own on the following page.

Sample Ministry Priorities

Sample:
Team Work: I'm committed to working in the context of a team. I expect that all the
gifts and talents of team members will be necessary for effectiveness in ministry. I

1 believe all members need to have the freedom and permission to exercise their gifts.
My experience in athletics and previous team ministry has developed this
commitment, and it has been solidified as a priority by my seminary studies.
Authenticity: I want to be part of a ministry in which people are encouraged to share
their lives together openly-a place where it is okay to share things like, "I have gotten

2 myself into a situation where I have agreed to do some ethically compromising

practices at work and I don't know how to get out of it." This is important to me
because of my family and church culture which stifled authenticity with rigid
expectations.
Equipping: My heart is to see believers be equipped to grow in intimacy with Christ,
in effectiveness as witnesses in their communities and in service to others in the body

3 of Christ. This drive develops out ofmy past because, until now, I felt poorily equipped
to live and grow in my faith in my daily life. I also did not know myself well or know
how to get involved in ministry. I am aware of the cultural trends that cause such
challenges and I want to help others overcome their challenges.
Marketplace: I have a passion for helping believers grow in their motivation and
understanding of how to be an effective witness for Christ in their workplaces. I am

4 motivated by this priority because of my experience in the marketplace and the need
for creativity and wisdom in being an intentional witness for Christ in today's
workplaces.
Faith: I desire to infect whatever ministry I am involved in with an attitude of

5
dependence on God and with a willingness to take risks because God is able to
accomplish great things through us. My high school pastor was a great example to me
in this area. I always want to maintain an attitude of "extreme" faith.

Fidelity I 17
Personalized Ministry Priorities

18 I Fidelity
 Session 3: Winds and Currents-Spirit-Directed Ministry

Having reviewed the make-up of your sailing vessel, we move now to the voyage on which
you will soon embark This session focuses on the power that moves us along, namely the
Holy Spirit of God. In addition to examining the influence of the Spirit, we will consider the
significant effect oflife circumstances as we move along our journey. Following the nautical
metaphor, we will refer to these as the winds and the currents.

0 Mighty God,
Grant Weather, Wind and Tide,
Till On my Country Coast
Our Anchor Fall.

-Barnabe Googe6s

.To navigate a successful course across the seas requires more than knowledge of t}le ship.
As the prayer above indicates, sailors must depend upon powers outside of their control. The
winds and the tides control a craft as much as the expertise of the sailor. The same factors
apply in charting a course for your life. To this point we have focused on the design of the
vessel, recognizing that God has uniquely designed each of us. But we must also recognize
that any course we take must be empowered and enabled by God and will be controlled to a
large extent by the life circumstances which he allows in our life. This lesson focuses on the
winds of our course, or the work of the Holy Spirit, and on the currents, or life circumstances.

The Winds
The power behind sailing is the power of the wind. Sailors say that nothing is more exciting
than feeling the rush over the waters powered by nothing other than the wind. As the sailing
vessel is dependent on the winds, so also are we dependent on the Spirit.

Jesus in John 3:8 compares the regenerating work of the Spirit to the wind: "The wind blows
where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where
it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." The Holy Spirit works in the lives of
individuals, drawing them to the Father. Every believer is sealed, baptized, and indwelt by
the Spirit. As Jesus pointed out to Nicodemus, this work is beyond the control of humans.
Those of us who are children of God must humbly recognize our dependence on the work of
the Spirit.

We are to live in a state of dependence. Romans 8:14 notes that "For all who are led by the
11
Spirit of God are sons of God. We no longer walk according to the flesh, but we make all our
decisions under the leadership of the Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit moves in direct ways in
our lives. He makes abundantly clear the course we are to take. The greatest way that the
Spirit does this is through the Word. He guides us into the truth of God's Word and gives clear

68
"Nautical Quotes," online: www.bluewatersailing.com/quotes.php, accessed 2006.

Fidelity I 19
direction for our walk. The Spirit also uses the counsel of others in guiding us in our steps.
As we seek wise counsel, the Spirit's work in others' lives can be a resource for our direction.
Other times the Spirit causes our hearts to burn with passion for a specific cause or need in
God's kingdom. We can think of nothing else and are restless until we pursue the course that
he has laid before us. God's Spirit is not bound to work in any particular way, and may use a
combination of the Word, wise counsel, ministry priorities, and life circumstances to guide
us.

The Currents
Knowledge of ocean currents is just as important as knowledge of the winds in successful
navigation. While we may not be as familiar with currents, they are extremely powerful.

Oceanographers express current flow in "millions of cubic meters per second,"

a term difficult for most people to comprehend. A large current, such as the
Gulf Stream south of Nova Scotia, transports more than 150 million cubic
meters per second, and typical transports for the smaller deep western
boundary currents are 10 to 20 million cubic meters per second .... For
comparison, the sum of all the rivers flowing into the Atlantic is about 0.6
million cubic meters per second. The Amazon contributes about a third of that
total, while the Mississippi River ... accounts for only about 0.02 million cubic
meters per second, roughly one ten-thousandth of the Gulf Stream's
transport! 69

The currents are analogous to the life circumstances that may guide you from this place.
Some know the exact course they will take. One person may pursue doctoral studies and can
see clearly what the next few years will bring. Another may be in a denominational program,
committed to a future mentoring program or residency. Another individual may be an
international student who sought seminary training with the intention of returning to her
home country for ministry. Another couple may plan to return to the mission field or to their
home church. However, unexpected changes in currents may shift the course that we have
charted. Perhaps a student is preparing for the mission field and a crisis occurs within his
family. These currents might necessitate a change in plans, either temporarily or
permanently. Regardless of the currents or circumstances in our life-whether planned or
unexpected-we can be assured that God has a plan for us and the Holy Spirit will continue
to accompany us on our journey.

Calm Water and No Wind

Sometimes a sailboat comes to a complete stop. The waters become still and the wind does
not blow. Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes it well in a verse from "The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner":

69
"Ocean Currents," online: http://earthsciencelinks.homestead.com/oceancurrents.html, accessed 2011.

20 I Fidelity
 Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, not breath nor motion,
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean. 70

We can experience similar circumstances in our own lives. Sometimes we reach a point at
which we cannot tell the direction that the Spirit is leading and we have no clear sense of the
proper course. During these times, we may have many options, none of which are a violation
of Scripture. Sometimes we feel no movement or direction whatsoever. During these times,
we should seek God even more. He may choose to give guidance, he may choose to let us go
forward with any of the options, or he may choose to keep us very still. During these times,
knowledge of how God has designed us can help guide us in making decisions.

Ifwe recognize that our gifts and abilities are from God, then we must seek to find the place
where they can most faithfully be used for his kingdom purposes. In fact, we have a
responsibility to the body of Christ to use what God has given us in the service of our
neighbors and for the building up of the church. If you find yourself in such a place, use the
stillness as a time to draw near to God through prayer and other spiritual disciplines.
Cultivate your ability to pay attention to God. Seek wise counsel. Use your knowledge of how
God has worked in the past to help you step out in faith for the future. Pray with passion that
God will help you scrutinize your motives, and with humility let God know that you will go
wherever he leads. Stepping out in faith can feel risky. But as believers in Christ, filled with
the Holy Spirit, we never walk alone. God will open and close doors of opportunity in his
good time.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Reflect upon the Word
1. Read John 3:8 and Romans 8:14 again. When have you seen the Holy Spirit move you or
direct you to where you are supposed to be? In what ways did you experience his
direction?

70
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Other Poems (Mineola, NY: Dover
Publications, Inc., 1992).

Fidelity I 21
Reflect upon our world
2. What kinds of risks are applauded in your culture? When is risky behavior met with
disapproval? What does this communicate about your culture's priorities?

Reflect on your Spiritual journey

3. When have you taken a considerable step of obedience? What were the potential
consequences you had to consider before taking that step? What helped you make the
decision? What was the outcome?

Reflect on your life now

4. How might the Lord be calling you to live out obedient faith right now? Is this a black and
white situation requiring obedience or a gray situation requiring wisdom? Share with
your group ways they can be praying for you regarding this decision.

11
Please prepare questions to ask your "Voice of Experience.

22 I Fidelity
 Session 4: Voice of Experience

We have spent the first three weeks of this semester gathering, compiling, and evaluating
information about divine design, experience, and ministry priorities. Before we move ahead
with that information and begin to chart a course for the future, we should seek insight and
inspiration from someone who has been "out there beyond the horizon" and returned to tell
the tale.

In this session, you will have the privilege of hearing from another who has "sailed the seas."
Your speaker will present his or her experience to your group regarding how he or she made
decisions concerning ministry and his or her life. What were the motivations? What were the
objectives? What obstacles did he or she have to overcome in order to reach the chosen
destination? How did he or she see God work through all this?

Everyone has a story, and everyone's story is a work in progress. Hopefully, your group will
enjoy this opportunity to hear from a person or couple whose story has taken shape and can
share some of the insights gleaned in the process. Since this will be a conversational time,
not a presentation, be sure to come prepared to ask questions. For example, questions about
how to make decisions or how to include your family in the decisions to be made would be
appropriate to ask your Voice of Experience guest.

Fidelity I 23
24 I Fidelity
 Session 5: Ports of Call

With consideration of our unique story, design and passions, this week our purpose is to
together explore possible ministry destinations. It is time to consider our personal ministry
calling.

One road leads to London,

One road leads to Wales,
My road leads me seawards
To the white dipping sails.
One road leads to the river,
And it goes singing slow;
My road leads to shipping,
Where the bronzed sailors go.
Leads me, lures me, calls me
To salt green tossing sea;
A road without earth's road-dust
Is the right road for me.

A wet road heaving, shining,

And wild with seagull's cries,
A mad salt sea-wind blowing
The salt spray in my eyes.
My road calls me, lures me
West, east, south, and north;
Most roads lead men homewards,
My road leads me forth.
To add more miles to the tally
Of grey miles left behind,
In quest of that one beauty
God put me here to find. 71

While Dallas Seminary has been a safe harbor, each of us longs for the destination for which
God has uniquely designed us. God's Spirit beckons us to service in the same way the sailor
is beckoned to the sea. But, before we leave for the voyage, we must chart our course. We
may not know every stop, but we must have some sense of destination or direction.

71
John Masenfield, The Poems and Plays ofjohn Masenfield (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1992),
94.

Fidelity I 25
We have already focused on ministry priorities. These priorities were likened to the keel of
the ship, for they define and shape our course. For some people, this priority may be a
ministry function such as the communication of truth, the shepherding of others, the
promotion of worship, or the growth of new believers. For others, the priority may be an age
group such as youth, a particular people group such as foster children, or a setting such as
the inner city. We have seen how giftedness, values, temperament, and especially one's life
story shape these priorities.

The next step is exploring the ministry contexts in which you can best live out your priorities
and use your gifts. In the context of the metaphor, this involves finding the proper seaport.
Each seaport is different and not every vessel belongs there. Some ships were designed for
an industrial port, while others were designed to slip into a shallow bay. In other words, God
did not design you for every ministry context. The temptation is to pick the destination and
then focus on your ministry responsibilities once you get there. This endeavor would be like
sailing into a port without knowing if you can dock there or if your vessel is suitable for the
setting. While this method can be adventurous, it can. also be _9-isappointing and even
devastating. Certainly, God may call some men and women to such a radical path, but he does
not work with most of us in this way. Apart from such a direct and radical call, a more
common approach is to determine your design and choose accordingly. Finding a seaport is
finding your calling. What do we mean by calling?

Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we
are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special
devotion, dynamism and direction lived out as a response to his summons and
service. 72

God has called all believers to ministry regardless of their roles or stations. We must seek to
find the place wherein we can best serve. So knowing our design is important-not so much
to ensure our success, but to serve as stewards of the gifts that he has given. As Guinness
notes,

... God normally calls us along the line of our giftedness, but the purpose of
giftedness is stewardship and service, not selfishness. 73

We have nothing that was not given us. Our gifts are ultimately God's, and we
are only "stewards" -responsible for prudent management of property that is
not our own. This is why our gifts are always "ours for others," whether in the

72
Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose ofYour Life (Nashville, TN: Word
Publishing, 1998), 29.
73 Ibid., 46.

26 I Fidelity
 community of Christ or the broader society outside, especially the neighbor in
need. 74

Ifwe are to be responsible stewards we should look for those ministry settings that will allow
us to fill our roles according to our ministry priorities and unique design. If a person's
ministry priorities and gifts are discipleship and communication of God's truth through
preaching, he needs to find a church that values these priorities and allows him to pursue
them. Filling a primarily administrative role such as executive pastor would be poor
stewardship of his design. Likewise, a woman gifted in academics with a desire to train future
leaders should look for an academic setting which will allow her freedom to disciple
students. An academic setting which forces this woman to be research-oriented rather than
student-oriented would be poor stewardship of her design. The key is that while we can find
the roles to fill, we must be guided by our ministry priorities and design.

Furthermore, throughout the previous sessions we have intentionally utilized the term
ministry in the broadest sense. Remember, ministry is about serving God regardless of the
location or occupation. Engineers and stay-at-home moms are instrumental in God's
kingdom, as are those who serve as pastors and teachers. This session is not just about how
to be the best minister, but about how to serve God well, no matter where we are or what
we're doing. Keep this focus in evaluating potential ports and future sea journeys for yourself
and other group members.

This notion may seem too idealistic. In many ways it is. Few will find a ministry context that
allows them to fill all the roles for which they are gifted according to their ministry priorities.
We must all serve in areas outside of our strengths and even outside of our desires, but ifwe
are charting a course, we should be careful to choose a destination where it appears that we
can be most effective and of the greatest service to the body of Christ.

In hearing others' stories, we must realize that most likely we will not arrive at this
destination immediately. Some will need more academic training or more practical
experience. The key is to plot a course based on our priorities and design. Without a course,
we can arrive at a destination for which we have no passion and no gifting. A married couple
should spend considerable time talking and praying together in order to find a setting that
will allow both to minister in their areas of giftedness. This pursuit will often involve
compromise on both parts. Everyone should be in constant prayer when considering any
ministry context. We may set a course, but we will never arrive or minister apart from the
empowering of the Spirit. Likewise, we should be open when the Spirit blows us off our
intended course to the setting of His choosing.

74 Guinness, The Call, 47.

Fidelity I 27
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Reflect upon the Word
1. Read Isaiah 43:1, Romans 8:30, and 1 Corinthians 1:9. How do these verses use the word
"calling"? What does this remind us about our primary calling?

Reflect upon our World

2. How does your culture encourage you to make decisions regarding a career path? Are
there other elements (gender, age, life stage, economic factors) that also influence your
decisions?

Reflect on your Spiritual journey

3. At what points in your life have you had a specific "port" in mind? Did life work out
according to your plans? Why or why not? How can you see God at work in those plans?

Reflect on your life now

4. Be prepared for this group exercise: Too often, we approach decision making as a
solitary exercise. In doing so, we deprive ourselves of the wisdom, perspective and
experience of others within the body of Christ. Ideally, having reflected and prayed
together for a number of weeks, you know one another well enough to offer guidance in
discerning future direction. Your leader will lead a discussion in which the group will
describe a ministry setting that they suggest might be a good fit for each individual in the
group. When you describe the setting, make sure you explain which ministry priorities
and aspects of their design that you see influencing the ministry context. When the group
is explaining the ministry context that they think might be best suited for you, you do not
need to respond. You may ask questions regarding details or why they would suggest
such a setting but do not counter or add to what they say. You will have time to describe
the ministry context that you think is best when you share your Life Vision presentation.
This exercise is simply to hear the input and perspectives of others.

Please complete Life Vision Exercise 3.

28 I Fidelity
 Life Vision Exercise 3: Ministry Destinations

This exercise is designed to help you explore potential ministry roles. Remember to hold
these potential "ports,, loosely because of your dependence on the "winds,, of God's Spirit in
your life. However, this exercise is significant because it helps you determine various ways
of serving the Body of Christ that correspond with your unique identity and giftedness. Here
is a chance for you to think about what you consider to be your ideal ministry positions.
Record three specific (either real or hypothetical) ministry positions that you desire to hold
in the future.

Sample Ministry Destinations

Sample:
Marketplace Minister in a local church located in a community with a large
population of corporate employees. Responsibilities include developing a ministry

1 with church members in the corporate world; developing small groups; developing
curriculum; recruiting, training, and equipping-small group leaders; and teaching a
Sunday school class geared toward the corporate marketplace.
Corporate Chaplain who works in a corporate office. Responsibilities include
building relationships with employees, leading weekly prayer breakfasts, offering

2 Bible studies or discussion luncheons, and networking with local churches attended
by employees to help build bridges between their corporate ministry and their local
church ministry.
Associate Pastor of Church Staff who provides leadership over a pastoral staff team
by shepherding staff members, developing their ministry skills, and assisting in their

3 growth into maturity (providing accountability). Other possible responsibilities

include coordinating church events, overseeing staff events (annual retreats),
facilitating staff meetings, and counseling staff as needed.

Fidelity I 29
Personalized Ministry Destinations

2 ..

30 I Fidelity
 Session 6: Bill of Lading

As our metaphor of a voyage continues, we are now preparing to set sail. We are presently
in a safe harbor making plans for our future adventure. No ship leaves port without a
complete Bill of Lading, or list of provisions and cargo that must be acquired and loaded
before departure. The cargo master of a ship keeps this list readily available as the ship
prepares to leave port. Before you leave the safe harbor of Dallas Seminary, what
preparations do you need to make before arriving at your first port? What cargo do you need
in order to flourish in the next destination after seminary?

We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus,
and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete
off Salmone. Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair
Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. (Acts 27:7-8)

Are you taking on board what you need to get you to your. destination? Will your cargo
support you as you weather setbacks and hazards?

We have been working through a step-by-step process of gathering information about what
kind of sailing vessel that you are. We have looked at how God has divinely designed you,
how your journey or story has shaped and prepared you, and how your design informs you
of possible destinations. In this session, the goal is to evaluate in very practical terms how
you might need to prepare for the long haul to your ideal port.

A graduating student often wishes he or she had taken a particular course after hearing about
a certain ministry position. You might hear something like, "I love to preach and I am gifted
to be a pastor, but the leadership electives didn't fit into my final semester." Or, "if only I'd
thought about it, I could have taken that extra EML credit to make me a prime candidate for
that position but those Greek electives were so much more fun!}} (Remember, this is all
hypothetical.) Also, many students find themselves needing to write a master's thesis to
enter a doctoral program, when with a little vision and counsel they could have undertaken
that project as part of their regular course work

The above situation is the nautical equivalent of bringing along the wrong charts or
inadequate provisions. When you sail around in the Gulf of Mexico, you don't need maps of
the Bering Sea! At the same time, you must also make allowances for possible adjustments
to your course and carry provisions for unexpected contingencies. A successful voyage is
predicated on forethought and careful preparation. If you have a tentative idea of the kind of
destination you are suited for, then it makes sense to make adequate plans to get there.

Sensible planning will also take into account any hazards and obstacles that lie in the path of
the proposed voyage. It is better to obey the rudder than to obey the reef! Any good chart for
a worthwhile journey will include an awareness of potential dangers that await the unwary
traveler. What are the potential shipwrecks that threaten your reaching port? Do you know
how to avoid them, and more importantly, are you prepared to avoid them? The work you
did in the Integrity module should have alerted you to possible "reefs and icebergs" that

Fidelity I 31
could jeopardize the integrity of your life and ministry. The Seven Deadly Sins material and
the Screwtape Letter exercise are part of your preparation for leaving Dallas Seminary. You
want to be aware of potential pitfalls and take them into account in your plans before
embarking on your voyage.

For students who find themselves taken by surprise and out of options in the last semester,
there are some remedies, but nothing takes the place of looking ahead and making some
decisions early enough to finish seminary spiritually healthy and well-prepared for the next
stage of the voyage. That pursuit is the main focus of this week's work.

Of course, there will be the reality of unplanned and unexpected storms and ports. You have
heard many people say that they never dreamed of being where they are today, but that is
not an excuse to remain unprepared and untrained for what we do know and what we do
expect. After all, Romans does remind us that God uses everything in our lives:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray
for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too
deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the
Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)

A note for married students: As a couple, your gifts, strengths, experiences, priorities, and
goals must be viewed as part of God's sovereign plan for your future together. Ideally, the
past few weeks have brought awareness of what kind of ports for which you are each best
suited. Each of you will express your own style and priorities in whatever destination God
places you, whether you serve in the same ministry destination or different contexts.
Consequently, you will want to consider how potential destinations for each of you fit
together in light of your marriage and family.

32 I Fidelity
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Reflect upon the Word
1. God has told us in his Word that he will teach us what is best for us and direct us in the
way we should go (Isaiah 48:17). How does this truth give us confidence as we look
toward the future?

Reflect upon our world

2. How does your culture advise you to deal with obstacles and storms? How do people in
your culture deal with setbacks?

Reflect on your Spiritual journey

3. Some people say they never dreamed they'd be where they are today. Is that you? In what
ways can you see how God has redirected your course?

Reflect on your life now

4. What excites you about where he has you now? In what ways are you struggling with the
current course Godhas you on?

Please complete Life Vision Exercise 4.

Fidelity I 33
 Life Vision Exercise 4: Ministry Preparations

When sailing across the ocean, one must make extensive preparations. The Bill of Lading is
the list of requirements for the voyage in terms of both provisions to get you there and the
cargo you will deliver when you arrive. This exercise provides an opportunity for you to
reflect upon your own "Bill of Lading." The preparations include obtaining skills, knowledge,
and experience that will equip you for the voyage. Each type of sailing vessel requires sailors
with unique skills as well as unique cargo based on its journey and destination. Likewise,
your potential ports determine the knowledge, experiel)ce, and skills that are necessary for
a successful voyage. Consider requirements for each of your potential ports. Think carefully
about each requirement on the list and honestly appraise your own design, experience, and
training as it applies to each one.

What gaps do you anticipate needing to fill before you leave Dallas Seminary? Are the gaps
related to experience? Perhaps the gaps have to do with your temperament or character. Are
there certain unresolved issues that might shipwreck your prospective ministry? Being
realistic now about these issues will help to safeguard you against possible disaster at sea!
Record the areas that need addressing under "Gaps to Fill." The second column of the
worksheet is for you to brainstorm about what approaches you might possibly take to fill
those gaps. From the point of view of experience, consider these questions to get you started:

• Do you need to tailor an internship towards one of the gaps?

• Are there specific courses that could help you meet some of these requirements?
• Should you approach someone with expertise or experience in a particular field for
advice or mentoring?
• Would some kind of independent study help you more than a specific elective?
• Do you need classroom teaching experience such as the Lay Institute might offer?
• Could you become involved in a specific ministry at your church or other local
ministry?

To take steps to circumnavigate the reefs, consider these questions:

• What are some needed areas of growth?

• Are there strongholds in my life (sloth, pornography, anger, lust, envy, greed, pride,
etc.) with which I struggle?
• Do I need to establish an accountability relationship that will take me beyond
seminary?
• Do I need to seek professional or pastoral counsel to help me work through any
issues?

In the third column, "Action Items," list specific action items that you must implement this
semester in order to set these proactive plans in motion. Be specific, realistic, and practical.
The important point is that these action items must be achievable. Who will you make an
appointment to see? What questions do you need to answer? What classes do you need to
take?

34 I Fidelity
Sample Bill of Lading
Bill of Lading
List here the set of requirements for List here the requirements you List here specific steps you can take
your ideal destination.
• Four year Master's degree
• Mission trip/evangelism
experience
• Some teaching experience
• Experience with homeless
ministry
• At least two years prior youth
work
• Solid team worker
• Knowledge of Spanish culture
Personalized Bill of Lading: Port 1
Bill of Lading
List here the set of requirements for List here the requirements you List here specific steps you can take
your ideal destination.
Sample:
Gaps to Fill Action Items
think you are "short" in and the to meet the requirements that your
ones you. just don't have (be ideal ministry demands.
honest).
• Never been on a mission trip • Make appointments to see
• No formal teaching experience regional directors of American
• Can't speak Spanish Missionary Fellowship, CAM,
• Never been inside a homeless Teen Mania, and YWAM
shelter • Ask them about short-term
mission opportunities coming up
in the next two years
• Sign up with the Lay Institute as
an instructor for the next fall
• Take Spanish at local college
• Contact Union Gospel Mission,
Dallas Life Foundation, and
Salvation Army about service
projects
Gaps to Fill Action Items
think you are "short" in and the to meet the requirements that your
ones you just don't have (be ideal ministry demands.
honest).
Fidelity I 35
Personalized Bill of Lading: Port 2
Bill of Lading Gaps to Fill Action Items
List here the set ofrequirements for List here the requirements you List here specific steps you can take
your ideal destination. think you are "short" in and the to meet the requirements that your
ones you just don't have (be ideal ministry demands.
honest).

Personalized Bill of Lading: Port 3

Bill of Lading Gaps to Fill Action Items
List here the set of requirements for List here the requirements you List here specific steps you can take
your ideal destination. think you are "short" in and the to meet the requirements that your
ones you just don't have (be ideal ministry demands.
honest).

36 I Fidelity
 Sessions 7-12: Life Vision Presentations

The final sessions are set aside for sharing your Life Vision presentations. These sessions
provide an opportunity for the presenters to communicate their desires for the future and
the goals they intend to pursue as they continue on their journey. Here is an opportunity for
group members to encourage the presenter by listening attentively and responding with
words of affirmation and insight. Furthermore, as we remember the way God has uniquely
crafted each of us, we should be thankful for his gracious work in our lives and pray for his
continued leading.

Over the past several weeks, we have gathered and assessed data concerning the way we
believe God has made us and the direction in which we believe he is taking us. We have
examined the kind of vessel which God has entrusted to us, the significant role of the wind
and the currents, the ports of call toward which we might journey, the cargo we need to
include and the provisions we need to make. Now is the time to share our findings with the
group.

Make every effort to creatively present your Life Vision. How will you communicate the
uniqueness of who you are? You are free to employ the metaphor of a sailing vessel or use a
completely different metaphor that better expresses your life vision and voyage.

In your presentation you will want to include significant elements from the following
categories:

(1) The sailing vessel-those components of who you uniquely are-your story, design
(temperament, gifts, strengths, struggles), values, and ministry priorities,

(2) Ports of call-possible ministry destinations that determine the course that you
intend to take,

(3) Bill of Lading-specific preparations and provisions needed for your journey and
destination(s ),

(4) Potential icebergs or reefs that might steer you off course or mission.

In response to each presentation, group members should ask clarifying questions, affirm
observations presented, and encourage the presenter in his or her direction. Each
presentation should conclude with a time of prayer that includes: (1) thankfulness for the
uniqueness of the presenter, (2) a request for continued guidance throughout their life, and
(3) God's further leading so they can faithfully and effectively use the gifts, experiences and
resources he has entrusted to them for the good of others and for the sake of his glory.

Fidelity I 37
38 I Fidelity
 Celebration & Next Steps

As your SF group finishes its time together, we want you to reflect and celebrate what God
has done in each of your lives through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit We
understand that your experience in SF may or may not have met your expectations. Perhaps
it was a disappointment. Perhaps you made some lifelong friends. Or perhaps you
experienced intense struggle and pain and learned for the first time what it means to lean on
other believers for support and encouragement. At the very least our hope is that you learned
to live and love well in Christian community. You may or may not have "liked" one another,
but as believers in the family of God we are called by our Lord Jesus to humbly love one
another (John 13:34, 35).

Take time to celebrate your experience together and discuss any next steps. Express
gratitude and praise God for the members of your group and how they've been used by the
Holy Spirit to help you pursue Christlikeness.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip
you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is
pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
Amen. (Heb 13:20, 21)

Fidelity I 39
 )

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