Narrative Questions
Describe a moment in your recent ministry that you recognize as one of success and fulfillment.
One particular moment I found fulfilling was when Hurricane Florence passed through North Carolina and made landfall just south of Greenville. Prior to the storm's arrival, I helped the session create an emergency action plan for our church. I was able to visit all of our elderly and shut-ins to help them prepare their homes, remind them of the resources of the church available to them, and get a clear understanding of who would be remaining in town and who would be seeking shelter elsewhere. As the storm continued, we contacted all church members to check on their safety and to see if there were any needs that needed to be addressed immediately. After the storm, we followed up with our members and began preparing for the needed disaster relief in our area. We raised money that was donated to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We partnered with the Brody School of Medicine to bring medical personnel and a trailer full of needed supplies to shelters in the poorest counties of our state. We collected money and supplies to create disaster cleanup buckets that were donated to families affected by the floods. And we worked with the Pitt County department of social services to provide our fellowship hall as the site where those affected by the storm could apply for financial assistance. It was in the preparations for the storm, the care and connections shown during the storm, and the rallying of the community after the storm that I found particularly fulfilling.
One particular moment I found fulfilling was when Hurricane Florence passed through North Carolina and made landfall just south of Greenville. Prior to the storm's arrival, I helped the session create an emergency action plan for our church. I was able to visit all of our elderly and shut-ins to help them prepare their homes, remind them of the resources of the church available to them, and get a clear understanding of who would be remaining in town and who would be seeking shelter elsewhere. As the storm continued, we contacted all church members to check on their safety and to see if there were any needs that needed to be addressed immediately. After the storm, we followed up with our members and began preparing for the needed disaster relief in our area. We raised money that was donated to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We partnered with the Brody School of Medicine to bring medical personnel and a trailer full of needed supplies to shelters in the poorest counties of our state. We collected money and supplies to create disaster cleanup buckets that were donated to families affected by the floods. And we worked with the Pitt County department of social services to provide our fellowship hall as the site where those affected by the storm could apply for financial assistance. It was in the preparations for the storm, the care and connections shown during the storm, and the rallying of the community after the storm that I found particularly fulfilling.
Describe the ministry setting to which you believe God is calling you.
I hope to serve a congregation that worships God with joy, passion, humor, creativity and intellect. I hope to serve a congregation that is excited about their partnership with God in doing God’s work in the world; a congregation that reaches out in love to their community and invites others to join them in the work and worship of God. I hope to serve a congregation that isn’t afraid to take risks and make the sacrifices; a congregation that calls one another to boldness, confidence and hope. I hope to serve a loving, honest, and forgiving congregation that wants to deepen their care and connection to one another; that is open to one another’s questions and doubts; and is inclusive in their hospitality, acceptance and love of others. I hope to serve a congregation that enjoys working together, playing together, and worshipping together; a congregation that learns and grows together.
To this community, I will bring honesty and integrity. I will bring a sense of humility and a sense of humor. I will bring a passion for study and reflection; for preaching God’s word and drawing people deeper into the life of God and God’s kingdom. I will bring a love for teaching and spiritual nurture; for helping people to know, love, worship and serve God. I will bring a listening ear, a sharp mind, a servant's heart, and a caring soul.
I hope to serve a congregation that worships God with joy, passion, humor, creativity and intellect. I hope to serve a congregation that is excited about their partnership with God in doing God’s work in the world; a congregation that reaches out in love to their community and invites others to join them in the work and worship of God. I hope to serve a congregation that isn’t afraid to take risks and make the sacrifices; a congregation that calls one another to boldness, confidence and hope. I hope to serve a loving, honest, and forgiving congregation that wants to deepen their care and connection to one another; that is open to one another’s questions and doubts; and is inclusive in their hospitality, acceptance and love of others. I hope to serve a congregation that enjoys working together, playing together, and worshipping together; a congregation that learns and grows together.
To this community, I will bring honesty and integrity. I will bring a sense of humility and a sense of humor. I will bring a passion for study and reflection; for preaching God’s word and drawing people deeper into the life of God and God’s kingdom. I will bring a love for teaching and spiritual nurture; for helping people to know, love, worship and serve God. I will bring a listening ear, a sharp mind, a servant's heart, and a caring soul.
What areas of growth have you identified in yourself?
I have learned …
I have learned …
- to be generous with praise and expressions of gratitude
- the value of listening well and being kind and attentive to everyone
- the importance of humility and humor; being able to laugh at myself and not take myself so seriously
- people rally around a compelling vision and a strong sense of purpose or mission
- the importance of paying attention to the little things while keeping my eye on the big picture
- there is great joy in helping others succeed and immense value in ensuring they are encouraged and equipped for the task
- roadmaps and plans are important, but freedom and flexibility can serve the kingdom well
- stewardship is much more than asking people for money; it’s central to everything we do
- accountability is an important part of responsibility done best in a spirit of love, grace and encouragement
- trust is critical to community life and essential for all leadership
Describe a time when you have led change.
Many congregations face adaptive challenges regarding their place and role in society. In order to help the session of Peace Presbyterian Church understand the issues facing our church and discern what new organizational and cultural capacities we might need to meet these challenges, I guided the session through a reading of the book "Canoeing the Mountains" by Tod Bolsinger; a book that asked us soul-searching questions about our ministry and the culture in which we found ourselves. It provided an opportunity for us to reconsider our identity, reestablish our core values, and realign our ministry with the mission to which we believed that God was calling us As a result of this study, our congregation then engaged in a congregation-wide study of the book called "Make a Difference" by James Harnish which helped our members discern how they could serve the world and make a unique contribution to God's work in reconciling the world.
Many congregations face adaptive challenges regarding their place and role in society. In order to help the session of Peace Presbyterian Church understand the issues facing our church and discern what new organizational and cultural capacities we might need to meet these challenges, I guided the session through a reading of the book "Canoeing the Mountains" by Tod Bolsinger; a book that asked us soul-searching questions about our ministry and the culture in which we found ourselves. It provided an opportunity for us to reconsider our identity, reestablish our core values, and realign our ministry with the mission to which we believed that God was calling us As a result of this study, our congregation then engaged in a congregation-wide study of the book called "Make a Difference" by James Harnish which helped our members discern how they could serve the world and make a unique contribution to God's work in reconciling the world.
