Understanding My Fit

For six years, over 140 people have taken classes in the East Michigan Training Institute. The classes are structured over two years with 10 required courses, each lasting 8 weeks, for completion of the program. The Institute was designed to help people who felt the tug for ministry but didn't feel it was feasible, for what ever reason, to go to a seminary or college for training. Each of the ten classes were held on a Thursday night for 2.5 hours over 8 weeks. Several have completed the program and are now under an appointment to a specific church with a specific ministry.

The very first required class is called Leadership Directions. In addition to the textbook study, during the eight weeks, each person also completes several profiles and assessments which help the student understand how God has created them and prepared them for ministry. Between the profiles and the Bible studies, the student has a much clearer awareness about what ministry they are best suited for. Some have gone through this process and realized that the ministry was not for them, but rather they were best suited for lay ministry, serving in their local church. The process gave each person the confidence that their pursuit was the right thing to do.

During these years, at various times, people would make comments about how valuable this was for them, and how much every Christian needed to go through this process. Even if they weren't going into the ministry, they would have a much clearer picture of how God had created them and which areas of ministry were best suited for them to serve in. It never seemed to fail, that God would show up in their lives and reveal their best fit for serving.

I am developing this same material into a package that anyone who would like to know how God has gifted and prepared them for serving can have. Many of the profiles and materials will be free and reproducible. Some will have a charge for them. The resource will be called, "Understanding My Fit." It should be ready for distribution on or near July 1, 2008. If you'd like more information, please visit this link... "Understanding My Fit" When you sign up there for information, you will receive a download link for a free copy of a Spiritual Gifts Profile that is used in the program. You'll already have one of the profiles used in the course! By signing up, you will also receive future information emails, and free downloads for other materials that pertain to this program.

I am very excited to get this material into the hands of lay leaders and people anxious to discover their fit for ministry. The teacher in me simply wants as many people as possible to learn from the Lord where and how he wants them to best serve. The pastor in me is excited about the prospect that leaders in my congregation could begin to serve out of their areas of passion, skill, giftedness and calling. I could only imagine how a church could be transformed when many in the pew began to serve out of passion rather than guilt or because 'someone has to do it.'

Visit the "Understanding My Fit" link now, and get your free Spiritual Gifts Profile. Get started in your journey of discovery right away! Please leave a comment!