Report Card Time

 

I was an average student in elementary and high school. I was nothing real special, I got B's and C's with an occasional A on my report Cards. 

I know some of my fellow classmates loved showing their report cards to their parents. They were the ones with "straight A's" and then there were the ones who dreaded to get their parents to sign their report card because there were a lot of D's and F's. Some of them even resorted to forging a signature to return it to school. For me, there was no joyous celebration or dreaded fear. I was average until ONE CLASS changed everything for me. 

I can't remember, I think it was my senior year in High School, I took a PHYSICS class. This class was one of the TOP classes in the school. At my school there was no calculus, or advanced placement courses. THIS COURSE WAS THE TOP. All the smart kids were in it. I felt right away, I did not belong in this class. I was average and all the members of this class were the BEST of the BEST. I remember thinking, "WHAT AM I DOING HERE?" Guess what? I thrived in that class. I got an A and it was at that moment I finally realized God had blessed me with some talent and ability that had been hidden deep within me. I went on to go to college, later in my adult life, and that confidence in my abilities continued. I got nearly all A's in college both for my math and education degree and later in Seminary. 

It's been eight weeks since I accepted my new "FLOCK" at South Memorial Drive Church of God. As I was reading 1 Peter 5 today, I was SELF-REFLECTING, PERSONALLY EVALUATING, my performance so far. I was using this scripture as an EVALUATION TOOL.

"Care for your flock that God has entrusted you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor." (1 Peter 5:2-4, NLT)

I certainly LOVE and CARE for my FLOCK. I look forward not JUST to each Sunday Morning, but I love the opportunity to interact with the group of people God has entrusted me to shepherd outside Sunday morning Services. I genuinely love and care for these people. So, in that area I would give myself a B+. 

If I rate my leadership of Sunday Morning Experience which includes my impact on the worship and Sunday School time, I have to give my self a C- at best. While I have had a couple of good sermons, I would say those are balanced by the average sermons. But I also feel I have not greatly helped or even integrated myself into the Sunday Morning Education experience for either the kids or the adults. I know it has only been EIGHT WEEKS, but I feel my focus on preaching, trying to improve our online presence and getting to know people has impacted the quality of these other areas. I need to do better.

And the last area of EVALUATION is my DISCIPLE MAKING example. We have started a discipleship class with a few people in attendance, but I have not done much going out into the community, SETTING AN EXAMPLE, yet. 

Disciple-making, going out into the community to make disciples and getting other people to want to make disciples, THAT IS MY HEART. 

I give myself a D- in that area. I don't want to get so bogged down in leading the church that I forget the PRIMARY MISSION. While I am caring for the FLOCK, I need to GO, and  help people feel comfortable joining the FOLD. 

I love what Stephanie and I are doing. I am humbled that God has placed Stephanie and I here to be a part of this flock. God has given us a mission and until it is complete, or he returns, we will not be satisfied. There is TOO MUCH AT STAKE. That is exactly what Peter was saying here:

"Stay alert, Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around liek a roaring lion, looking for someoen to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." (1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT)

There are people right here in Henry County, Indiana that are suffering without JESUS and we need to do better, I NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB spreading that Gospel message. 

That starts with me as a leader! I must do a better job LEADING my FLOCK to spreading the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST in our community!