Develop Your Talents

I've been taking a free online course this summer from Winebrenner Theological Seminary called Missional Discipleship with lectures from author and church consultant, Reggie McNeal. It's been fantastic, the only down-side is not having a passionate friend to process it with as I'm participating.  It's like going to a theme park by yourself - you want someone to enjoy the ride with. So I have decided to pass this on to you! Even though the material was recorded 2 or 3 years ago, it's still just as relevant today. Today, I watched him speak in session 8 in more detail about developing your talents and strengths, and managing your weaknesses, delegating those to a team around you that values your vision.

Years ago I took the StrengthsFinder assessment at strengths.gallup.com after I purchased the book that included the online code for the assessment. Have you taken it? What were your top 5? When the people around you understand the strengths listed in the book and your strengths and their own, it will help build a stronger team, based on what you naturally bring to the table.

More recently I have taken the APEST assessment through theforgottenways.org.  I love this one by Alan Hirsch! It looks specifically at the list of ministry roles in Ephesians 4:11-12 - apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd/pastor, and teacher.

I also strongly believe understanding someone's "true colors" personality. I also appreciate the detailed explanation of what they mean and how they apply.

I have taken the assessments about 15 years ago: the DISC profile and Myers-Briggs Test, but it seems like those are old-hat. I'd still recommend doing one or the other if someone has never taken them. I don't know how to get ahold of them, but a Google search might help.

On a side note: Here is what one other participant wrote about an encounter she had seeing Reggie McNeal recently in Indiana. Angie Swonger posted:uestion One - ASwonger

I had the joy of hearing Reggie speak in person last week at the Church of God Regional Convention in Anderson!  Here are a few of his quotes!  

• "Jesus gave us the keys to Kingdom. So why did we stop using them at the front door of the church?" 
• "Don’t hook your scorecard to numbers on Sunday morning.  Hook your scorecard to whether or not your community is being transformed." 
• "Commission people in your congregation for service in their neighborhoods". 
• "Now, don’t hear what I’m not saying!"