This week has been information rich and inspiring. I was also given several great opportunities to grow musically. I wanted to share the grace given me to grow in vocational ministry, and express my thankfulness to the Lord for making these opportunities possible through your support!
Monday: I took a sabbath and rested from my normal activities. I spent time with Dusty, Sawyer and Jahnabell. I went to the grocery store and did the shopping for the week with Jahnabell. While JB and I were at the store, and Sawyer was at his Mother's-Day-Out program, Dusty got some time to study for the development class. Later that day I took the kids on a walk down the nature trail near our house. Sawyer decided to try out his new shades.
Tuesday: I attended the South campus meeting and learned more about what it means to work as a team. I also heard pastor Matt Blackwell's teaching on "The Heart of The Pastor" where he described how he and the rest of the teaching staff work together to decide what passages or books of the Bible to preach from. As a worship leader, this was incredibly insightful as I will be aspiring to work in unity and understanding with a teaching pastor in the near future. Tuesday afternoon I also took a vocal lesson from an excellent vocal teacher recommended by another resident. The lesson was a big break-though personally because I'm learning to correct some bad vocal techniques that severely limit my range, tone, and everything else to do with singing.
Wednesday: I met with my mentor, Daniel, and talked about the progress made with the Student worship team and next steps. We also decided to read "The Cost of Discipleship" as our next learning material. I am extremely excited to read this book. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is the author and was a theologian, pastor, and martyr in Germany during WW II. Wednesday night Dusty, Sawyer, Jahnabell, and I went to our weekly development class where we learned about "The Discipleship of The Whole Person." There is a video that was part of our homework which spoke to me on so many levels. Pastor Dhati Lewis teaches on how we should display the love of Christ through hospitality. This is something my Mom was passionate about and did throughout my childhood. In the same way, I want to open the home that God has graciously provided for us and use it to love and disciple those in our life! Wednesday evening I also helped another resident lead worship before the lecture. I really enjoyed this opportunity and was also challenged by having to learn the songs in different keys.
Thursday: I went to our weekly worship meeting where 4 worship leaders on staff, Logan, Brett, Jaleesa, and Jimmy, gave 4 Ted-style talks on worship leading practicals. The topics where: Crafting A Setlist, Stewarding Prayer and Scripture in Liturgies, How To Approach Conflict, and Knowing Your Congregation. Each talk was extremely encouraging and gave all of us practical tools and knowledge in shepherding the people we serve in a way that glorifies God. In addition, I also helped another resident lead worship before the teaching began. Which again, gave me another opportunity to learn songs quickly and in different keys.
Friday: Today, I began reading The Cost of Discipleship, set up a band practice to prepare for Sunday, and now I'm going to work on my call to worship and rehearse the songs I will be leading. Next week I'm helping with a College Worship Night at Texas State and Worship Collective on Saturday.
So yes, when I started this residency I was told that I would be taking in a lot of information and that it would be a little like drinking from a fire hydrant.
Indeed it is, and I love every minute of it! Thank you all again for your support and for being a part of my development.
