Postcards from a Ministry Quest (3)

When I graduated from the U of A with a teaching degree, the "philosophy of teaching" got a lot of press. Having a personal statement that summarized a well defined set of principles and convictions about the task of teaching, it was thought, was essential to a teacher's effectiveness and personal integrity.

My sense was that most philosophies of teaching I heard were just patchwork quilts of catch-phrases about good teaching, hobbled together with some high-sounding idealism. Very few really said anything that specific about the heart of the individual teacher. (My own philosophy of teaching, by the way, is: "I believe that students should be challenged, encouraged and equipped to engage the world around them for positive change, through creative, interdisciplinary teaching methods, in a classroom setting that emphasizes community, collaborative learning and diverse learning styles.")

Anyways, I was intrigued when one of the pastoral questionnaires I filled out not long ago asked me this question:

What is your philosophy of ministry?

Here's what I answered:

I believe that as a pastor I am called to use my gifts as a teacher, preacher and leader to point others to the revelation of God's grace and faithfulness in Jesus Christ, and to fully participate by the power of the Holy Spirit in the redemptive work that Christ is accomplising in my community and in the lives of those around me.