Be secure in your calling and how God sees you

During tough moments of church life, mentoring, journalling and a tranche of insightful books are invaluable to Elim’s MiTs, says Paula Cummings

I remember the first time someone in church told me they didn’t like me! This was before my time as a MiT, while I was serving in another church role. The person didn’t attempt to disguise their dislike and even suggested they were telling me this ‘in love’.

Being a MiT also has its challenges, but two of the things I’m most grateful for are the regular reporting we’re asked to do and the support we are offered by wise mentors throughout our training.

During our three years as MiTs we’re required to complete a portfolio, providing ‘proof of our ministry’. In addition, there are regular catch-ups plus quarterly written reports. If you’re not a fan of paperwork, that’s OK, neither am I, but quarterly reports are a way of reflecting on all that’s happened — the good and the bad. There’s even space to reflect if someone tells you they don’t like you!

Throughout the quarter, I’m often jotting things down in my phone — church conversations I’ve had, events I’ve been involved with and books I’ve read, as well as podcasts I’ve listened to. I’ve been known to pause a conversation and say, “Hang on, I just need to jot this down so I don’t forget to include it in my report.”

MiTs also have a reading list and there are books on a variety of topics — everything from titles which will deepen our knowledge of the Bible through to learning how to interact well with others. Discovering many of these titles are also available as audiobooks has been a game-changer for me.

I often have one on in the car as I travel between work, church and home. I find listening while on long motorway trips helps me to really absorb the truths of what is being said.

One of my favourite books so far has been 7 Deadly Sins of Women in Leadership by Kate Coleman (see page 28). Kate is a wise and seasoned leader, and she writes so honestly about some of the faulty mindsets that leaders (particularly women) can get stuck in.

She writes about the process of ‘shrinking’ — how others’ harmful (even though sometimes well-intentioned) words can cause us to shrink ourselves; to fit into the mould of what we believe others think about us.

Throughout the book Kate shares that our lives as Christians shouldn’t be based on ‘self-belief’ but on ‘God-belief’ — the sure, safe knowledge of what God thinks about us.

We’re not always going to be liked; sometimes we’ll have to make difficult decisions; sometimes we’ll get things wrong, and we should always be open to being corrected. Sometimes our confidence will take a sharp knock from others’ harsh words. But as MiTs (and in general as Christians!) being secure in our calling and how God sees us is the best way to live.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.