Professional Development

   There is a gap in my postings, partly due to a trip I had last week.  Once a year I join five other younger pastors and we sit at the feet of older, wiser pastors and leaders.  This is our professional development.  Most professions have some sort of continuing education, whether a certification, a degree, or professional learning hours.  I feel that my job is no different.  I must always be growing.

     Charles Spurgeon once said, "We work as if it all depends on us, and we know that it all depends on God."  So I work my tail off.  I have to be a better administrator and organizer.  I have to be a better teacher and preacher.  I have to learn budgeting and finance better.  I have to hone leadership and management skills.  I must grow in counseling and crisis care.  I must mature in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, study of the word, and meditation. 

    Yet while I work as if it all depends on me, I also know that it all depends on God.  In all my working, sweating, and heavy lifting, there is grace.  God does stuff that I couldn't imagine.  So I continue with professional development, and God continues to develop me.