My friend, Jenni Catron, was invited to be the guest speaker and the topic she spoke on was becoming "Confident in Your Calling."Jenni is an incredibly gifted leader. She serves as Executive Director for Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN under the dynamic leadership of Pete Wilson. (You can read a blog post about Pete and his book, "Plan B" here.) Jenni oversees and develops the staff and she also leads a ministry called "Cultivate Her" which is all about cultivating and developing female leaders. I. Love. This. Chick! I am still just getting to know her, and each time I have a chance to interact with her, I am challenged and encouraged in my own life and ministry.
 | |
| Jenni Catron, Shelley Hendrix, Ashley Warren (Jenni's assistant) |
Jenni used one of my favorite passages of Scripture to open and end the topic:
Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message)
"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."
In this passage, what words stand out to you the most? I suggest reading it again, allowing your eyes to 'highlight' key words. This one verse is just chock-full of great truth!!
Jenni asked us all, "When you were about 4 or 5 years old, what did you want to be when you were all grown up?" And she got us thinking about the difference between childhood fantasy, and God's true dreams/ callings on our lives. It's an interesting walk down Memory Lane to see how God has taken dreams of our childhood and used many different sources (i.e. our experiences, family systems, circumstances, culture, etc) to develop our relationship with Him and even the call He has placed on our lives.
When I was four, I wanted to be a mommy when I grew up. When I was 14, I wanted to be a lawyer who would one day go into politics and then become the President of the United States...that phase didn't last long. Then I thought about marketing, teaching, translating, etc. And, as I now see who I am (in Christ) and the work I have been given, it's really amazing to see how the God of the Universe has taken so many bits and pieces of my life's story and has woven them into who I am today and what I do. It's also pretty exciting to see a glimpse into what He has in store.
What about you? What did you want to 'be' and how close is that to what you're experiencing today? Do tell! :-)
I especially want to hear from the ladies... if you're in leadership, were your leadership gifts affirmed as you were growing up? If so, how? If not, how has that impacted you?
I especially want to hear from the ladies... if you're in leadership, were your leadership gifts affirmed as you were growing up? If so, how? If not, how has that impacted you?
