MIN-430 - Topic 5 - DQ 1 - a ministry leader's view of their personal identity

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Grand Canyon University *

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430

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Arts Humanities

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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MIN-430 TOPIC 5 – DQ 1 Sept 26, 2023 Elias Ruiz Professor and Classmates, According to our Topic 5 Overview, it explains that a Ministry Leader can lead from a secure identity in Christ, or they are leading while trying to establish an identity outside of Christ. (Grand Canyon University, 2020). A leader's view of their personal identity shapes every aspect of their life because identity is who we are. We can find our identity in a lot of things. But the truth of our identity comes from who we are in Christ. A very important concept as a minister is knowing my identity in Christ. The best way to find that out is by reading His Word, that’s where I can find out how He feels about me. My identity should not be based on a hope or a guess. His Word will let me know Him and know who He is making me be in Him. “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, 2001/2016, Ephesians 2:19). I have learned to live from a secure identity, and I am who I am. I am able to use my gifts and my capabilities without hiding my weaknesses. My identity is a set of physical, mental, emotional, social, and interpersonal characteristics that are unique to me. I view my personal identity as a minister that knows who he is in Christ, I know who I am by knowing whose I am, and realizing that God has given me specific gifts “We do not wish to stand in anyone’s way, nor do we wish to bring discredit on the ministry God has given us. Indeed, we want to prove ourselves genuine ministers of God” (2 Corinthians 6:3-4). As a Pastor I don’t want to stand in anyone’s way, or bring discredit to the ministry God has given me. This ministry is not something I achieved, but something thatI have received. The apostle Paul echoes what all of us are thinking: “We want to prove ourselves genuine ministers of God”. My approach to life and Ministry and my leadership is impacted by the Word of God. Paul tells the Ephesians to no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the "futility of their minds" and darkened understanding, but instead to "put off your old self" and "be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:17-23). Trusting God means we live our lives in Him according to the revelation of Himself given in Scripture, and not according to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-8). We are saturated with the world every day, and it is important to remember that even though our identity is in Christ, we are still influenced by the world. Spiritual disciplines are extremely important to a minister. Some of my Spiritual disciplines include Prayer, and fasting. I enjoy something I learned in one of my classes called ‘Lectio Divina’, a great way to Read and pray the Word, and allow God to speak to you through it. God wants us to talk to Him, and He wants us to talk to Him about everything. There isn’t anything that is hidden from God. There isn’t anything that surprises Him. Of course reading the Word, I have different versions of Billingual Bibles and I enjoy reading portions of the Word in English and in Spanish, to find the better meanings. Then there is worship; This is more than singing or playing an instrument. Find the best way tom connect with God, like a long quite walk in the park, appreciating nature and the skies and calling out to Him as you thank Him for everything around you. I also maintain a prayer journal where I write all the things that I am grateful for, and I look back to see where God has brought me from in the past. As Christians, we must develop our faith over time. Some spiritual disciplines help us become stronger in our faith. Unlike the spiritual gifts, which are provided to us by the Holy Spirit, spiritual disciplines are more like finely honed tools that aid us in our spiritual walks. Eli Ruiz

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