Apprentice

It occurred to me recently that I haven’t posted about my MAP Meetings with Peter in a while. Sorry. I forgot. The meetings are still going well but writing about them is basically just re-writing the notes that are already going into my MAP Journal so it’s not very productive. So unless anything unusual or special comes up at the meetings I’ll be leaving those updates out from now on.

With that said, lately Peter and I have been discussing my upcoming graduation from the IBI and what I could do afterwards. I don’t think going straight to seminary would be a good idea, and to be honest I’m still seeking God’s will on the whole ordained ministry thing. I do know that I am a man of books - it’s just like me to stick my head in a book, learn the facts, have the “right answers” and still not even know my neighbour’s name. I know that’s the way I’m inclined so I have to take measures against that. So I’m hoping to go into some sort of missionary work to get me to step out of the boat and get out there working with people. This is something that I absolutely love doing but I do need to push myself out of my natural comfort zone - books, classrooms, lectures, etc. - to do it.

I’m looking into a few different options. One of the major problems is that I need a job but all that’s available seems to be volunteer work. That sounds very materialistic but I don’t have a lot of funds and my support base (my church) is too small to support a year of volunteer work.

I’m looking at PCI’s SWIM scheme which is voluntary but accommodation and ministry expenses are provided as well as £50 a week and it does look very good. I’d get to work with a church for a year. I’m going to ask around to see if I could afford this but I’ve already started filling out the application form.