Monday, June 25, 2012

What have you learned about yourself? What are your potential concerns/vulnerabilities and benefits?


A little over a month ago, I spent a week in deep reflection on my life and ministry.  I will write three blogs to speak to some of the things I've learned, in hopes that my friends will understand better who I am and where God is taking me


What have you learned about yourself?

A little over a month ago, I spent one week in deep reflection on my life and ministry.  As I took this time to think about at my personality, strengths, and weaknesses there was a lot to consider.  I am an optimistic person who loves life and loves to help others find true joy in their lives through knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ.  I am gregarious, optimistic, and I love to come up with new ideas and pursue new possibilities.
  Some of my personality weaknesses are that when I loose balance I tend to look at the world through “rose colored glasses.”  During these times I have difficulty dealing with pain and suffering.  I often will avoid dealing with unpleasantness and working through problems.  I also am more likely to connect with people on a more basic level and miss going deeper with them.
  The thing that really stood out to me as a massive fault and issue in my life can be seen in the above descriptions, but really came out as I studied my Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Indicator.  That study suggested that I respond to conflict by avoiding and ignoring it altogether or by competing to get my way regardless of the impact on others.  When I saw this problem laid out for me in black and white I was struck by the impact that has had on my life and ministry.  I have ignored far too many problems in my life and have not done the hard work of collaborating to create a culture of teamwork.  I have blamed those in authority over me for not bringing about that kind of culture, but have ignored my own culpability in pursuing what is right.

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