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This morning I woke up earlier than Thursday, Friday or Saturday. I laid in bed for quite awhile, spending some time in prayer. There was a lot to do. This is the last day of the Intensive – the day of the Oral Panels. Also, since we were checking out at Noon, I needed to have my bags packed before class while leaving my “interview outfit” out too. After showering and starting to get everything together I got a text message from Valerie (my classmate next door), it read, “We have snow!!!”

I opened the drapes and looking out the window I saw:

The snow was coming down pretty hard. There had been a couple inches over night.

Since we were closing the Intensive at 5pm, there weren’t as many presentations. There other thing different today was that throughout the day people were leaving for their interviews. Mine was the last one of the day at 3pm.

The presentations that were offered today was:

Leadership / Teaching Adults – Rev. Mel Minarik

Rev. Mel offered us insights in how adults learn. Using an ‘Active Learning Model’, we as instructors can help the adults in our classes learn more.

Consciousness in Ministry – Rev. Dr. Sandy Jacob

Dr. Sandy gave us an opportunity to ask ourselves and discuss what we believe about consciousness in ministry. We discussed questions like: How do you imagine your life would change with the title, Rev. in front of your name? What things do you believe would prevent burnout? This and other questions encouraged a lively discussion.

Communication Styles – Rev. Betsy Haas

Rev. Betsy shared tools that we can use to communicate with the four different communication types/styles. Understanding the different styles allows us to more effectively get our message across to others who might have a different style than ours.

My interview was in the middle of the Communication Styles presentation. I made my way down to the room I was to report to for my interview. I was about 10 minutes early – so I paced back and forth – speaking an affirmative prayer and reminding myself to breath. I was nervous because I wanted to do my best. Other than that, I realized that I already knew what I needed for the interview. One thing that I had told myself as well was that the panelists were interested in me and my intentions for ministry and who knew that better than me? They were wanting to speak with me, not to judge me but to confirm whether or not there is a match between my calling for ministry and the organization with which they are entrusted. I understood that there not passing me was not a judgment of who I am as a person.

My panelists were Rev. Dr. Arleen Bump, Rev. Dr. Pat Campbell, and Rev. Christine Jeffers. After their asking me to give a treatment for our interview. I was asked a few questions – the first which was, “What is your intention for your ministry?” I was feeling pretty good until I got asked the question which I answered incorrectly on the written examination. “Could you please explain deductive and inductive reasoning?”

I went BLANK!!

This was a question I remember studying for on the written exam. The problem was that I would keep mixing them up. I began babbling… my heart started pounding and I sat there for a moment and the thought went through my head. “Oh my god, I’m going to flunk this for a simple question like this!” I then got mad – “I did not come here to fail and especially not over a question like that!” I still didn’t have an answer – but I came clean with the panel. “I have to apologize but I’m fumbling now. I know the answer but I don’t have the words to give you.” After them asking a couple of other related questions which brought me around to answering question in a different way (such kindness). Dr. Pat and Rev. Christine gave me a gift – something I will NEVER forget… when you are thinking “deductive” think DEITY (Universal to Personal) and “inductive” think INQUIRY (if this is true, then that is true…). I will never forget this ever again.

The closing finally came about. Dr. Arleen offered a closing treatment. Dr. Maureen passed out sealed envelopes that had our names on them. We were told to open them after leaving the room – if we needed to come back and speak with any of our instructors they would be there for awhile.

I rushed out into the hall pretty quick. I made my way to a table, putting my computer bag down and I opened the envelope. I read, “We extend our congratulations…” I began to cry. I couldn’t read any more. This journey has been a long one. Spirit bringing it all together at times I didn’t even know it was being brought about.

I know that this is just the beginning, but that is the life way isn’t it – we take one step and then another and before we know it we have made quite a journey. I realize there are more steps for me to take…today was one of steps. Many more to come. I am grateful for the journey and for all those who have joined me along the way.

Another great day today! Our AM Presenters and topics were:

Rev. Christine Jeffers – Practitioners

In this session, Rev. Christine sharing from her experience discussed with us the importance of building a basis of trust in our relationships with Practitioners. Ministers need to clearly set the standard – operating as an example as well as clearly communication that standard. The greatest gift ministers offer their Practitioners is their own consciousness as a Practitioner – seeing them in their wholeness and potential.

Rev. Dr. Arleen Rose Bump – Communications: Teaching, Speaking and Working with Boards

Dr. Arleen shared her wisdom and experience with us. She gave us some parameters to clearly communicate with your leadership team and Board of Trustees. We were given some examples of policies that is used at her spiritual community that guides their nomination and selection of their Board. Communication is key!

Rev. Dr. Sheila Anderson – Beyond Sunday – Administrative Delegation

After Dr. Sheila finished – I was clear on how much I do not know regarding the standard operating procedures at the center I attend. We listed on an easel boards over 45 different processes that happen at most centers – the questions she asked us opened our eyes how as ministers, if we do not want to be doing  every single thing at our centers (which wouldn’t be possible) then there needs to be documented processes. One example – how could you ever hire an admin asst. if you didn’t know what they needed to do.

After lunch:

Rev. Dr. Tom Sannar – Holmes

Dr. Tom shared from his research where Ernest Holmes developed his teaching that we call Religious Science. We heard stories of Holmes as well as ideas that Dr. Holmes was working with near the end of his life. This was a fascinating presentation.

Rev. Patrick Cameron – 21st Century Leadership

Rev. Patrick gave a thorough presentation on qualities and values a 21st century leader need to remove any roadblocks to the growth of our spiritual communities. Sharing from his personal experience and reflections as the Senior Minister of Centre for Spiritual Living – Edmondton.

Evening presentations:

Rev. Eileen Brownell – Speaking and Teaching

This presentation by Rev. Eileen was very hands on and interactive. She tried fitting an eight hour workshop in the 90 min. She shared with us and helped us for ourselves techniques for effectively communicating in our Sunday talks and there was a lot of material for teaching Science of Mind classes.

Rev. Keith Cox – Youth and Young Adults

We were inspired by Rev. Keith on the value of youth in our spiritual communities, our movement and in our ministries. The youth of New Thought, “refuse to accept NO from the Universe”. They “live this teaching from the inside out.”

Tomorrow, Sunday at 3pm is when I will have my oral panel. That will be the last day of the intensive.

This morning started early again – this time though it was to make a pilgrimage to the Starbuck’s. Valerie Reeves, one of my classmates who happens to be in the room next to mine besides having a love for coffee also knows the lay of the land. If I want to know where anything is at I know I can ask Valerie. We trekked down to the closest Starbuck’s and got our caffeine fix – while spending some time together sharing our future visions for ministry and life.

The day was pretty packed. Each of the presenters covered a different subject. In the morning, we had Rev. Gregory Toole presenting “Education” and Judy Morley, RScP presenting “Marketing”. Both of them come from UCSL and offered some additional perspectives especially on the integration of the two organizations and the branding of “Centers for Spiritual Living”.

Lunchtime was busy for me. I ran down to a camera shop looking for an inexpensive camera since mine is not working well at all. I ended up getting one at a discount – which turned out well. So as I figure it out I’m going to be adding some more pictures of the Intensive and also the Gathering next week.

In the afternoon we had a presentation on “Ethics” by Rev. Bob Luckin. Rev. Bob is also an artist – some of work can be seen at http://luckinart.com/ . Taking us right up to dinner was Rev. Dr. James Lockard speaking on “Growth and Development”.

For dinner, a whole group of us went down to the hotel restaurant, “1876”. The table had so many cross conversations – it was hard to keep up. It was amazing to see all the energy we still had even after already a full day of presentations.

As we were making out way back to the conference room after dinner, I ran into someone that I had not expected to see – Stephen Bartlett, my roommate! He finally made it to Denver from New Jersey. He made it just in time for the evening presentations which covered “Taking Over a Struggling Work” (Rev. Dr. Pat Campbell) and “Sponsorship” (Rev. Virginia Barnes).

It was another full day. A lot to digest. Here this evening on the way back to the room thinking about all that was given to us – I felt a little overwhelmed. It brought me to prayer:

I release any sense of anxiety or stress over the process. I know that Spirit has brought me this far and knowing that I am in the right place at the right time and that this is the perfect unfoldment of my ministry – all of the steps needed are already taken and done in the Mind of God. There is no resistance in Spirit and there is none in me to the process – the way is easy and light. It is filled with joyful expectation of Spirit’s bringing everything together in Divine Right Order. It is all good – within and without – here and now. And so it is.

Off to bed now to rest up for another 12 hour day…Stephen didn’t tell me he snores!