This presentation will begin to help you: to explore our own calling & intentionally plan how we can begin to fulfill our calling.

1. Session 5
Planning Your Calling
Dr. Charles Coker Phd. D.Min
Year 1 Undergraduates TH4911
Year 1 Graduates TH6927
Year 1 FdA TH4914
September Residential
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2. Objectives of this unit
• To develop a clear sense of our corporate purpose
and identity
• To develop our understanding of our own unique
purpose and gifting
• To provide empirical data to give us a ‘head start’ in
moving more deeply into God’s purposes for us
• To provide a structure in which to intentionally move
into God’s purposes for us
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3. Outline of Sessions
Session 1 Discovering our Purpose and Identity
Session 2 Seeing - DISC Profile
Session 3 Knowing – Hartman Profile
Session 4 Understanding – PIAV Profile
Session 5 Creating a Personal Development Plan
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4. Aims for this session
• To explore our own calling
• To intentionally plan how we can begin to fulfill our
calling
• Questions and Answers… (hopefully)
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5. Review
• We are God’s Icons (Genesis 1:26 – 27)
• We are asked to act like Him.
(Philippians 2:13)
• We are asked to fulfill His will and purpose.
(2 Thessalonians 1:11)
• We are asked to be His instruments of
Power. (Acts 8: 4 – 6)
• We are asked to do this with a mind and
heart of peace and order, not confusion.
(1 Corinthians 14: 33a)
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6. Review
• God has asked that we consider our unique
characteristics & appropriate them.
• Luke 14:28 – 30, counting the cost BEFORE we
start building and verses 31 -32 BEFORE we
make decisions/take action.
• Evaluation helps us expand our knowledge and
testing reduces trial and error.
• Our learning cycle is shortened, potential more
easily achieved and Kingdom role attained!
• If you are called to minister, you must count the
costs and be prepared!
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7. Your ministry
• Ministry means: “To contribute to the
service, care or aid for a period of time in
general or specific vocational functions for
other’s wants, or necessities.”
• Your ministry will change and look
different at different times of your life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says this: “There is a time
for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven.”
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8. Is a plan really necessary?
Here’s why you may struggle at first!
When complete, your ministry will have
focus, direction and greater success.
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9. The PDP Process
Part One – analyse your results. You have made a good
start this week already! This is not assessed but must be
included in your portfolio of evidence which is part of
your final submission.
Part Two – your PDP (750 words). Create SMART targets
and work on them for the next 7 months. Upload your
PDP onto THEO by November 14th.
Part Three – your reflection (1250 words). Write an essay
reflecting on the process of implementing your PDP.
Upload your final submission – your PDP, your reflections
and your portfolio of evidence – onto Theo in May 14th. 9

10. The Personal Development Plan
Summarise your strengths: Summarise your weaknesses:
A A
B B
C C
D D
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely
Personal Applications
Professional
Applications
Ministry Applications
Page 93 blank template
Page 94 sample PDP
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11. Creating a PDP
Creating SMART objectives:
Specific – what are you going to. Describe the goal.
Measurable – how will you know you have done it.
Achievable – you only have 7 months!
Relevant – to your ministry, calling or results.
Timely – when will you complete it or review it.
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12. Example of a SMART goal
High IS, Social, Individualistic and Aesthetic - Personal
(this could also be high traditional)
Specific
While I realise I have gifting in communication, encouragement and leadership I also realise
that frequently I tend to dominate conversations, display poor listening skills and react
spontaneously without thinking –often overwhelming to others. Therefore, I propose that I
develop and refine my listening skills and sensitivities to my spouse and close friends by being
more finely attuned to their needs through a greater degree of attentiveness.
Measurable
I will plan and schedule two specific types of “meetings” during the next three months. The
first will be a minimum of two sessions per month with my spouse where the primary focus is
on their life. During those sessions I will focus on (1) their work/career, (2) their walk with God
at that moment, and (3) at least one area where I could strengthen our relationship. The
second would be to join the next 12 week Bible study as a participant – NOT a leader.
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13. Example of a SMART goal
Achievable
My spouse and I are regularly out at least once a weekend together when we stop for a meal
or have a fair amount of time in the car. During two of those four weekends, I will devote that
time to listening to my spouse’s musings about work, God and our relationship. I will record
the notes in my diary. Additionally, during the 12 weeks of Bible Study I will keep a diary on
the other class members and record what I learn about each of them from the individual
sessions.
Relevant
I feel this is extremely relevant because it requires me to express the love I already feel for
others in a new and different way – much more objectively and measured. Since I am a highly
subjective individual this will help me develop new skills and be more attentive to the Holy
Spirit’s leading as I seek to serve Him and the Kingdom.
Timely
I will begin these exercises around the first week of October. I have chosen this time frame
because this is when the Bible study and holiday season begins. I know this time to be
especially stressful for my spouse and most people. I will be able to see, hear and identify
more issues during this time than I might normally. The perspective that I gather during the
last quarter of the year will enhance my ability to make New Year’s resolutions for my prayer
and spiritual growth in the upcoming year.
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14. What to look for in your results
• Look at your ministry style as seen in your
behaviour – how you prefer to communicate and
make decisions
• Look at your capacity for ministry by assessing your
skill set
• Look at the values that inform the decisions you
make and how you communicate with and manage
others and your ministry.
Look for common threads between these
sections to identify areas for development.
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15. Q&A
Over to you…
Lifethrive.com/business-team-development
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