Au Revoir, Irish Bible Institute

I'm slap down in the middle now of a what I'm sure could be considered a big week.

Last Sunday, I officially graduated the Certificate of Applied Theology from IBI.  Here's a picture of me and my new certificate in what appears to be a Hogwarts dress uniform.

While I'm not a big fan of formal occasions (particularly when it's my formal occasions) and due to bad planning came particularly underdressed for this particular occasion, and had a cold, I really enjoyed the afternoon. It was a great opportunity to catch up with my friends from the college and let my parents and friends get a glimpse of the IBI world.

I'm going to miss college life this year but have found the odd random excuse to give it a visit. With my certificate, I got membership to the alumni society, Cairde (apparently, friends in Irish) and with that, conintued membership of the library which should prove useful. Two of my friends, Paul and Paddy have started in the college recently and I couldn't be more excited for them. They stand to gain a lot including an increased understanding and appreciation of their faith, a great opportunity to develop in their own walk with Jesus and an invitation to a great community of  believers.

Goodbye for now, IBI. See you when I continue on to the diploma.

I was going to write something else in this post, but since this is getting long, that can get its own post.

Fork in the road.

It's been a while since I posted so I figured another one was in order.

Honestly, I'm current procrastinating from a college essay that's due on Wednesday. If anyone has any input about the Life, Teaching and Legacy of Martin Luther, let me know.

My head's been in a place lately thats making it hard to focus of study. I've been debating in my head about what I should be doing next year (as in after the Summer).
On one hand, I can follow the plan I've had for a while and continue in IBI and finish the diploma, while continuing to work with Gap.
On the other hand, I could train specifically for youth ministry, which would involve most likely a move overseas but would provide immense experience and opportunity to
grow.

What I do know is that every week, I'm more sure about my calling in youth work and am figuring out more what that's supposed to look like for me in terms of how I work best and what I can do. I want to be as best prepared to do this work as I can but at the same time, I'm very excited about what the future has in store for Gap and the challenges that we will face and feel like I'm important in those plans.

I'm really stuck on this. I'm wondering whether God had one particular way he wants me to go or whether boths ways could be right in some way.
I'm wondering whether God is going to give me some kind of obvious sign or whether he want me to use wisdom.
:I

ministry

Ok, it's 03:28am. You should know that I'm a night owl. My creative juices are on full blast once it's been dark a couple of hours. It's not healthy and I probably don't have the best sleep pattern, but that just the way it is and why I'm updating my blog in the middle of the night.

I've got big stuff happening at the moment. My dream since the beginning of sixth year (when my Christian walk really got going) has been to work full-time in Christian ministry and I think now I'm starting to realise how focused my life is in that direction.
As many of you guys will have heard by now, I'm doing an apprenticeship in City Gates for this year. What this means is this: I'll be continuing my work in Gap while also increasing it and developing it further; I'll be working under my pastor, Paul Dempsey and regularly meeting him to review, study, etc and also I'm for the first-time being paid for my ministry.

This doesn't mean I can quit my part-time job (not being paid that much) but it does mean that I work only one day a week in Zumo and dedicate the rest of my time to college and ministry,

Also, I'm back at college this week. I'm still studying for my Applied Theology Certificate part-time in IBI, so I'm in there every Wednesday. Really looking forward to going back. For the next few months, I'm studying Bible Theology and Bible Interpretation which are both foundational for my study, my ministry and my personal understanding.

I'm got some ideas for how I'd like to develop the ministry I'm working with, but I'll reserve posting about them until they're a bit better thought out.

Long Due Update

Ok, so after my blog enthusiasm in April, I've been kinda lacking in the post front. I flakingly promise to post more, but for now here's a quick update on myself.

As many of you know, I've been applying for an aprenticeship in Grosvenor Baptist Chruch. The last month I've been engulfed in a tension between whether I'd be staying on in City Gates or starting something new in Grosvenor. I got the answer yesterday morning. I'm going to continuing in City Gates. Honestly, I feel great about this result. Doing an apprenticeship would have been great but my work in City Gates has really been building up to now.

In the last week, the Gap leadership team have realised much more what we're facing in the future when the Gasons leave their position. We're going to have to depend on and trust each other more then we ever have. I've always felt like in some ways an outsider and I've kinda embraced that identity in most areas of my life. Maybe now is the time that that has to end.

We're facing a time when none of what we do, we can do on our strength. We have to follow God very, very closely. If you're reading this, please pray for myself and the rest of the leadership in both Gap and City Gates generally. We need wisdom, peace and guidance. I am however very, very hopeful. This is going to be a good stage for me personally and for Gap. I don't know what qualifies me to say that but I believe it.

I'm finished my first year in IBI (so I'm halfway through the certificate) and happy with my results. (A in New Testament - Boo yeah!!!) I've been surounded by a great group of people in both my class and faculty. I've never looked forward to Tuesdays so much.

Tomorrow morning is Alex and Linda Sunday in City Gates where we'll get an opportunity to share our gratitude with the Gasons for the last three years. I'll post a but more about that in the next few days.

Up to Date

I let my blogging grow stagnant.
So, quick update time:

- I'm now in my second semester of IBI (which has a brand spanking new site)
- I'm still working at Zumo (which has a brand spanking new site)
- I'm planning on applying for a ministry internship or MTS in Grovsnor Baptist Church this autumn (not branding spanking new sites, but I hear they may soon be)

Well, that's really the update. I know not that interesting or
infomative but I'll try harder next time.

Now's the interesting part:

This Sunday night , there will be an alternative communion service presented by 3Rock. The alternative element is that is comprised of U2 songs. (If you want to see how I feel about U2 songs see my post on Elevation. Here's the poster and link.

I will most certainly be there.