Before I started this course I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. If someone had asked me what Christian Ministry was I would have mumbled something about vicars doing whatever it is that vicars do. And now? Now I can see that ministry is what all Christians are called to in one shape or form. It can take many forms, from teaching others about the faith, to leading by example in the way we carry out our daily life.

Doing the Christian Ministry course has not only challenged my assumptions about the nature of ministry it has also challenged the way I see myself and the roles I take on. Sometimes the material we have covered, such as anything on the Search for Significance, has been painful but I feel more rounded in my self as a result of having engaged fully with it. To get anything out of this course you really do have to immerse yourself in it. It is possible to skate along the top for a bit, but why miss out on all the personal learning? Why throw away that chance?

I think that one of the most important aspects of the course is the group you are in. 3 years ago I walked into the classroom for the first time and very nearly turned tail and walked straight back out. I couldn’t imagine ever being able to talk to any of the people in there, and especially not about anything personal. Now I’m finding it hard to imagine not walking into class and seeing them, or bumping into them on the street or in the bar. We are about to be scattered, and not just back to where we came from in this country. We’re going global.

We came together with different experiences, and are moving on to more different experiences. I just thank God for the experiences we have shared together.