PIF Questions
A PIF is the tool churches can look at to see if I will be a good fit for their Church. A "dating profile" for a Pastor to marry the perfect Church if you will. These are the questions presented in that profile and my answers.
Describe a moment in your recent ministry that you recognize as one of success and fulfillment.
I believe firmly that we encounter God through the Spirit in our day-to-day lives. The Spirit assists us in creating community and providing love and support around each of us. This love and support were seen through the youth group in my previous call. In the course of a year and a half, with the help of adult youth advisors, the group grew from a core of 6 to a core of 15 students. The most beautiful part of this community, that I saw, was when the students started eating together without caring about who was in Middle School, who was in High School, who went to which school, or who knew whom before Youth Group. The students felt safe to ask hard questions and really explore their personal faith together.
I found this to be a moment of success and fulfillment because there were 23 students in the youth group and they found a foundation of love, support, and community within the congregation. Each week, I would see the students talking to different Advisors and laughing and connecting with adults who genuinely cared about them. This moment showed me that my instincts in connecting groups of people are good. The mission of the Church is to follow the path that Jesus has set before us and love other people as God loves us. Through intentionally supporting and growing the youth group, I believe the mission of the church was being upheld.
Describe the ministry setting to which you believe God is calling you.
I believe God is calling me to a ministry that has a small, deeply connected staff working together for the good of the ministry. A staff structure that is mostly horizontal, and relies on conversation, connection, and relationships to make decisions together. Overall, I believe I am called to a space that believes in the work of the body for the good of the church. As I believe that interpretation of the Word of God is a great responsibility that must be done with the guidance of God, for the benefit of all humanity, trust and community within a staff are fundamental to my next call. I take this responsibility seriously, and I would hope to hold that trust and respect within the congregation I am called to.
I feel very confident that I am being called to a ministry that is loving, supportive, and affirming in all ways. In being humans together in a community, I trust we would all be collectively called, by God, to constantly work toward justice, goodness, and a humble walk with God.
What areas of growth have you identified in yourself?
Often, humanity fails to meet Christ's example and fails to do God’s work in the world. I believe that the work of the church is never done, and there are always ways to grow and move forward.
I am working to grow in my communication and how best to present information, give feedback, and hear constructive feedback for the good of the church. This would absolutely be something I’d like to have many conversations about and work through expectations from both sides of how best to give/ receive feedback, opinions, and imaginative growth.
Additionally, an area of growth I see is the ability to put space between day-to-day tasks. In the world of digital life with media connecting us so effectively, I find it very possible to just sit and work all day instead of taking breaks and having a mental stretch. I want to grow in this area by allowing time and space between meetings and projects so that I am able to stretch, recenter, and truly shift my attention to the next thing to do on my list, so as to do the best work in each task.
Finally, I have identified the need for physical and mental health while working in ministry. I am committed to continuing to work out regularly and continuing in therapy. When I took a break from these practices, I recognized that I did not do my best work. When I am able to take care of myself mentally and physically I do better at work and in my personal life.
Describe a time when you have led change
In previous years, my former church has done a small slideshow for an Ash Wednesday service. People would show up, watch the slideshow through once, get their ashes, and head home. It had been this way for the 2 years the building was open. This year, I advocated for a full service for Ash Wednesday, and the youth were excited to help in worship leadership! This service was led by the youth group doing the readings and liturgy and I preached. We had deep discussions of the parts of worship, the purpose of Ash Wednesday, and the importance of leading in worship. They understood that The Word of God could be seen and felt through every aspect of the service, and it was important to take the responsibility seriously.
Overall, we still expected a small outcome, about 25 people came in previous years and that was the same expectation. There were 75 people at the service! I was so proud of the youth for being willing and able to lead and getting the word out to the congregation. Previously, the youth rarely helped in services and were a bit checked out as far as the life of the congregation was concerned. I consider it a “win” that not only was the service a success in terms of people who came to worship but also that the youth were well-equipped and invested in the leadership of the church.
