HUMAN AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT
God’s salvation is comprehensive. His glorious work of redemption in Christ far exceeds any system or box we try to frame it in—it accomplishes “far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). The higher morality of the gospel, which should be the hermeneutical locus of our witness, is the Word that became flesh (Jn 1:14). Jesus was not simply interested in telling self-contained stories about the kingdom, rather he demonstrated that the kingdom had arrived in very practical ways. In other words, his kingdom perspective awakened faith and brought wholeness.
If our understanding of the Gospel is too narrow, then we limit the ways that God can use us in His Kingdom. Human & Personal Development and Management is about viewing the individual person through God’s eyes, as body-soul wholes created to live in wholesome community. Thus it is the responsibility of the church to minister to every dimension of human need, and to seek wholeness at every level of society—individuals, families, communities, nations, and the global human family. This is called holistic ministry and must necessarily value every person as a unique and marvellous creation, bought by Christ and destined for eternity. Because of the Spirit’s power to make all things new, a transformational perspective sees persons in terms of their potential rather than their problems. It recognizes that we are all on a journey of transformation together, “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18).
The Critical Personal Challenge
Have you been asking yourself these questions regularly: “How can I get control of my time and my life? How can I achieve maximum success in my career and still achieve balance in my relationships and my personal life? How can I have it all and still be happy and fulfilled? Why are some people more successful and effective than others?” You can be rest assured that in today’s world, you are definitely not alone! We are living today in perhaps the best time in human history. There have never been more opportunities and possibilities for people to accomplish more of their goals. The explosion of knowledge and technology in the last few years, combined with increasing intensity of competition in all fields, has accelerated the rate of change. More and more, you have too much to do and too little time. You may be working harder today than ever before, yet you are getting less and less satisfaction and enjoyment from what you do. The major choice today is between the good, better, and best activities and decision about time. How then do you converge the synergy of focus, goal setting, time management and strategic planning to leverage personal presence, persona, and power for significance in life and living? These are the issues addressed in these modules.
Coming to Terms with Personal Development and Management
The core concept of Personal Development and Management is to provide answers on how to achieve success without sacrificing a balanced and happy life. Knowing where to center your attention in each part of your life is the critical determinant of everything you accomplish. This center of attention is your“X” factor of success, achievement, and happiness in life and of everything you accomplish. It is about knowing the one thing you can do in that area, at any given moment, to get the best result possible. Your ability to choose the correct time, place and activity to place your “X” on has a greater impact on your life than any other factor. Personal Development and Management will teach you how to focus on what really matters to produce the results that really count. This is not some pep-talk “you can do it” module; it is the real step-by-step stuff.
How Can You Learn to Simplify Your Life and Achieve All Your Goals?
All great truths are simple. The Power of Personal Development and Management is that it teaches you a series of timeless truths that have been discovered and rediscovered by effective, happy people throughout the ages. You learn a new way of thinking about yourself and your world. You learn how to answer the question, “What do I really want to do with my life?” Essentially, there are only four different things you can do to improve the quality of your life and work:
MODULE 1: FOCUSED LIVING
How to Achieve Enduring Personal and Career Success
Why take focused living?
We live in the age of change! Local churches need attenders and leaders who understand the times in which they live, and know how to lead God’s church forward. The Focused Living personal development process helps individuals become intentional in their development and focused in their living.
Focused living is the result of looking through three lenses:
- The lens of the PAST (Perspective - Personal Time-Line)
- The lens of the FUTURE (Focus - Personal Calling Statement)
- The lens of your PRESENT RESOURCES (Mentoring - Personal Mentors)
Focused Living is a personal development process designed to help believers bring strategic focus to their life and ministry. Divided into three parts, focus is obtained by examining the past (Perspective—Personal Time-Line), clarifying the future (Focus—Personal Mission Statement) and identifying present resources that will facilitate future growth and effectiveness (Mentoring—Personal Mentors).
Personal Time-Line (PERSPECTIVE)
This is one of the most important exercises an individual might undertake as a believer. Today, more than ever, believers are searching for ways to recognize the hand of God at work in their lives. To know the God of the universe is personally involved in their lives brings hope and helps individuals persevere through the turbulent days in which they live. This module will help participants develop a big-picture overview of their individual lives. It will help them develop a chronological portrayal of their development, highlighting those critical incidents and circumstances that God has used to shape life and purpose.
Personal Mission Statement (FOCUS)
A personal mission statement is an individual’s best understanding to date of God’s unique process and work in his or her life. The key to developing an effective mission statement is to understand how God has been at work in one’s life in the past, and then to develop statement that becomes a dynamic guide for the future. This module embodies a 4-step process that 1) asks the believer what God taught from His word— Foundational; 2) how God has shaped the believer in the past—Reflective; 3) what is God calling him/her to accomplish—Strategic; and 4) how the believer plans to accomplish his/her personal mission.
Personal Mentors (MENTORING)
Are you looking for a person who can provide perspective and wisdom, or offer you guidance and resources, as you seek to grow and develop into the person God intends?
Do you desire to help others grow and achieve a level of effectiveness that they have yet to experience? This module could make the difference in your life and the lives of others. Mentoring links people to the resources of others, empowering them for greater personal growth and ministry effectiveness. The module has been designed as a self-discovery tool that will help you better understand the concept of mentoring, and help you find personal mentors.