New Vision of Faith Ministerial Institute NVOFMD101: Foundation for Ministry Minister Teresa Smith Elder Winifred M. Byrd

Atmosphere for Ministry Session 1

Session Objectives Students will be able to utilize and explain the covenant of presence. Students will create an safe and respectful atmosphere of learning through holy boundaries Students will develop effective speaking and listening skills through partnership activities.

Session Objectives Students will be able to develop and utilize self-reflection strategies to improve the performance and quality of ministry.

THIS IS HOW WE WILL CREATE HOLY BOUNDARIES THIS IS HOW WE WILL CREATE A LEARNING ATMOSPHERE THAT IS……….. RESPECTFUL CARING SAFE

HOLY BOUNDARIES COVENANT OF PRESENCE 2 MINUTE RULE WONDERFUL “W”’s

COVENANT OF PRESENCE

2 MINUTE RULE You want to master the ability to state your point or answer a question within 2 minutes. See Matthew 5:33 - 37 Key verse Matthew 5:37 Message Bible and King James Version

In making your speech sound more religious, 2 MINUTE RULE Matthew 5:35-37 - Message Bible You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say “yes” and “no”. When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

But let your communication be, 2 MINUTE RULE Matthew 5:37 - King James Version But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh from evil.

IT’S TIME FOR ELEVATOR CHAT

ELEVATOR CHAT WHERE (tell me where it happened) WHO(tell me who was involved) WHAT (tell me what happened) WHEN (tell me when it happened) WHY WITH BIBLICAL REFERENCE (support the experience or position with a biblical reference/Location of text & Content of text)

ELEVATOR CHAT A SENTENCE OR TWO WILL DO ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT IS BEING ASKED YOU ONLY HAVE TWO MINUTES YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TWO SENTENCES PER “W” WHEN THE TIMER STOPS, ITS YOUR PARTNERS TURN

Similar Situations BACK FENCE (neighbors) FAMILY REUNION (family) ELEVATOR CHAT (work/strangers)

WE’VE LEARNED THE BOUNDARIES FOR SPEAKING, LET’S TRY LISTENING!

ARE YOU REALLY LISTENING? Are you thinking about what you are going to say while the person is talking? Do you give the person a chance to make a complete sentence? Do you attempt to finish the person’s sentences? Can you repeat or relay back accurately what the speaker just said to you?

ARE YOU REALLY LISTENING? If you are a person that is most likely to talk or interject without any suggestion - in this class attempt to let other people speak first. In your prayer time, sit still for at least 5 minutes and meditate. This is a good time to practice your listening skills. One who practices the discipline of waiting to hear from God will become one who carefully waits and listens to others.

ARE YOU REALLY LISTENING? HOLY LISTENING This is the type of listening preferred for this class. You are giving the person your undivided attention and asking the Spirit to help you to clearly listen and understand the speaker. ACTIVE LISTENING This type of listening is good, but you are waiting for an opportunity to speak while the person is talking. We want to focus on our team member and make sure we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us also.

Cooperative Learning Dynamics SMALL GROUP You will work in a group of 4 to 6 of your peers on an assignment connected to the concept of the day. There will be a scribe, reporter, contributing reporter and time keeper These roles will change each time a group is formed PARTNERS You will work with one individual from your group on an assignment connected to the concept for the day

MINISTRY APPLICATION the Covenant of Presence in the ministry? How can we use the Covenant of Presence in the ministry?

MINISTRY APPLICATION How can we use Holy Listening in the ministry?

Reflection Close your eyes Take a deep breath. Exhale Take another deep breath. Exhale. Ask God to reveal to you what God’s purpose is for today. What do you want me to take from this experience. Ask God to speak to you. Tell God that you are listening. Take a moment to listen. Write down what you sense the Lord is saying to you.

Paul/Saul Paul What components of today’s experience was helpful to you? How were those components helpful to you? Saul What components of today’s experience need modifying to help improve your experience? How can we modify those components to help your experience?