A Biblical and Theological Framework for Life Application, Stating Present Theological and Philosophical Positions, Based on Literature, Most Significant Life and Spiritual Experiences, and Leadership Influences

The goal of this paper was to arrive at a lucid understanding and articulation of my life and ministry philosophy. The method of arriving at this philosophy was by a careful review and combining of some of the major events, influential people, and books that have shaped who I am as a person and as a minister of the Gospel. This exercise has provided wondrous discovery and has helped this sixty-eight-year-old kid cry, “Ah, now we’re getting somewhere!”
Given that this is a privilege provided so few, especially working ministers in the field, I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity of articulating a Philosophy of Life and Ministry within the context of a Bakke Graduate University (BGU) Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership (MATL) program. During my studies at BGU, the eight Transformational Leadership Perspectives have consistently prompted me to critically assess the influence of both my academic and life experience on my theology, spirituality, and ministry. This has been an immensely rewarding exercise, both affirming long-held principles and suggesting new areas for growth. These perspectives have also allowed me to go about the ongoing work of synthesizing these disparate strands into an integrated life and ministry philosophy. This, in turn, has become an invaluable organizing principle as I go about the work of developing and executing ministerial strategies in light of these reflections.