I Have Homework
A couple days ago I received in my email a LOAD of homework. And I couldn’t be more excited.
No, I haven’t enrolled in college. And I’m not taking a Kay Arthur class. Rather, it’s because I’m only three months away from going through a LifePlan process that I’ve been looking forward to for a few years. You might be asking, “What is a LifePlan?”
The LifePlan™ experience is a one-on-one, two-day intensive. Designed by Tom Paterson, LifePlanning is a proven, spiritually and behaviorally sound process designed to help you discover your unique design, clarify your life mission, and apply your discoveries to your personal, family, vocation, church and community life domains.
My facilitator is Doug Slaybaugh, a man I respect and have known for many years. We will be walking this journey together in June. I’d appreciate your prayers as we work on a custom-tailored master plan that will define my total-life strategy.
You might be asking why I’m doing this. Am I feeling restless? No. Am I tired of what I’m doing? Not at all. Am I trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up? Nope. Am I becoming senile and starting to ask myself too many questions? Probably.
Here’s the deal: I’m 43 years old. That means I’ve been an adult for 25-years. In those 25 years I married an amazing woman, had four tremendous kids, worked at a great organization for 9 years and have served at Granger for the past 16 years. I’ve written four books, traveled the world, and taught workshops to thousands of church leaders. It’s been a great run.
I want to make sure my next 25-years are just as awesome. I want to be laser-focused on how I can best impact the kingdom. I have no intention of changing jobs or moving locations–I just want to leverage everything God has given me to maximize this next chapter of my life.
And that is why I’m excited about the homework I just received!
Leave me a comment if you’d pray that God would prepare me for my LifePlan journey.
Posted by Tim Stevens | 13 comments
kpalmer71
It is my prayer that God would prepare you for this time of reflection and planning. May he show you the way he would have you go.
Blessings!
Travis
Tim,
It is awesome that you are working to ensure that you are having the maximum impact for the kingdom going forward. I pray that God would honor that desire and help put people and experiences in your life that will bring you that clarification and discernment. I would humbly ask that you and all of your readers would do the same for me. After seven years in ministry, I find myself at a crossroads. God has a plan; I just need patience as it unfolds.
Blessings, and thanks for all you do!
Randy
Tim,
I did my life plan with Dan Webster who is also a Paterson facilitator. It was 3 years ago @ age 43 and it has given me greater focus. I know this is going to be great for you! I also have 4 kids, a blog @ i2ileadership.org, and have served on a church staff for 15 years. I recommend a short little book, "Let Your Life Speak" by Parker Palmer before you do the plan.
Thanks for all you do to encourage leaders!
Randy
Tim Barnes
Tim,
Excited about what God is going to show you! Will keep it on my calendar to pray for you especially during June. Know that God has given you a great ability to coach and encourage others and that He will continue to use you!!
Gary Molander
Even though we've never met, you've always struck me as a learner – in the truest sense of the word. The early 40's are a magical time for many of us, and I have a feeling that everything you've experienced so far is setting you up for the second half. Can't wait to hear stories of what God reveals to you, and of what He accomplishes through you.
Josh
Praying for you Tim. We need your leadership & focus for the Kingdom & XP's
Greg
I will be praying for you Tim!
Dana Metzger
That is awesome. I want to do it.
We'll pray for you and Doug.
Thanks for touching on the Rob Bell stuff.
jason
I'll be praying! I can't begin to quantify all the ways that I've benefitted from your wisdom and example, Tim. Excited to see the fresh, fruit-bearing clarity that this experience will bring for you and for those of us who are following your lead.
Where are you Pointed? | MaxiMeyer.com
[...] To take this even further, a friend of mine Tim Stevens is taking some great, intentional steps of his own you can read about here. [...]
Samihalik
Tim I wish we all could join you. That sounds like a very benefical class for everyone to take. And, with the passion you expressed for the future of your ministry I am sure that the experience will bare fruit that will affect all of our ministries as well. I will be grateful for the chance to lift your up in prayer now and throughout the month of June.
It is marked on my calendar.
Life is Short – LeadingSmart
[...] into my time with them? That’s what I’m reflecting on today. And as I get ready for a week of Life Planning, the relationships that are closest to me are on my mind. This entry was written by Tim [...]
I Ain’t Leaving – LeadingSmart
[...] months ago I wrote about how excited I was about a LifePlan process I would be doing in June. I spent last week in [...]