Communication Value
DTS values contextualized, effective communication of biblical and theological truth by a variety of means for personal and corporate transformation.
Personal Goal:
I will develop my communication skills outside of the classroom by teaching, leading corporate prayer, and participating in our church podcast.
Strategies
• speak with my leadership about teaching and speaking opportunities
• seek the Lord’s guidance in preparation and selecting topics
• write, study, and prepare to speak with excellence and clarity
Resources
• personal study and guidance from the Lord
• feedback from the Senior Pastor and leadership, as well as participants in my classes as to how I can improve in the future.
Measurements
• 3 completed public speaking events before April 2024
Artifacts
• Photos of me teaching
• Videos of podcast recordings
Preparing to speak at Girl’s Weekend in October 2023.
Breakout topic: Selfish Grace
Speaking at 24 Hours of Praise, March 2024
Topic: Psalm 63
The Point Podcast, August 2023
Topic: The Different Views of Revelation
The Point Podcast, October 2023
Topic: Eschatology and Theological Triage
Ministry Goal:
I will work with the Lead Pastor developing a New Testament Workshop class to be taught to our congregation by March, 2024.
Strategies
• gather materials from past messages
• meet with Lead Pastor to plan teaching flow and necessary materials
• create workbooks, maps, charts, timelines, etc.
• create slides and presentation materials
Resources
• past Dust to Glory messages
• meeting with Pastor / other teachers to determine best flow and class needs
• technology tools: Photoshop, ProPresenter 7, Procreate
Measurements
• meet with Pastor for preliminary planning by August 31, 2023
• create workbooks and slides, participate in full runthrough by October 23, 2023
• first focus group scheduled for November 13, 2023
• make necessary changes, schedule church wide class, and promote by December 31, 2023
• full class takes place in first quarter of 2024
Artifacts
• Class workbook
• Class slides including original teaching graphics
View full participant workbook with notes, teaching outlines, and maps.
Original Graphic: New Testament Timeline
I have included 2 parts of 7; total slides were nearly 900 including maps, timelines, graphics, and photos.
Original Graphic: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
Overall Reflection Statement:
For my competence in communication I am submitting photo and video documentation of multiple teaching engagements outside of my usual classroom setting, including a women’s conference, corporate prayer meetings, and our church podcast, which I spoke on 3 times this year. I am also submitting evidence of the great undertaking of developing a New Testament Workshop class, with all original graphics, workbooks, and maps, which was eventually taught to two groups of pastors as well as members of our congregation. Through speaking and this project, I have reaffirmed my love for biblical literacy and teaching the Word of God with passion and conviction. I have also refined my preparation process and grown greatly in my public speaking confidence
Learning Reflection Statement:
As I developed and demonstrated communication, I learned how to prepare more efficiently and not to rely so much on the crutch of a manuscript or notes, but on my own confidence in my life experiences, knowledge, and communication abilities. This creates for a much more authentic expression of my beliefs and thoughts, and allows me to better connect with my audience. I also learned efficiency and communication skills by collaborating with my lead pastor for the New Testament Workshop, completing a large amount of material in such a short time and seeing it all the way through fruition, taking feedback and making changes as necessary in order to reach a product and a class which has already touched hundreds of lives.
Lifelong Development Statement:
As a result of the experiences documented by these artifacts, I will continue to develop in communication by looking for more opportunities to speak and write curriculum. I have overcome most of my nerves when speaking publicly, but if I do not continue to exercise this muscle it may atrophy, and I pray that I only become more effective and comfortable when teaching or publicly discussing spiritual truths. I will also seek other ministries which I could benefit by streamlining curriculum content or offering graphic assistance to enhance the material.