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| About
Jim
"More
than anything else, what will enable us to not just survive,
but actually thrive in the world, the most critical thing
we can give our attention to, is to come to terms with our
calling. Each of us individually must come to peace about
what it is we are called to do. Nothing matters more
than this." -Gordon T. Smith
The
compelling vision that draws my life forward is for
all people to bring God pleasure by discovering their
divine design and living out their divinely-appointed
calling, in a manner that reflects a passionate commitment
to, connection with and contribution toward the beauty
and effectiveness of the Body of Christ.
This
vision was birthed out of a life-story featuring a
continual theme of exploration, seeking and searching
for a personal sense of identity. |
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I
experienced a general sense of identity when I met Christ
early in life, and yet as I grew, an ever-expanding hunger
to discover answers to a set of ever-present questions,
haunted me. "Who am I'?; What makes me unique?';
What am I motivated to be and do?'; 'Where will I find the
courage and where-with-all to move toward the answers to
these questions, once found?'; and above all, 'How does
being in relationship with this God of mine effect how I
would answer any of these questions?'
For
many years I sought answers by means of my own efforts,
using my own resources, and ingenuity. I experimented
with involvement in sports, focused on physical appearance
and especially the combination of intellectual and spiritual
depth. Through the process I learned a lot and could sound
knowledgeable and convincing, yet was no nearer real answers
to my life-questions then before! I made many foolish, selfish,
sinful choices along the way that hurt myself and others-all
in the pursuit of finding answers.
Yet
God (a fitting slogan for many, if not all, our lives) showed
himself active and alive in the midst of it all, waiting
for me to tire of my own devices, ready and willing to meet
me when I became broken.
I am
learning that my longed-for destiny is not to be found through
my accomplishments, driven as they often are by comparison
and competition with others. Instead, my long journey is
teaching me that the One who saved me so long ago is also
Who and What I desire most. And as I find my satisfaction
in Jesus Christ, I am discovering that he freely presents
me with the answers to those secondary questions I have
so long sought.
The
difference is that now I don't need to find my own answers,
rather, as I seek Him as my destiny in all his beauty and
worth, he reveals the wonder of his handiwork in me.
He knows that now, in a new if incomplete way, my
desire is for Him and not for what He can help me make my
life become. I have a new ability to wait for His
guidance and provision, even as the path takes any number
of unexpected, and painful, turns. I have Him, and I will
seek Him all the more and will trust that He will do justice
to His promises of making good flow from my life.
On
this journey, God has used the various roles and experiences
he has given to ready and equip me to be a good guide for
others as they journey toward Him.
The
following survey provides a taste of the experiential background
I could offer a fellow traveler:
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Jim
has been married to Regina for 31years and is father to
Rachel and Benjamin. Learning to serve, enjoy and
benefit from their distinctiveness has taught him more about
the creatively-loving handiwork of God then any other experience.
Jim
has been equipped as a Professional Life Coach
through the Christian track of the Institute of
Life Coach Training, the first Christian coach
training program, and one of a select number of programs
approved by the International Coach Federation,
Coaching's primary professional association. |
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As
a member of the Christian Coaches Network, Jim works
with a network of other Christian Life and Business Coaches
to provide personalized services to clients across the country.
(All network coaches are professionally trained and work under
a high standard Code of Ethics. Referrals may be made to another
coach if dictated by a clients needs-which is the primary
concern). |
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served as a pastoral intern at Willow
Creek Community Church focusing on the Network
Process authored by Bruce Bugbee, which equipped believers
in the largest congregation in the country to understand
who God made them to be in Christ and within which ministries
they might best serve.
Jim
also has directed a Ministry Consultant Team
using the S.H.A.P.E. process (Spiritual Gifts, Heart Passion,
Abilities and Availability, Personality and Experiences)
authored by Rick
Warren (Purpose- Driven Church/Purpose-Driven Life)
helping many motivated believers discover and implement
their passion in ministry.
Jim
served as Senior Career Consultant with
Right Management
Consultants, the leading Career Transition
and Organizational Consulting firm in the world, guiding
professionals from all walks of life in determining and
clarifying their Life Mission and values, integrating these
into a career path that honored these priorities in all
areas of their lives and assisting them in structuring comprehensive
job search tools and strategies to get them there. He is
familiar with a variety of personality and career-oriented
assessments, which can be used as tools to explore God's
intentional design in others.
He
received Master's degree training as a
Biblical Counselor from prolific authors
and psychologists Drs.
Larry Crabb and Dan
Allender, and has served as director of a church-based
counseling department in addition to being a Certified
Employee Assistance Professional (C.E.A.P.) supporting
many companies faced with a variety of issues that effect
employee performance, health and morale.
Ever
since earning a second Master's degree in Theology
and Pastoral Studies, Jim has applied his inquiring
mind to searching and understanding both biblical truth
and its relevant application to our culture at large. He
is a voracious reader and life-long learner, who brings
a solid biblical worldview to his interactions with those
he serves.
Additionally,
he has taught, preached, facilitated and composed a variety
of classes, sermons, workshops, and growth groups on a number
of subjects, thereby sharpening his communicational abilities.
(How Coaching Works)
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