Discover Your SHAPE
American pastor Rick Warren in his best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life encouraged people to discover their SHAPE, an acronym that stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart passions, natural Abilities, Personality type and life Experiences. All of these things define you as a person. The sooner you discover what those are, the sooner you can begin to pursue actions and make choices for your life that work in harmony with who you are, rather than being a square peg in a round hole and feeling frustrated, guilty and unfulfilled as a result.
At St George's we've taken this concept on board. We believe that each individual is uniquely gifted and called to serve as part of the Body of Christ – in ways that fit your SHAPE.
However, many of us struggle to discover the gifts, passions and abilities that God has given us, and so we remain at the margins with the uneasy feeling that we are not fulfilling our potential.
An individual SHAPE consultation may be a helpful step in discovering who you are and where you fit into the amazing multicolored mosaic of God's Kingdom.
What's involved? Basically, you contact the Chaplain to book a private consultation lasting approximately an hour. Through a series of open-ended questions, you are able to reflect on various aspects of your life, your personality and your faith journey. The Chaplain then summarizes these insights in a confidential report for your eyes only. In this way, you are able to consider recommendations for trying out new vocations or new areas of service.
Even those who have served God for many years may be surprised to discover new things about themselves and new areas where they would prefer to channel their energies – or perhaps old things they would like to stop doing, because it no longer fits their current SHAPE.
Many church members have been excited about discovering their SHAPE and then applying it in discipleship within the Body of Christ and within God's world. Perhaps a SHAPE consultation could be the next step in God's plan for you.
Contact: Rev Andrew Tweedy.