Acronyms, Anyone?

These are some of the acronyms I’ve learned while doing ministry…
Much has been the result of learning along the way, more often than not, unexpectedly.
Much has been inspired by the passion of others, even Protestant pastors…

ABC
Always Be Closing.
When preparing or giving homilies - ABC.
When given an assignment - ABC.
Upon being welcomed in the parish - always have an exit strategy.
Not because I want to be out of the parish.
But because I want my stay to be fruitful.
I would consider myself a failure if I will leave any place and any person without so much as making a dent.
For now, my strategy is simple - learn, graduate, teach.
I need to learn the ropes first, to understand everything and thereby graduating and then teach others what I have learned.
And then, I need to invite others to undergo the same process - learn, graduate teach.
Some are able to learn, graduate and teach but when it comes to passing it on, they just get bogged down at the 1st level - teaching others to learn.
I hope we will not be satisfied with the status quo.
Any teacher will consider himself/herself a failure if his/her students will remain in school forever.
A teacher’s pride is when a student graduates.
A teacher’s honor is when a student becomes a teacher also.
ABC. Always Be Closing.
When saying hello, start saying goodbye. That’s my exit strategy.
If ever I get to heaven, that will be the only time I won’t ever think of having an exit strategy.

LDP
Life Development Process.
This current learning is something I still need to continue digesting...
Life is a natural process of development, of growing.
That is a law of nature.
A thing will only stop growing if there are hindrances to its growth.
A thing that stops growing will be on its way to dying.
That law applies to ministry as well.
There are so many well-meaning, committed people in the parish.
People who went through the natural process of growing - being a child, dealing with adolescence, finding one’s place in the sun, raising a family.
People who went through the process of education - enrolling, studying, graduating, working.
Then it should be the same with ministry - developing people to learn, to grow, to do, to give.
Life development is a law of nature.
It is the law of God.
We should, as best as we can, follow that law.

SALT
The second is much like the 1st law of development.
School for Advanced Leadership Training.
Leaders are made not born.
Even if they were born leaders, talent still has to be honed, perfected.
Talent without training will be at the least directionless.
At least skills can be learned.
Growth in life is a natural law.
So it is in the growth of a servant leader.
It is the law of God.
We should, as best as we can, follow that law.

WORD
Wonder. Observe. Reflect. Do.
A step by step guide to praying a Bible passage.
Try it. It works.

YuPpies to YuMmies.
Young Professionals to Young Missionaries.
I have been blessed to journey with young adults.
They never fail to amaze me with their exuberance and zest for life.
They never fail to amaze me when their boundless energy is channeled to serving the Lord and others.
God’s challenge - invite them to from being yuppies to yummies.
Young Professionals to Young Missionaries.