Comments on: Do you have mad skillz or just mad?

By: holycow

holycow — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:52:12 +0000

@danielle I know plenty of designers with degrees who have missed their calling as accountants, tech support, etc.

Many of these so-called “design programs” are no more than classes on how to use Photoshop. They aren’t true art schools, they’re not teaching design and how to communicate with visuals.

A degree isn’t the proving grounds of whether or not you were designed to be a pastor, media director, graphic designer….you name it. The proof is the end result. Sure, sometimes the world will force a degree and is a necessary step in the process. But a degree doesn’t set the calling and giftings, God’s already taken care of that.

@flotsam Thanks…you’re right. I remember times of arguing with God that he wasn’t opening the doors for me to be on staff at 1 church…today I don’t know what I would do if I had to only work with 1 church. He always knows better…He sees so much bigger and more complete. I’ve learned not to force it, wait on God’s timing and let His ways prevail.

By: danielle

danielle — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:33:47 +0000

i think about this a lot. i truly feel that God has called me to ministry, and even more specifically, THIS ministry. i also have been fortunate to take classes her-and-there, and to learn from fellow designers. a lot of times, though, i feel inadequate because i don’t have a degree. i try to balance those feelings with the feelings of being called, but it’s difficult.

By: Flotsam

Flotsam — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:52:55 +0000

Words of wisdom, Michael. If I’ve made one mistake repeatedly in my life, it’s allowing myself to be placed into roles I wasn’t called to – both inside and outside of church. Each time, I rationalized my decision to take on the job by noting that it was an important task (it was), that SOMEBODY needed to do it (somebody did), I was capable of doing it (at least at a rudimentary level), I was secretly kind of honored to be asked (Hey! Look at me!), and I was willing to do it (or, usually just afraid to say NO), so, I guessed I was the person for the job (nope, wrong).

While I managed to muddle through, it never felt right, and always resulted in frustration and friction with other priorities. No sense of ministry or anointing, just a slog through to completion.

With my wife’s help, I’m leaning to say no (it’s early yet, but initial indications are that The World may survive and continue spinning even without my help!), and I’m working at remaining focused on those things I do know God has called me to.

The Blessed Bovine is right – it’s better this way.