Leadership Tips & Training A Graduation Ceremony

Last evening I had the wonderful privilege of observing a graduation ceremony. Now it was not your typical graduation ceremony. It was a Christian Women’s Job Corp graduation. The Christian Women’s Job Corp is a program that trains women in computer skills, life skills, nutrition, and Bible study.

It is like First Place with a twist! Each of the ladies had participated in a 10-week program with the goal of developing and growing emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I sat in my pew mesmerized, listening to each lady give a testimony of how their lives were without hope, depressed, helpless, and then how God had miraculously guided them into the program. Each of their lives had been dramatically changed. They each gave thanks first to the Lord and then to all the volunteers who had mentored them, taught them and prayed for them. It was a blessing to behold! It was not only a blessing, but also a reminder of the influence we can have when we pour others.

Philippians 2: 5-7 says, “Have this attitude yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus although He existed in the form of God, regard equality with God a thing to emptied Himself, taking the form of a and being made in the likeness of men.” Christ literally gave His life for all of mankind, himself, so that others’ lives would be changed. This graduation experience me of the life-changing effect First Place who participate in this program. However, only be changed to the extent that leaders and available to pour their lives into those leads to their class.

This Christmas, my prayer for all First is that they will be willing to give of themselves impact the lives of their members. May willingly step out of their comfortable available to pour their lives into their need to be loved in word, truth and deed. (1 John 3:18) Merry Christmas and remember of life—yours.

Nancy Taylor
Leadership Training Director


 
Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.