What’s your favorite networking story?

It’s about ministry.

My speaking, my facilitation, my writing all ignite my passion when I’m able to use those gifts in ministry-related settings. When I can incorporate faith-based principles into content, when I can pray with groups about their direction and purpose and use Scripture to encourage people – those are the times when I’m most alive!

That may be all I know for sure at the moment.

It’s scary because the mere suggestion that I want to work with churches, ministry organizations and Christ followers who are business owners/business professionals has the potential to alienate me from a lot of great folks I’ve met and worked with in the last two years. Nonetheless, I know this is where I’m heading. My whole life has been moving towards this.

I still have a ton of questions like:

• What specific areas of work make the most sense for me?
• How do I balance my desire to serve with my desire to contribute to my family?
• With a finite amount of time available, how do I spend my time wisely in order to get the best possible return – from a kingdom perspective and from a financial perspective?
• What are the next steps I should be taking?
• How do I balance the need to plan and follow that plan, with the need to follow the voice of the One who said, “go to a land I will show you,”?

For now, it’s just one step at a time. Starting with this blog post.

What about you?
When has God called you to a new thing and how have you navigated that time in your life? In your business? In your ministry? (I really want to hear your feedback on this one!)

(Creative Commons graphic on Flickr by Purpleslog.)

SlideShare:

1. Makes me smarter. I get to view awesome presentations on a variety of topics.
2. Keeps me current. I didn’t get to go to SXSW but I have been able to view some of the presentations, like this one about Zappos. So I am still (at least somewhat) in the know.
3. Lets me share my message with others. After a give a presentation to a group, I can upload my presentation for others to view. There’s even a code so I can embed the presentation onto my blog.
4. Helps me make a name for myself. More people have access to my stuff because it’s on SlideShare. I can also use the widget on LinkedIn so my contacts can see new presentations as I upload them.
5. Provies important info on industry trends. Just a couple of weeks ago, I met with someone who had a job interview the next day. This guy is smart – has a lot going for him, but he had heard that one of the main concerns was his lack of background in health care. I told him about SlideShare. He used it to find some great presentations on trends in the health care industry and successfully folded some of that info into his presentation. And he got the job!

And now you can take it with you. Check it out:

What do you think? Can you see opportunities to use this in your career? If so, how?

PS I am not being paid one red cent to say all these good things about Slide Share. :-)

Transition is Hard
If you’ve ever gone through childbirth (as the one giving birth or the one assisting), you know that transition is the most difficult time of all. The pain is more intense; it comes more frequently, and lasts for longer periods of time. It’s also the most critical. The way we approach transition shapes not only the process, but the outcome as well.

Maybe you’re in a time of transition right now. You’ve been laid off, a casualty of your company’s response to the economy. Or maybe you’re about to be and you’re just waiting for the other shoe to fall. Maybe you’re facing a move to a new location because you’ve found a job in another area. Whatever the case, this time of transition can be painful.

If you’ve built your identity around your job, chances are you’re facing an identity crisis in the midst of your transition.

My Own Transition
Last week I emailed a few close friends to ask them to be praying for me as I further refine God’s call on my life, my business, my writing and speaking. For the last few months, I’ve been sensing the approach of transition and I can’t quite see what’s around the corner. Or if I stick with the childbirth analogy, I can’t see the head crowning.

I enjoy working with groups and speaking. I’m energized when I facilitate sessions on behavioral preferences, social media, or generational differences in the church. I like blogging about business, social media, faith and family. I’ve written a couple of children’s stories that have been particularly meaningful to kids in transition/crisis. I love sharing my faith journey with others. But it all seems sort of frenetic.

I’m in transition and frankly, it’s a bit scary. I’m reminded of my son, Morgan. A little more than 11 years ago, he was almost born on the sidewalk of Virginia Baptist Hospital. I’m not kidding. My transition was hard and fast. I didn’t have time for drugs and I was screaming.

I feel a little bit like that now.

Wise Words
This morning, I received an email from Kelli, one of the friends I emailed last week. She sent me the following words (I’ve slightly edited for space) from God, taken from the Bible yet personalized for me. And they blessed me. Maybe they will bless you as well.

“Cheryl, I created you for my pleasure (Ephesians 1:3-8), not because of what you could do for me or what you would accomplish (Romans 4:3) but simply because I love you (Isaiah 43:4).  Even before I made the world, I loved you and chose you (Ephesians 1:4)…Believe me and let me delight in you (Psalm 147:11). Make me your treasure (Isaiah 33:6). And know that this blessing is forever (2 Samuel 7:28, 29).”

Here’s What I Know
My friend’s email blessed me because it was straight from the heart of God. She didn’t try to share her own biased opinion. She’s wise enough to know that God’s word accomplishes what He intends.

My identity isn’t tied into my personal brand. Hmmm. Even as I write those words, there’s a sense of freedom. My identity is in Christ. Plain and simple. I don’t have to brand myself perfectly to God. He created me. He knows everything about me. And He loves me just the way I am. If you’re facing a career transition, remember that your identity (your worth) isn’t tied into your job, your employer or your paycheck.

There might be more to unpack. If so, I’ll save that for another post.

What About You
Are you in a time of transition? Where are you seeking counsel? Who is praying for you during this time? Are you trying to tie your personal brand or your career into your identity? And if none of those apply to you, how are you being the kind of friend to others who blesses in the midst of transition?