I’ve also completed the “Introduction to Theology,” course from Reclaiming the Mind ministries, the first of six 10-week courses that make up “The Theology Program,” a seminary-level certificate program in systematic theology that is unlike anything else!  A true, deep discipleship program, The Theology Program strives to make sound theological training accessible to everyone — and they do an outstanding job.  The introductory course is excellent as a stand-alone study and a great one to take in order to determine whether you desire to continue to take the entire program.  Due to the intense nature of this program and the importance of remaining commited for the entire 10 weeks, we’re asking for a donation of $150 per student for this course, which includes two excellent text books you will be thrilled to have in your personal library.

In other news, Perissos has elected to include some additional services to the scope of the ministry in order to help build up the revenue to realize its vision.  We now provide limited business services to other ministries, churches, and businesses whose work is consistent with our mission and vision.  This includes administrative services, event planning, some web design, and promotions among other things.  If you are interested in more information about this aspect of the ministry, please contact me at perissosresources@gmail.com.

We are still very much in need of funds so that we can purchase additional course materials and, ultimately, secure a permanent location for our programs.  If you have been blessed by this ministry or are interested in supporting us as we take our initial steps toward the realization of our God-given vision, please prayerfully consider using the convenient “Donate” button on our home page here.  If you would like to become a regular monthly supporter, please know that as little as $25 per month would make an enormous difference to us!  All donations are tax-deductible and donors will receive a year-end statement for tax filing purposes.  Our current goal is to reach an additional $500 per month in regular monthly donations by September 2009.  We believe it is a modest goal and you can help make it happen!

We are extremely excited about the things we have shared with you today as well as some other developing projects that are on our drawing board right now.  We hope you will partner with us to glorify God in Jacksonville by helping us reach our maximum potential.

The Spring/Summer 2009 program catalog was finalized.  It was trimmed to only the programs that are 100% ready to deliver right now, though there are several other exciting additions in the hopper for the Fall semester.  Our “Services” page has more information about both current and upcoming programs.

The big task ahead of us now is fund raising.  It was determined that we will require about $20,000 to really get Perissos Resources operating optimally in 2009, so that is our goal.  In addition, we are still praying for donated commercial space so we can have a physical home.  That will allow us to make so many more resources available in a much more efficient and accessible way, as well as allow us to publish a schedule for classes we want to offer rather than wait for an organization or church to request us and bring us in house.

There was exciting news found in a devotional magazine I received the other day regarding a special window of opportunity for those who are 70 and 1/2 years of age or older with an IRA.  For the calendar year 2009 only, it will be possible to distribute funds directly to a charitable organization like Perissos Resources without having to pay taxes on the distribution!  We are prayerful that this will help some prospective donors consider us when they are making their decisions for good stewardship of their IRA funds.

With a bit of hesitation, I am sending out my one and only “email blast” from my personal address book, asking everyone I know to come to this website and either sign up for the newsletter or consider sowing a seed to get the ministry off the ground.  We currently have an bank account that doesn’t have nearly enough to sustain us and this is a delicate and critical time for the ministry.  So, I’ve partnered with an outstanding email newsletter management website called “Mail Chimp,” that will track and manage our quarterly newsletters and campaigns.  But, in order to be on the list, it is their requirement that people voluntarily opt to be on it by filling out the form on the home page.  I agree whole-heartedly with this level of integrity and will not engage in spamming, list buying or selling, or otherwise harrassing people electronically.  However, as a way to get the word out initially, I will send out a message inviting people to consider making their choice.

We’ve set up a page on Facebook for the ministry and are also in the process of setting it up as an official “cause” there as another fund-raising option, though there are still a few steps to complete for that page to be ready to receive donations.

I’m currently considering space to offer a “Supporting Boundaries” small support group for those who have already been through a boundaries course and wish to brush up their skills in a safe and supportive environmnent.  That will likely be the first official Perissos Resources event.  I’m looking forward to that!

Our Spring 2009 catalog is nearly finished and will be published here on the website as well as distributed locally within the next month. We’re very excited about the course offerings we have right out of the gates. I am currently studying online with Reclaiming The Mind ministry, going through their “The Theology Program,” as a certificate student with the goal of becoming a local facilitator for these seminary-quality theology courses that are extremely affordable (in some cases, FREE!) and very accessible for those who have a hunger to seriously study what they believe and why they believe it.

In the near future, we’ll be holding a major fund-raiser that is just in the early stages of planning, and continue to look for a physical home for our classes so we don’t have to search for space whenever we want to offer a program.

This is the 1-year point from the time this ministry was birthed in prayer and I am awestruck at how God has been faithful to His promises to me back in January of 2008! I remain unconcerned about the current economic situation in our country or the ability of this ministry to flourish, steadfast in my belief that this is God’s work, in God’s timing, God’s way! He has placed some truly extraordinary people and resources in my path and I am thrilled at the positive response I have received to the vision and mission of this ministry so far. I hope that positive spirit proves infectious as we move forward and approach local churches, businesses, and individuals for support.

My attention this week has been divided between the many last minute details for Saturday’s ordination ceremony (and milestone birthday party) and my mother-in-law’s sudden hospitalization and subsequent surgery to correct a 90% blockage in her right carotid artery.  She came through with flying colors, but the week has inlcuded a lot of hospital visits and hand-holding while trying to make sure no details for the event fall through the cracks.  Today was the day I decided to let go of some things I know simply won’t happen and just get peaceful about that!  We opted for catering over cooking just last night, and that is a huge load off of my mind!  My thanks already go out to my volunteer “staff” for the event, my family, my musicians, my prophetic dancer, and my officiants.  Their support and reassurance is the foundation I’m held up on this week!

My focus is now coming back to the Lord and the reverence I have for what we will be accomplishing on Saturday with the ordination ceremony.  I have never been so much interested in the title or position that comes with such a ceremony as I am the equipping to continue in obedience to God’s calling on my life.  Tonight, I’ll finalize the statement I’ll make after the ceremony and re-read the ceremony itself for the umpteenth time, so I don’t miss the heart of what I’m being assigned to in the nervousness of the moment.  God has been so good about providing affirmation that this is the appropriate step for this moment, and making a way in spite of circumstances that might seek to trip me up.  Praise Him!

Perissos Resources will be formally and officially launched Saturday.  A bulletin has been prepared for guests that describes the ministry and includes most of the information also available here at perissosonline.org.  I have the mounting feeling that things are about to take off at the speed of light!  Ready or not, here we go!

I also want to mention this week’s lunch with Ginger Soud and Joyce Shelton.  Ginger was introduced to me in an email from Jeannette Giotto of Catholic Charities as someone I should meet.  She is the Jacksonville Chairperson for an enormous event called “Just Give Me Jesus,” coming to Jacksonville in April 2009.  Joyce and I have expressed interest in using our gifts to support this event and are both looking forward to the exciting things now in store there.  There will be more blogging on that as it unfolds.

Dr. Joyce and I have done some good work on her web site and most of the staff have faithfully provided their bios.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to bless Joyce in this way and am humbled that God would bring our lives together so that both would be enhanced to His glory.  What an honor!

I am redoubling my efforts to complete all of the assignments for The Missionary Church International so I can receive my nonprofit status and begin to minister full time.  There is so much to do to launch the business, it is almost overwhelming, but I know God will keep me on track.  Next up is the required ordination ceremony, which I am combining with a 50th birthday celebration!  The Sheltons will co-officiate the ceremony, I am hoping to have a couple of worship songs to bracket, and we are doing the food church style:  several people will bring dishes.  Ginger Brown has graciously arranged to provide a lovely space at the PBS broadcasting station where she is employed. E-vites have gone out and responses are being collected now.  I’m hoping for about 50 attendees, though I suspect the group will be a bit more intimate.  It is surely going to be a very special day!

The day is long and I am considering sitting for more of the teaching in the future, but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and most students said they would suggest the seminar to others and will also consider coming back for “Supporting Boundaries” next year.

“The Five Languages of Apology,” had its first session Tuesday night: orientation and chapter 1. I’ll teach chapter 3 in two weeks.  I’m matched with my facilitating partner from last time and it looks like I’ll have a couple of group members we’re already bonded with.  Excellent news.

Dr. Joyce and I will get together soon to outline the Apology book for teaching purposes so I can work it into a similar workbook package for Perissos and also for her future use if she wants it.  We’re also discussing the book we want to write on forgiveness.  Time management is going to be a daily issue.

I’ve asked my domain host to install a CRM package for me to experiment with.  Here, we’re looking at open source accounting software.  I still need to get back to completing the ordination requirements.  That has taken a back seat to seminar preparations.

Tomorrow, I’ll go to the church office to make copies of the student handbook and then head back here to assemble them and review the Facilitator’s handbook…again.  And again.

Also put the Boundaries Basics ad up on the Perissossonline home page place-holder.

Sister Joanne has agreed to come and be my assistant.  That’s terrific.

I also sent out the Boundaries Exit Survey to 10 of the 13 people who took the April class.  Need to get to the other three by regular mail early next week.

In other Perissos news, I’ve finally got the major pieces of the basic design for this website in place, and need to get back to filling in the content.  It has been decided that Joyce and her husband Chuck will co-officiate the ordination ceremony so I can complete the requirements for my nonprofit organization.

I’m studying “The Five Languages of Apology,” with Joyce this Fall, which will involve teaching one chapter and facilitating a small group for the entire 9 weeks.  Found a great deal on both the Boundaries book and the Apology book at Lifeway, so I snapped up a half dozen copies of each to store for the future.