IBI Newsletter Autumn 09

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Excitement, Enthusiasm, Excellence
It was a genuine privilege to be the speaker at IBI’S  Graduation Day in September. I was nervous travelling to the event. I was excited and thrilled travelling home from the event. Why had I changed? Well, of course my speaking was over and with that there is always relief but it was far more than that. I thought back to the time when IBI was just a dream. I was thrilled to see that now the dream has become a reality. The small seeds of vision and commitment are growing into a tree of lifelong learning.  I was impacted by three things.

Excitement
The excitement was tangible that September Sunday afternoon in Wesley College. And why not? This event represented a significant milestone in the life of the graduates and their families. Minds had been stretched. Obstacles had been overcome.  Books had been read. Assignments had been handed in. Initial fears had been allayed, Courses had been completed. The excitement of achievement is an appropriate excitement when we recognize that it is all because of the grace of God, the support of loved ones and a massive injection of personal commitment and dedication.

Enthusiasm
Those who have studied Greek will know that the word enthusiasm includes two Greek words which mean “in God.”  I was impacted by the waves of enthusiasm for the Lord and for His Kingdom purposes in Ireland. There was a clear understanding that God had guided each graduate into IBI, sometimes surprisingly! There was profound and heartfelt gratitude to God expressed corporately in the worship and individually in conversations. There was a real sense of dependency on the Lord for mental, emotional, physical and financial provision and deep thankfulness to the Lord for completion of the various courses. I was also struck by the enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers. There is a unity of purpose in the equipping of God’s people for the work of ministry and mission.

Excellence
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved...” said Paul to Timothy. He encouraged the pursuit of excellence in the service of the Lord.  IBI clearly has a similar apostolic motivation and aspiration. A God who has given His best is worthy of our best. Graduation Day 2009 was a vital visual aid of that vision and ethos. I somehow suspect that I was not the only one who returned home encouraged, inspired and thankful!

Bishop Ken Clarke