Write a paragraph describing the positive and negative forces that have contributed to your worldview. How was Central involved in developing your worldview? Two major forces that have contributed to my worldview include the family environment I grew up in and the impact of being exposed to foreign missions at an early age. Growing up in a Christian home and a charismatic church congregation initially shaped my thinking in a positive way. My passion and zeal for God were encouraged and I was provided with many opportunities for expression in the ecclesial environment that surrounded me. A negative force that resulted was the perception of other Christians of different denominations as “less Christian.” It was a blessing that God had simultaneously planted a strong seed of missionary work in me because it helped me counteract my tendency towards exclusivity. This desire to engage cultures other than my own with the Gospel initially spurred my real interaction with a different denominational concept of Christianity. After my initial exposure to the Restoration Movement, my worldview further expanded by joining an interfaith missions organization. Finally, Central has played a key role in developing my worldview, especially as it pertains to Scripture exegesis. It also helped me consolidate my faith and understand the essential need for balance in my Christian journey to stand for truth and walk in love.2. Describe how you were uniquely prepared for your ministerial role through cultural forces. In which cultures are you most effective as a leader? God led me to experience a variety of cultures (rural, urban, Western, Eastern, conservative... middle of paper... nt is an ethical paradox because elsewhere in Scripture, child sacrifice is prohibited (Lev. 18:21, 20:1-5, Deut. 12:31, 18:10, which is why Abraham is normally praised for his faith in this). fulfilled His purpose and Abraham demonstrated his loyalty to God before all others, even his only promised son trusted in God to bring Isaac back from the dead. Lessons I learn from Abraham's ethical examples include not allowing fear or to the accepted cultural practices of dictating my moral integrity and the importance of having faith in God before anything else, especially when He asks me to do difficult things. Abraham also shows me how I must be willing to accept any evidence that God will use in my spiritual transformation.