RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
In discussions with one of the pastors I supervise, we talked about the scripture Philippians 3:13-14 where Paul declares that the… “one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” We taked about the need to not allow events and circumstances of the past control what we are to do now and in the future. We are to press on. To look to Jesus for guidance and sustenace in these uncertain times. And so it is with me and the ministry with Caleb. I can’t worry (although I confess at times it do) about whether Covid will come like last year to prevent our courses going ahead. I need to focus forward and strive for the goal Jesus has given me to help young leaders grow in their leadership skills.
Yvonne Hannah and I have been down to Canterbury. Yvonne and Hannah got to visit Rachel and family while I got to visit pastors making some very good contacts. Several have expressed interest in coming to the Nelson course. Now I have to follow up to get them to send the rego in. I was also able to book a Bridge Builders course for October in Christchurch. We went on to Nelson. Again there were some good outcomes. I spent a day in Blenheim and met with ten pastors. A couple have shown an interest and a Caleb graduate is trying to get two or three of his team to come.
The short communication course for Anglican youth that was cancelled last year, is now going ahead in June. Plus I will be filming a couple of workshops to be used by the Youth Coordinator for the Nelson Diocese. This is a new venture which I hope goes well.
I also picked up two more pastors for supervision. One is a New Life pastor the other Baptist. Both will be zoom catch ups.
I have preached a couple of times and continue monthly supervisions.
In mid-May we begin the Caleb Leadership Course for Auckland Presbyterians. So far, we have 22 participants PTL. The training team is coming together well. Please pray we get the preparation done without too much stress. This course is a first. In June I go to Nelson to do the youth course and the filming plus seeing pastors about the CLC in Nelson. The Nelson course begins in late July. I have also just been asked to be a trainer on an online Relationship Matters course for ITA. It will begin in August with one two-hour session each week for six weeks. I’m excited to be on the team as this will help us at Caleb in our preparations for an online version of our leadership course.
Yvonne and I have just celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. The Lord brought us together in a miraculous way all those years ago. I am very grateful to have a such wonderful wife and companion. I think she appreciated the bunch of wild flowers I picked from the side of the road while on my prayer walk. Ahh romance at its best.
I’ve just come back from my doc. He is sending me to a specialist to get a second opinion about my neck. It has got a little better however, I still suffer dizziness when I lie down. I know, don’t lie down but sleeping sitting up is like flying economy! My doc hopes I don’t have to have the operation and so do I. Please pray that the Lord heals the issues within my neck so I can work without this grogginess and continue to put my all into what God has me to do.
The family are all doing well although Tim has a bit of a stomach upset currently. Our newest granddaughter Ada has now begun to ‘bum’ shuffle easing her way around the room. Soon she will walk, I think. The boys continue their studies with good results. They are both looking very tired though. Hannah’s shouting continues to be a problem. She has periods during the day when she shouts a lot and again at bedtime and when she first wakes up. Usually, it’s now only 12.30 or 1am before she quietens down with a few random callouts in her sleep later in the night. We are taking her today for her Thyroid/liver function blood test then off to the doc in a couple of weeks.
Last week was a week’s leave and Yvonne Hannah and I drove down to Wellington for our nieces wedding stopping in Turangi on the way there and back. It was a good time with Yvonne’s family. Hannah did well during the wedding.
The Lord is our light and our salvation. We pray He is your sufficiency in the journey your life is moving on. His love abounds for you. Thank you for your faithful support and prayer.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.