RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
Over the last few weeks I have been helping a couple who are elders in a pentecostal church. There have been issues with the Pastor ignoring correct procedure in hiring staff. This couple tried to address the issues but were ‘attacked’ by the pastor as not supporting him. The upshot of this was the pastor and the other elders forcing this couple to resign. The whole episiode reinforced for me again the damage power hungry pastors can do and the need for all pastors to receive the kind of leadership training we offer at Caleb.
To that end, it was a delight to run the Caleb Leadership Course in Nelson. We had eleven participants. It would have been up around 18 but as usual, some pulled out at the last minute. Most who pulled out were for legitimate reasons.
The group of participants were from 4 different denominations and two mission organisations. Unusually, the age range was focussed on the 30-40’s. We also had two Kenyan’s who are working in churches in NZ. One of them is about to marry one of Yvonne’s cousins. He passed easily of course! We had six of us on the training team and Jill was with us the first week doing the administration. I don’t think the devil likes us doing this training as the pressure came on instantly. One of the participants had to leave as one of his family members ended up in a threatening situation. One of the trainers left early too as their mother in law taken to hospital seriously ill. Another trainer had family stuff that needed time but thankfully was able to stay. Apart from that everything else went smoothly.
The group of students were amazing and it turned out to be one of the best courses weve run. They worked hard, with many robust discussions and ‘ah ha’ moments as realisation of how the skills they were learning would benefit greatly in specific situations they were currently facing back home. One participant remarked, I wish I’d done the course two years ago. Instantly another said, I should have done it four years ago. One misson worker wrote to me and said, “ I observed your gentle, supervising and empowering leadership from the back. I learned a lot from you modelling this.” Positive feed back like this is a great encouragement. Having an excellent team of trainers makes it easy. I am very grateful for their dedication and hard work, watching them grow as trainers and the friendships deepen. We are grateful to Nelson Baptist and their team for stepping in at the last moment and allowing us to have the graduation dinner and graduation at their church. They did an brilliant job.
We were to have our first Caleb graduate Leadership course, sadly not enough said they could come. Again others wanted to but had other commitments. I will have to reconsider if and when to hold it next year.
This week Yvonne Jill and I will be running a Bridge Builders course at Connect Baptist. I am also catching up on supervision. I have gained two more supervisees. One of these I have supervised before. Praise the Lord for the continued growth in this area of ministry.
Hannah has turned 26 and we had a family celebration. It seems like yesterday when she was born. What a blessing she’s been to us and continues to challenge and delight us.
Yvonne is also nearly employed through family funded care. We are just waiting for a start date. Yvonne leaves messages with the person who is to finally launch this and never gets replies. Please pray that this person will finally get their act together.
Tim’s university studies continue to go really well. He is also doing some part time work to keep the wolf from the door. Aimee is waiting for the new Whitcoulls shop to be opened and get to enjoy more space and less noise than the mid mall place they work in currently.
Rachel and Caleb are coming to visit next week which we are very much looking forward to. Jonny will have to fend for himself for a week. No doubt he’ll con his mum to bring some dinners down.
Jeremy has begun some part time study in preparation for doing an MBA next year. Sakura is looking forward to having the baby arrive. Due date is October 6. I leave for Nepal Oct 8th. I hope the baby comes early.
Yvonne Hannah and I will be going on a four day campervan holiday beginning September. We are renting off a friend to trail this holiday option and see how Hannah handles it – oh and how we cope too. It should be a lot of fun with many photo ops. New I should have bought a selfie stick!
- A very successful Leadership Course
- Family Funded Care only one step away
- Hannah’s birthday
- Family doing well
- Bridge Builders goes well
- Good development of our next grandchild
- Rachel’s visit will be a real blessing
- Supervisions continue to be fruitful
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny and Caleb, Jeremy & Sakura and bump, Tim & Aimee & Hannah