RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
The Christmas season is here and santa and his media mates are pushing the present buying like crazy. While we celebrate and share gifts with family and friends, we must ensure that we remember whose birthday it is; Isaiah prophesied centruries before saying “for unto us a child is born unto us a son is given…” It is his quiet in some ways undignified entry into the world that brings hope, peace and light to this shattered and hurting world. In all our celebrations remember that we the family of Jesus continue to bring his light and life to those we connect and journey with into the new year.
It’s been relatively busy lately. I headed off to Thailand for the Lead Trainers conference which went very well. There were 24 of us there. On the first day I had to give my presentation on making aspects of the course relevant for national pastors from different areas especially Asia and Africa. Thank the Lord it was well received. As a result of the summit, I will be helping develop a new coaching training for trainers with the LMC. Part of it will be ‘virtual’ training on the web. A very new thing for me.
I came home in time to get prepared to go to Tauranga with Yvonne and Hannah to run a Bridge Builders course. Jill had done an marvellous job getting all the manuals etc prepared. Yvonne and Hannah came with me and Yvonne helped deliver the course. There were many very good responses as people saw quickly how this course could help them making more significant contact with people in their areas of influence. On Sunday I preached and there was a good response in that no one ran off during what I was offereing. There were in fact several wanting prayer. We completed the Bridge Builder’s course in the afternoon then drove home. The next evening I took a consultation for a group of Elder’s from a Church in Papatoetoe. I was impressed with the spiritual depth of these men and women in the group. There is a suggestion I may be asked back.
I have been meeting with different pastors to work on getting them to sign up for next years Leadership Course. I met with the National Team leader fo Baptist youth ministries who trains youth pastors. He is keen to come and bring three or four of his national team with him. Please pray that this will happen. I have also met with the Baptist Director of Life Long Learning. He is keen to see Baptist Pastors come and we are working on finding more subisdy money. He knows that two south island pastors are using CLC as their registration requirement for next year. Again pray that they send in their rego forms. I have also sent off a mass email to Presbyterian Pastors. I am still doing many supervision session. Recently one of my supervisees has stopped, but I picked up a new one.
I will be preaching on Christmas day at our Church. Then in January, I will be preaching at Manurewa Baptist the first two Sundays, followed the next Sunday preaching at Belmont Baptist then the week after at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Manurewa. Looks like a rest just went west. However, it will be good to have a series of preaching slots which I shall thoroughly enjoy. I Hope those not away on holiday will share the same experience.
We had a great time with Rachel, Jonny and Caleb coming and staying. Caleb is now 14 months and nearly walking. He and I enjoyed having crawling races. Jonny is doing really well in his new role as Children’s Librarian in Ashburton and they are delighted in what he has done already. We are proud of him and the way he has got stuck into the new role.
Tim has a significant birthday this month so we are looking forward to honouring him. He is an amazing young man. (takes after his father aye).
The family are all looking forward to some holiday as they have all worked very hard and need the rest.
The family funded saga continues with yet another case worker leaving; (not my fault FYI). However, we have heard that the Ministry of Health have granted Yvonne four hours a day to look after Hannah, for which they will pay her at a child’s rate. We would lose the carer support worker. We need the carer support worker for Hannah’s and our sake. So we are hoping to have an appointment early in the New Year with the manager of Taikura Trust to negotiate around this before accepting the offer.
Excellent Leader Trainer summit meetings
Bridge Builders going so well.
The beginnings of people signing up for the CLC.
The family doing well currently.
Family Funded Care negotiations.
CLC registrations to grow
Good responses to my preaching to come.
Some down time for us as a family.
Yvonne’s BnB doing well.
Our prayer for you is both a prayer of thanksgiving for your faithful support and prayer and for your blessing. I am aware that Christmas can bring up all sorts of emotions around family and so we pray that the Lord with be especially close to you and fill you with all hope, peace and joy. May His light, the light of the world sparkle from you as you celebrate Jesus birth and prepare for the year He has for you.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny and Caleb, Jeremy & Sakura, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.