RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
My word it was close! A bare two weeks after finishing the Caleb Leadership Course in Nelson and whole country entered level 4 lockdown. Here in Ararimu just 3km from the south eastern boarder of Auckland and freedom, we are still in level 4 as our Prime Minister said, doing it hard for the country. It’s not so bad when I consider how much some of our faithful prayer team have suffered in other parts of the world.
As level 4 began I had just begun reading James’ epistle. Chapter 1:2 says; “Consider it all joy, my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.” While I think James was writing about various levels of persecution or opposition to faith, lockdown must feature in there somewhere because at times the restrictions are frustrating and make me a little grumpy. I know it’s very hard to believe. I just found it encouraging that the Lord would put this scripture infront of me at this time, reminding me that my life in Him takes advantage of every situation to help me grow in maturity of faith and become more like Jesus each day. I hope and pray that you are coping with the restrictions of lockdown and you are gaining your peace from your closeness to the Lord.
The Caleb Leadership Course in Nelson went extremely well. Thanks for praying as we were engaged in the learning process. We had Anglicans, Baptists, Mission leaders and Presbyterians. In that group and including trainers, there were 8 nationalities represented. The whole group engaged very well and the Trainers did a brilliant job. The three new trainers did very well too and two of them have agreed to be on the team again next year. All the participants comments were encouragng; here are a couple. Jeph wrote,”I have grown in confidence in leadership skills, affirmation of areas I like, determination in areas I prefer to avoid.” Angeline said that she gained,” clarity on the direction [she] would like to take [her] health coaching ministry.” Ross wrote, “A major experience of personal growth and shift in the way I see Christian Leadership.”
At the graduation our Fijian-Indian vicar said,” I came deflated and leave elated.” I am very grateful for your prayers that the Lord has answered in making the course a great success for all those who attended.
With Covid lockdown, the second half of the Northern Presbyterian Leadership Course has had to be postponed. We have rescheduled it for the second week in November. I hope by then we will be at level one. Since it will be at a camp, I do not want to endanger my trainers nor the participants by attempting to do the course at level 2.
Many of the preaching engagements I have in my diary, including a 3 day rest in Paihia have had to be cancelled. I’m hopeful that each opportunity will be rescheduled.
I’ve continue to do supervisions on zoom although some supervisees don’t want to do yet another zoom meeting.
As a result of the CLC in Nelson, I have a consultation to do at a church in Blenheim. This is being scheduled for late November. At the same time, I am hoping to meet with one of the graduates and his pastor in Blenheim to work on organising a Bridge Builders course for them.
With a couple of my senior trainers, I am working on rewriting some of the management, communication and motivation workshops from the 11-day CLC. We have made changes bit by bit over the last few years and now we need to tighten up the whole course.
I continue to work with ITA and the Canadian Christian and Mission Alliance Pastors Leadership Matters Course. Some of the reworking of our Caleb course is being incorporated into this ITA course. It is a privilege to be able to share our learning and have an impact on the ministries of pastors on the other side of the world.
Lockdown prevents Yvonne Hannah and me seeing our other children and grandchildren face to face. My cousin thankfully is staying with my 94 yr old mum whom we see on facetime each day. Hannah seems to be unsettled by the break in routine and her shouting has increased. Night time seems difficult for her and leaves us all tired from broken sleep. We keep praying that the Lord will take away the shouting impulse but so far, His answer is for us to persevere with how it is. Yvonne was to go down to Nelson to see her family and get a break from caring for Hannah. That’s now been postponed. Not sure when it can happen. The three of us start our vaccinations on 20 September.
The boys’ studies continue on line. They are both doing well. Aimee can’t work and is getting some much-needed rest. Sakura is mostly working from home. I must say that the lockdown has given Kayla, Ada and Caleb time to recover from the various sicknesses they’ve had. The musical Rachel was to be in has been postponed until Feb next year. Jonny is back at work with a whole pile of books and no people. My neck is doing a bit better as long as I stay very careful and not spend too much time in front of the computer. When I get nerve pains, I know I’ve lost good posture and let the guard down. I’ve set up a music stand so that when I’m reading, I can have the book at eye level and not look down. This seems to help. I do wear my neck brace when I’m working outside and also during my adrenaline rush on the ride on mower. Who needs Queenstown!
Thank you for your continued support and love. May the Lord pour His love and joy into your life.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura & Kayla, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.