RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
I hope and pray you are surviving the cold and blustery winter. At home, if things are not nailed down they end up somewhere down the hill. Winter is such a brilliant time to watch the power and intensity of nature at work. Is 55:10-11 says “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;It will not return to Me empty,Without accomplishing what I desire,And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.”
Winter isn’t a waste or an exercises in endurance, but a time to reflect on our lives and re-orient our selves to Jesus, expecting that in spring His life in us will bring new growth and purpose.
We have just completed the Caleb Leadership Course. After some participants pulled out and two failed to get visas we were left with six people. There were three men and three women. I was delighted with the outcome as the smaller number did not detract from the learning opportunities. I think in the finish small numbers gave more opportunity for discussion and focused learning. It was interesting that all of the participants were were under the age of 45. Most Lead past or associate pastors and one an administrator.
The training team was only four of us. Three from NZ and one from Australia. The new director shanan led the course for the first time. The smaller numbers were helpful in this. My role as Mentor Coach was my primary focus along with leading some workshops. It was an interesting time for both Shanan and myself as we worked together in this new era. This was the first time in 22 years that I had not led the leadership course. Because of the high trust levels between Shanan and myself the transition went smoothly.
During the course, I got the flu which was a pain and I ended up having two days off. I think this was useful in allowing Shanan to lead without the opportunity to refer to me for guidance. We lost no-one during the course! The time of solitude again proved very valuable to each of the particpants and trainers. It gave me opportunity to talk to the Lord about what to do in regard to church. We are still considering whether it’s time to restart the House Church or be part of a church nearby while getting through this first year of heart recovery. We are also considering starting Elijah’s Cave retreat again. So solitude was very helpful. I now have three pages of notes and myriad question for Yvonne and I to discuss and pray through.
Next year the Leadership course will be run very differently as Shanan works through a proposal to develop further the thoughts on meeting the needs of part time pastors and in Shanan’s development offer it to whole ministry teams over an extended time. There are also discussions around what I did with the Presbyterian Churches in having the course done in two 5 day blocks with three to four months between. It gives opportunities for practice of the learning and cohort meetings for supervision and homework. So lots to pray through and consider. This block course concept is being considered for the Australian course which will now be next year while we work through the options.
I continue to do the monthly supervisions and have another new client who will start in August.
Next week I give a message to the Manukau City Baptist Seniors. It should be good fun.
In two weeks, I will be doing a couple of days in Whangarei doing follow up with Arataki Ministries leadership team. I’m looking forward to working with the team again.
In September I will be heading down to Palmerston North to work again with an evangelistic mission I’ve worked with twice before.
Apart from six of us having the flu, our granddaughter Kayla suffered a couple of seizures. One lasted 15 minutes which was very stressful for Jeremy and Sakura. Of course this happened just before the first week of the Caleb course. Kayla has had a CT scan and last week an EEG. Jeremy and Sakura meet with the specialist on 11 August to find out what the diagnosis will finally be. Please pray for Kayla’s healing and for calm trust in the Lord for all of us.
Ada, down in Ashburton, has had an x-ray on her hips and yesterday had an appointment with the Orthopaedic Surgeon to consider if the legs are ready to remove the metal work. It appears that they are ready and an operation is scheduled for before Christmas. Meanwhile, Jonny, Ada’s father, is having rotor cuff surgery on 16 October. Yvonne, Hannah and I will be going down to support Rachel and Jonny in the initial part of his recovery.
I had a meeting with the Cardiologist nurse for a fitness check. It was before the Leadership course. They found my blood pressure way high and wouldn’t do the assessment. Next week I will begin a supervised fitness check and training which will be every Monday arvo for some time. Please pray that it will go well and the BP will be down.
Yesterday was Hannah’s 32nd birthday. She’s such a wonderful daughter.
Otherwise, we are all good. We do so appreciate your prayers and loving support as it does sustain us in life and ministry.
We praise the Lord for such faithful friends who consistently walk with us on this ministry to leaders.
Every blessing
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny, Caleb & Ada, Jeremy, Sakura, Kayla & Chloe, Tim & Aimee & Hannah.