RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP
Christmas is coming very quickly now. It is like the secular world has been saving up to have an attack of the over generous spirit making up for a lack during the year. Yet the reality is that Christmas reminds us of the absolute generosity of our God and King in sending Jesus to live like us, taking our sin upon Himself and dealing with it on the cross. Jesus resurrection power broke the corruption of our relationship with God enabling us to have a pure and rich relationship with God. It’s a Christmas present of epic proportions and deserves our thanksgiving and celebration.
Oh and we can celebrate this truth of the good news with our families celebrating Jesus love for each one.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on building relationships with different pastors as I encourage them to consider coming to the Leadership course next year. I need your prayers for this as the cost and length of the course causes push back from many. I have also been working toward getting short courses for next year at different churches.
I have continued with supervision of Pastors and Business people and in the last couple of weeks have taken three more pastors, two mission directors and a missionary in Nepal on board for supervision.
The work that was to be with an Anglican Church is Hamilton has been postponed to ‘sometime’ next year as the Minister has to convince a couple of “twitchy” leaders of the value of the consultation.
With the Christian Savings (ex Baptist Savings) organisation pulling out of supporting Baptist Pastors to come to the leadership course, I have been trying to find other ways of getting funds for them. Currently we are applying to the Baptist Tabernacle Trust for funding for Baptist Pastors. This will need much prayer.
A holiday over Christmas will be a priority. We have a Bridge Builders course booked for February and a trip to Nelson to speak to the Nelson Christian Trust Board. There will be a consultation with a CRC church in Waiuku.
Caleb my grandson is growing quickly. He’s now 7 weeks old and just had his first injections which he handled really well. Glad I wasn’t there! Rachel is doing well although she gets anxious about coping with so little sleep. With Jonny back at work, he too is finding life hectic and tiring.
Jeremy and Sakura have settled back into work as the build up to Christmas puts pressure on both of them in their roles at work.
Aimee is now a supervisor at Whitcoulls in Botany and doing well. For her too Christmas is hectic with long hours. (My Dad would have said there is no such thing as long hours. Each hour is the same. But hey they seem long huh!) Poor old Tim, he had to go to Waiheke Island for a day for work. I don’t know how he can survive such suffering.
Hannah is doing ok. The other day when her nephew was crying and not settling, Hannah went close to him and said “don’t cry , don’t cry, and within 30 seconds he was asleep and slept for 2 ½ hours. Some nights I wish she’d say that to herself as she often has difficulty getting off to sleep. Maybe we should look at marketing an app with Hannah whispering her words for parents all over the world to use to quieten their unsettled babies.
Yvonne is supporting Rachel and Jonny as she is needed. Her work with the BnB is building up as summer sets in and we get opportunities to share our faith with guests.
A Bridge Builder course booked.
A couple of people already signed up for next year’s leadership course.
Caleb growing well.
Aimee’s promotion.
Supervision client’s numbers growing.
Application for funding from Tab Trust.
For pastors to want to come onto the Caleb Course next year.
The Anglican church to want the consultation.
A relaxing holiday.
Finding a day centre for Hannah.
Jesus Christ is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. May this be your experience of Him this Christmas. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Blessings
Rex, Yvonne, Rachel, Jonny and Caleb, Jeremy and Sakura, Tim and Aimee and Hannah.