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Welcome Back
September often feels like “welcome back” after the summer break. Kids are going back to school, students are heading to college, others are going back to work trying desperately to hold onto holiday memories and a tan. For Alison and me this year is particularly resonant of new starts and re-starts after our sabbatical. It seems an age since we said goodbye at Easter and although we have been back at work since 30 July, Sunday 5 September will be the first time we have been at weekly worship for 21 weeks! So it is more a case of, I hope we are welcome back!
Our aim in taking a sabbatical was partly to rest & re-charge after many years of pastoral ministry. But it was also partly to be equipped and prepared for the next season. Although we did not do much intentional research or study we have been able to get some important new perspectives. It feels like a “re-perspective” although I don’t think that is a real word. In time we will talk about many of our thoughts and feelings but for now I would like to share two simple things.
1. Alison has found permission to paint. Yes, I know she has always painted but that creativity has sometimes lost out in the battle of clashing demands posed by raising children, being married to a driven bi-vocational husband and loving the community in which we minister. Henceforth, at least for a season, we will aim to make space for her to paint first and allow other things to take second place. That doesn’t mean she is going to disappear into her studio for aeons at a time. Most people won’t notice much difference. It does mean more of a change in attitude to acknowledge that she is called to paint, and that’s good.
2. I return with a renewed zest to focus more carefully on what God has given me to do and to back off those things I am not doing very well and am not meant to do. Therefore I want to focus my energy to grow as a preacher, to grow leaders and to grow the church.
We have been so chuffed to come back from our sabbatical and find how well things have gone and how little we are needed (That’s not false humility by the way. It is an important measure of effective leadership and a bit more evidence that this is God’s Kingdom community and He is at work!). Ben & Kate have done a stunning job of bringing their own gifting and skills to bear within someone else’s structure. The Holy Spirit has been present and we have heard many great stories already of what Jesus has been doing in people’s lives. Thank you to everyone for your support for Ben & Kate and the staff and for serving in this community.
There is much to tell you about but for now there are 7 articles linked to this newsletter with news of important changes and plans for the next few months.
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David Flowers, 26/08/2010 |
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