Pressing On

Note I am not saying 'Business as Mission' ... but reflecting to what extent current management has influenced mission planning and whether or not this is a good thing. ie Management by objective etc etc. Personally I have found both John Kotter and Jim Collins helpful in thinking about managing the process of transformation - but always with the nagging certainty that neither God nor Kingdom building can be managed and that He is always at work doing the unexpected, that what is important to Him is often not quantifiable at all, and all we are ever doing is playing catch-up with Him! I think it was R T Kendall who wrote "The purpose of every generation is to find out what God is doing and align itself with that." There is much to reflect on but it 'pains' me when I read or hear leaders who have stated "I define the vision of the Church clearly, in other words say where the bus is going, then people can decide whether or not they want to be on the bus!...

Have just finished reading an interesting book called 'Just Courage' ... by Gary A Haugen, President and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM). The back cover has a cry that must be that of many people ... "There must be more to the Christian life than this..." and of course there is. I do have some fundamental questions that were left unanswered in the book ... mainly along the lines of whether justice is an end in itself. It must be truly wonderful to be involved in a group that sees the emancipation of people from horrendous abuse situations and slavery - but if it is only for this life is that what Jesus is about when it comes to transformation? I would of appreciated reading more of how these expressions of Christian work impact the world in real and practical ways and how they work together with others to see people entering into the true freedom that is only found in Christ ... I am sure there are some great stories out there. What was great were the testi...

I am now sat down in front of the TV watching a repeat run of Top Gear pondering how much I really want a cup of tea ... but not being bothered to get up and make it! Not what I usually do on a Friday afternoon but after a week of Leader's meetings, Trustees meetings and WEC UK Conference it is all I can muster the energy to do at this point! So what are my initial reflections ... beyond 'Wow it's tiring leading a conference!' Praise - Great, Teaching - Great, Equipping - Great, Debate - Robust and fruitful, Prayer - Moving, Business - Strategic, Fellowship - Encouraging, Weather - Cold, Biscuits - Too many! If I had to choose three things that struck me most powerfully over the week they would be ' Worship - Movement - Progress ' Worship - because there is something very moving about worshipping together with a group of people who have committed their lives to serving the Living God. Regardless of ministry, culture, age or Church background - the underlying pa...