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The third day he rose again Nicene Creed   On the third day he rose again Apostles’ Creed Jesus’ resurrection is a unique event in history. It’s a critical historical event, foundational to Christian belief. As the apostle Paul wrote, ‘if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins’ (1 Cor 15.17). No wonder, then, that it’s mentioned in the creeds. So, too, is the resurrection of all believers (more on that in a later post). Today, we’re focusing on the significance of Jesus’ resurrection for Christian leaders. The Bible tells us of a handful of other people who died and returned to life [1] , but, remarkable as these miracles were, they were not the same as the resurrection of Jesus for two important reasons. HUMAN AGENCY INVOLVED First, in these other cases, the miracle happened through the words or actions of another person—Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, Peter, or Paul. By contrast, when Jesus rose from the dead, no human agency was involved. God the Father raised Jesus to life. In doing so, God declared Jesus’ identity as the ‘Son of God’ (Rom 1.4). It was the same declaration God the Father made at the baptism of Jesus (Matt 3.17) and his transfiguration (Matt 17.5). In life and death Jesus was fully pleasing to his Father. In raising him from the dead, the Father declared that he was eternally pleased with his Son. UNIQUE Second, in the other cases, the person who returned to life went on to die at some later date. Life returned to a dead body, but that body remained perishable. By contrast, when Jesus rose from the dead, he had a unique kind of body, one that could not die again. As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again ; death no longer has mastery over him. Rom 6:9 His resurrection body was imperishable. Jesus’ resurrection was more than a temporary reprieve from death; it was death’s decisive defeat. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul makes it clear that Jesus’ resurrection is a ground-breaking event, a ‘firstfruits’ of the general resurrection to come. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits ; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 1 Cor 15.21-23 It is not simply that Jesus rose again. As he declared (in John’s gospel), he is the resurrection, and through him, others will share in this resurrection (John 11.25). That’s why his resurrection gives us ‘living hope’ (1 Pet 1.3). The resurrection of Jesus was not merely the most important event in history, it was also the beginning of a new natural order, the starting point of a new creation. The apostle Paul speaks of our participation in the resurrection of Jesus as something that will take place in the future as well as a reality we experience in the present. To the Romans, he writes, For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his . Rom 6.5 That’s in the future. Yet to the Colossians, he refers to the resurrection in the present, through baptism. Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Col 2.12 We will be raised with Christ and we have been raised with Christ. Christians live in two parallel realities. THE OLD We are still part of the old creation. Outwardly, we are ‘wasting away’ (2 Cor 4.16). Our bodies are subject to decay along with all physical things in the universe. Yet we are also waiting. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes that ‘we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies’ (Rom 8.23). The day will come when we are declared to be God’s sons in a resurrection event like the resurrection of Jesus. For now, though, we groan with suffering and long for a resurrection body. Here’s the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians. For while we are in this tent [our present body], we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 2 Cor 5.4 THE NEW At the same time, we are already part of the new creation. As Paul writes emphatically, ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Cor 5.17); and to the Corinthians, ‘though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4.16). When writing to Titus, Paul calls this ‘renewal by the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3.5b); it takes place also when our minds are ‘transformed’. That’s why he urges the Romans to ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Rom 12.2b), so they can know and do the will of God. Believers are urged to ‘put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator’ (Col 3.10). A verse in his letter to the Corinthians is particularly descriptive of the manner in which we are being changed as we gaze upon the Lord’s glory. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3.18 What does this mean for Christian leadership? I have two thoughts. RESURRECTION – PRESENT AND FUTURE First, our ministry to others should reflect both the present and future benefits of Christ’s resurrection. We need to acknowledge the groaning we experience now in these perishable bodies. For this reason, we should make space for lament and be tender towards those who struggle physically or mentally. After all, our brains are physical things—they’re part of the body—so they too are decaying! Yet as we walk alongside those who suffer, we call them to wait patiently and eagerly for future resurrection. This is not passive waiting, but active—as they wait, we encourage them to be transformed by gazing on Christ. We should never set limits on the degree to which God can change a person’s thinking, affections, and passions in this life as they offer themselves to him and the renewing work of his Spirit. For as we present the glories of Christ to others, we pray that the Spirit will change them. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED Second, recognising the present and future benefits of Jesus’ resurrection is key to being sustained in ministry. The apostle Paul writes about outer decay and inner renewal in order to encourage believers. ‘Therefore,’ he writes, ‘do not lose heart (2 Cor 4.16a); ‘we are of good courage, I say’, he writes in the same letter (2 Cor 5.6a). When people in our churches focus only on the things of this physical world, they can easily lose heart. We see this on a daily basis. We see the frailty of ageing bodies and the devastation of disease. And so we minister to them in their suffering. This is right and good, but we too can become discouraged by our own suffering. If we’re not careful, we can be led into all sorts of temptations to satisfy the desires of the body, to seek a temporary reprieve. But, as Paul notes, ‘we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5.7). We see the reality of physical decay and we know the lure of physical indulgence, but, with the eyes of faith, we also catch a glimpse of the glory of Christ and the weight of his coming glory. Because of this, though we look forward with confidence, we focus on the job at hand right now. We rejoice as we see people changed in their attitudes and affections as they grow to know the Lord more. We even see progress in ourselves! So, we must lift our eyes above our circumstances to gaze on the Lord Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus should change how we look at life. Paul’s advice to the Colossians is especially noteworthy. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above , where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God Col 3.1 When we set our hearts on things above, it should change how we live. Just a little further on in his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion , kindness , humility , gentleness and patience . Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love , which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3.12-14 In light of the resurrection of Jesus, this is how we should live. ETERNAL HOPE Brothers and sisters, we will be raised with Christ. We wait in certain hope of bodily resurrection. But we have already been raised with Christ. We are ‘new creation’ people, being renewed in the image of Christ by the Holy Spirit. This is why our ministry should be marked both by patient endurance and by good courage. So, make this your confession today: ‘ I believe in the resurrection’. The son of a widow from Zarephath was returned to life through Elijah (1 Kings 17.17-24). A boy from Shunem was raised through Elisha (2 Kings 4.8-37) and the body of a man whose body was thrown into Elisha’s tomb also returned to life (2 Kings 13.20-21). Jesus returned to life the son of a widow in Nain (Luke 7.11-17), the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:49-56), and Lazarus of Bethany (John 11.1-44). The bodies of many saints were returned to life when Jesus died (Matt 27.52-53). Tabitha (Dorcas) was returned to life through the apostle Peter (Acts 9.36-42). Eutychus was returned to life through the apostle Paul (Acts 20.7-12).

© Sophie Killingley, www.perishandfade.com . Used with kind permission. In sixth form, I used to run the school vending machine. It was one of my favourite jobs. Stock control (‘smell what sells’, as Alan Sugar would say), price setting, and counting the revenue—the whole process filled my budding entrepreneur’s soul with satisfaction! I was reminded of this school enterprise when I saw the above comic-strip online recently. I think Sophie is highlighting something I’ve observed in different forms over the years as I’ve talked with pastors from various churches. The ‘vending machine’ view of the pastor doesn’t necessarily arise from malice or lack of compassion in the congregation. Instead, there seems to be a blurring of the distinction between the pastor’s identity and their role. Let me explain by quoting from the apostle Paul. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Eph 4.11-13 It’s clear from this passage that Christ has given different grace gifts to the church, and that pastor-teachers—like the other roles listed here—are given ‘to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.’ Notice a couple of things. EQUIPPED FOR WORKS OF SERVICE First, the pastor-teacher is there to equip the people for works of service—not to do all the service themselves. ‘Every member ministry’ is at the heart of the New Testament idea of church. We’ve all been given different gifts, and we should all be using them for the building up of the church, and to be a witness to the world. Because of this, whenever we see a situation in which the pastor-teacher is the only one fulfilling a particular service role, this should ring alarm bells. Quite apart from the fact that this is what the Bible teaches, it should be immediately apparent that if the pastor does everything, they become a bottle-neck for growth in the life of the church. I love these verses, because they make it abundantly clear that growth in maturity is a corporate activity—we can’t grow in isolation. Which leads to the second, perhaps more important, point. WE’RE ALL MEMBERS OF THE BODY Paul continues in verses 15 and 16. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Eph 4.15-16 The pastor-teacher has a certain role in this process of building up the church, but what’s their identity? Who are they? Well, they’re members of the body, of which Christ is the head. This is vitally important, and I use that word ‘vital’ intentionally. Vital. He’s the source of our life. When we treat the pastor as a vending machine, we’ve forgotten that Christ is the source of our life; he’s the one to whom we must go to ‘find grace to help us in our time of need’ (Heb 4.16b). When we forget that our pastor-teachers are members of the body, we fail to recognise that they too have the same needs as everyone else in the body. They need the same things in order to grow that we all do. The New Testament is full to bursting with ‘one another’s. We’re exhorted to . . . Love one another (John 13.34). Bear with one another (Col 3.13). Carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6.2). Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs of the Spirit (Eph 5.19a). The pastor is a member of the body, just like everyone else, and is therefore in need of these encouragements as much as the rest of the church. Of course, they have a specific role, and they might exercise their gifts in particular ways. But when you look at the list above, none of these exhortations relate to one person. They’re addressed to everyone in the body. We all need support, love, and help with our burdens. All our hearts are lifted when we hear beautiful psalms and songs of the Spirit. And most importantly, we all find our true life and support from Christ, the head of the body. Which takes me back to the vending machine. REPLENISHING THE STOCK So there I am, thirty years ago or so; I’m in the sixth form common room. Pupils are lining up at the vending machine, coins in hand, ready to buy. Me? I’m looking at the length of the line, thinking about the supply of Curly Wurlys. I know they’re popular, and I’m hoping the machine won’t run out. Did I stock enough? I’m getting nervous. If I didn’t, we’ll have unhappy customers and we’ll make less money. It’s a serious business running a vending machine! The connection with pastor-teachers should be fairly obvious. Like the vending machine, if we want to serve others, we need to be filled up. And while we are definitely NOT vending machines, we do share this in common with them: We can only give out what we’ve first received. This is fundamental to Christian ministry. You can’t share what you haven’t first received. And that is why, at Living Leadership, we are not embarrassed about bashing the same drum repeatedly. If you are in any kind of ministry role, it is vital that you’re making time to feed and replenish yourself. Ephesians 4 uses the imagery of a body—with Christ as the head—and we must maintain that connection to the head in order to function. Jesus uses the imagery of a vine and makes it explicit. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15.4 So, the pastor-teacher must make a priority of spending time with Jesus, in personal prayer, study, and worship. We must place ourselves in situations where we will receive teaching, encouragement, and refreshment. ( Do check out our Refreshment Days and Conferences ). We should also find others who can walk alongside us and offer encouragement and support. Again, Living Leadership can help . If you’re a church member reading this, I’m addressing you too. How could you encourage your pastor to take time to nurture their walk with Jesus? Could you speak words of encouragement, or share a word from Scripture that might lift their spirits? If you have some influence in your community, how can you make it easier for your pastor to take time out for spiritual refreshment? For those who are pastor-teachers—or indeed for any kind of leader in the local church—what steps do you need to take to ensure your own spiritual tanks are full? Take a moment to reflect on what you have to share. For you can only give what you’ve received. And you can only receive when you’re abiding in the source of life, Christ himself.

Jesus Christ, the only Son of God […] was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;            he suffered and was buried. Nicene Creed   Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord […] suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried Apostles’ Creed   When I served as the pastor of a Chinese church, I got to know many international students who had little knowledge of the Bible or Christianity. Some knew that the cross was a symbol of Christianity but had no idea why. It was one of my life’s greatest privileges to explain it to them.   When we get past glittering pendants worn on necklaces to the gritty reality of history, a cross is an odd choice of symbol. Crucifixion ranks alongside landmines, atomic bombs, and gas chambers on the list of mankind’s most horrific inventions. It was designed to maximise brutality and degradation, combining intense, prolonged physical pain with exposure to shameful humiliation.   It was, quite literally, excruciating. (i)   Yet from the beginning Christians preached Christ crucified, not as a cause for shame but something in which to boast. They knew that the cross was the climax of God’s great subversion, the divine turning of the tables. In the events surrounding his crucifixion, human beings did their worst to Jesus. Denial and betrayal. False accusations and unjust beatings. Mockery and abuse. Stripping and shaming. Pierced brow, hands, and feet. Lifted up and struggling for breath.   Yet in this very same moment, God in Christ was accomplishing his decisive victory over sin, the devil, and death. As Christ bore our sins and God’s just wrath against us, God was demonstrating fully both his love and his justice (Rom 3.26; 5.8). Through our supreme act of defiant rebellion against him, God acted to reconcile us to himself.   The cross of Christ achieved our salvation. But it should also shape our service.   I suspect most would agree that we should preach the cross. But do we live and serve in the way of the cross?   THE WAY OF THE CROSS   The Lord Jesus taught that the measure of a good shepherd is to lay down one’s life for the sheep just as he himself would do (John 10.11). This path is not unique to leaders. Jesus’ call to all his disciples is to take up their own crosses and follow him (Matt 16.24-26). The principle of death to self and new life in Christ is central to the meaning of baptism (Rom 6.4). The mindset of Christ Jesus—stooping to empty himself and serve as a humble servant—should also characterise every believer. It should drive all our behaviour, especially as we relate to one another (Phil 2.5-8).   We are disciples and believers first. We are leaders and ministers secondarily.   There are, however, particular challenges for leaders as they seek to live a cruciform life. One of them is the difficulty of leading in a fallen world, in which leadership is sometimes seen as an opportunity to ‘lord it over others’. This danger was identified by Jesus, and he addresses it in conversation with his disciples. The following passage contains one of the great descriptions of servant leadership.   Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,   and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—   just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20.25-28   Perhaps one of the most dangerous temptations lies in the expectations of others. If we do not consciously resist this temptation, which deceives us into pursuing our own self-interest, we will end up in trouble.   Instead, we must intentionally follow the way of the cross. It does not happen by default.   Notice how the apostle Paul keeps the cross right at the centre of his final comments to the Galatians.   Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.   Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.   May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ , through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Gal 6.12-15   In this passage, Paul identifies two important implications of the cross for authentic Christian ministry.   CONFRONTING SELF-INTEREST   Firstly, the cross confronts our tendency to promote our own self-interest.   Paul writes that the false teachers who were trying to persuade the Galatian believers to be circumcised were motivated by a desire ‘to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ’ (Gal 6.12). I’m not sure they would have agreed. No doubt they would have argued that their teaching was based on the authority of the Old Testament, or that it promoted godliness. However, Paul knew what was really going on. They had counted the cost of the cross and they did not want to pay it. Their call to circumcision might have sounded painful and costly, but compared to the cross it was child’s play.   What about us? How tempting is the easy path of self-interest, that avoids the way of selfless sacrifice? I’m not referring to the false humility of the driven, workaholic control freak claiming to be a tireless servant of God. Instead, we need to ask ourselves whether we’re truly motivated by our love for the flock, and whether we are actually modelling a life of steady faithfulness.   Cross-shaped ministry is not self-interested but self-giving for the sake of others.   CONFRONTING SELF-AGGRANDISEMENT   Secondly, the cross challenges our tendency towards self-aggrandisement.   The false teachers wanted to boast about people getting circumcised, but Paul writes, ‘May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Gal 6.14).     This statement is a two-edged sword.   Its doctrinal edge cuts through the false claim that circumcision is necessary for salvation; instead, it points to the cross of Christ as the sole means of salvation. Its personal edge slices away any pretensions we may have about our own importance. Our achievements and status are of no value compared with the wonder of the cross.   What about you? Have you ever been tempted to boast about your achievements? Have you ever allowed people to get the impression that you’re deserving of credit for your good deeds? Or after you’ve delivered a rather good sermon, has your pride ever shunted aside your humility?   In truth, we should take every opportunity to remind our people that all we do and all we are is a response to the unmerited favour of our God. It’s all because of the grace we’ve received through Christ, who died for us when we were still sinners. When people look at our ministry’s publicity materials and our social media feeds, do they see Christ or do they just see us?   Cross-shaped ministry is not self-aggrandising but self-effacing for the glory of Christ.   Christian leaders, ‘We believe Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified, and buried.’ This confession should shape our preaching, but it should also move us to service that is self-sacrificial and self-effacing.   In Christ crucified we have a Saviour who perfectly embodied these qualities. That’s why he’s worthy of our worship.   So, make this your confession today, ‘ I  believe in the crucifixion’.   (i) The word ‘excruciating’ means ‘of the cross’, indicating that crucifixion is the very definition of extreme pain.

Is there a moment in your week that you dread? How about Monday morning? You open your computer and just like every week, you have an inbox with emails providing you with feedback on the Sunday service. Your heart sinks. Time to suck it up and start reading. I have spoken to many church leaders and this experience isn’t uncommon. It’s just part of the job. I have to take it on the chin. I think, sadly, it’s more likely that many church leaders take it ‘in the heart’. And that’s not good. Nor is it right. So, how is a church leader supposed to deal with feedback? WE ARE BUT DUST Church leaders are no different from anyone else in the congregation. They’re made of flesh and blood. And they feel things deeply. If anything, they feel things more deeply than most, since they’re in a people-facing, caring profession, that makes them sensitive to the views of others. When a leader is criticised over and over again—sometimes for something unwarranted, minor, or petty—it takes its toll. Words are extremely powerful. They leave marks in the soul. Perhaps you’re in this category. It’s wearing you down. Is there anything you can do? Here are some suggestions, that might help. TRUST A WISE ADMINISTRATOR Some leaders believe they owe it to their members to read every email. Every single one. I won’t attempt to dissuade you. However, one of the features of feedback is that very often, there are one or two members who make it their goal in life to provide you with a running commentary. Are you obligated to read every word of this commentary? I don’t think so. A good administrator can help weed out the regular moans and groans. Geoffrey sent one about the volume of the music again. Okay, thanks. And Maureen thought the coffee was weak . Do we need to follow that up? I tasted it; it was fine, so you know, I’ll handle that one. In short, try to lighten your load by partnering with a trusted administrator. If feedback really gets you down, your primary obligation is NOT to read every email. It’s to focus on serving the church well, and if delegating some of those emails to another is the best way to do that, then do it. ASSESSING THE LEVELS Which feedback matters? Questions about coffee, leaflets, cleaning issues, these are relatively easy to deal with. Conflict between people, that’s something quite different. And as for challenges about your theology, that can cause considerable heartache. So, it’s at this point, I’d like to question the whole idea of feedback. IT’S UBIQUITOUS We live in a culture of constant feedback. You just bought a pen. Amazon wants your feedback. We face a daily barrage of requests for feedback. This has fed into our church culture, with the result that churches now request it, and people seek the opportunity to provide it. This is ill-conceived for a number of reasons. First, the dynamic is all wrong. Feedback is related to one party providing a service to another. This is most common among businesses. Feedback is essential to businesses, because it’s a critical element in the way they market themselves. When we fill out feedback forms, it’s not the information that really counts. What’s important to them is that you’re interacting with the company. They want your attention, so you remember them next time you purchase. What about the Church? Is the Church a business? No, it isn’t, nor should it present itself as such. First and foremost, the Church is a family. The most common characterisation of the Church in the New Testament is to frame our relationships as ‘brothers and sisters in the Lord’. We are a family, and we are called to ‘love one another’ (John 13.34), bear with one another (Col 3.13), and carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6.2). So, why do we keep requesting feedback? CONSUMER CHURCH Sadly, it’s because churches often see themselves as organisations in a marketplace. They are competing for believers, and they think that if they serve their ‘customers’ well, then their congregations will grow. It’s borne of insecurity and fear. Insecure about what ‘the people are thinking’. Fear of losing people. Hence the need to ‘serve our church family better’. Perhaps that’s why it’s so insidious. Feedback is presented as something positive—serving people better—when, in reality, its roots emerge from plain fear. Our members have gone to the church down the street. What are they doing that we’re not? Let’s do a survey to find out what people want. No church leader goes into leadership in order to ‘grow a business’. At least, they shouldn’t. Church leaders desire to serve the Lord by serving his people. Not the other way round. We don’t find out what the people want in order to serve the Lord. The Bible is particularly helpful in this regard. In the desert, Moses wasn’t exactly getting five star reviews, was he? And frankly, why didn’t God simply fire Jacob? He was hardly a leader worth a glowing review. As for Jesus, people left him in droves. Even the disciples tottered on the edge of abandoning their leader. And indeed, some did. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him (John 6.66). Yet he had no interest whatsoever in changing course and ‘pleasing his people’. PEOPLE PLEASING If you’re a people-pleaser, feedback is particularly damaging for you. The urge to find approval is a death sentence for a leader. First, it destroys faith, transferring it from God to people. Second, it undermines conviction. Instead of leading from a secure foundation and a vision founded upon God, the ground beneath your feet is ever moving and changing according to the whims of the people. Third, it feeds greater and greater fear and insecurity. After all, the approval from one feedback form can quickly change to disapproval the following week. Does this mean that feedback is of no value at all? Actually, no. Back to those levels. If the door isn’t being left open for the cleaners, or the toilets aren’t being cleaned properly, this is important information. But don’t take it personally. Simply respond to a justifiable criticism, and get those toilets cleaned! Better still, let your administrator deal with all those things. Criticism that rises through those levels, though, that can be hard. Criticism of people, conflict, and even the questioning of our theology, that can be hard to take. Gather around you wise friends, who can help you respond in a godly way. Seek wisdom at all times. Trust the Lord to strengthen you. Avoid defensiveness. Take responsibility when appropriate. Apologise, if necessary. Be gracious. Remember who you are. CONVICTION, NOT FEEDBACK The reality is, great leaders lead from conviction, not feedback forms. They listen to the flock, but they don’t respond to every whim of the flock. They place value on what the Bible places value on, like their own spiritual lives, and humble service of the church along with godly elders. The vision they cast for the church comes from a strength of conviction, rooted in a direct relationship with the Lord. They listen not to people primarily, but the Spirit. They are Spirit-led. Yes, they also listen to wise counsellors around them, but that’s because they value the work of God’s Spirit in others around them, whom God has appointed. THE MOST IMPORTANT FEEDBACK OF ALL Ultimately, though, the feedback they value most of all, is the feedback from their Saviour. Nothing matters more than the opinion of the Lord Jesus. He is the one who forgave his best friend, Simon Peter. He has a forgiving heart. He went through agonies for your sake. His grace is limitless, and his armour is powerful and strong. It will protect you even from ‘friendly fire’ from your own side. So, look to Jesus first. Serve him with fervour and conviction. Next Monday, before you open your computer or trawl through paper forms, stop to pray first. Remember that God is with you; he loves you. He has your back. Remember his feedback is the kind that really matters. It’s feedback that affirms his extraordinary love and grace. Now you’re ready to start reading a comment from Gerald, who was disappointed when the coffee ran out last week. How can you find a way to serve Gerald this coming week? Out of love, not because he completed a feedback form.

How was your 2024? For me personally, two thoughts stand out.   I never expected the year I had. Nor would I have chosen it. God’s loving purposes continue to amaze me.   This is not the first time I’ve had the opportunity to learn these lessons, and it probably won’t be the last. This year, it will be fifty years since our second son, Barnaby, died suddenly at just eleven weeks old. The following day, we visited a Christian book shop seeking something to help us in our grief, and we bought a small plastic plaque with the words ‘My grace is sufficient for thee’ (2 Cor 12.9). That plaque has travelled with us over the years and is still on display in our lounge today. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of a simple and yet profound truth.   God will never leave us, nor forsake us.   I’ve now reached my mid-seventies and, until a certain incident last year, I considered myself to be fairly fit and healthy. Although I knew I was aging, I thought I was good for at least another ten years. So, it was something of a shock when I started to struggle with breathlessness. Last March (2024), I was admitted to hospital and ended up having open heart surgery to repair a valve. There followed a period of several months when I was re-admitted to hospital four more times. Eventually, in August, I was diagnosed with late onset asthma, and prescribed the regular use of an inhaler. This radically improved my day-to-day health and I’m currently doing really well.   So what have I learned through these experiences?    I’M NOT IN CONTROL   The first thing I’ve learned is that I am not in control. Isn’t that obvious?  Well, of course it is! But like so many simple truths, we need to learn them over and over again. Certainly, my illness and my need to rely entirely on others (many of whom I didn’t know) have reminded me of how weak I am.   But it’s precisely through my weakness that my confidence in God’s fatherly care and loving purposes has been strengthened. I have seen clearly that he is in control and that his agenda is so much more significant than mine.   AVOIDING COMPARISONS   One lesson I've learned is that I don’t need to compare myself with others.  We all respond to crises differently, of course, but in my case, I felt a pressure ‘to do it well’, ‘to be a radiant witness’. So, I needed to be reminded that my performance isn’t the central issue. What’s important is what God wants to accomplish in me and through me. The apostle Paul writes about this in his letter to the Philippians.   Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1.6 Through this experience, I believe I’ve lived out this verse. He has worked in me, and is refining me still. He will carry on this work to completion. In truth, while I was in hospital, I often found it hard to concentrate; prayer was a struggle. However, I was astonished at how much peace I felt even when things weren’t going well. My experience of God’s love, which drove out the fear of death, was deeply encouraging.   Now that my health is better, what has changed? Are there dangers ahead?   GRATITUDE   I am more grateful, and God is growing within me a far deeper level of gratitude. This is particularly important because I think I had come to take many things for granted. When we lived in Uganda (2013-2015), we were struck by how thankful people were for each new day. At the beginning of the service on our first Christmas morning, the Archdeacon said, ‘Let us thank God that we have all reached another Christmas’. It hadn’t crossed our minds that we might not make it through to Christmas! The sense that life is a gift to treasure is something I want to hold onto. Now that I feel a lot better, it would be so easy to slip back into old habits and attitudes.   I am particularly thankful to my wife, who has been amazing. And I’m also thankful for family and many friends, who have shown their love and support in so many different ways. What a testimony they have been to the enduring love of God.   As I reflect on these past months, I pray that God would continue to grow in me a spirit of thankfulness.   HUMILITY   I hope I have learned greater humility. I have been forced to depend on others for significant periods. I suppose none of us really likes displaying weakness; we would rather be the strong one offering help to others. Having said that, it’s wonderful to be on the receiving end of people’s love and kindness. I have a deepened awareness of how great God is and how small I am. He delights in me and the lessons I am learning are a blessing from him.   FRUITFULNESS   Aging, slowing down, and poor health are not a barrier to our ability to bear fruit. Psalm 92 paints a lovely picture of remaining green and fruitful into old age.     The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. Ps 92.12-14   Alice Fryling draws a distinction between fruitfulness and productivity in her book, ‘Aging Faithfully’. It is certainly true that I cannot physically do as much as I once did, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be fruitful. The Holy Spirit is still at work in me as I age, and he still bears fruit in me.   HEAVEN   It’s not surprising that I have thought more about the prospect of heaven and my eternal hope during these past months. There’s a verse in 1 John that’s particularly significant to me.   I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5.13   I learned this verse as a young Christian and it continues to provide me with a powerful reminder of my eternal destiny, my hope that one day I will be in God’s glorious presence forever. One of God’s purposes through his word is to give us an assurance of our future with him; it’s a truth which certainly gets sweeter as I get older.   DANGERS   Now that I have made a good recovery it would be easy to forget all I’ve learned. Life could lose its sense of beauty and wonder in the humdrum of the every day. I confess that, at times, I can be a bit lazy; I find it easy to fritter time away, so I’m praying that these lessons will create a permanent change inside me. I want to remain grateful every day; I believe that being content in Christ is not out of reach, but can be a daily reality.   I intend to seek the Lord each day, with the expectation that he still has work for me to do. One of the great privileges of this stage of life is to support, encourage, and mentor those who are younger—both in my family and in the wider church. I have an earnest desire to experience the joy that the apostle John wrote about in one of his letters.   I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4   Do I know what’s in store for me? No, but I have a better sense of how to approach the future. After all I’ve gone through, I have a better understanding of his loving purposes.   So, I face the future with confidence, because I know that my God is faithful and good.   He certainly knows what’s best for me.

As Christian leaders, how are we to view our physical bodies? What part do our physical bodies play in being spiritually healthy? As a medical doctor, I am only too aware of the fact that our experience of our physical bodies varies greatly. I am particularly mindful of two church friends—one recovering from a heart attack and the other going through the rigors of chemotherapy. They remind me that our bodies are a source of enormous frustration and deep pain. In my work as an Occupational Health Physician working with church leaders, I have also witnessed the profound sense of loss felt by Church ministers following a life-changing illness. Whether it’s a new diagnosis of a progressive neurological disease or Long Covid, which threatens their calling to remain in full-time ministry, the impact is significant and painful. By contrast, I have also seen how our physical bodies can be an extraordinary resource. When we are fit and well, we can be fruitful and productive in ministry. Furthermore, when we invest in our physical fitness, it can invigorate our minds and lift our spirits for effective ministry. For me personally as a sixty-something guy, I have my own experience of living in my physical body as aches, pains, and stiffness increase and injuries/ailments take longer to heal. What does the future hold for me as my parkrun times gradually increase? In my attempts to buck the trend of physical decline, I wonder if I might have another marathon in my legs. My wife has her doubts! So should we treat our bodies as an encumbrance to be endured or are they precious gifts from God to be nourished and cherished? I believe three foundational truths are essential to help us view our bodies correctly. NEPHESH The Greek philosopher, Plato, taught that the soul is separate from the body. The influence of Platonic dualism led some theologians in the Church to teach that we would be better off without the burden of our physical bodies. However, this view of the human being is found neither in the Old nor the New Testament. When the Old Testament writers use the Hebrew word, nephesh , often translated ‘soul’, they have in mind an embodied soul, a unified whole of body and soul together. Or to put it another way, nephesh is the entirety of who we are, including our body[ 1 ]. The creation story in Genesis confirms this. God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen 1.27 As the narrative unfolds, we are left in no doubt that our bodies are an integral part of what it means to be made in his image. The New Testament underlines the importance of our physical form when God himself becomes incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth. John’s gospel is very clear on this point. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1.14a The apostle Paul is equally positive about the human body. He reminds us that our bodies are ‘temples of the Holy Spirit’ (1 Cor 6.19a). This is why he instructs his readers to ‘honour God with your bodies’ (1 Cor 6.20b) Slaves are viewed no differently. To the slaves in Colossae he writes, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart (psyche), as working for the Lord’ (Col 3.23a). Psyche is the Greek equivalent of nephesh , so Paul is clearly referring to the work that slaves are doing with their physical bodies. Given this background, it is vitally important that we learn to live well in our bodies, seeing them as precious gifts from God; by nourishing our bodies, we feed our souls. When the author Paula Gooder describes soul-making, she makes clear that our bodies are an essential part of the process. ‘Soul-making’, she writes, ‘is a deliberate intention on our part to pay attention to who we are called to be and to seek regular refreshment so that we can grow more and more into the people God yearns for us to be . . . This soul-making is something which includes our bodies—that active seeking out of refreshment that animates us and brings us new life only makes sense if it includes our bodies as well as our ‘inner’ life”.[ 2 ] So, what kind of body refreshment will you seek out? Whether going for a peaceful stroll or taking a demanding hike; starting piano lessons or joining a community choir; or perhaps preparing a healthy meal for your friends, God invites you to ‘live out of a richly animated, integrated existence that brings life and refreshment’ (Paula Gooder). DECAY AND DEATH As much as we may delight in our bodies, and use them in fruitful ministry, we know that they are subject to frustration, decay, and death. Our bodies experience this along with the whole of creation, that waits ‘to be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God’ (Rom 8.21). King David is particularly conscious of his frailty, when he writes in one of his psalms, Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Ps 31.9-10 Our bodies, then, can be an arena in which we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. They wear out, because this is what happens to bodies in a fallen world. So we would do well to learn contentment by making peace with our finitude. As the theologian Kelly M. Kapic puts it, ‘Many of us fail to understand that our limitations are a gift from God, and therefore good. This produces in us the burden of trying to be something we are not and cannot be’. We’re not only finite and frail, we’re also sinners. Paul writes about the fierce fight that is going inside believers. But I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Rom 7.23-24 Paul refers to this fight when writing to the Corinthians. I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave . . . 1 Cor 9.26b How, in practice, should we respond to our bodies that are subject to decay and death? Later in life, it might involve making the effort to take a walk around the block, when such walks are arduous, and our physical strength is failing. Or we might decide to take on a new high-intensity exercise programme as a means of preserving our functional capacity in the face of a progressive neurological condition. For others, a Couch-to-5K programme might be a good idea as a response to our longstanding vulnerability to anxiety and depression. This might also improve our powers of concentration or mental stamina. Some of us may have developed a bad habit of ignoring advice from medical professionals. Perhaps this is a growth area for us, and we should actually listen to the practice nurse when she tells us that in order to reverse Type 2 diabetes, we need to change our diet and increase the amount of exercise we do. If we haven’t already, we should all establish a set of healthy habits, acting as good stewards of the gift we’ve been given, in preparation for the challenges that may lie ahead. Finally, we must learn patience and peaceful acceptance, when it becomes clear our days are numbered. We should invest in kindness and gratitude, confident that ‘though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day’ (2 Cor 4.16b). FUTURE HOPE This leads us to the third and final foundational truth. Our future hope is not some kind of disembodied existence in heaven, where our souls are free at last from the encumbrance of our bodies. Instead, we await an eternal embodied existence on God’s new earth and new heaven. We look forward to the redemption of our bodies, not from our bodies. During my daily devotions this morning, the apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians reminded me of this wonderful truth. Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3.20-21 We live now in the sure hope that one day our mortal (perishable) bodies will be replaced by imperishable spiritual ones, that are no longer subject to death and decay. We will be given new bodies fit for life in the new heavens and new earth—a renewed and transformed earth. Therefore, as Paula Gooder puts it, ‘It is vitally important that we learn to live well in our bodies now, as after death we will have to inhabit a body for a very long time’. In light of this, let me leave you with these extraordinary words from the apostle Paul. Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15.51-57 [1]  The Bible Project has a helpful video on this subject . [2]  Body: Biblical Spirituality for the Whole Person . Paula Gooder. SPCK Publishing. 2016.

Ever been frightened by a passage of Scripture? I have. The other day I was reading in the book of 1 Kings, and I came across this verse. A s Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11.4 In truth, the following verses are even more unnerving. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. 1 Kings 11.5-6 This is Solomon, remember? The ruler of God’s people, Israel. If he can go astray this badly, what about me?! KING SOLOMON IN OLD AGE I wonder if you’ve ever seen the painting, ‘King Solomon in Old Age’ by Gustave Doré. You can see a copy here . It depicts a wizened figure sitting alone. If you’ve seen The Princess Bride , you may remember the old king in that movie. The king in Doré’s painting somewhat resembles him, although he rather lacks that character’s sunny disposition. Instead, he looks positively grumpy. Flung about him are various paper sheaves and scrolls, though he still holds one sheet in his skinny left hand. To those of us rapidly heading in the same chronological direction, it may seem a rather sad and scary image. Indeed, it was those two emotions that gripped me as I read these verses: sadness and fear. As I read these Old Testament narratives nowadays, I find that sadness often lurks. 2 Samuel starts with such promise. The young(ish) King David seems to have so much potential; he’s eager to honour and obey the Lord, a stirring contrast to King Saul. However, so much of what follows is deeply disappointing and upsetting; much of the book is taken up with the consequences of David’s sin and foolishness. And this is the greatest of all Israel’s kings! In the book of I Kings, Solomon starts his reign with a humble heart, desiring wisdom. But it doesn’t end that way. We’re told why this happened: ‘his wives turned his heart after other gods’ (1 Kings 11.4). But let’s not judge these women too harshly. It’s important to remember that they were probably girls on their wedding day, and would not have had much choice in the matter of who they married. They were just trading chips in the hands of Ancient Near-Eastern rulers and despots, victims of that era’s realpolitik. So, you can understand why, as a matter of survival, they would have been keen to make the most of every scrap of influence they had. Secondly, it’s clear that Solomon wasn't modelling for them the faithful, loving heart of his covenant-keeping God. The very fact that he had more than one wife tells us that. Solomon is to blame for allowing his heart to be seduced in this way. Why did he allow this to happen? I’m sure his male ego had something to do with it. No doubt he enjoyed the idea of multiple wives competing for his attention. He may have regarded their religious ideas as quaintly foolish at first. (We’re not told about this but we can speculate). However, as their influence grew, perhaps he became happy to indulge them in their religious practices. Maybe his extensive studies had induced in him a weary cynicism about the nature of truth. (The writer of Ecclesiastes? Cynical? Surely not?!). It seems too much comfort, luxury, and pleasure in the company of these wives produced a corrosive effect on his faith. EARLY WARNING SIGNS Deuteronomy specifically warns kings against this. Hear the prophetic nature of these verses. The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. Deut 17.16-17 The role of Israel’s king is not to fight glorious battles, or even to judge with fairness; his primary role is to keep God’s word before him. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees’ (Deut 17.19). By doing this, Solomon would be able to guard his heart against the seduction of great wealth, a large cavalry, and far too many wives. Does Doré’s painting, with its strewn scrolls, suggest that this is what went wrong for Solomon? Did he lose his grip on God’s word? WHAT ABOUT US? So here’s my confession. I share some parallels with Solomon, which means I may also be in danger. I too have known the wonderful, remarkable, unmeasurable grace and special favour of the Lord. Like Solomon, as I grow older, my heart could also be seduced. I’m not worried that my own wife might lead me astray—far from it, she’s far more prayerful and godly than I am. Polygamy is unlikely, but of course, for both men and women, there is always a danger that our affections may drift into unwise places. Such sin can produce shocking and painful results for our families and communities. However, it’s not just sexual temptations that can ensnare us. The temptations that tug at our heart-strings, that pull us away from the Lord, will be subtly different for each of us, and this verse prompts me to examine my heart. For me personally, where does danger lie? And what about you? THE CALL OF THE CARPET SLIPPER I’m intrigued by the thought that for Solomon, spending time with these women was a retreat away from the heavy affairs of state. In one of her poems, Amy Carmichael prays against ‘the subtle love of softening things’. It’s that love of comfort and retreat that perhaps worries me most at this stage of life. The call of the carpet slipper is maybe the biggest danger. After all, haven't I worked hard in ministry for quite a number of years now? You couldn’t really blame me, could you, for just wanting to take it a bit easier? This is a powerful temptation precisely because there are realities here to be faced. As we age, it’s wise to learn to pace ourselves; I do find myself getting more tired more quickly. The right time for ‘formal’ retirement will come at some point. There’s also the glorious principle of Sabbath that we should never forget. It is good, right, and proper—indeed it’s a joy—to take regular time off to rest and be refreshed. To do so is an act of faithful obedience. Regular sabbaths are possible because my work is in God’s hands. He neither slumbers nor sleeps, and that enables me to rest. God can cope without me, actually. Moreover, I’m learning that my fruitfulness for the Lord doesn’t depend on my producing lots of activity, trying to do as much as possible. It’s not about energy spent and it’s certainly not about achievements. Instead, my faith and my life in ministry is dependent on my heart remaining fully devoted to the Lord. I am living well when my heart is soft before him, my ears are attuned to his voice, my eyes alert to his leading, and I look beyond my own comfort, my own ease. I suppose the whole point of these narratives is that they leave us yearning for a better king. In that case, they certainly do their job. Praise the Lord that a better king has come, one who does God’s will where all others have failed. How comforting it is to know that he has taken the curse of our folly, pride, and divided hearts, and defeated the powers that keep us in their grip. And as we consider our own frailties, the temptations that come upon us, how wonderful it is to know that we’re not alone. Within each of us, God’s Spirit lives. He is the one who walks alongside us, strengthening us, and enabling us to serve our Lord whole-heartedly. It is by keeping this king ever before me that my heart finds the strength and determination to remain fully devoted to him. When I remind myself of his beauty, his glory, his loving sacrifice, when I make much of my communion with him and I spend time in his presence so that he shapes the desires of my heart, that’s when the danger recedes. That’s when he satisfies me so much more than anything this world offers. It's Jesus I need. It’s Jesus you need. Every moment of every day. For when our hearts are fixed on him, we’re much less likely to follow in the footsteps of Solomon. We’ll be far too busy following in the footsteps of the one true and everlasting king. The king of all kings.

I feel like an impostor. It’s a thought that afflicts many church leaders at some point in their lives of ministry. It’s often followed by . . . I’m no good at this job. I’m making this up as I go along, so people are going to find me out. Perhaps I should quit now. A lot has been written about impostor syndrome, and I encourage you to Google some helpful posts out there that tackle the subject. (i) But while you’re with me today, some brief thoughts on how to respond to this bête noire. Impostor syndrome can emerge from deep wells of insecurity. It can be paralysing and demoralising, so it’s important to confront it directly. Let’s start with the word ‘impostor’. Here’s the dictionary definition. A person who practices deception under an assumed character, identity, or name. Jesus spoke about such people. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them. Matt 7.15-16a Genuine impostors are too busy leading people astray to worry about impostor syndrome. They’re often manipulative, proud, and focused on their ‘careers’. They would be untouched by a post like this one. How do we identify them? Jesus tells us it’s by their fruit. ( Jim Crooks wrote a helpful post on fruit a few weeks ago.) So, here’s my first encouragement. If you experience impostor syndrome, it’s almost always a sign that you’re NOT an impostor. More often it’s a sign that you’re experiencing some doubts and insecurities about the role you’ve taken on. DOUBLE-MINDED At its heart, the feeling of being an impostor may simply be the result of self-doubt, a lack of conviction about your beliefs. There are some tough words about this in the book of James. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt , because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1.6-7 These verses relate to prayer, but they give a picture of one who is ‘double-minded’ (v.8). Being double-minded is a character trait, and not a good one. Instead of holding fast to our convictions, and stepping out in faith, we waver, and having wavered, we feel like frauds. The first of our responses, therefore, should be to remind ourselves of our convictions, grounded in Scripture. CHRISTIAN CBT Speak truth to your heart. Ground that truth in the Bible. I call this ‘Christian CBT’. As the title of a very good book on the subject makes clear, it’s ‘Telling Yourself the Truth.’ (ii) You are ‘a new creation’ (2 Cor 5.17), ‘dearly loved’ (Col.3.12), ‘chosen’ (John 15.16), ‘destined for glory’ (Rom 8.30). You are also ‘saved by grace’ (Eph 2.8), ‘justified’ (Rom 5.1), and ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2.38; 2 Tim 1.7). When we face struggles, Jesus in the wilderness is our model. As he did when he confronted Satan, we should speak out Scriptural truth to ourselves, and in the heavenly realms. It does us good, lifting our hearts, and we can be assured that our spiritual battle is already won because of what Christ has accomplished for us. And that’s all fine and necessary. However, the practice of speaking truth to ourselves is something we probably do regularly already. It is healthy, encouraging, and effective . . . but . . . To confront impostor syndrome, we often need something more targeted. The verses above apply to all Christians, but ‘church leader imposter syndrome’? That’s a specific experience. We need to target some erroneous thinking that underpins it. I’M NOT WORTHY A heavy responsibility sits on many leaders’ shoulders. Here I am, interpreting God’s word. He’s almighty, pure, and holy . . . Who do I think I am!? Our inner ‘burning-bush-encountering Moses' constantly threatens to overwhelm us. I can’t do this! I’m not worthy! One of the signs that Satan is at work is when a believer feels a general sense of discouragement. Satan is the great deceiver, and he achieves his goal by a drip, drip diet of lies and half-truths. By dealing in generalities and half-truths, he makes the attacks hard to counter. For example, we know, deep down, that we’re not worthy. Of course not, we’re sinners. That much is true, but it’s not the whole truth , because of course we’re saved by grace. The half-truth therefore threatens to overwhelm the whole truth, which is that we’re covered by grace, dearly loved, and made worthy by the righteousness of our Saviour. When we’re feeling insecure or discouraged, the half-truth can make us feel like a fraud. Those verses I mentioned above are the anchor, the resource that we need. That’s certainly true. But we may need more. If you’re feeling isolated and discouraged, it’s essential to talk to someone. Absolutely essential. You may have brothers or sisters you can talk to. We at Living Leadership can also help . Don’t just hope that things will improve. Take action today, if you’re feeling the heavy weight of unworthiness. Your worthiness depends every moment of every day not on your abilities or what people say about you, but on the Lord Jesus and the grace that covers you. He has clothed you with righteousness. How amazing is that!? It may be, however, that you don’t struggle with a feeling of unworthiness, but incompetence. Leading a church is hard, and when things don’t go well, you can feel the weight of the world. I’M NO GOOD AT MY JOB It may be that you lack confidence in your abilities. Or it could be that the conflict, the back-biting, the workload, it’s all getting to you. It’s become overwhelming. There are many reasons why a leader comes to believe they’re an impostor, but ‘drowning in my job’ is a common one. To be honest, I have no idea if you’re good at your job or not. And it would be foolish to offer you some Disney feel-good sentiments to massage your ego. What I do know is that ‘being good at your job’ has nothing to do with whether you’re an impostor. As the definition makes very clear, an impostor is a deceiver. Yet no church leader is an impostor who serves the Lord faithfully. You may be a confident leader or one who feels insecure; you may have a thriving church or one in turmoil, but if you seek the Lord with humility, entrusting yourself to him daily, then you’re not an impostor. Simple as that. Believe it. Speak it out to yourself. Tell yourself the truth. The reality is, your troubles have nothing to do with whether you’re an impostor. In fact, these troubles may have arisen because of your faithfulness, because you are speaking truth to people resistant to it. So, be encouraged. Remain faithful. Trust the Lord. OTHERS THINK I CAN’T DO MY JOB This final one, I believe, only has power if you’re a people-pleaser. To kill a fire, you cut off its oxygen supply. You must do the same. To deal with this lie, it’s necessary to tackle your insecurities regarding ‘what others think’. Again, at Living Leadership, we’re here to help. Was Moses an impostor? All that grumbling in the desert, that must have really stuck in his craw. After all he’d done, his feedback forms were coming back with one stars. You may feel the same. I have given my all, and they still criticise me! You know why it hurts? Because you care about your people and serving them well. Impostors don’t respond that way. So, today, be encouraged. Slay the dragon of impostor syndrome with some meditation on God’s word. Remind yourself of all the Lord has done for you. No one can cut you off from the deep love of your Saviour. Even now, he intercedes for you (Heb 7.25; Rom 8.34). Imagine that. He’s praying for you right now. Trust him. Serve him. Love him. Be at peace. He will never leave you. He loves you. (i) A link to an article on imposter syndrome, by Sam Allberry. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/feel-christian-imposter/ (ii) Telling Yourself the Truth . William Backus & Marie Chapian. Bethany House. 2000. I highly recommend this book for all sorts of reasons. It is full of wisdom and also very practical.

The only Son of God […] came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made human. Nicene Creed Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord […] was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. Apostles’ Creed The Son became incarnate and was made human. He was fully God and fully man. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1.14a I don’t know about you, but this is one of the most profound, awe-inspiring mysteries of our faith; I could ponder its truth for a lifetime without ever plumbing its depths. So, I confess it by faith; I marvel at it and gladly confess my inability to fathom it. In recent decades, the term ‘incarnational ministry’ has come into use, especially in missions and church planting circles. It emphasises our call to live humbly as embodiments of God’s presence, and lays particular stress on developing close relationships with people who are from cultural contexts different to our own. However, the parallels between the incarnation of the eternal Son of God and our attempts at inter-cultural mission have severe limitations. Christ’s incarnation was a miracle of such magnitude that it has limited usefulness as a model for mission. Any journey we take to reach others is infinitely shorter than his. Furthermore, he left a place of sinless perfection, whereas we live in a fallen world. Our own culture is steeped in sin, and when we enter someone else’s, it is also tainted by sin. Certainly, cultures display their rebellion in different ways, but our common humanity unites us all. As the prophet Isaiah once wrote, ‘ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way’ (Isa 53.6a). For these reasons, I am not convinced the term ‘incarnational ministry’ is that helpful. I do believe, though, that our confession of faith in the incarnation has implications for Christian ministry. In particular, they relate to how we view the body. THE BODY IS GOOD It isn’t hard to identify the limitations of our bodies. Many of you will be wearing spectacles to correct your eyesight as you read this. Some will be in pain. You may be on a waiting list for a hospital appointment or operation. In recent weeks, you may have presided at or attended a funeral, when a body was committed to the grave or the fire. Our bodies are weak and prone to decay; they are ‘wasting away’ (2 Cor 4.16). Aware of this, we might conclude that the body is bad. We wouldn’t be the first. Historically, ideas from Greek philosophy have influenced Christian thinking, contributing to popular misconceptions. Some theologians have taught that we should deny the body, marking this belief through celibacy, or even beating the body into submission as a path to greater holiness. Some traditions have taught that our destiny is to become disembodied spirits in the clouds. This is mistaken. Our bodies are certainly subject to decay within this fallen world, but we are, in fact, awaiting ‘the redemption of our bodies’ (Rom 8.23). We know that ‘everything God created is good’ (1 Tim 4.4a). That includes the body. The fact that the incarnate Son of God inhabited a body confirms this. So, the body is good. Having said that, it can be used in both good and bad ways. This leads to my second point. THE BODY HAS A PURPOSE When I trained and worked as a medical doctor, I devoted myself to understanding how the body works, what can go wrong with it, and what we can do to put it right. My medical training didn’t involve philosophy or theology, however, so I was never encouraged to ask, ‘What is the body for?’ I tried to help people live longer with fewer physical restrictions, but I was not expected to have an opinion on what they should do with their extra life and health. To explain why sexual immorality is such a serious sin, the apostle Paul wrote, ‘The body […] is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body’ (1 Cor 6.13). Paul adds that the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and was bought ‘at a price’ (1 Cor 6.19-20). The body belongs to God by virtue of creation, redemption, and the indwelling of the Spirit. He is its maker, purchaser, and tenant. That’s why sexual sin is so serious. It is a ‘sin against [your] own body’ (1 Cor 6.18) because it joins your body, which belongs to God, to someone who is not ‘one flesh’ with you in marriage. Paul is quite clear about the purpose of the body. It is for the Lord! That’s why ‘true and proper worship’, means to ‘offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God’ (Rom 12.1). Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, has shown us what that looks like. He lived resolutely according to his Father’s will, even though it meant a life that was cruelly shortened. Living longer and being healthier are good things, but only if we’re clear about the purpose of our bodies. We belong to our triune God; he is our maker, purchaser, and tenant, so we must follow his directions. He does not lead us to ignore or fight against the proper constraints of our bodies. He calls us to be faithful as we await the redemption of our bodies. This is my final point. THE BODY NEEDS REDEMPTION In Romans 6, the apostle Paul assures us that believers in Jesus will ‘certainly […] be united with him in a resurrection like his’ (Rom 6.5). Yet, later in chapter 8, when writing about our eternal hope, he says that we’re waiting for ‘the redemption of our bodies’ (Rom 8.23). Why use the word ‘redemption’ instead of ‘resurrection’? I think verse 18 helps us understand his choice of words. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Rom 8.18 Paul wants us to understand something important about the nature of our redemption. The only other appearance of the word in Romans occurs in chapter 3. We read that ‘all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus’ (Rom 3.24). And yet we wait (Rom 8.23). We have already been justified. We now stand in God’s grace. Yet we still have not received the glory for which we hope (Rom 5.2). The apostle wants to make it very clear that our redemption in this life does not give us immunity from suffering. Hence our ‘present sufferings ’. God may heal our bodies now, but not totally. The redemption that came by Christ Jesus will extend to our bodies, but that will only be fully realised when God renews all things. That is why the eternal Son needed to become incarnate. He has redeemed us, that’s certainly true, but that redemption is only fully completed in our newly resurrected bodies on the final day. Until then, we live in bodies that are limited. We are frail and we are fallen. Even before they sinned, Adam and Eve had physical limitations—the need for food and sleep. Living with the results of the Fall, accumulated over time, we have more. Our genes are sometimes faulty, we have damaged the environment, we are growing old, and one day, we will all die. We must accept these limitations, including the need to adapt to our diminished capacities as we age. There may be lament as the years go by, because we know these limitations resulting from the Fall aren’t in line with God’s ultimate good purpose. And yet we can have real hope because one day, our bodies will be redeemed. SO WHAT? What difference do these three truths make for Christian ministry? They have implications for our teaching. We need to help people understand that the body is good so they can avoid body-denying heresies. We must explain that the body has a purpose, which is to serve and glorify God. Though the Lord does sometimes heal, we can free people from false promises of perfect health or total healing in this life, whilst assuring them of the resurrection to come. These truths also have implications for our own lives and the way we care for others. We should endorse the goodness of other people’s bodies by caring for their material needs. We can extend compassion to them through our words and through appropriate touch, by which I mean physical contact that is welcomed, non-sexual and culturally appropriate. We must use our own bodies for the Lord’s purposes, making healthy choices not only regarding our diets but in the way we avoid sexual temptation. We should be patient with others as their bodies decline due to advancing age, and accept the inevitable decline of our own bodies as a sign that we are in desperate need of resurrection. Christian leaders, ‘We believe the Son of God was made human’. We know that the body is good and we know its purpose. We are embodied humans and, following in the footsteps of our Lord, we come alongside our fellow embodied humans to share his love. For by doing so, we bear testimony to our Saviour, the perfect embodied human. So, make this your confession today, ‘ I believe in the incarnation’.

On this fifth Thursday of the month, we want to take that opportunity to share with you what is going on around Living Leadership, where we see God at work and what we are seeking him for going forward. We’re praising God for…. …the impact we were able to have in 2024 As we step into a new year, it’s a natural time to reflect on all that God has done. Looking back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for His work in and through our ministry. Here are some of the highlights: Formation & Refresh ministries provided support to over 450 leaders and spouses, representing more than 200 churches and organisations. We had the joy of welcoming eight new Associates, including five in the North of England, significantly expanding our capacity to serve leaders and spouses in that region. By the end of the year, we had 39 Associates across the UK and Ireland and have already invited two more to apply in early 2025. We launched two key resources to equip leaders and their teams: the Sabbaticals Toolkit and the Pastoral Care Foundations Course. While numbers help illustrate our impact, what encourages us most is that behind each statistic is a leader, a spouse, a family, a congregation, and/or an organisation strengthened through our ministry. Our prayer is that every person we have served—and those they, in turn, serve—would have a renewed sense of God’s grace, experience a renewed joy in Christ, and be spurred on to live for and serve him faithfully until their race is complete. We’re praying for… …our new Chief Executive and Ministry Development Lead Recruitment is in full swing for our new Ministry Development Lead in Scotland and our next Chief Executive. With deadlines fast approaching—this Friday for the Ministry Development Lead and 14th February for the Chief Executive—we would greatly appreciate your prayers and support in reaching the right candidates. Please join us in praying for God’s guidance over both the recruitment process and all those involved in making these important decisions. We also ask for prayer over the impact these new roles will have on the future of this ministry—particularly that the Lord would provide the right Chief Executive to lead us forward into the good works He has prepared for us in 2025 and beyond. …our upcoming Pastoral Refreshment Conferences Our Pastoral Refreshment Conferences return next week in Hertfordshire and the Lake District. These are always a fabulous way to start the year! Year after year, we hear testimonies of how God has used these gatherings as oases of renewal—rekindling joy, convicting hearts, restoring marriages, sustaining ministries, and renewing vision. We pray this year will be no different, especially for leaders facing deep challenges in their families, congregations, or denominations. This year's theme is "Hearts at Rest". Won't you join us in praying that every participant might find rest in God over these days? Won’t you join us in praising God and praying for the work of Living Leadership?

Remember The Screwtape Letters  by C.S. Lewis? Today, a journey into our imaginations. Let’s apply some of the devil’s strategies to today’s leaders. Your aim as a faithful demon? To destroy the spiritual health of a local church. How would you go about this? You mustn’t make the church suspicious, so the church building has to continue to look full and buzzing with life, while you are secretly at work behind the scenes. Second, you should probably use disguise and deceit to get past their defences. So, no prosperity teaching in a church that knows their Bibles well. You should deceive in line with what they already agree with, so nobody notices. What should you prioritise? Here are some tips. Overload godly leaders with so many good opportunities that they can only accomplish them at the expense of their walks with God. Ideally, this should also come at the expense of their family, if they are married, or other healthy friendships, if they aren't. Isolate and overwhelm them. Add in a bit of guilt if they aren't working harder and longer than the hardest working person in the church. Tempt them to compare themselves negatively with their favourite Christian missionary hero. As you begin, take care not to overdo it. You don’t want them to become so despairing and discouraged that they actually leave. No, no. And be careful not to alert the church elders (or equivalent). The last thing you want is for the church to realise how unhealthy their leader’s patterns have become. That would give the game away. (Fortunately, most churches never do a proper evaluation of the spiritual life and health of their leader, so you should be able to get away with these techniques.) Instead, keep the leader on the hamster wheel, delivering what everyone wants and being applauded for it, but with their spiritual vitality seeping away like a slow puncture. Also, if they make an effort to return to patterns that are sustainable and produce godly joy, ensure that they encounter those most likely to criticise them for this. That has always worked well in the past. Let me assure you that if you follow this guidance, you’ll soon have a church with many popular activities and teaching, but without any spiritual depth. Perfect! The teachers may well expound Scripture in a way that’s technically correct, and they may even be congratulated for their depth of insight. However, their hearts won’t be in it and they will be the only ones who know this. Great teaching but spiritual poverty. Excellent! Sunday services are also a great resource for you. If possible, tempt the leaders to focus on impressing others so that they neglect their own spiritual lives of prayer and worship. It’s not hard to convince them that they’re virtuous because they’re thinking of others. Ideally, all those who lead in church should believe that they’re working hard ‘for the gospel’, as long as they do so at the expense of their first love. If you can set up ‘gospel ministry’ as something that works counter to spiritual depth, all the better. It confuses them, because they often find they can’t abandon activity they’ve deemed central to their roles in order to prioritise time with God. Confusion will often lead to guilt. An outstanding combination! YOUR CHURCH Looking at the above strategies devised by Satan, how vulnerable is your church? If you’re the leader, how vulnerable are you to these tactics? The devil is quite capable of sending bad things our way, but he will also overwhelm us with a deluge of apparently good things. When that happens, our spiritual health is closely connected to our responses. Have we learned when to say no, and when to say yes? There is always more on our plates than can be done healthily and prayerfully. So, saying no and delegating must become learned behaviours. Furthermore, many of us hear a little nagging voice that tells us we’re pathetic if we don’t go the extra mile. It’s an insidious lie that appears to be founded on the truth. SLOWLY, SLOWLY One of the problems is that our patterns develop slowly. It goes wrong not immediately, but slowly. Allow that voice to dictate a thousand little decisions and you will eventually find yourself maxed out by church life. You’ll be spiritually exhausted at the same time as your church is seen to be a success. But it is all surface activity and energy. It’s activity and energy that overwhelms the spiritual life first of leaders, and then of everyone else. It’s worth taking note of this verse in the letter to the Hebrews. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden , for that would be of no benefit to you. Heb 13.17   The writer is warning against a church culture that so burdens a leader that they lose their joy. Satan loves to destroy our joy. It is surely better to be guided by the principle that vibrant spiritual health is our goal rather than manic activity. In addition, when considering which activities to prioritise, spiritual health should guide the choices we make. THE JESUS WAY When Jesus tells the disciples to come to him for rest, he tells them they are going to need to learn how to do it. He’s not referring to information, but to a whole-life paradigm. It’s important to remember that the disciples lived in a different culture to ours. The yoke of the Pharisees and the burden of religious duty was suffocating the life of the nation. For them, rest involved ‘unlearning’ a host of assumptions about what it meant to live well before God, as well as learning to rest in Jesus. Evangelical churches have their own versions of that old paradigm. Allow me to finish with some questions to ponder this coming week. Are you building a spiritually healthy church culture of people delighting and resting in Jesus? Are your church members growing in love and the fruit of the Holy Spirit? To cover up your spiritual poverty, are you prioritising impressive, attractive, and popular activities that act as a substitute for spiritual health? All we do in church life comes from a source. It is anchored either in healthy spirituality, the kind that involves resting in Jesus, which produces good fruit and abundant joy, or it is based on some kind of substitute. What kind of church do you lead?

Allow me to begin with a poem by John Keats. To Autumn Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells. John Keats 1795 - 1821 The seasons have worked through the cycle again, and winter is here. As the ‘Horizontal Gardener’ (see a previous post on this), I have been reflecting on the lessons to be learned from our experience of the seasons. JOSEPH – THE ORIGINAL ORGANIC PRODUCE Let’s start with Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall. Gen 49.22 (AKJV) Sounds good, doesn’t it? Who doesn't want to be described as fruitful? It sounds fantastic. You're one big, thriving mango tree! But what does it really mean? And how does it connect with that other famous fruit passage in Galatians 5:22-23, where the apostle Paul serves up a spiritual fruit salad? In Genesis 49.22, Joseph gets this glowing endorsement of fruitfulness, complete with imagery of a branch growing over the wall. He’s so full of life and purpose that his blessings can’t be contained. His vine isn’t just lying peaceably in the shady corner of the garden, it’s climbing the wall, waving at the neighbours, and tempting incipient climbers on the other side. But we know that Joseph’s life wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. He was thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and jailed. Yet, through all of this, he remained faithful to God, and his 'well' of living water kept him growing. That’s the secret to fruitfulness. It’s not about perfect circumstances. It’s about being rooted in the right source. ENTER THE APOSTLE PAUL AND THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Fast-forward to Galatians 5:22-23, where Paul gives us a list of what real fruitfulness looks like: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control . You’ll notice that Paul doesn’t mention busyness, wealth, or social media followers. God’s definition of fruitfulness isn’t the same as ours. Joseph’s life was a living example of these Spirit-fruits. When his brothers showed up needing food, did he unleash a vine of vengeance? Nope. Instead, he responded with love, kindness, and forgiveness . Even in Potiphar’s house and prison, Joseph demonstrated faithfulness and self-control . Clearly, he was walking around like a one-man fruit basket! THE WALL, THE WELL, AND THE WHOLESOME FRUIT Joseph’s branches didn’t just stay on his side of the wall. They 'ran over’. That’s what happens when you’re connected to God as your well. You don’t just have enough for yourself. Your fruit spills over to bless others. This is where the fruit of the Spirit comes in. When we’re living by the Spirit, our love isn’t limited to the people we like, our patience isn’t reserved for when traffic is light, and our self-control doesn’t take weekends off. These fruits grow so abundantly, they naturally overflow into our relationships, our churches, and even the awkward work meetings where everyone’s pretending to like the coffee. WHAT ABOUT US? Let’s face it, we’re all works in progress. Some days, our fruit of the Spirit feels more like a sad raisin. But the good news is, God’s not asking us to grow these fruits by sheer effort. Just like Joseph’s bough that was planted by a well, our job is to stay connected to Jesus, the source of living water. So, what’s the application? Be like Joseph. Stay rooted. Let the fruit grow. And don’t worry if your branches get a little unruly and spill over the wall. After all, the world could use a lot more love, joy, and patience—and maybe a little less overripe bitterness. Whether you see yourself as a fruitful bough, a sapling, or just a slightly confused houseplant, there’s room to grow. And with God as your gardener, you can trust that your fruitfulness will not only bless you but also everyone around you. So go ahead. Let those branches climb the wall and make the world a sweeter place.