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Sometimes, we find light in the darkest of places. In January, I read the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, and I came to this verse. Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. Eccles 4.1 You may not believe me but I actually found this verse extremely encouraging. Here’s why. First of all, there’s something wholesome about simply hearing the truth being stated. It’s good to hear the world described as it really is. In truth, this is part of our creation mandate. God gave Adam the job of naming the animals in Genesis 2.19-20. God’s representative, describing the created world, categorising, giving things a name—that’s the start of the scientific project right there. Not just science but art too. This is what good art does well. It helps us to recognise the truth of something that otherwise might be unexpressed. Doesn't it make your spirit soar when you read something in a poem, maybe, or a novel, that makes you think ‘Yes, that’s exactly how it is!’? It is good when art or science describes reality accurately. That’s because truth matters. A lot. However, when we read this verse in Ecclesiastes, something more is happening. It’s not just the writer of Ecclesiastes saying it as it is. The Lord himself is articulating this truth in his word. So, as I came to this section, with my own heart heavy from all the injustice and evil in the world, I sensed God saying, ‘I see. I know.’ God isn’t blind to all the pain and struggle in his world. In Ecclesiastes, he tells us that he sees it all, and he knows about all of it. As I write, there’s a steady drip-drip of further revelations from the released Epstein files. It’s shocking to think of what went on, and who might have known about it. It’s infuriating to think of all that has not yet been released or revealed, some of it possibly held back deliberately or hidden away. We cannot see and may never know. But God sees; God knows. That doesn’t make it any better for the victims, not at all. None of the dreadful things that are still happening in the world stopped happening after I read that verse. I know that such things will continue to happen right up until Jesus returns. Yet none of it goes unseen by our heavenly Father. That thought lifted up my heart. It gave me hope and strengthened me for the journey ahead. HAGAR Remember Sarah’s maidservant Hagar, in Genesis 16? Cruelly used, abused, sexually exploited by Sarah and Abraham, she was then sent away by her jealous mistress. After she’d run off into the desert, the angel of the Lord found her and encouraged her to return. He also promised innumerable descendants. We then read this beautiful verse. She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Gen 16.13 I see you. Sometimes, it is just so good to hear that God sees and knows. It matters that we’re noticed. Often in life we may feel that we go unseen, yet God never, ever overlooks us. He always sees us. He knows us. BEING SEEN A friend of mine has a daughter, who was abandoned by her partner, after they’d had a son together. Since that time, she has gone through some very dark times. Now, however, she’s married to a man who takes his responsibilities as a step-father very seriously. My friend informed me that he’d told his new son-in-law, ‘I see you’. It was just a simple expression of care, but it communicated his appreciation for the young man’s time and effort in caring for his grandson, even though he isn’t the boy’s biological father. Many of us in pastoral ministry have times when we feel helpless and inadequate in the face of so much pain and suffering. It’s in those moments that we need to remember that by drawing near and coming alongside people, we are giving a meaningful testimony to our God. As we offer ourselves to others, as we draw near, we mirror our God who also draws near, who is with us. Always. When we do this, we show them that we see them. We hear them. They matter. And that offers more encouragement than we can imagine. SEEING THOSE WHO SERVE What is the best way to encourage those who serve in church? Though we may offer words of affirmation, the response is sometimes, ‘I don’t want praise’. However, though they may not want to be thanked during a Sunday service, I believe every person needs encouragement. They need to know that they’re seen. There’s no requirement to do this in a flowery or showy way, but it’s good to communicate to all who serve that their service doesn’t go unnoticed. We see them and we appreciate them. When we do this, we are pointing them to the God who sees them too. And loves them. And though we may feel inadequate at times, let us never forget that we serve the God who sees, who hears, who is never removed and distant. For we serve the One who sees us. And knows us. The One who draws near.

In this weeks’ blog we want to share with you how God has been at work through LL’s ministries is recent weeks and some things that are coming up soon… Praising God for… Streams in the desert Over the last few weeks, we have been delighted to welcome over 150 leaders and spouses to our Pastoral Refreshment Conferences in Hertfordshire and the Lake District. These three conferences, over two weeks, enabled those attending to take time away from the pressures of life and ministry to slow down and meet with the Lord. Our theme this year was “Streams in the desert”, with teaching focused on us resetting and refocusing our hearts on the grace of God; receiving from him and being restored and refreshed in him. It was such a wonderful time but you don’t have to just take our word for it. Here’s some to the feedback we received: “It's just such a welcoming and relaxed environment - lending itself to receiving from the Lord both through his word and through his people.” “Eric's teaching was gentle, rich and encouraging! The music was so refreshing and encouraging too - I loved it!” “PRC is a blessing and tonic - it sets the year on a good path.” “We have become 'old-timers' at Pastoral Refreshment Conferences. It is such a joy to come away together as church leader and spouse and be fed by the word of God being opened, with the purpose of building up and refreshing, not challenging our theological standpoint on X or Y. The pace is deliberately slow, the expectations are low and the genuine care of the leaders is so evident. So we'll keep coming back as long as we can, because it does us good.” The Hidden Generation Back in January, we were delighted to host our largest ever “spouses seminar”. The seminar explored how we parent and support children growing up in ministry families, sometimes referred to as “the hidden generation”. The seminar was led by Gareth and Claire Wroe, two of our Associates, whose honesty and wisdom helped create space for open and meaningful discussion. We hope for many it was an evening that generated lots of ideas, encouragement, and started a discussion that may continue beyond the evening. We are hoping to put on more seminars in the coming year about important topics. Our next spouses seminar is coming up in April , where we’ll be looking at “finding joy in a life of sacrifice”. Looking ahead… How are you, really? Each year, we hold an Annual Spiritual Health Survey for Christian leadrs and their spouses. One of the things we seek to embody in all we do is “listening”, and our Annual Survey is one of the ways we try to do that. We want to hear the current realities for many in ministry so we can plan the best ways to serve you and advocate for leaders and spouse care in churches and Christian organisations. Every year, we pick a special focus to sit alongside the general questions on spiritual health. This year we are researching the impact that finances have on your experience of wellbeing, and your ability to access means of spiritual support/health. If you’re in ministry (paid or voluntary) or married to someone who is, please take 10 minutes to complete the survey — your voice genuinely shapes how we serve leaders across the UK. We’d also love you to share this survey with others! Our Refreshment Days are now booking around the country… find one in your area! Refreshment Days are brilliant opportunities for those in ministry and their spouses to take a day away to receive from the Lord. During a Refreshment Day , we will hear from God's word, spend some time in reflection and have opportunities for people to pray with others, including experienced leaders who are available for one-to-one support. Now booking: 19 Mar - Men in Families, Children and Youth ministry 24 Mar - Women in Families, Children and Youth Ministry 07 May - Midlands: Lutterworth 12 May - Ambleside 21 May - Kingsclere near Newbury 04 Jun - Oxford 10 Jun - Kent 23 Jun - nr. Hexham 23 Jun - Married leaders in Families, Children and Youth ministry & their spouses 30 Jun - South Yorkshire We’re so grateful for all God is doing among leaders and their families. Please continue to pray for this work — and if you need refreshment yourself, we would love to serve you.

Sometimes, nothing seems to work. Many—perhaps most—church leaders have experienced this, though it’s often hard to admit. Here are some examples. You pray faithfully, but the breakthrough doesn’t come. You plan carefully, but momentum stalls. You preach your heart out, yet it feels like the words barely land. The harder you try to fix things, the heavier it all feels. I experienced all of these during my forty years in Christian ministry. They can quietly erode our confidence and leave us wondering if we’re doing something wrong or even worse—that we have missed out on what God’s doing somewhere? The good news is this: the Bible, with its ‘warts and all’ revelation is full of leaders who found themselves in exactly this place. And God met them there—not with shame, but with purpose. GOD MAY BE DOING DEEP WORK IN YOU Moses didn’t step from the palace straight into deliverance leadership. He spent forty years in the wilderness, tending sheep—far from influence, progress, or visible impact. (Exodus 2–3) From the outside, it may have looked like a wasted calling, but from God’s perspective, it was preparation. ‘Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law.’ (Ex 3.1) Sometimes ministry slows not because God has stepped back, but because he is shaping character before expanding influence. Reflection questions for you to consider with your team (or alone). What might God be forming in me during this season that effectiveness alone could not? Have I equated fruitfulness with faithfulness in ways Scripture does not? How am I responding to obscurity or lack of recognition? FAITHFULNESS IN THE ABSENCE OF ‘RESULTS’ STILL MATTERS Jeremiah preached for years with little response. People resisted his message, questioned his calling, and ignored his warnings. By most modern standards, his ministry would be labelled ‘ineffective’. Yet, God never measured Jeremiah by measurable outputs—only obedience. The following verse is particularly pertinent. So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. Jer 7.27, 28 This can be hard to accept in a results-driven church culture. However, God’s metrics have always valued faithfulness over visibility. Reflection questions for you and your team. If I stopped seeking ‘results’, would I still see my ministry as valuable? Am I obeying God’s call, or chasing reassurance through outcomes? How do we, as a leadership team, define 'success' in this season? DISCOURAGEMENT DOES NOT DISQUALIFY YOU After the dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah expected change. Instead, he ran for his life and collapsed under the weight of disappointment. ‘I have had enough, Lord… Take my life.’ (1 Kings 19.4) God’s response is deeply pastoral. He gives Elijah food, rest, and his gentle presence, before offering direction. ‘And after the fire came a gentle whisper.’ (1 Kings 19.12) When nothing is working, God often meets us not with correction, but with care. Reflection questions for you and your team. What signals of exhaustion or discouragement am I ignoring? Do I allow myself to receive care, or only give it? What might it look like to listen for God’s whisper rather than demand his intervention? PERSEVERANCE OFTEN LOOKS ORDINARY Perseverance in ministry is rarely dramatic. More often, it’s the quiet decision to keep going, to pray again, preach again, love again. Paul admitted how overwhelmed he felt. ‘We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure.’ (2 Cor 1.8–9) Yet he discovered something essential: desperation taught him dependence . Reflection questions for you and your team. In what areas of my life am I relying on my own strength instead of God’s? What does faithful perseverance look like right now—not ideally, but realistically? How can we support one another in staying the course together? WHEN NOTHING IS WORKING, GOD MAY BE INVITING CHANGE Not every stuck season is meant to be endured indefinitely. Sometimes God uses frustration to signal transition. Jesus said, ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.’ (John 12.24) While this was a profound truth about his own mission and death, we may also use it as a prompt for change. That’s because some methods, models, or even roles may need to end before new life can emerge. This requires discernment, not panic—and courage, not fear. Reflection questions for you and your team. What needs to be released rather than fixed? Are we clinging to what once worked but no longer fits? What kind of new life might God be inviting us into?  YOU ARE NOT THE SAVIOUR AND THAT’S A RELIEF When ministry feels like it’s failing, it often reveals how much weight we’ve been carrying. Jesus reminds us, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Matt 11.28) The church belongs to Jesus. The mission is his. Our role is faithfulness, not rescue. Remember Paul’s profound experience of pain, in which he heard the Lord speak to him. ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Cor 12.9) Weakness does not mean failure. It creates space for grace. Reflection questions for you and your team What responsibilities have I taken on that were never mine to carry? How would my leadership change if I truly trusted Christ to build His church? What would rest look like as an act of faith? A CLOSING WORD If nothing is working right now, you are not alone—and you are not failing. You may be in a season where God is doing quieter, deeper work than you expected; work that doesn’t show up in metrics, but shapes hearts. Starting with yours. And that work, Scripture assures us, is never wasted. Consider this verse in the book of James. Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Jas 5.7–8 A farmer can do everything right—prepare the soil, plant the seed, water faithfully, yet for a long season there is nothing visible above the ground. If you walked past the field, you might assume nothing is happening. However, beneath the surface, roots are forming, nutrients are being absorbed, and life is quietly taking hold. If the farmer dug up the seed every week to ‘check progress,’ he would destroy what he planted. Church leadership often works ‘underground’. Sermons reshape thinking long before behaviour changes. Pastoral conversations soften hearts long before repentance shows. Prayer alters spiritual ground long before revival appears. Faithful leadership is less like managing a factory and more like tending a field. And remember that the Bible does not call leaders to produce results. He calls them to be faithful stewards (1 Cor 4.2). Growth belongs to God. Even Paul makes use of the agricultural metaphor. ‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.’ (1 Cor 3.6) So be encouraged. Invisible work is still real work. Delayed fruit is still fruit. Jesus himself led crowds that later vanished, preached sermons that thinned his following, and invested years in just twelve men—one of whom failed him badly. Yet no leadership in history was more fruitful. If you are teaching truth, loving people, praying faithfully, and walking in integrity , then success is already happening. Even if heaven alone can see it for now. So . . . ‘Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ Gal 6.9

What were you doing last Friday? Well, if you’re someone who made a physical New Year's resolution, statistics from Strava suggest that was the day you first broke it; the first day your running shoes stayed in the porch untouched, and the day the gym began to go quiet. What’s more, research suggests that by the 19th January, 92% of people with resolutions will have already quit them. It can be easy to feel guilty about that. We once again have “failed”. We “haven’t tried hard enough”. We didn’t persevere. But what if the issue at hand isn’t simply a problem of willpower? What if it’s that we are pushing ourselves, depleting ourselves, trying to do more in lives that are already stretched? What if there is a better “resolution” available that isn’t just a goal to achieve but a refreshing rhythm to live by? REST At the beginning of every year, it is like the collective cultural narrative becomes one of striving. A universal cry of “more” – more goals, more discipline, more activities. But what if we chose a different focus? From the very beginning, God has woven the pattern of rest and renewal into creation. We can remember how God rested on the seventh day, and then established that same rhythm for his people through the weekly Sabbath (see Exodus 20:8-11). It ensured regular time for God’s people to put away work, and devote themselves to rest, worship and to be refreshed in the Lord. Whilst this is not a requirement for us now, it is still a good gift. A joy-inducing rhythm that offers us rich spiritual, emotional and physical benefits, and one we at Living Leadership wholeheartedly encourage. It is good for us all to have regular occasions where we remind ourselves that our fruitfulness doesn’t depend on the things that we are doing but rather springs from a heart that is abiding in Christ (John 15). Times when we dwell in him and receive the refreshment that flows only from the true vine, that is Jesus himself. It is also good for us to be reminded that our God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). He does not need us to hold everything together. While we lay down our burdens and give ourselves over to rest, he continues his work. So, why not consider a better “resolution” this year? One that does not ask you to do more, but to stop. One that does not ask you to achieve something, but rather for you to regularly relinquish everything over to the God who has it all in hand. One that does not ask that you deplete yourself, but to be refreshed. Why not resolve to find your own rhythm of refreshment this year? A note for the overburdened (or for whom this sounds like “one more thing to do”): The blessing of this invitation is that it is not a standard to reach. There is no formula to follow, prescription to get right, or metric to measure its success. It is simply an invitation to create a regular rhythm of rest and refreshment. You can decide what this looks like to you and allow it to evolve as you discover what this can look like in your life. For many, a weekly sabbath can be a good place to start. For others, or eventually, it may include daily, monthly, quarterly or annual rhythms of rest and refreshment. Some questions for reflection: Do you have a regular practice of resting in Jesus? What helps you to abide in Christ? What often pulls you away or prevents you from that? Where might you be able to commit space to a new rhythm like this? What is one small, realistic rhythm you can start? What would help you do this? Some events and resources to help: Our DIY Refreshment Day resource Living Leadership Refreshment Days Living Leadership Groups ( Leaders or Spouses | Spouses only | Women in Ministry only ) A map of retreat centres in the UK

If you’re anything like me, in this busy season of ministry, I can get so caught up in the “doing”, I scarcely take time to pause. I can end up spending all the time talking about the awe and wonder of that first Christmas, and not truly basking in it myself. So today, no especially deep thoughts, but an invitation to join me in prayer. Won't you join me as we approach with wonder and worship, and ask the Lord to be at work in us, as well as through us, in this busy season. Everlasting Father, Father of our Lord Jesus, whose birth we are proclaiming through these busy festive days, we draw near now. We exhale from the rush of this ministry season to sit in your presence. We still in reverence and awe at your works. We breathe in deep the truths of your love, shown in the gift of your Son to this sin-marred world, for sinners like us. Protect us from overfamiliarity with the wonderous story, that it ceases to move us as we share it with others. Startle us in awe and wonder, even as we draw others close to marvel at the incarnated Saviour, and the hope offered to all in his life, death, resurrection and return. As this season of ministry progresses, it is easy to find ourselves feeling poured out. Yet, we trust in your character and promises as you supply our every need, at every turn. We are not the source of the message but simply the hands, feet and mouthpieces through which your Spirit works to flow out the gospel to those who need the truth of it. But we are also more than that: We are your beloved children in whom you delight to do your work, too, and who need the truths proclaimed this season as much as anyone. So, Spirit, we ask that you pour into our hearts as we pour out. Satisfy us as we share with others. Pour in your comfort, even as we comfort others. Pour in your peace, even as we enter the strife. Pour in your love, even as we move towards those who feel lonely and unseen. Pour in your forgiveness, even as we seek to minister with grace. Pour in your joy, even as we declare the joy of that first Christmas to those who need it. Let our every act of service be done in your strength, not our own; your wisdom, not our own; for your name, not our own. We thank you that you are an abundant and generous Father, who gives more than we can imagine and delights in giving good gifts to his children. May our every service be done as an overflow of thankfulness and worship for all you have first given us. We thank and praise you most of all for the gift of salvation through your Son, our Lord Jesus. May our hearts never cease from overflowing in praise of him this Christmas, and all the days of our life. It is in his name, we pray. Amen Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us at Living Leadership Ministries

There’s a line about time that has stuck in my memory from senior school English lessons: “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” It’s from T.S. Eliot’s famous poem, The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock , though I confess that I had to Google the phrase to discover that. And that in my memory it was sugar  spoons. But the point remains – it is a memorable image. The passing of time is such an intangible thing in so many ways – and the idea of measuring it in a concrete unit of daily action brings solidity to an otherwise elusive concept. ‘Lockdown’ – that now distant memory – brought this home to me. Many people have commented on the strange effects that lockdown had on our perception of time. For those isolated at home, or for whom all their normal routines changed, our grip on time loosened. Without your daily commute, how do you know a working day has passed? With no classes to attend, how is Monday different from Saturday? I worked from home before lockdown, more often than not, and many – though not all – of my regular weekly tasks were able to continue, albeit in a different way. But many of the routines changed incalculably. For me this was most noticeable on a Sunday, which went from one of my busiest days to a much more family-centred, leisurely affair. Some of the change was good. I made more time to read. I slowed down. I was reminded that God works at a different speed, and in a completely different way, from me. And as so much of the ‘busyness’ with which I had previously filled my week reduced, I was reminded that the real work is done by God, and my part is prayer and prayerful preparation. I also noticed that, quite unselfconsciously, I started adding new routines to mark the passing of time. So, for example, I started taking daily – often multiple times a day – leisurely walks around the garden. I carefully observed the different plants and the ways they were changing and growing. Although I often did this while my tea was brewing, I wasn’t measuring my time in teabags; rather, I was marking the slow and steady growth that my Heavenly Father is bringing about, whether I wake or sleep. There’s something wonderfully tangible about the horticultural change which can be seen. It’s such a stark contrast to so much of pastoral ministry where change is often (though not always) even more imperceptibly slow than the growth of new plants. Perhaps there’s an echo of Christian mindfulness here, in deliberately taking time to be in the moment and to observe the world around me. It’s also perhaps no accident that it was in the garden that I noticed these things. I’ve been convinced for some years that there is something wonderfully Genesis-1-and-2-esque about ‘tending the earth’ which, at some deep level, fulfils a creation mandate and so brings satisfaction as we cut with the God-given grain of the universe. (Although, of course, that could simply be the onset of middle age!) Either way, it increased my thankfulness in the midst of a very strange time. Each day is a grace-gift from God, to be enjoyed as such in the light of his goodness and grace. As the garden grows – largely outside my control – I am reminded of my Heavenly Father who loves me and who is actively at work even in those times when I am at a loss to know what He is doing. He has measured out my life and knows the number of my days. And, unlike Eliot’s narrator, he doesn’t do it with coffee spoons.   This article originally appeared in a slightly different form on thevirtualword.org

Colossians 3.12. You may know it. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3.12 Have trouble memorising it? Here’s some help.   Catie. Knits. Harry. Green. Pyjamas.   This mnemonic does rely on remembering that Catie is spelled with a ‘c’. However, since my wife is called Cate, this isn’t a problem for me. I hope you find it helpful too.   Back to the verse, and what a verse it is!   Several years ago, whilst on a sabbatical, I found myself walking the Ridgeway with Colossians 3.12 running on repeat through my head. At the time, I was struck that there is no list of qualities that l embody less than these. So, I memorised and meditated, with the help of my quirky mnemonic. In the years since then, well, I still have a long long way to go, but I’m ever more aware of my need for humility, which I take to be a sign of growth.   JESUS’ SECRET     What was Jesus’ secret? How was he able to respond to people without the giveaway defensiveness that so often strains my tone, blunts my spiritual sensitivity, and narrows my perspective? How did he manage to avoid that burning need to ensure that everyone understood his perspective, without seeming to feel that he’d been unfairly dismissed, disparaged, or disrespected? How did he constantly and consistently put self to the side in order to love the person in front of him? I’m sure there were many factors but surely one of the most prominent was Jesus’ humility. I don’t know if the apostle Paul specifically crafted this sentence so that humility comes in the middle of the list, but it seems to me very fitting that it does.   I find it helpful to picture humility as the keystone of a bridge, the piece in the middle that holds up all the other stones. When we are humble, then compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience become far more attainable. As we put self to the side, then we can focus more clearly on the other person, without our own egos getting in the way.   So, how do we accomplish this?   First, like all godly characteristics, we don’t develop them simply by reading about them in books (or even blog posts). If I want to build up my muscles, I have to put them under strain through exercise. Patience is only developed when it is sorely tested. We don’t need to pray for such situations, since they probably already exist. However, we should pray that the Lord will use them to develop these characteristics.    But there’s something more fundamental.   For Jesus, humility didn’t require him to run himself down. He knew who he was, and he practised humility from a position of security in his true identity. We see this perhaps most clearly in the upper room, as he prepared to wash the feet of his disciples.   Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5   Being sure of his identity, secure in his relationship with his Father, he was able to put self aside and perform this menial task, without being concerned about how others might view him. His grasp of his identity and calling freed him up to serve, as opposed to asserting himself to justify his position. Don’t we see the same thing at work in Colossians 3.12?   Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with . . . Col 3.12   Our identity as God’s people, chosen and loved, and our calling as holy people, set apart for his service, frees us up too. When we’re confident in who we are, we’re able to put self aside and consider others more than we consider ourselves. If our egos get battered along the way, well, God doesn't think any less of us; the greatest privilege of our lives remains true and in place. We don't have to strive as we labour to push ourselves to the top of the heap.   GOD SEES ME    When I grasp this, I understand that God sees me. I don’t have to jump up and down to get his attention or, crucially, anyone else’s for that matter. I can put self to the side because I understand God has not forgotten me. It will matter less to me if another person doesn’t seem to understand me, or is making unfair judgements.   My Father sees; he knows; he understands. My Father loves me.    When I grasp this, humility flows naturally. I give up striving to fight my corner, and am more content to simply enjoy the grace and love of God.   HUMILITY APPLIED   Humility, when embedded deep in us, changes the way we interact with others. For myself, I’ve often struggled to apologise, partly because I find it embarrassing and I feel awkward doing it, but also because my pride rears its ugly head. Mr Self jumps up and tries to convince me that it wasn’t really my fault. Suddenly, I lack humility. However, there are times when my desire to grow in my relationship with God supersedes my pride. I begin to see myself as God sees me. I let go of my insecurities, my ego, and I remind myself that his love and grace are enough. That’s when it becomes easier to say sorry. I can’t lose anything by confessing my sin to another, because I have everything I need.   When humility settles into our hearts and our behaviours, the other beautiful attributes in Colossian 3.12, that rely on this keystone, will find a place in our lives, as though they’re given life by it.   I wonder what value you place on humility. I pray that you begin to see it as a life-giving attribute, that comes right from the heart of our God. It does not grow easily, though, without daily dependence on its source, the Lord Jesus. He has shown us the way, and by the Holy Spirit, he empowers us to follow in his footsteps.   May the Lord bless you as you follow him.

What should we do? It’s an interesting question, and one I’ve been pondering during my first few months in post as the new Chief Executive of Living Leadership. The question comes from a poem by Roger McGough, whose work I loved as a child. His poem ‘The Leader’ (look it up) is written in the voice of a wannabe leader who, when finally appointed, asks the immortal question, ‘OK, what should we do?’ With typical insight and brevity, McGough is making a clever point about leadership, and the way leaders depend on those they lead. His question caused me to wonder if this poem I knew as a child had shaped my philosophy of leadership more than I realised. I have always preferred a collaborative approach to leadership rather than an authoritarian top-down approach. As a Christian, I would argue that this is the more biblical pattern. Leadership in the Bible is always delegated (we serve under the authority of Christ) and is designed (in the church at least) to be plural. Such plurality is a helpful reminder of our mutual dependence. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, leadership in the Bible is always servant leadership. This means, therefore, that considering the needs of those we lead is critical in shaping the way we lead. Graham Miller, CEO of London City Mission, has always described his role as that of Chief Servant, and I aspire to follow his example in that regard. As I start out in my new role, my heart for Living Leadership is that we serve men and women in ministry around the UK by encouraging them to serve joyfully and faithfully. To that end, I’d like to draw out three postures of heart which I am trying to model as a leader. I hope they’ll be a blessing and a source of encouragement for you. A POSTURE OF THANKFULNESS In the Bible, there are countless calls to be thankful; as Christians, we have more to be thankful about than anyone else, due to the overflowing grace of our Lord Jesus (1 Tim 1.14). In my new role, I often find thankfulness to be first in my thoughts. I consider it an enormous privilege to lead an organisation like Living Leadership. I passionately believe in the importance of spiritual health for those in ministry, and the longer I go on in life and ministry, the more I see the desperate needs that exist. I’m thankful for this great privilege to devote my time to this work of spiritual encouragement and vitality. I’m thankful, too, for those who have gone before: for Marcus Honeysett, whose initial vision and wonderful gifts have helped us reach this point in our history. By God’s grace, I inherit an organisation in good shape and with a clear DNA; I see my role, then, as stewarding that DNA, even as we seek to move forward. I’m also grateful for the work of Paul Coulter, my former colleague, who worked so effectively to build sustainable structures, develop our Associate Network, and whose work was so pivotal in overseeing our transition to a CIO. In addition, I’m thankful for our wonderful staff team, trustees, and network of Associates. Three weeks into my new role, we held our annual Gathering of this wonderful bunch of people, which was tremendously encouraging. Our team really does seek to embody the values we talk about as a ministry, and I’m thankful for the way God has gifted and provided each one. Having extolled the benefits of thankfulness, I’m also acutely conscious that there are times in life and ministry when this posture is harder to come by. In our own family life, we are facing significant challenges which threaten to destroy our thankfulness. However, in good times and bad, the Bible encourages us to lift our eyes to our Saviour, and to ponder his great work and promises. Therefore, together let us pursue thankfulness each day with unrelenting determination. This is for our own good, for the blessing of those we serve, and for God’s glory. A POSTURE OF PRAYERFUL DEPENDENCE In God’s kindness, I’ve spent the past twenty years or so serving in churches. During that time, I’ve developed fairly settled rhythms and patterns of ministry. Now, however, I have entered a new season; I have taken on a role, which has new rhythms, and makes different demands of me. As a result, it’s been an adjustment not just for me but for my whole family. In the last few months, I’ve been travelling all over the country for a variety of meetings, which have been encouraging but wearying. It’s a long time since regular travel was part of my job! As we all adapt to the changes, and as I seek to ‘flex some muscles’ that I’ve not used before (or not for a long time), there are many times when I feel weak and inadequate. In these moments, I’m encouraged by the consistent message in Scripture that strength is found in weakness. It is precisely as we come to terms with our own inadequacy that we throw ourselves upon our totally sufficient Saviour. By coming to the end of our own resources, we see that his will never run dry. As the apostle Paul writes, ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”’ (2 Cor 12.9a). I would be foolish to try to lead this ministry relying on my own adequacy or gifts, so prayerful dependence is an essential practice. As an organisation, we can look back over twenty years and see God’s faithfulness even when the path ahead seemed hard or non-existent. For this reason, we can now look forward in the same manner—trusting that he will continue to provide for us, that he will lead and guide us, as we seek to encourage others with the message of his sufficient grace. As each of us at Living Leadership encourages others to prioritise time with the Lord as a practice that is central to their own fruitfulness, so it is also a vital discipline for me in my leadership of this ministry. When you next see me, ask how I’m doing! A POSTURE OF FAITHFUL PLODDING WITH JOY As I started out in my new role, I viewed some of the challenges ahead as giant optimisation problems. My goal, therefore, was to get all the pieces in the right place so that we could move forward. Surely that would produce wonderful results. That mindset didn’t last long. Thankfully. As I began to listen to my colleagues and think more deeply, it became increasingly obvious that there was no silver bullet; there was no easy solution that would get us to where we needed to be. Furthermore, it would be futile and foolish to try and find it. The effort would simply paralyse me. Instead, I discovered that a better way forward would involve chipping away at some of the low hanging fruit (if you’ll allow me to mix my metaphors). By taking little steps forward, we would change and grow to become an organisation that is much closer to the one that we aspire to be. It might not be so dramatic or exciting, but this is how authentic, faithful ministry works best. It reminds me of one of my favourite prayers in the Bible. I have often used it when coming alongside other ministers. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Col 1.9-12 The second half is particularly wonderful. Paul is praying that the strengthening with God’s power according to his glorious might be given to these believers. Why? For what magnificent and lofty goal? For great endurance and patience. That’s one of the most accurate depictions of the normal Christian life, of normal Christian ministry—patient endurance. But notice that endurance is combined with great joy—giving thanks to the Father for his saving work. This is a great model for how I am endeavouring to lead. I seek God’s strength to enable me to plod on with patient endurance. And I do so with joy and thankfulness for all Jesus is and all he has done for me. Wherever you find yourself as you read these words, I pray that you too would be strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience as you serve him with joy and thankfulness. Please pray for me and the whole Living Leadership team as we seek to do the same.

‘We are living through a season of great unpredictability’. This is what a church leader said to me recently and I think I agree. We are not merely in a season of great change, but of unpredictable change. We are moving from a stable time in our country to a less stable time. In the wider world, massive forces are at play. Wars and rumours of wars, the long tail of a pandemic that is simultaneously global while also personal to many, the rise of AI, and all manner of economic and social challenges, not least how society treats the most vulnerable. The younger generation (especially those in their twenties) can rightly feel that many of the foundations that provided security for my generation have been pulled out from under them. It leaves a huge number of people with broken families, high financial debt, a lack of male role models, housing crises and fears about very uncertain futures. All while being plugged 24/7 into an online world that’s running a never-ending popularity contest. Deeper even than the global forces is what theologian Carl Truman has called ‘an anthropological crisis’. We live at a turning-point in history when the end of Christendom with its moral certainties is combined with expressive individualism, philosophical postmodernism, and global capital to redefine the very basis of reality and what it means to be human. If you aren't aware of these things, the 18-25s in your church certainly are. Profoundly so. We are heading into times of disorientation, disillusionment, and fear among emerging adults. We should not be surprised if people feel disenchanted, anxious, confused, manipulated, or impoverished. HOWEVER . . . There are also seeds of a spiritual awakening in the UK. In recent months, the Bible Society has published its report, ‘ The Quiet Revival’ . It highlights the fact that Gen Z is returning to church, and it is hard to miss reports from many parts of the UK about God being at work, drawing many seekers to Christ. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at all. In an age when the promises of secularism are looking distinctly empty, we ought to expect the mighty hope of the gospel of Jesus to shine forth brightly. It all feels rather New Testament. I especially love this verse in 1 Samuel. Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God. 1 Sam 23.16 It seems to me that this is what we are doing as Christian shepherd-leaders in these times. It's good to remind ourselves of the many passages in the New Testament that call us to stand firm in Jesus. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Phil 4.1 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Heb 10.39 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus , the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Heb 12. 1-2a 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 This is to mention just a few. These are verses of great security and safety, but also of exhortation. Keep our eyes fixed. Don't get distracted. It is a critical time for Christians and churches to be agents of hope. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Rom 8.15 There is an opportunity to be radically different to the world. And one of our chief characteristics, one that makes us stand out, is our hope. We have a clear alternative to the confusion and despair of difficult and declining times. We are those who are standing firm in the love and hope that is in Jesus, when all around things feel shaky and uncertain. Make no mistake, Satan would love to deprive us of hope. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, ‘we are not unaware of his [the devil’s] schemes (2 Cor 2.11). The thing Satan longs for most is to stop us hoping in Christ. He wants to prevent us worshipping the Lord. Therefore, let's put on the whole armour of God, so that we can stand against him (Eph 6). We are people of hope! We have unshakeable assurance. So, let's depend on it and bring it to mind every day! We have received the gospel with joy given by the Holy Spirit. We are crying out ‘Abba Father’. We may feel that the nations are raging, that kingdoms are rising and falling, but Jesus has been victorious over all the powers of death and hell and one day, his complete victory will be revealed. Romans 5 gives us such hope. Hope for now and hope for the future, though for a while we must suffer trials. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope . And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. reminds of such wonders about our faith. Rom 5.1-5 So let's preach and proclaim our mighty Hope in these days! We are confident in Jesus, rejoicing in the glory of God despite everything. We are completely different to the world; we stand out as light in the darkness. What would it be like for all our churches to be known as places of hope, for that is what we are? For people who are all at sea and desperately yearning for love, authenticity, and community, we offer grace and above all, hope. There is great opportunity in these unstable and unpredictable times for people to see that we are safe, secure, and comforted in the love of God. On that note, this is a time of change for me personally as I come to the end of my period leading Living Leadership. The message above I preach to myself. As I move on, I must also stand firm in the Lord, believing that he is my secure foundation. Over nearly twenty years I have been amazed and profoundly humbled at how the Lord has been building care and provision for Christian leaders and spouses through this growing network. I could not be more excited to see what he does in the months and years ahead as Phil Sweeting takes over as CEO. Living Leadership is a ministry begun and rooted in prayer, humanly-speaking quite powerless, and constantly aware of Jesus’ words in John 15, that apart from him we can do nothing. We are conscious at all times of Jesus’ words that start verse 5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. John 15.5a I intend to remain connected to Living Leadership, supporting Phil and our wonderful team, as we encourage church leaders and spouses in the love of God. I’m excited to see God at work in the days ahead. Please pray for us as we transition to the next chapter. Have a great summer. With warmest love in the Lord Jesus. Marcus

Meet Susan. She’s a visitor to St. Every Church, that has a congregation of roughly two hundred and fifty. After the service, she’s greeted by a lovely couple, who are kind, and interested in her life. After about ten minutes of conversation, she goes to find some coffee. She meets a nice lady serving drinks, chats with her, and then leaves. She goes home and has lunch on her own. Most of the church members go home and have lunch with their families. She attends St. Every Church every Sunday for two months. She can’t make any of the mid-week meetings because of her work schedule, so her only contact with the church is on a Sunday. After two months, she’s never been invited to someone’s home for lunch. Not once. This scenario, or some variation of it, is not uncommon in the UK. People visit a church, but an invitation to lunch is not extended. Many churches don’t even know if they have had visitors. Some of the possible reasons given by a church leader might be: Someone else is covering this. We have a welcome team; it’s their job. We just let the Spirit lead people to invite visitors to lunch. The above scenario should be unsettling to you. It should cause ripples of unease in your soul. If this is how we in the church handle hospitality to visitors on a Sunday, then something isn’t right. So, today, a question for you. The apostle Paul writes two words at the end of Romans 12.13. Practice hospitality . My question is this: Is hospitality something that is optional, a kind of ‘if you can manage it, great, but if not, don’t worry, it’s not for everyone’? Is it that kind of thing? Or is hospitality an essential practice that should define a follower of Jesus? WHY IS HOSPITALITY SO IMPORTANT? First, a quick summation of why hospitality is so important. There are dozens of reasons, so I’ll just highlight a few very briefly. Old Testament – The law specifically called on the Israelites to extend hospitality to strangers. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Lev 19.34 New Testament – Hospitality was a sign of the new birth. All the believers were together and had everything in common . . . They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. Acts 2.44;46b-47a Lydia – The moment she begins following Jesus, she immediately invites Paul and others into her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord’, she said, ‘come and stay at my house’ (Acts 16.15b). Zacchaeus – Jesus extends grace to the little man by inviting himself to his home! Eating together is a sign of grace offered to a sinner, and when accepted, Jesus says, ‘Today salvation has come to this house’ (Luke 19.9b). In addition to Romans 12.13, we could add 1 Peter 4.9: Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. In his letters to both Timothy and Titus, Paul teaches that elders should be hospitable. It’s a requirement for service. The gospel itself is essentially an expression of hospitality. Gentiles are ‘grafted into’ Israel, God’s people. Invited in. The supreme symbol for this is the Lord’s supper, an act of hospitality round a table. This is why the early church was truly counter-cultural in the Roman world. Christians were recognised as those who took in orphans and widows, giving homes to those without. They understood that following Jesus was a call to open their homes, just as the Lord had invited them into fellowship with him. I have been very brief here, because at St. Every Church, the problem isn’t that the church members don’t believe in hospitality. They do. Instead, this is a church culture problem. It’s an issue to do with the kind of people we are in the West. We are individualistic, valuing our own personal freedoms above all else. That’s why when Susan leaves the church building each Sunday, every member thinks it’s someone else’s job. Is that a valid response? I’m not sure it is. Not if someone like Susan can attend your church week after week and never be invited into anyone’s home. Ultimately, however, if hospitality is not being extended, it’s a leadership problem. The leader must do something to address the problem. So, here is a template for implementing change in your church. It is possible, but it requires firm resolve, courage and perseverance. It’s not enough to hope that change will come. You must go after it. Here’s how. MODEL It goes without saying that if you don’t model hospitality, then your people will find you out. Your teaching will sound hollow, and they won’t listen to you however ardent your preaching is on the subject. There’s a leader in my city, who invites all kinds of people to a barbecue at his home in the summer. Students, singles, couples, old, young, and of course, visitors. I think everyone in the church has been to one of his barbecues. You may not be able to do that, but you can do something. Anyone can. TEACH Begin with Romans 12.13. Run a series on hospitality in the New Testament. And make sure to include the one verse most likely to engender change in a person’s heart. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5.8 Why this verse? Because it cuts right to the heart of the issue. We cannot wait for our visitors to come to us. We must go out to them, and invite them in. As Christ came for us, so we must come for them. We cannot wait for them to put up their hand and say, ‘will you invite me?’ God didn’t behave that way when we were lost. He initiated. As leaders, so must we. CAST VISION When speaking about the values of the church, include hospitality. Describe it not as an option, but a lifestyle expected of all believers. Include it in your messaging. Ensure your elders are on the same page, extending hospitality frequently, and living a life of hospitality. ORGANISE You can model, teach, and cast vision, but unless you organise, you may well find there is no change in your church culture. The first three are relatively easy to implement. The last one - organisation - requires courage and strength. Anyone can appeal to people from the front of a church, hoping people will respond. Implementing actual change? That requires organisation. A plan of action. How might it be done? FORM A TEAM It’s not enough to make an announcement. You have to go to people and ask them to join. Start with your elders. The larger the team, the less commitment that’s required. So, Steve, you and Sally would be on the rota just once a month. Making yourselves available to host a visitor. Can you help me with that? INFORM THE CHURCH Tell the whole church (and publicise) that there’s a hospitality team, and if they meet a visitor on a Sunday, who is interested in going to someone’s home for lunch, take them to the coordinator at the back of the church. Introduce this person and ask them to communicate the vision. This is just one idea. There are so many ways to do this. It’s worth adding that Sunday lunch is simply the tip of the iceberg (apologies for the cliché.) Hospitality is a way of life, not an option on the menu of Christian virtues. Opening our homes should be a frequent and joyful practice, that characterises all believers. OBJECTIONS I can hear the objections already—some more valid than others—so let me remind you of the parable of the banquet (Matt 22; Luke 14). Guests were invited but many gave excuses. So they were left out of God’s blessing. The Lord calls us to grow, to make sacrifices, to depart from our comfort zones and embrace the life of the kingdom. You only have a one room bedsit? That’s plenty. Small children? Is that really a reason to pull up the drawbridge and say, ‘it’s not convenient for us right now’? The majority of difficulties can be handled if leaders embrace the following qualities. Intense desire to change the culture. Persistence. Ask again. Ask more people. Don’t give up. Delegation and organisation. Find like-minded organisational types, who can help recruit and instil a hospitality culture. A love for Jesus so strong that you refuse to see visitors ever leave your church without an invitation into a home. Let me end, then, with an entry from Susan’s diary, written twenty years after visiting St. Every Church. This time, though, let’s imagine that back then, the church had a hospitality culture. SUSAN’S DIARY I’ll never forget the first time I visited St. Every Church. Penny in her funny hat, but so kind and welcoming. What a rock she’s been to me. The coffee was dreadful, still is, but I expected that! I was burdened, distracted, and truthfully, I was in a bad place. I remember standing at the back—looking lost, probably—and Greg approached me with a clipboard. I thought I was in trouble! An hour later and I was sitting in his home, with his family gathered around me at the dining room table. There I was, wondering how I’d ended up there. The roast was making my mouth water, but before we began, Greg asked Chloe to read a Scripture. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ‘Susan’, he said, ‘we don’t own any of this. And we don’t deserve any of it, either’. I remember being a bit shocked by this. ‘All we have’, he went on, ‘comes from our Father in heaven. When we were lost and wandering, he sent his Son to rescue us. To die for us. He invited us to join his family. So, in a small way, we’ve done the same thing for you. We’re simply sharing the gifts we’ve received from our generous God. It's a joy to share them with you today.’ That moment right then, it was a picture of heaven, and it changed my life. How many years is it now? Fifteen, I think. My role as the hospitality coordinator has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I opened the door to my gracious God, who has come in to eat with me, and I with him. .

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. Nicene Creed I believe in the Holy Spirit. Apostles’ Creed This post is about the Holy Spirit. I’m very aware that the Holy Spirit engenders different viewpoints among evangelical Christians, so it’s important to state right from the outset that I won’t be addressing those differences, other than to acknowledge that they exist. (i) This is the last post in my series on the creeds. In all my posts in this series, I have been focusing on the impact that the ancient creeds have on us as leaders. So here I will focus on the unifying truths the creeds outline. The statement about the Holy Spirit in the Apostle’s Creed is amazingly brief: ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit’. Nothing about who the Spirit is. They did, however, outline what the Holy Spirit does. The remaining statements in that creed—about the Church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting—are all subordinate to the statement of belief in the Holy Spirit. The Apostles’ Creed, therefore, affirms that the Holy Spirit is the active agent of God in salvation and in the future restoration of all things. All Christians can agree on that. The Nicene Creed also links the Church with the Holy Spirit, although it separates out its comments on forgiveness of sins and end times. This later creed, however, goes further. In elaborating who the Holy Spirit is, the Nicene Creed emphasises his oneness with the Father and the Son. He is Lord and he proceeds from the Father and the Son. (ii) The Spirit is God, the Lord, one with the Father and the Son in glory and to be worshipped with them. We can say he is eternally co-equal with the Father and the Son. In human history, however, he is clearly more prominent in the New Testament. Though he is present in the Old Testament and the gospels, his work is described in detail only after Jesus has completed his work in his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. This fuller work of the Spirit is prophesied in the Old Testament. Sometimes it is explicit, for example in Ezekiel. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezek 36.26 In Jeremiah, it is implicit. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jer 31.33b In one of his letters to the Corinthians, when the apostle Paul commends his readers, he explains the work of the Holy Spirit in the new covenant era. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God , not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts . 2 Cor 3.3 John the Baptist said Jesus would baptise people with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1.8) and Jesus himself also pointed forward to a greater work of the Holy Spirit to come after him. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4.23 He also linked this concept with the events of the Day of Pentecost. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1.4-5 The intimate connection between the creedal clauses on the Spirit and the Church teach that Pentecost is the day when the Church was born in its complete sense of the Spirit-indwelt and empowered body of Christ. As well as clarifying who the Spirit is, the Nicene Creed mentions two things the Holy Spirit does. LIFE-GIVING, SPEAKING SPIRIT First, it says the Holy Spirit is ‘the giver of life’. This role of the Spirit is closely linked in Scripture with the fact that both Hebrew and Greek words for ‘spirit’ can also be translated ‘breath’ or ‘wind’. The Holy Spirit gave life in creation. The Holy Spirit is also the one who regenerates and renews people, giving them new life in Christ (Titus 3.5). All Christians should agree on that fact. Second, the Nicene Creed says the Holy Spirit ‘spoke through the prophets’. The creeds don’t include explicit statements about the inspiration and authority of Scripture like those in later evangelical bases of faith, (iii) but confidence in Scripture is implicit in this clause. The prophets spoke God’s words because God the Holy Spirit spoke through them. On this too all Christians should agree. In summary, we can affirm two clear statements of faith. The Holy Spirit is God and co-equal with the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit inspired Scripture and brings about new birth in those who believe in Jesus Christ. What does all this mean for Christian leadership? Our belief in the Holy Spirit has implications for how we teach others. I think many of us who teach others tend to veer in one of two unhelpful directions when it comes to the Holy Spirit. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT A ‘SEPARATE’ GOD Some emphasise the Holy Spirit’s work to such a degree that they end up talking about him as if he were separate from the Father and the Son. We can, of course, talk about the work of each of the three persons of the trinity separately to some degree, but we must be careful not to do so to the point where it sounds like we worship three gods. Jesus is clear about the Spirit’s role in John’s gospel. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. John 16.14 When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we must always emphasise his role in bringing people to gaze on Jesus and be transformed (2 Cor 3.17-18). BEWARE DOWNPLAYING THE ROLE OF THE SPIRIT There is, however, an equal and opposite danger that we can speak too little of the work of the Holy Spirit or do so in terms that fall short of what the Nicene Creed says. For example, we might speak of the transformation of our lives purely in terms of imitating Jesus. Scripture does speak of imitating Jesus, but it describes the change that happens in us as a transformative work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Remembering that helps us not to give the impression in our teaching that growth comes by our own effort. We should also emphasise that true change comes from a living relationship with Christ through the Spirit. Somewhat ironically, both of these opposite tendencies often lead to language that makes the Holy Spirit sound impersonal. People in the first group sometimes speak about getting more of the Holy Spirit, as if the Holy Spirit is a thing and not a person. Meanwhile, some in the second group refer to the Holy Spirit with the words ‘it’ and ‘that’, rather than ‘he’ and ‘who’. I have some sympathy with their approach in our age of sensitivity to gender issues, since the pronouns used for the Holy Spirit in the New Testament are neuter. (iv) But ‘it’ and ‘that’ imply an impersonal force rather than a person, and the Scriptures clearly describe the Holy Spirit as a divine person. Describing the Holy Spirit as ‘it’ could reinforce a common misconception about the Holy Spirit among people already influenced by Star Wars and New Age thinking. MINISTRY IMPACT Our belief in the Holy Spirit does not have implications only for how we speak about the Holy Spirit. It must also impact how we go about ministry. The Holy Spirit is the giver of life. Our life is his gift. We are called to abide in Christ and his love. As we do this, we will be given the ability to love others and bear good fruit (John 15). It is the Holy Spirit who maintains this relationship, leading us to worship the Lord Jesus, and causing us to cry to God as Father. When we are weak, the Spirit helps us to pray. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Rom 8.26 Our belief in the Holy Spirit, however we understand the details of his work, should cause us to prioritise our own living relationship with Jesus through him. From this, all fruitful service flows. It is also our belief in the Holy Spirit that gives us confidence in our ability to bear lasting fruit. By ourselves, we are powerless to save anyone or change anyone into the likeness of Christ. But he is at work through us as we proclaim Christ to people. He can bring the miracle of new birth and generate lasting fruit. This is both humbling and encouraging. Humbling because we acknowledge our utter ineffectiveness. Encouraging because we do not depend on our power and ability but on the Spirit. We believe in the Holy Spirit. We believe he gives life and has spoken through the prophets. Because of this, we prioritise our own relationship with Christ in prayer and the Word, and we keep our focus in ministry on prayer and the teaching of God’s Word. We are never alone in this, for the Spirit indwells us and empowers us. Nor are those we care for ever alone, even when we cannot be present with them. He is with them always and we hold fast to this truth. So, make this your confession today: ‘ I believe in the Holy Spirit’. (i) Within the Living Leadership Network, we have a diversity of views about spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, as well as over other matters regarding the Spirit.   (ii) Some readers will note that this is the Western form of the Creed. The words “and the Son” were adopted in Western versions of the Nicene Creed, but rejected in Eastern versions. I side step historically-divisive debates over whether the Spirit proceeds from the Father alone or the Father and the Son in this post for the sake of brevity and focus. Readers may be familiar with or wish to research the ‘Filioque controversy’ that was at least part of the basis for the separation between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity.   (iii) Clarity about the inspiration and authority of Scripture was not necessary in the Creeds because these beliefs were not seriously contested at that time. Evangelical statements of faith needed to expand on this because the so-called ‘Enlightenment’ brought new challenges to the historic confidence in Scripture.   (iv) Unlike English, Greek words have genders and pneuma  (‘spirit’) is neuter, not masculine.

Your test is positive. It wasn’t a surprise – my wife was confirmed positive five days earlier and, although we had isolated from each other since her symptoms began, we knew people tend to be infectious for a few days before that. So, when I developed a fever, aches and a cough, I would have been amazed had I tested negative. As I write this, I am coming out of COVID and remain surprisingly fatigued and significantly reduced in my capacity. I’m easing back into small amounts of work, but feel like I’m carrying weights around, both physically and mentally. In the midst of the muddle, though, one idea is foremost in my mind – sabbath. For Israel, there was a God-ordained pattern of weekly Sabbath days, but every seventh year was also intended to be a Sabbath year (see Leviticus 25:1-7). As the nation departed from God, they abandoned every aspect of His law, including the Sabbath years. In Leviticus 26, the Lord tells Israel what will happen if they are disobedient to the law, including their removal from the land into exile. In that context, God says to them (Leviticus 26:34-35): Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sabbaths you lived in it. It’s not the only reason for the exile, and it probably isn’t the first one that comes to mind when we think of why God judged Israel, but it is important to Him that his people had not observed the sabbath years mandated in the law. The final verse in 2 Chronicles describing the pre-exilic history of Judah, before a brief comment on Cyrus’s declaration that ended the exile, comments on the fulfilment of this promise (2 Chronicles 36:21): The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfilment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah. One of the things the exile accomplished was to allow the land to rest as it should have done in the Sabbath years Israel had failed to keep. Now, I won’t claim to know exactly what the Lord is doing in His providence through this pandemic. I am certain on the basis of Scripture that He is moving over and through the nations, working out His purpose to redeem a people for Himself in Christ and to bring history to its proper conclusion when He reveals His children in the glorious likeness of His Son. I am also certain that within that overarching purpose He has lessons to teach us as individuals and collectively as the Church. It is in this second category that I place my thoughts in this post. So, to be clear, I am not saying that God caused or permitted coronavirus for this reason, but I have been aware that He is teaching me something about sabbath and perhaps this is one of the things He wants to teach you too. So, let me ask you a question. How many sabbaths have you missed in your life? How many weeks have passed without a proper day of rest when you down tools and change your focus? How many of the ‘sabbaths’ you said you would take were not proper sabbaths? How often did work creep back in, perhaps in the guise of sermon preparation or urgent pastoral needs? I’m not trying to put a guilt trip on anyone here, but to help us appreciate how good a gift sabbath is. One of the interesting things about the Sabbath law given to Israel is that it has two different, but complementary justifications in the two accounts of the Ten Commandments. Both are important. The first root of Sabbath is in creation (see Exodus 20:8-11). The principle of a day in seven to rest is woven into the rhythm of creation. God Himself established the pattern. That tells us something vital about Sabbath rest. It isn’t primarily about resting because we are tired but establishing a pattern in which we take time to slow down, reflect and reassess. Sabbath is not defined primarily by the absence of rest, but by the intentional presence of reflection. God rested on the seventh day so that He could enjoy the fruits of His labour, savouring the beauty of the universe and the order that He had brought from chaos. When we take sabbath rest we do the same. We slow down to notice what is always true but so easily passes us by. We look past the scars of sin on our world to delight in the goodness of God’s work in creation – thanking Him for the beauty of birds, the majesty of mountains, the fragrance of flowers. Sabbath calls us to receive creation as a gift from God. The second root of Sabbath is in redemption (see Deuteronomy 5:12-15). Israel was to observe the Sabbath because God redeemed them from slavery. In the collective consciousness of the nation was the memory of what it was to work relentlessly without rest, driven by Egyptian slave-masters. Sabbath became possible for them because God delivered them by His mighty outstretched arm from that tyranny. Sabbath was an opportunity to pause and remember that they were a redeemed people. So, too, for us, Sabbath is a space to stop and reflect on God’s work of redemption for us – to give up our false belief that our salvation, or the salvation of others depends on us, and to acknowledge that God has done it all, that Christ is sufficient. We thank Him for the riches of His grace, the bounty of His mercy, the wonder of the cross. Sabbath calls us to receive redemption as a gift from God. Taking these twin roots of the Sabbath together, we begin to see why sabbath breaking was such an issue in God’s relationship with Israel. The sins that caused the exile were covenant unfaithfulness in the oppression of others and idolatry along with religious hypocrisy. Sabbath breaking is an expression of all of these. The failure to observe Sabbath years had harmed the land and those who worked on it. More fundamentally, though, it was a form of idolatry. When we refuse to live as God designed us to live, we say that we know better than our Creator – that we could have done a better job than Him. And when we fail to practice Sabbath by cutting off one day a week from our labour, we say that we have some contribution to make to our own salvation or the salvation of the world – that Christ’s work is insufficient without us. Instead of approaching life with joy in the gifts of creation and redemption we begin to believe that someone will miss out on heaven if we don’t evangelise to them, or that what makes the difference in the lives of those we care for pastorally is our presence and words rather than the comfort and instruction of the Spirit and Word of God. Sabbath breaking is idolatry. So, how is your practice of sabbath? I must confess that for many years I have played fast and loose with my need for this kind of rest. When I have thought of rest, my motivator has been exhaustion. I should, instead, have recognised the root of my exhaustion in the lack of good habits around Sabbath. I hope, by God’s grace, that I’m learning that now. Even before I caught the virus, the altered rhythm of lockdown was helping me to appreciate creation more – the goldfinches on my bird feeders were the prime means of this ‘creation grace’ to me. But I was aware in myself, and hearing it from other ministers, of the risk in working from home of failing to set boundaries around work time. Now that I cannot work at the level I normally expect to, I hope I will learn to rest properly and to establish a rhythm of weekly sabbath. I have been greatly helped by my colleagues – staff and trustees – in Living Leadership who have been ruthless in telling me to rest over the last week with the virus. I am thinking that we should be a lot more direct with each other about this in the normal course of events. Who challenges you about the need for sabbath in your life? Let me encourage you as I close. Sabbath is a wonderful gift of God. A time to slow down and savour creation and redemption. To confess that you are not God and that God is. To admit that you neither created yourself nor can you save yourself. To glory in grace, to marvel at mercy, to revel in love. To pause and be who God created you to be and become who He is creating you as in Christ. The call to sabbath is not a burden, but a gift. As the Lord said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).