As I look back over my first year as CEO of Living Leadership, I am aware that I have not simply stepped into a role; I have stepped into a story. It’s a story of the grace of God, of his faithfulness, and of lives refreshed and ministries transformed by re-discovering that God delights to make his strength known in our weakness. My own personal milestone is dwarfed by our organisational one, since this year, we celebrate twenty years of serving Christian leaders and their spouses. My hope is that the next twelve months will be marked by thankfulness, as we rejoice in all that God has done. I also hope that we’ll be filled with excitement and expectation about what the next twenty years may hold. LOOKING BACK – INHERITING A STORY OF FAITHFULNESS When Marcus Honeysett gathered with a handful of church leaders twenty years ago and went on to found Living Leadership, they envisioned a ministry which focused not on skills, but on spiritual health, not on competence but on character. I’m sure as they did so, they had no idea that two decades later there would be a thriving ministry with a staff team of eight, and an Associate network of forty who would serve many hundreds of leaders and spouses each year across such a wide variety of evangelical churches. From our earliest days, Living Leadership has been a relational ministry, gathering together a like-minded group of people who are captivated by the grace of God, and long for others to be similarly captivated. We long to see God glorified and the church strengthened through the encouragement of joyful, faithful, fruitful leaders. It is striking how often the Lord has used particular relationships to open up new opportunities for ministry, and how incremental small steps of faithfulness have borne fruit over time. LOOKING AROUND One of the great joys of my role has been to hear stories of how God has used the people of Living Leadership to encourage weary and broken church leaders, and to point them back to the grace of God. In some ways, I am astonished by the number of times I hear these stories. However, there’s another part of me that wishes that more leaders could hear about the ministry we offer. I feel like we’re a well-kept secret, that doesn’t want to be kept secret! It is certainly true that the need for the ministry hasn’t diminished. The demands on church leaders are possibly greater than ever before, and as our annual Spiritual Health Survey repeatedly shows, although church leaders demonstrate high levels of commitment, many are weary and drained (in spite of encouragements). They often lack positive support from their denomination, and this year we discovered that sixty percent find their financial situation stretched or unsustainable. The pressures are significant and Living Leadership is uniquely placed to offer support and encouragement to these leaders. LOOKING WITHIN – LESSONS FROM MY FIRST YEAR In a time of transition, mission clarity matters most. So, the first part of my year involved a lot of listening. I tried to gain a better understanding of our core ministry and context. As a team, we have worked hard to bring that clarity to the work we do and to the way we do it. We are trying to ensure that we embody the values and priorities that we spend so much time talking to others about. Like many other ministries in these challenging economic times, we have also been learning that ministry costs money. So, one of my priorities has been to try to strengthen our financial support base. We have seen some wonderful answers to prayer on this front, as God has reminded us that we depend entirely on him and serve only at his pleasure. If you, or someone you know, would like to consider partnering with us – either by praying or by giving financially - then please do visit this page www.livingleadership.org/partner This year, I have come to see more clearly the importance of our role as advocates for the support and wellbeing of Christian leaders. Not all church cultures understand and appreciate the importance of supporting their leaders. So, while we provide a variety of ministries to encourage and strengthen leaders, those efforts can only bear fruit if leaders and their churches come to prioritise the importance of seeking and receiving such support. LOOKING AHEAD – THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND ONWARDS We will be spending much of this year giving thanks and sharing stories of the first two decades. However, a milestone like this one also encourages us to look to the future and ask what God may be calling us to become. We remain convinced that the spiritual health of leaders is not peripheral to mission but is central to long-term fruitfulness. We want to partner well with other ministries operating in a similar space so that we can increase our reach and serve more people. We want to reach out beyond the ‘paid leader’ tier of leadership in churches (our main focus to date) and find new ways of encouraging and supporting lay leaders of various kinds. We hope to launch an anniversary appeal to provide funds for leaders with limited resources to access refreshment days and conferences. We would like to develop new kinds of retreats and resources that we pray will be a blessing for the church. All of these goals we hold lightly, knowing that God may have other plans. Finally, I would like to thank all those who have been part of the first two decades of Living Leadership – those who have given, prayed, served, partnered, encouraged, and participated. And I would love to hear from you if you have stories of the ways that Living Leadership has encouraged or shaped you or your ministry. Do drop us a line at: shareyourstory@livingleadership.org This first year has been such a privilege for me. I feel thankful for what God has done; I am trusting him for what he is doing, and hopeful for what lies ahead. One year in and twenty years on, I am deeply grateful. And quietly expectant.

Let’s be honest for a moment. Most cynicism in ministry doesn’t begin with arrogance. It begins with disappointment. You believed people would change. You thought unity would last longer. You imagined faithfulness would be rewarded more quickly. And then . . . it wasn’t. Over time, disappointment hardens into suspicion; suspicion takes on the armour of scepticism; and scepticism, if left unchecked, calcifies into cynicism. We stop expecting much - from people, from institutions, and sometimes even from God. Jesus offers us an important point of reference here. In John 2.24–25, we’re told that 'Jesus would not entrust himself to them . . . for he knew what was in man’. At first glance, this may look like cynicism. He has no illusions about crowds, enthusiasm, or public virtue. However, his realism flows from perfect knowledge, not wounded expectation. He sees clearly, yet without bitterness. His clarity does not corrode compassion. Ours is different. In our fallenness, insight is easily entangled with emotion. When disappointment goes unexamined, wisdom quietly gives way to weariness. Cynicism is a dangerous companion for pastors and church leaders. It slowly erodes joy, compassion, and hope, the very things on which our calling depends. Though the word ‘cynicism’ does not appear in Scripture, its posture certainly does. The Bible describes it as scoffing, mockery, and hard-hearted unbelief. Its key features are familiar: It assumes bad faith. It resists correction. It dismisses rather than listens. It is often rooted in pride or unresolved bitterness. Scripture is blunt about its effects. Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath. Prov 29.8 In the last days scoffers will come . . . following their own desires. 2 Pet 3.3 Do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong. Isaiah 28:22 So how do we resist cynicism without becoming naïve? The Bible gives us examples of leaders who stood at precisely these crossroads. NAME THE WEARINESS BUT DON’T LET IT DEFINE YOU Cynicism often masquerades as realism. I’m just being honest. I’ve seen this before. People never really change. Elijah knew that voice well. After his dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, he collapsed into despair and isolation. His words to God are raw and revealing. I have had enough, Lord… I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me. 1 Kings 19.4,10 Elijah wasn’t lying. He was exhausted. But exhaustion distorted his vision. God gently corrected him, reminding Elijah that he was still at work beyond what his servant could see, and assuring Elijah that he was not alone. (See 1 Kings 19.15-18). Weariness needs rest and truth, not resignation. Cynicism begins when fatigue goes unexamined and conclusions are drawn too quickly. REFUSE TO REDUCE PEOPLE TO PATTERNS One of cynicism’s favourite tricks is turning stories into stereotypes. Church members always complain. Leaders can’t be trusted. Young people aren’t committed. Job gives us an honourable - and very human - example of situational cynicism. In Job 12.2 he snaps, 'No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.’ It’s biting, almost modern in tone, but it is born of suffering, directed at smug moralists who insist that misfortune must equal guilt. Jesus, by contrast, never reduced people to patterns. He encountered the same sins repeatedly - fear, pride, hypocrisy - yet he met each individual with fresh eyes. For example, Peter boldly proclaimed loyalty and then denied his Lord three times. Jesus did not write him off as just another failure. After the Resurrection, he asked Peter the same question three times: ‘Do you love me?’ Not, ‘Why did you fail me?’ He’s asking Peter the question, ‘Will you keep walking with me?’ By contrast, cynicism says, ‘I already know how this ends’. But grace declares, ‘God is not finished yet’.  DON’T CONFUSE DISCERNMENT WITH DISILLUSIONMENT Discernment is biblical. Cynicism is not. Ecclesiastes is perhaps the Bible’s most sustained exploration of disillusionment. It describes what life looks like 'under the sun’ when human systems are taken seriously and ultimate meaning is withheld. Work is exhausting and fleeting. Wisdom does not guarantee justice. Pleasure fails to satisfy. Legacy evaporates. What does a man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? Ecc 1.3 This is not rebellion against God but a divinely inspired refusal to accept sentimental optimism. Ecclesiastes tells the truth about life when God is pushed to the margins, and it is meant to unsettle us. But it is diagnosis, not destination. The book does not end in futility, but in reverent reorientation: 'Fear God and keep his commandments'. (Ecc 12.13) Biblical discernment is the God-given ability to judge rightly without losing humility, charity, or hope. It . . . Seeks truth, not superiority. Remains open to correction. Protects the community rather than withdrawing from it. Scripture commends this posture. Test everything; hold fast what is good. 1 Thess 5.21 The mature . . . have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice. Heb 5.14 Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits. 1 John 4.1 The apostle Paul warned churches plainly about false teaching and harmful leaders (See Acts 20:29–31). Yet he still wrote with extraordinary hope. Listen to his hopeful demeanour when he writes to the believers in Philippi. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Phil 1.6 Discernment asks, 'Is this true?' Cynicism asks, 'Why bother?' The Bible allows us to test claims, but it warns us against judging hearts. The LORD looks on the heart. 1 Sam 16.7 GUARD YOUR INNER NARRATIVES Cynicism is often less about what happens to us and more about the story we tell ourselves afterwards. In Proverbs, we read, 'Do not be wise in your own eyes’. (Prov 3.7) Experience can deepen us or harden us. The biblical antidote is continual learning. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Prov 18.15 And then there’s the cautionary tale of Israel in the wilderness. Though they were repeatedly rescued and provided for, many in Israel lost touch with the narrative given by God. Instead, they embraced a darker one. Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? Ex 14.11 God’s actions told one story. Their cynicism told another. If we cloak ourselves in disappointment instead of living in the truth of God’s faithfulness, we quietly rewrite his character in our minds. And tragically, that rewriting distorts the truth and weighs heavily upon us. STAY CLOSE TO HOPE EVEN WHEN IT FEELS NAÏVE Hope is not denial. Hope is defiance. Jeremiah watched his nation collapse, his ministry ignored, and his warnings mocked. Yet in the middle of lament he wrote, 'Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness’. (Lam 3.22–23) Cynicism says, 'I’ve seen enough to stop believing’. Faith says, 'I’ve seen enough to keep trusting - despite everything’. Cynicism forgets where history is going. By contrast, Scripture insists that history is going somewhere. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed. Rom 8.18 Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15.58 Behold, I am making all things new. Rev 21.5 A FINAL WORD TO FELLOW LEADERS Cynicism is a slow leak in the soul. It distances us from people. It dulls our prayers. It turns our calling into a career and the ministry we’ve been given into maintenance. So, ask yourself, Am I more alert to error than to truth? Do I secretly enjoy being right when others are wrong? Has my discernment made me more patient or more sharp-edged? Do I still expect God to surprise me? If surprise is no longer possible, cynicism has already begun. The antidote is not pretending things are better than they are. It is remembering daily that God is better than our disappointments. Far better. So, stay curious. Stay tender. Stay open to surprise. And when cynicism creeps in, don’t be ashamed. Bring it into the light. God has always done some of his best work through tired leaders who refused to give up hope. As the apostle Paul writes to the Galatians. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6.9 Remember, you’re not alone. And the story isn’t over yet.

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. .