Kia ora e te whanau
I’ve been musing about the issue of leadership. The tradition I come out of hasn’t been strong on it – it’s almost as if we have to discover how to do it as we go along. And it’s just possible that it’s not our strong suit – that we’re not gifted for leadership. We may be gifted preachers and teachers, gifted pastors, administrators, intercessors, helpers, even (though apparently, rarely) evangelists, etc, etc. But not gifted for leadership. It’s not on the radar.
I was greatly encouraged by the Kaimai Presbytery partnering with KCML (Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership – is that Darryl Tempero I see there?) in tackling the leadership issue on discerning God’s leading – they’re running a series of workshops on the issue – you can see what they’re doing here: https://mailchi.mp/4a7f78f0fce3/kaimai-press-august-5693972?e=405d60daf3 . Wonderful! Congratulations! We need more of this kind of resourcing across our CVs, across our partner churches.
Personal and Leadership Resources
1. Science Says Your Overall Happiness Comes Down to 3 Timeless Strategies
Marcel Schwantes offers wisdom in our self-absorbed, over-scheduled, over-stimulated environment, – by giving yourself time to switch off from work, exercising generosity toward others (actual ‘cash’ generosity – who’d have thought?), and orienting your life toward optimism – for which he gives a simple strategy – you’ll need to read the article! It can be accessed here: https://www.inc-aus.com/marcel-schwantes/science-says-your-overall-happiness-comes-down-to-3-timeless-strategies.html
2. Olympic Gold Medalist Kristen Faulkner Is Yet Another Example of Why Successful People Embrace the Navy SEAL 40 Percent Rule
So, you’ve heard of the Navy SEAL 40% Rule? If you have this is a good refresher told in the context of a great story. If you haven’t, then here it is. It’s based on the premise that when you think you’re ‘done’ you’ve actually got a lot more left in the tank than you believe you have. It can be read here: https://www.inc-aus.com/jeff-haden/olympic-gold-medalist-kristen-faulkner-is-yet-another-example-of-why-successful-people-embrace-navy-seal-40-percent-rule.html
3. 3 Brutal Questions You Need to Ask Yourself If You Want to Be Successful in Life
In line with the Ignatian concept of the Examen, this is ultimately about recognising that your disappointments are not to be avoided, but learnt from and leveraged. It can be read here: https://www.inc-aus.com/jessica-stillman/3-brutal-questions-ask-yourself-really-want-be-successful-life.html
Homilies
Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and John 6 vs 51-58. Trevor considers Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom, his failures, along with those of Moses and David, and contrasts them with Jesus and his offering of himself as the Bread of Life – inviting us to follow the Jesus way in the path to true wisdom. Trevor’s offering can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT30q-1tnlA
My response to the Gospel text of John 6 vs 51-58 is titled ‘Jesus, the first century troll?’ and focuses on the outrageous claims of Jesus that only those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will experience life. It can be experienced here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF0nxKe_ZB4