On Wednesday this week the staff team gathered for a retreat day where we try to spend some time doing 'important non-urgent' work for the year ahead. That is the sort of work that doesn't have a clear deadline but without getting on top of it we will be unprepared for what is to come down the track.
This includes placing key events into the calendar for 2024, mapping out a pathway to our congregation plant in the Hutt Valley and having a discussion about roles and responsibilities so we have clarity going forward.
However, the most 'important' and 'non-urgent' work we do as a staff team is to listen to God's word and to pray. There is no deadline for time in the Bible or KPI connected to coming before the Lord in prayer. But if we don't do these things we may as well stop what we're doing right now because we will no longer be building God's kingdom in his strength.
A value and conviction of our staff team is that we are sheep before we are shepherds. Our primary identity as a team and as individuals is not as leaders or pastors but as children of God who rely on him for everything. Therefore, we need to hear him speak, seek his will and pray for his work before we do anything else.
Do you see yourself in the same way? First and foremost a child of God who is dependent on him for everything?
Or do you find yourself slipping into self-reliance, trusting in your own strength and abilities?
The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us of who we are dependant on. In chapter 3 as the Father instructs his Son he says these vital words,
'Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them round your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.'
Grace & peace,
Andrew