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It is that time of year again where I reflect on the year just gone and where I also look ahead to the year that is to come. This year has been exciting and eventful, we have been blessed and as I look ahead to 2024 I see great opportunity. It is  the season of reflection, so here are a few final thoughts for 2023, that I want all my readers to reflect on and maybe even act on; Bells and Baubles are so prominent at the moment on our Christmas trees and in our shop windows. The glitter and the tinsel sparkle in the festive lights, seductively drawing us… Read More

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I thought I would take an extract from my book Emails to Pastor Phil as this week’s weekly reflection. I believe it is very on topic. It is that time of year again when many Christian Leaders and Pastors start to get stressed and rushed off their feet. Christmas Programmes are being launched. The nativity set has been repainted but is not fully dry, the donkey has gone lame and you have a rooster instead of a lamb. The church roof has sprung a leak and the Kids church leader has informed you that Joseph and Mary have come down with the chicken pox. Your wife has phoned to remind… Read More

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Today’s Reflection is by my good friend Rob Aronson of Auckland New Zealand. Rob is the former Principal of the Assemblies of God Bible College and Now director of Fig Tree Ministries. There are many noble occupations one could aspire to undertake in life. Being a doctor, lawyer, policeman, vet, engineer, or a nurse, are all popular choices. Actually, of course, any occupation that provides an income for yourself and your family is noble. But what about being a minister of the gospel? Yes, it has the potential, if you are fortunate, to generate an income, but what about the nature of the work? Well actually, it is pretty demanding.… Read More

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“My Identity is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” I heard this statement just the other day and it got me wondering. What does this mean to me as a Christian Leader? Let me give you some context. I was meeting with some leaders and they were discussing the pros and cons of modern preaching. The debate seemed to be about the over use of modern psychological sound bites and argument, and then claiming that these things are Godly opinion and that every Christian should be following. After all if it’s taught by a Christian and preached by a Christian and lived by a Christian, then it stands to… Read More

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A classroom not a green room. Throughout scripture we find that Jesus always looked at the crowd and had compassion for them. He healed the sick, cast out demons, taught them and they were amazed at his teaching. Even at night in a time and culture where most went to bed soon after dark, He was accessible and amenable to Nicodemus. When He was alone He spoke to the only person at the well, the woman drawing water during the heat of the day. It could be argued by some that Jesus was only on earth for a very short period of time and so made people His mission. I… Read More

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Romans 12:2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. I have often heard it said  “that the Holy Spirit will reveal all things to us”, While the Holy Spirit does reveal things to us, in my experience it has always been after prayer and meditation, thinking is not an optional extra, it is an iatrical part of the process. It is NOT “act first think about it later scenario” but rather allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and lead one’s thinking and be part of… Read More

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Reminding myself of why I am in ministry and what church folk should consider: 1. The Nature of Ministry should be: SERVICE 2. The Motive of Ministry should be: LOVE. 3. The Measure of Ministry should be: SACRIFICE 4. The Purpose of Ministry should be: The Glory of God. 5. The Strength of a Ministry should be: UNITY Most companies will rate themselves on the Service they afford….on the Sacrifice they make to share its value…and then pin up the glory of their successes…..They will talk about pursuing the same goals…and the power of team work…. Right now the world is in need of a stability and hope and something… Read More

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Jesus tells us two things. One in Matthew 28, we must spread the good news and make disciples of people and secondly he tells Peter, in the Gospel of John, to feed his sheep. In the fields and on the hills that surround my house you will see many sheep. They eat the nutrient rich grass, on which they grow fat. They have their lambs in spring and like all herd animals they bleat. For the most part they have a rather placid, quiet life. The sheep dog on the other hand is a working animal. It has a job to do. At the command of the shepherd, this lean… Read More

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Why is it that when it comes to leadership development, we give training to those leaders who have the most experience, or to the hi flyers and performers  in our congregations and church organisations ? By their very character and performance these people are natural leaders and need this training the least. Many church leaders choose only the best to lead their teams. This is great, but what about the rest? As Church Leaders we make assumptions about people all the time. It is how we evaluate them, nurture and train them. It is part of what we do. Here are some assumptions that we make when developing leaders: 1.… Read More

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