As I indicated last week there were fewer engagements over the past seven days. This has enables me to undertake some tasks that were badly needed. One of these was to sort out my library. This stretches the length of the first floor landing with shelves up to 6ft from the ground. Most of this is reference material though some shelves are taken up with biographical and general Christian books. Now it is all properly categorised which enables me to find the various books already on my shelves that I might need to re-read and comment on as part of the preparatory stages of the research programme I have started with Winchester University.
Another related task was to do a research training needs audit for the University. This was not easy as I had no terms of reference and had to indicate against a range of aspects whether my abilities were basic, competent, skilled or expert. On one hand there was a natural tendency to incline towards suggesting these were on the lower levels (somewhat like taking the lower place at table story in the gospels) but then this might mean spending time and money going over some aspects where my knowledge and skill acquired over years would suggest I could tick a higher level. Fortunately a friend with some experience of these things came to my aid and I had the benefit of the opinion of an academic who actually knows me.
There are around 24 post graduate research students and we have each been asked to write 300 words on our chosen topic and then comment on the notes others post. Mine was the first up and I have been joined by six more. Two other students have commented warmly as they come from rural situations and have an interest in my research into rural evangelism.
I am due back at Winchester twice in March. The second occasion is on Saturday 19th and thinking of how I can use this travelling more helpfully I made enquiries as to whether there would be local interest in running a rural mission consultation day. This has been taken up and we have begun putting the word out in the area in the hope of encouraging local rural church leaders. This is sensible use of my time and helps to tie the research and teaching together.
Last Sunday there was a very precious sense of God's presence at Yelvertoft as we reflected on our relationship to Jesus - who he is to each one of us. This Sunday should have been a rest day but I am standing in for our good friend Dr Gordon Temple so will be taking the service. I'm not sure what to speak on at this moment and time to prepare is running out!
Gordon is the CEO of Torch Trust for the Blind. This coming Thursday a party of around a dozen YP from Yelvertoft are bringing a cheque for £700 to Torch to purchase goats for poor families in rural Malawi - one of the areas where Torch works. They either raised this by work or inspired donations to get this amazing sum together. I'm feeling a little proud of them.
Doreen has been out and about in the new electric buggy she will need to do shopping as she almost certainly gives up her car this week. We were very blessed in getting a second hand Polo automatic and she loves driving it, but the loss of feeling in her legs and feet is moving towards a critical time when driving could become dangerous.
The coming week
This looks much like the past week. I have copies of "No Ordinary Man" to get out and copies of the "Treasured Gospel Songs" to get produced and mailed out, at least one pastoral visiting day, Sunday's ministry to prepare, general administration and study related to the research programme. Not so many activities but more than enough to fill the week.
I sent out quite a number of flyers regarding the gospel songs CD. Several orders have come in but, hearing how many find this ministry bringing God's touch into their lives, I hope that we might get more requests. Some of the orders are to enable praying friends to give copies to their friends. Now that's nice.
Have a good week yourself and please keep in touch.
Barry
Another related task was to do a research training needs audit for the University. This was not easy as I had no terms of reference and had to indicate against a range of aspects whether my abilities were basic, competent, skilled or expert. On one hand there was a natural tendency to incline towards suggesting these were on the lower levels (somewhat like taking the lower place at table story in the gospels) but then this might mean spending time and money going over some aspects where my knowledge and skill acquired over years would suggest I could tick a higher level. Fortunately a friend with some experience of these things came to my aid and I had the benefit of the opinion of an academic who actually knows me.
There are around 24 post graduate research students and we have each been asked to write 300 words on our chosen topic and then comment on the notes others post. Mine was the first up and I have been joined by six more. Two other students have commented warmly as they come from rural situations and have an interest in my research into rural evangelism.
I am due back at Winchester twice in March. The second occasion is on Saturday 19th and thinking of how I can use this travelling more helpfully I made enquiries as to whether there would be local interest in running a rural mission consultation day. This has been taken up and we have begun putting the word out in the area in the hope of encouraging local rural church leaders. This is sensible use of my time and helps to tie the research and teaching together.
Last Sunday there was a very precious sense of God's presence at Yelvertoft as we reflected on our relationship to Jesus - who he is to each one of us. This Sunday should have been a rest day but I am standing in for our good friend Dr Gordon Temple so will be taking the service. I'm not sure what to speak on at this moment and time to prepare is running out!
Gordon is the CEO of Torch Trust for the Blind. This coming Thursday a party of around a dozen YP from Yelvertoft are bringing a cheque for £700 to Torch to purchase goats for poor families in rural Malawi - one of the areas where Torch works. They either raised this by work or inspired donations to get this amazing sum together. I'm feeling a little proud of them.
Doreen has been out and about in the new electric buggy she will need to do shopping as she almost certainly gives up her car this week. We were very blessed in getting a second hand Polo automatic and she loves driving it, but the loss of feeling in her legs and feet is moving towards a critical time when driving could become dangerous.
The coming week
This looks much like the past week. I have copies of "No Ordinary Man" to get out and copies of the "Treasured Gospel Songs" to get produced and mailed out, at least one pastoral visiting day, Sunday's ministry to prepare, general administration and study related to the research programme. Not so many activities but more than enough to fill the week.
I sent out quite a number of flyers regarding the gospel songs CD. Several orders have come in but, hearing how many find this ministry bringing God's touch into their lives, I hope that we might get more requests. Some of the orders are to enable praying friends to give copies to their friends. Now that's nice.
Have a good week yourself and please keep in touch.
Barry
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