The last few days have found me back in Nottingham. This time I was there as part of the Pastoral Care Board of the Congregational Federation. Part of the Board's role is to conduct interviews for those at the higher levels of the Integrated Training Course and others seeking ministerial recognition. The CF sets high standards and while it is always our natural instinct to open the way to others in ministry, we have a duty of care in this matter, both to the Federation and to those exploring their vocation. Consequently, the work dome between 11.00am on Friday and 3.00pm on Saturday is demanding.
I value the prayer support that you gave to this. It was certainly needed. The candidates attend various essential sessions, undergo an intensive interview and engage in some group activities. Following this the PCB deliberate carefully, reviewing all we have observed, references received and more. We are deeply conscious that not only are the future of these men and women in our hands, so also are potential churches. I am reminded of the wise advice of a friend many years ago: "What you pray yourself into you do not normally have to pray yourself out of!"
I am looking forward to being with my beloved congregation at Yelvertoft this Sunday. With all the rushing around and the activity of last Sunday I miss them terribly. On this occasion a friend called Debbie will be joining us. She is a mature student with the Congregational Federation and has to arrange a placement. This Sunday gives her and the church the opportunity to look at one another! Debbie has an alternative location for this placement (part of her training) and she will have to visit them also.
Finally, thanks also for your prayers for the support I am giving as a trustee of the mission I worked in for 25 years from 1963. This is a new and demanding situation. Hopefully you will have picked up on some of the story in my news last weekend. The organisation has been acting extremely generously supporting small churches but much more generously that it could really afford. So we are engaging in a complete review of activities and a major cost-cutting exercise.
The trustees need wisdom though this process. We may have to disappoint a few churches that have expected further financial support as we put our house in order. We also need cooperation with various people in order to bring affairs under control as soon as possible. Please pray for the Lord to prepare the way in these negotiations.
Meanwhile this extra urgent activity helping that organisation, though probably only for a season, means it is harder to attend to my own rural mission work. So please bear with me if letters are not immediately answered. I am still looking for remote administrative assistance. Do you know of anyone with skills, a little time, and who could work from home networked to my office? I have been giving serious thought to creating a part time paid post but this would mean raising at least £4,000 per year and we have already been operating with a negative budget during these years since the credit crunch. Again your prayers will be appreciated.
I did write 'Finally', but may I add one request linked to the prison choir. In the past you have prayed for 'C' who used to be a problem at times. He then improved massively but his conduct deteriorated when 'M' joined. They were two of a kind. 'C' then got into trouble and might not be able to come back to the choir. 'M' has not understood either the need to be a choir member rather than a diva, and has some difficulty with authority. Please pray for both. Frankly I would not be sorry if 'M' leaves the choir (he was not with us last week), though this would mean him losing losing out.
Thanks,
Barry
I value the prayer support that you gave to this. It was certainly needed. The candidates attend various essential sessions, undergo an intensive interview and engage in some group activities. Following this the PCB deliberate carefully, reviewing all we have observed, references received and more. We are deeply conscious that not only are the future of these men and women in our hands, so also are potential churches. I am reminded of the wise advice of a friend many years ago: "What you pray yourself into you do not normally have to pray yourself out of!"
I am looking forward to being with my beloved congregation at Yelvertoft this Sunday. With all the rushing around and the activity of last Sunday I miss them terribly. On this occasion a friend called Debbie will be joining us. She is a mature student with the Congregational Federation and has to arrange a placement. This Sunday gives her and the church the opportunity to look at one another! Debbie has an alternative location for this placement (part of her training) and she will have to visit them also.
Finally, thanks also for your prayers for the support I am giving as a trustee of the mission I worked in for 25 years from 1963. This is a new and demanding situation. Hopefully you will have picked up on some of the story in my news last weekend. The organisation has been acting extremely generously supporting small churches but much more generously that it could really afford. So we are engaging in a complete review of activities and a major cost-cutting exercise.
The trustees need wisdom though this process. We may have to disappoint a few churches that have expected further financial support as we put our house in order. We also need cooperation with various people in order to bring affairs under control as soon as possible. Please pray for the Lord to prepare the way in these negotiations.
Meanwhile this extra urgent activity helping that organisation, though probably only for a season, means it is harder to attend to my own rural mission work. So please bear with me if letters are not immediately answered. I am still looking for remote administrative assistance. Do you know of anyone with skills, a little time, and who could work from home networked to my office? I have been giving serious thought to creating a part time paid post but this would mean raising at least £4,000 per year and we have already been operating with a negative budget during these years since the credit crunch. Again your prayers will be appreciated.
I did write 'Finally', but may I add one request linked to the prison choir. In the past you have prayed for 'C' who used to be a problem at times. He then improved massively but his conduct deteriorated when 'M' joined. They were two of a kind. 'C' then got into trouble and might not be able to come back to the choir. 'M' has not understood either the need to be a choir member rather than a diva, and has some difficulty with authority. Please pray for both. Frankly I would not be sorry if 'M' leaves the choir (he was not with us last week), though this would mean him losing losing out.
Thanks,
Barry
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