Well, more than half the year has gone and I was going to make a proper start on writing here. It hasn’t happened - but we press on, regardless.
That word, ‘regardless’ is my word of the year. It’s kind of built around four passages of scripture I’ve been considering through the year - this is, in part, a response to poor leadership, toxic leadership and institutional folly. Folly? Yes, folly is the word that comes to mind,
the condition of being foolish, or a foolish belief.
So, the four passages of scripture are 2 Corinthians 5; Romans 12; Colossians 3:1-17; Ephesians 4.
2 Corinthians 5. For Christ’s love compels us . . . (verse 14). I mean, just that verse - compels us! No matter what, regardless of circumstances, the views of others, the internal voices and challenges - Paul is convinced that one died for all. He goes on to say that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. We are new creations, the old has gone the new is here!
Such hopeful verses for a world in turmoil.
Romans 12. Be devoted to one another in love (verse 10). Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Then - this verse, the kind of ‘how’ do we do this?
Be joyful in hope.
Patient in affliction.
Faithful in prayer.
Echoes here of the fruit of the Spirit, and also of a balanced and calm approach to the challenges of life and ministry - if we have hope, then being joyful makes sense! Patience that recognises ‘this will pass’ and faithfulness in praying to the one who we know holds all things together. Also, that devotion to each other in love - leaves little room for comparison, competition or complaining.
Colossians 3. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (verse 2). I’m looking forward to reading Richard Beck’s book which came out towards the end of last year, ‘The Shape of Joy’ - and cultivating a mind that looks up and out.
Ephesians 4. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (verse 3). A wonderful picture of the body of Christ, the church active across the whole body - everyone playing their part, but together. I love the image of ‘Mashed Potato Love’ from Juan Carlos Ortiz, author of ‘Disciple’,
It is not until they’re boiled, mashed, and mixed all together that they really become one. And that is what God wants for us. No superstar standing up and saying, ‘Look at what a big potato I am,’ but all of us mixed and blended together, one in Jesus Christ
Nobody in the church, in leadership, who has the privilege of standing on a platform should be seen as a ‘big potato.’ At the same time, there shouldn’t be any couch potatoes either - we are all in this.
So, regardless of what I sometimes see through my support of children’s, youth and family ministers (mentoring, training etc) of the inadequate line management, the insecure leaders who bully and intimidate and - sadly at times, are enabled by senior leadership in the church - regardless of whether it makes a difference - I feel compelled to keep going, doing what I can, where I can to encourage and support others in ministry. Regardless of the institution, regardless of the challenges and the obstacles, there is a better way.
For me, these passages illuminate a Kingdom dynamic that I want to celebrate and encourage - a Kingdom approach that gives me hope and spurs me on, I pray they encourage you too.