May 8th
One of the great delights from my visit to Manchester was to see a young man whom I had recommended to the church a few years ago (and who has become part of our family) operating with an ease, depth and quality that I had always envisaged. I get considerable pleasure from seeing younger folks develop and take on the baton of leadership.
Likewise in the Community, I have been hugely encouraged by meeting with some of the younger generation now connecting with us of whom some will become our next generation of leaders. We are very blessed to witness and recognise the emergence of some very good younger folk within our own Community’s leadership. I thank God for people like Pete, now a fellow Overseer and his wife Catherine, who have brought their gifts as people and the ministries they carry to the enrichment of the Community’s life. Likewise Sarah, who is remarkably creative and possesses a natural theological mindset, who is great fun to be with and whose insights contribute greatly into the life of the Seniors leadership team, all of whom are an absolute delight to work with. They are all good people, valued colleagues, true Companions. I am not blind to their weaknesses nor are they to mine, but I wouldn’t swap them for the world. Mindful of so many leaderships that are either relationally poor, superficial or dysfunctional I thank God often for the giftedness of those who I am privileged to serve alongside in the Community’s leadership. My prayer is that they may capture and model the depth of friendship and companionship that Trevor and I have enjoyed over the last thirteen years as Overseers. Dear Trevor, probably the wisest person I have ever had the privilege to know and work with, whose companionship has been significant in shaping my own leadership gifts and whose friendship and support has been invaluable in bringing the Community to this good place in its life and work. Now wracked with pain and facing a future with limitations he continues to astound me and others with his patience and good spirit, the marks of someone who has lived well in the faith and who despite ill health is able to impart so much of God’s grace and wisdom. He, like me, is hugely encouraged by the emergence and developing of future generations of men and women who will take the Community forward into all that God has planned for us in the coming years.
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