Finishing Well

Commissioning of new pastors, Mark & Meg at West Wilts Vineyard Church

Last Sunday morning I had the privilege of visiting West Wilts Vineyard Church in Trowbridge where a momentous pastoral succession was taking place. 

The service was a brilliant mix of songs, prayers, stories, encouragement, tears and cake.  The new pastors, Mark & Meg were officially commissioned with vows and the laying on of hands. They will wonderfully lead the church into its next season with vision and energy & grace.

The previous week, the celebration of the outgoing pastors had gone long, extending way beyond 2 hours as person after person stepped forward to share their stories. They spoke of arriving broken, being treated with respect, cared for with kindness & loved unconditionally. They had found this church to be a community where they could experience the love of God in so many meaningful ways. 

Outgoing pastors, Jason & Sam

Two decades ago, this church did not exist at all. Jason & Sam Whiley were both teachers, volunteering in another church in their spare time, who happened to start a small group in their town which quickly became a church-plant. With virtually no experience, they sought to keep it simple and biblical, and waited to see who God would bring through the door. 

The church grew steadily over time, meeting in a local school for many years until eventually acquiring a building in 2018.  Like many churches they have an active food-bank which, over the years, has provided 21,000 meals for those in need. That’s equivalent to half of the population of Trowbridge!  Reflecting on their story, Jason reminded the congregation, “Our actions have to align with our words. We are here for other people & not just for ourselves.”  

The heartfelt gratitude shown to Jason & Sam as they prepared to move on was genuinely moving and completely inspiring, as is the way that they have carried themselves throughout the past 18 years. They have invested their heart & soul, made inordinate sacrifices and stayed the course through many ups & downs.  It reminds me of Eugene Peterson’s phrase, “A long obedience in the same direction”. 

In his second pastoral letter, the apostle Paul encourages his protege Timothy with this advice: “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)

The Greek word translated here as ‘fulfil’ means to bear or bring full, to carry through to the end, to accomplish.

In a culture which focusses on short term wins and quick fixes, Jason and Sam have demonstrated incredible longevity. Where some will try and hold onto position for their own gain, these two have modelled humility and otherness. They have fulfilled their ministry and can step away with gratitude and peace.  There are some serious lessons there for all of us.

When I get to the end of my current role, or any role to be honest, I want to be able to say the same thing: that I have served God, given it my all, made the sacrifices necessary, run my race and finished well. 

And even more than that, I want others to say it too.

First Published in the Hampshire Chronicle 26 May 2022

More about West Wilts Vineyard Church here

More about Vineyard Churches UK+Ireland here

Dealers in Hope

I have just finished listening to a fascinating podcast series. Renegades: Born in the USA features several hours of wide ranging conversations between rock superstar Bruce Springsteen and former President Barak Obama.

The differences between them are obvious, but, as they shared in the series, they have much more in common than you would perhaps initially expect. Both had difficult relationships with their fathers growing up which affected them well into adulthood. Both share an admiration for the strong mothers who raised them, and their equally strong wives.  Both talk movingly about raising their own children, and about their own fallibilities despite the obvious successes. 

What I found most inspiring was to hear two globally influential leaders in their field talking with such honesty about how they were affected by the images & role models of masculinity they had inherited, and the cultural values of the society they had grown up in.  This kind of emotional literacy is rarely expressed in public, but when it is, it is so refreshing and so releasing.  Both men are personally vulnerable & very real about the many challenges they have faced, and those which they see in their world.  But despite all of that, they clearly also share an infectious sense of optimism which clearly looks beyond the current situation and strives for a better future.  In the words of Napoleon, they are both ‘leaders who deal in hope’. 

The bible is scattered with references to hope. It’s impossible to put your faith in God without believing that there’s more to life than this ephemeral world. Christians believe in a glorious future where the pain and sufferings of our present age are overcome with the beauty and power of God’s kingdom.  We also believe that signs of that future are visible in today’s broken society through the peace & presence of God, and the practical love and actions of Christ’s body – the church.

John records that Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).  His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate embodiment of hope for troubled times.  As we prepare to celebrate his arrival on the earth this Christmas, let’s become dealers in hope ourselves, viewing our current circumstances in the context of God’s bigger picture.  As Jethro sings to Moses in the Prince of Egypt film: “Look at your life through heaven’s eyes”.

Whatever you’re going through today, in the words of the apostle Paul, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

First published in Hampshire Chronicle (Christian Comment) 23 December 2021

Leadership Standards

Despite the heartbreak of losing in the final, England’s endeavours at the recent European Football Championships gave many of us something to cheer about after months of covid gloom.  

Following decades of failure at international level, Gareth Southgate has been a key architect of the team’s success.  After their semi-final win over Denmark, pundit & former player Gary Neville commented:-

“The standard of leaders in this country in the last couple of years has been poor. And looking that that man there [Southgate] that’s everything a leader should be: respectful, humble. Tells the truth.” 

In the wake of the US presidential election last Autumn, I wrote about the importance of character across all leadership contexts, and here again, very publicly, is a shining example of humility and honesty which has captured the heart of the nation and led to significant results. 

The Apostle Paul writing to his protege Timothy, describes the qualities to look for when appointing leaders.  The list in 1 Tim 3 is particularly striking because of the high emphasis he places on character, compared with raw skills. Paul insists that a leader must be above reproach, faithful in marriage, sober minded, self-controlled, gentle, respectful, hospitable and have a good reputation with the community.  By contrast, he only really names one specific skill in this list, namely; that they must be able to teach.  

Clearly a leader’s skills and experience are important, but their character must also count if they hope to be a role model or example for others to follow in any context.  Leadership is influence, and the way a leader acts, their personal integrity and how they treat people will always be a huge factor in how successfully they can take people with them on their journey. 

Paul very much thought of himself in the role of a father, describing Timothy as a “dearly loved son”. The best parents love their children unconditionally while calling them to greatness, disciplining them where necessary, and guiding them as they grow. More than a boss, a commander or a teacher, the analogy of a parent best fits the biblical model of leadership, and Paul writes about both his motherly and fatherly characteristics in 1 Thessalonians:-

We were never patronising, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children… With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God.” 1 Thess 2:7,11 (The Message)

Southgate’s fatherly qualities are an obvious part of his management style.  He is the first to console a young player after their penalty failures (even if they’re on the other team!). He takes responsibility for his own mistakes while allowing his players to take the credit for their success. He is clearly admired and well respected by his talented young squad, and, as Gary Neville so clearly pointed out, leaders from any sphere would do well to learn from his example.

First published in the Hampshire Chronicle 4 July 2021