Dear Friends

As we enter a new decade may you continue to discover with revelation all that is yours in Christ Jesus, and may you enjoy His company, as the One who never leaves you.

“One of the most important rhythms for a person in ministry is to establish a constant back and forth motion between engagement and retreat – times when we are engaged in the battle, giving our best energy to taking the next hill, and times when we step back in order to gain perspective, re-strategize and tend our wounds – an inevitability of life in ministry.”  Ruth Haley Barton

In November we wrote sharing some of our news from recent activities and also informing you of the season we are feeling drawn into.  It is fascinating and amazing to see how much the spiritual life mirrors the pictures and images we find in creation. The different seasons themselves illustrate for us so clearly a rhythm of life that allows different things to take place as  is necessary for the ongoing growth of the whole.  One of the pictures that has spoken to us recently is that of a farmer putting aside a field for fallow, whilst attending to other things.  The farmer takes such a step not lightly but with a sense of caution and courage for the long term fruitfulness of his crop.

In these past weeks we have pondered this picture and wrestled with what this might mean for us as a ministry and individuals.

As this New Year opens up for us we have sensed that we should not continue at this point with a new diary of events as we have done in previous years, but let the events that we have been involved with in recent years ‘lay fallow’ as it were, and attend to other things during this season.

The farmer would have tools to overhaul and other areas to maintain;  he would work the land with nutrients , plan for the future and such like.

“These days there is a real tension between what the human soul needs in order to be truly well and what life in leadership encourages and even requires.  There is a tension between  being and doing, community and cause.  There is a tension between the need for measurable goals and the difficulty of measuring that which is ultimately immeasurable by anyone but God Himself… Leadership that functions creatively and spiritually in the midst of paradox is not for the faint of heart.”  Ruth Haley Barton

This is a little scary for all of us; we have so enjoyed seeing the different initiatives grow and develop and it has been a joy to share these events with many of you.  As we have settled into Sussex over these past three years, following 4 years or so of a somewhat nomadic lifestyle it has been encouraging and exciting to see how God has led and made a way for us.  It would have been natural in many ways to continue in the way we have in previous years.  However, we do recognise that this invitation to stop, to consider,  reflect and attend to other things is for our need and benefit as individuals and as a team in order that the long term fruitfulness that we long for may take place.  We do know that this has been God’s  leading so our confidence and trust is in Him for all that He has purposed.

As a team we value your prayers and support as we seek God for all that He has for us in this season.  As you receive this, Liz will be flying to Chile to work with friends of ours (who have served us on previous 2/20 Encounters) on their a new 6 week course that they are pioneering there. (Similar to our four week Encounter) It is a great opportunity for Liz to work in another culture, serve friends in their missionary exploits and share out of all that is her experience in knowing Christ as Life. Charlotte returns from her first Christmas in South Africa with her family after 17 years, joining Martin, Jill and me here in England.

(Some of you may be wondering who Martin and Jill are, as we have not made mention of them thus far.  Martin Day joined us for the 2/20 Encounter this year, bringing a wealth of creativity, humour, technical know how, and insight into the heart of our teaching.  He and his wife, Jill live in Woking with their 2 teenage kids and have both been working with us since the summer in the various events that we have been running.  It’s a delight to have them on board, and we look forward to seeing how this develops.)

“Spiritual Leadership emerges from our willingness to stay involved with our own soul – that place where God’s Spirit is at work stirring up our deepest questions and longings to draw us deeper into relationship with Him.  Staying involved with our soul is not narcissistic navel gazing; rather this kind of attentiveness helps us stay on the path of becoming our true self in God – a self that is capable of an ever deepening yes to God’s call on our life.”  Ruth Haley Barton

We will keep in touch with you as things unfold for us in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, thank you once again for your interest in our ministry and your varying levels of support – whether you have attended one of our events, know one of us personally, pray for us, give to us, or simply enjoy receiving this newsletter, we appreciate your involvement and are grateful for whatever way you have chosen to journey with us.

Yours in Christ

Val Smith

On behalf of all at Transformational Leadership Centre

“Whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, then the Israelites would set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the Israelites would camp.  At the command of the Lord they would camp”  Numbers 9:17-18