“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

Jan last year we wrote sharing the sense of direction that we had to put aside some of the planned events that we had previously been involved with and ‘lay them to a time of fallow’.  As it turns out, that time has been a year.  We included the above quote and as I reflect now I am still drawn by it as I try to capture something of all that this year has involved.

We could tell you how we have been faithful in using the time; from outreaches, to coaching, to networking with ministries across Europe, we could talk of evaluating the events we have been involved with and the planning we have done for future events, sharpening our   focus and strategy. This is tangible and concrete and we can understand it.  However, it has not been the heart of this year for us and yet how can we fully convey ‘that which is ultimately immeasurable by anyone but God Himself.’  It is hard to put into words the significance of all that has come from the times of prayer, the times of waiting, the times of looking at the word, the times of being in that place together as a team and allowing the work of God to permeate our lives and refocus our attention.

From the outset of last year we recognise the privilege and opportunity that was ours as the year unfolded.  We have been free of the need to draw an income for rent or mortgage, we have had few overheads that we have needed to maintain so there has been the ‘space’ to set time aside and respond to God’s prompts.  There has also been the challenge in it!  The challenge to trust that as He lead us into the wilderness as it were - that spacious place with no agenda - God would provide and continue to lead.  As we have let go of some of the more tangible aspects of ministry such as our events and diary, the walk of faith at times has been stretching, and yet we would not change it!

This fallow year has looked different for each of us but I think we can testify to God meeting us in individual ways that have been restorative, inspiring and transformational.  As a team we have had more time to consider the rhythm of our ministry and to go deeper in the very things we invite others to join us in.  As the farmer looked to lay aside a field to fallow for greater fruitfulness in the long term, so we trust that as God has continued to work in the seen and unseen, the investment of this year will be for greater fruitfulness as we embark on a new year.

Things may or may not look any different as far as ministry goes in the future but somehow we feel the axis on which we operate has changed and we look forward to sharing more of this over the coming months.

We thank you for your interest and support and look forward to the   different ways that our journeys may connect in this next year.  We will continue to update our website and inform you of specific events through the year.

Other News

The roots of Transformational Leadership Centre lie firmly in missions, and the serving of other missionaries lies very close to our hearts.  In the first part of this year, Liz responded to an invitation to work in Chile for 8 weeks.  She writes:

“It was a privilege and a delight to travel to Chile on Jan 6 this year,  braving 6 inches of Sussex snow and to miraculously arrive in the small town of Pichilemu.  Here good friends Gerd and Rosi Bergmann work with YWAM, training missionaries from all over South America and beyond.  It had been their dream for several years to run a new  training course there, focussing around the truths of Romans 5 to 8, in much the same way as we do on our 4 week Encounter.  Staff from Grace Ministries International—from the USA and Colombia partnered with this new expression and the School of Grace was born.  A moving moment for me came when Rosi shared with tears in her eyes her joy at seeing staff gathered from 6 different nations for the realisation of this dream: “We invited you and you came.”

It was a special time for participants too, who came from a variety of walks of life – both pastors and missionaries.  Several in particular were there at crucial turning points in their lives and it was wonderful to see God work at foundational levels in their understanding of the gospel.  One lady commented, “I feel like I’ve been born again during these days.”  Another young man saw the reality of his new identity in Christ and put it into words like this “So I’m not a pig, I’m an eagle that just got dirty!”

For me personally, it was a very treasured   experience – my first time in a South     American culture.  I was very impacted by the warmth, openness and vitality of the people I worked amongst and somehow found God disarming me in new ways through my time there, and opening to me more of His love.  And of course it never ceases to be a privilege and joy to see the power of the gospel to transform lives across cultures.

Meanwhile….

Back at the ranch, we have continued with coaching, where we meet with individuals on a one on one basis.  This is perhaps the most  essential aspect of our ministry.  We have seen it continue to bear much fruit, and we marvel at the wonder of lives changed, and the privilege of playing a part in that.  No training course, or sermon takes the place of patient one on one discipleship – it’s how Jesus did it, and it’s the model he calls us to.

Charlotte continues her focus on working internationally from home!  Her days are filled with many calls and skype conversations with   people on all continents - the wonders of modern technology.  She is currently spending time in South Africa with family, and continuing some of her coaching and mentoring face to face.

In February, Val was able to accompany Rachel Bentley, director of Children on the Edge for a second time, on a trip to Thailand.  Here the charity works in refugee camps, providing education for children who have fled Burma due to political persecution.  Val was able to offer support to Rachel in her very demanding role in which she is constantly faced with huge need and human tragedy.  Val was impacted by both the hidden horror of the political situation there, and the invaluable contribution that COTE are making there.  For more information on this charity, see www.childrenontheedge.org.

In October of this year, Liz, Martin and Jill travelled to Bulgaria to again take part in the annual Gracenet conference.  It brings together ministries from a variety of mostly Eastern European nations who share a similar heart and vision, and is a time of mutual encouragement and input for those who work in some quite isolated situations.  We have been gathering for 8 years now, and it is good to see relationships deepening and becoming more meaningful.