I decided to go cold turkey. I had just experienced one of those beautifully fulfilling Sundays that church leaders crave. So many signs of love and life crammed into one room. I left the noise and the activity of a Sunday, and I entered the silence and stillness of retreat. The first Monday of sabbatical. … Continue reading Cold Turkey
Heart & Hands
There are many styles of leadership. Many ways to lead: Autocratic. Democratic. Charismatic. And then there’s the David way: HEART and HANDS. ‘David shepherded them with integrity of HEART; with skilful HANDS he led them.’ (Psalm 78:72) The shepherd-king took his employment experiences and maximised them for his leadership responsibilities. David took his experience of … Continue reading Heart & Hands
Bigger on the Inside
I’ve changed my reading strategy. I am learning to read deeply rather than widely. My previous strategy was to read the insights of multiple authors so that I acquired a wide range of knowledge. In the last eighteen months, I’ve discovered the joy of finding the writings of one person whose work feeds my soul … Continue reading Bigger on the Inside
Imperfect Gifts?
Feed the five thousand? How much food does it take to feed a crowd like that? Five lorry loads full? Jesus is given a gift. Five loaves and two fish. It’s not enough. It’s an imperfect gift. Jesus takes the imperfect gift in his hands. He lifts it up toward the heavens. He gives thanks. … Continue reading Imperfect Gifts?
Two Jobs
There are just two jobs: Humility. Promotion. You get to choose one of them. God’s preference is that you would humble yourself, so that He can do His job of lifting you up. Problems come when you choose the wrong job and exalt yourself because then God picks up the only other job that’s available, … Continue reading Two Jobs
Practicing the Presence of God
Spontaneity is overrated. The most important things in life usually require intention rather than spontaneity. Bad things happen to people who only pay their rent when they feel like it; when they only turn up to work when when they feel like; when they only invest in their marriage when the mood takes them. The … Continue reading Practicing the Presence of God
Pastor Duncan Clark's Blog 