Living Leadership, which supports leaders across the UK and Ireland, writes:
These are strange times. The rapidly changing landscape for churches and Christian organisations has created immense pressures for leaders. Some are weary and fed up with the feeling that every time they get going with one set of restrictions, the goalposts shift. Others are growing fainthearted, close to collapse and chronically discouraged.
Living Leadership, an organisation that exists to help leaders live joyfully in Christ as they serve Him faithfully, has been responding to this growing need by increasing its capacity and broadening its ministries.
‘We are delighted to now have 12 Associates who, along with our two ministry staff, are available to support leaders and their spouses across the UK and Ireland through pastoral care and mentoring’, remarks Paul Coulter, Head of Ministry Operations. ‘We are continuing to add seasoned pastors of pastors and trainers of leaders to this network. Our desire is to serve the church by supporting its leaders, so that the mission of making disciples of Christ can be advanced. It has been wonderful to see how this band of brothers and sisters have come together in partnership in the gospel at this time, with such a rich diversity of personality, churchmanship and gifting around this vision.’
Alongside the increased capacity for one-to-one support, Living Leadership has seen the increased need for regular opportunities for leaders and their spouses to be encouraged and fed. It has responded to this by creating ‘Refresh Network Online’. It is a simple format, just an hour together on Zoom a couple of times per month to hear some wisdom or inspiration from a speaker and discuss and pray in small groups. All of this is facilitated by Living Leadership’s associates and volunteers who are there to pray for and encourage people who are often giving out more than they receive. One participant described the sessions as ‘a breath of encouragement in the midst of the battle’.
Looking towards 2021, Paul Coulter comments: ‘We have had to cancel plans for our usual annual highlight – our Pastoral Refreshment Conference – when ministry couples and individuals take three days away in a relaxed, rural setting, to recharge and refocus. We can’t do that by taking people away from home next February, but we are encouraging our regulars, and any leaders who feel like they’d benefit from it, to make space for refreshment at home on 2 and 3 February. We’re going to supply praise, teaching and prayer support through the Internet and resources to help participants make their home an oasis of grace.’
He continues: ‘We are incredibly thankful for the support we have received – financially, practically, and prayerfully – that is continuing to make this work possible in this season. Above all, though, we want to urge everyone to take some time this week to encourage your pastors. It’s too easy when we’re all tired and stressed to be impatient and critical. Instead, let’s help to make their work for us a joy!’
