Renewal

Dear Pastors

Renewal!

So we come to the end of another year. Many of you are bushed. Many of us have had another year of processing the ‘knock on’ effect of Covid-19. So many pastors report a down turn. A down turn in attendances, a down turn in finances, a down turn in morale and a down turn in commitment……….It ain’t easy.

2023 is around the corner and some of you are not at all sure you can do another round of this. It feels like our entire world is ‘unhinged’ and to be honest in many ways it is. This wobbly world looks dead set on wobbling a fair bit more and a fair bit longer.

That’s why I believe we all need a ‘fresh anointing’…….a personal spiritual renewal.

It’s true isn’t it that the best ministry happens out of ‘overflow’? When your soul has been touched afresh by the Saviour, when He has spoken, when He comes and fills us again with His Sprit and with inspiration, its then that we ‘are ready to engage’.

This is evident in Mary’s response at the news she is going to give birth to the Son of God. One way I think of The Magnificat is Mary saying, “I get it Lord, I’m available Lord and now I am ready. Let’s do this thing”.

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me”.

As you head off to your summer break my prayer for all of us is that as we rest a while that we will also experience the renewal of His Spirit working deep within our souls, our minds and our hearts.

Finally, thank you all of you my faithful readers. Thanks for the feedback (both positive and negative), the conversations and the kindnesses expressed in various ways. I look forward to making my small contribution to your ministry, your family, and your personal growth next year.

But before you go spend another 3 minutes listening (and watching) this song. A few weeks when looking for some new Christmas music I came across this video. It’s Stevie Wonder and Andra Day singing a beautiful song called “ Some Day At Christmas

I hope you enjoy it.

Blessings and Merry Christmas
Alan