Issues

Dear Pastors

Last week at the 11th Family Forum I met and spent some time with five amazing people doing incredible work and as a bonus I learn’t some really important stuff about current issues especially about Gender Identity. I also had the privilege of co-convening with Bob McCoskrie, the Pastors Lunchtime Forum. On top of that I recorded a superb interview with Walt Heyer and Glenn Stanton on the subject of Gender Identity to be released later this month as we start a new monthly podcast. More about that later.

Those of you who know my journey over the last 10 years or so will know of my growing passion for the support, encouragement and leadership development of pastors having spent most of my working life as a pastor myself. Then a few years ago I felt strongly to add into the mix a ‘stream’ of content that assisted pastors to understand the growing number of modern day issues that we are now confronted with. In doing so I reached out to Family First which in turn has given me some introductions to others working in this space. I do want to recommend Family First as a superb organisation. Their research and advocacy is truly second to none.

This one thing I am persuaded about. Most Christian’s want to know what the Bible says (and what best practise is) around the myriad of moral, social and economic issues that we are now confronted with. In other words, how should we then live as faithful Christians in an increasingly secular and even anti-christian culture? It’s this question that is getting me up in the mornings.

My encouragement to all pastors would be to give a little time each week to read and study an ‘issue’ so that you can in turn help your people form a biblical worldview as it is precisely here that the real battle lies I believe. LeadershipWorx is here to assist you in that endeavour.

And now on a lighter note.

Gold Power. I want to make a proposal today. I propose that we change the term ‘Grey Power’ to ‘Gold Power’ forthwith. You see 10 days ago I celebrated a BIG birthday. I know I know I hear the chorus that says ‘65 is only another number’ but it doesn’t change the fact that this is a very very big number. But Grey? Nah!

For starters I have no hair, my wife has white hair, some of my friends have mousy coloured hair and some have black. And fair go some even have a red streak in their hair. That’s crazy right? I suggested my wife gets a gold streak when she turns 65 in a couple of months. BTW, that explains my black eye of a few months ago.

Anyway, grey doesn’t do it for me. We need a universal colour that works for all us 65+ year olds. And I propose that colour be gold. And why not? Think about it…….golden oldies, gold watch, gold pen and of course gold card and in my case a Golden Retriever……well not quite. Ever since Sandy died about 20 years ago Jeanette has pined for another Golden Retriever. So guess what?

What’s even more distressing is that within just one hour I weakened yet again. See photo. But all is well (I hope) as Jeanette ably supported by a clutch of grandchildren look after this beautiful creature while I muse about how I might get a gold bar.

Blessings

Alan

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.