sustain:if:able kiwi

grounded for study leave

The last 3 weeks have been really disruptive for me – personally and pastorally – made worse by some speaking/consulting commitments that have kept dragging my headspace away.

I really struggle with knowing where to put my time. Sometimes I look at my energy levels and think: “Surely this is not living God’s life to the full.” Yet what would I cut back on – Opawa? blogging? groups and denominations? lecturing?

Yesterday, I trust, marked a turning point. First, an easing of commitments outside Opawa.

Secondly, I handed in my semester marking. This means I am now released into study leave – six months with no BCNZ classroom involvement. Instead I turn my hand to research and writing.

Projects include:
– researching Christ images in film
– researching on relationship between popular culture and work of God’s Spirit, with a particular focus on Luke 10
– turning the leadership coaching teaching course notes I have developed into a missional church book that can be used by leaders anywhere in the world.

For 10 weeks of this time the Taylor family will be in Adelaide, where I am hosted by Parkin-Wesley Collegeand in exchange for some leadership coaching, get the space to write in a different context.

Perhaps the next 6 months will help me discern more clearly the unique shape of my charism.