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AFM Newsflash: Friday, 7 October 2022
OCTOBER
RESOURCES
Pastoral Letter: 3rd Quarter 2022 (New!)
https://afm-ags.org/pastoral-letter-3rd-quarter-2022/
AFM of SA National Calendar 2023
https://afm-ags.org/category/media/
October Month: Pastor’s Appreciation Month (Circular)
https://afm-ags.org/category/media/
Dear Colleague,
1. LEADING IN TURBULENT TIMES
We are living in times of unprecedented and worldwide volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. The so-called VUCA world. We see an accelerating rate of change in technology, the values and norms of people and even in the climate. Life in general is becoming less and less predictable and many people are experiencing increasing levels of anxiety because of this.
It seems that nothing in life is simple anymore. Everything is multifaceted and becoming more and more complex. Coupled with this is the strong potential for misinterpretation of people’s words, actions and intentions. Difficult times call for leadership. When everything is easily manageable and going smoothly one can appoint managers to oversee it, but turbulent times need clear and strong leadership. That is what we are called for in the current time frame.
Turbulent Times are not Something New
It is not the first time that God’s people are experiencing difficult times. Nearly everything in the Bible reflects a context of uncertainty: Creation, the journey to the Promised land; the birth and life of Jesus; the establishment and growth of the Church; the prophecies about the end-times.
It is interesting to note that times of great uncertainty are times of enormous opportunity and have always been the times of God’s greatest activity. God intervenes and does miracles during turbulent and uncertain times. The ups and downs of history also create great opportunities for spiritual leaders to step into the gap. Now is the time for us as Pastors and leaders “…to be rooted in a permanent, intimate relationship with the incarnate Word, Jesus, …. to find there the source for our words, advice, and guidance (to others).” Henri Nouwen, “In the name of Jesus.” 1989, pg. 45.
We need to be honest and authentic and admit that we do not have all the answers to the difficulties that our communities and people are experiencing. We need to model how we rely on God’s Word and the Holy Spirit for daily guidance and Wisdom. We need to be strong in our resolve to stay true to our calling and purpose as believers and as spiritual leaders.
We might be uncertain about the future, but we should never be unclear about what we are called to do. We must give an account of the Hope that lives within us and provide clarity on the purpose of life for the church and every individual believer. God has called us to make people disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19) – If what we do, does not lead our people to that, what are we busy with?
2. INTEGRITY AS A LIFESTYLE
The motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar said: “Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep your there.” One of the foundational character traits that set leaders apart from others is integrity. It becomes a part of who the leader is. It is in place and on display 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
A Personal Decision
Adopting a lifestyle of integrity starts with a deep and personal decision. You don’t live honestly and authentically by chance or accident, you do so by intention. In the book of Daniel, it is evident that Daniel intentionally decided to live with integrity and holiness.
When integrity becomes a critical substance of your DNA, it is etched into your daily life and instils in you the resolve to stand by your word and your beliefs under all circumstances. A person with integrity stands for what is right, even in the face of tremendous hardship, temptation or pressure to succumb to corruption. To restore integrity in our communities and society at large, we first and most importantly, need to place a higher value on integrity in our own lives.
Some of us grew up with or were exposed to poor examples of integrity and are subsequently prone to compromise our values. We however always have a choice to change and do the right thing. This is an individual decision we must all make continuously.
We cannot leave our integrity at the office when we go home after work. Likewise, we should not leave our integrity at home and come to work and play computer games, text with our friends, take long lunches, never really get any work done, and collect a paycheck. Someone is always watching and listening. As leaders, we should operate from the assumption that everything we do or say in private, will become public knowledge.
Stand Up for What is Right
Many times, we feel that little “nudge” in our stomach when we become aware of someone doing something they shouldn’t. Often, this “nudge” is overshadowed by our fear of speaking up or of a potential backlash. This is a vital part of having integrity, although it is usually the most difficult part to put into practice. Make a daily rededication to a lifestyle of integrity and experience the fruit of God’s blessing and the favour of people in your life.
3. PASTORS APPRECIATION MONTH: OCTOBER
As a church, we have established a tradition over the last couple of years to especially focus on appreciating our Pastors, their spouses and children during the month of October. In this regard a Circular was sent to Regions, Networks and Departments and can be downloaded from the link below:
https://afm-ags.org/pastors-appreciation-october-2022/
4. AFM OF SA CALENDAR 2023
To download the 2023 AFM of SA Calendar, kindly visit the AF of SA website:
https://afm-ags.org/category/media/
Warm Regards!
Henri Weidman
