How easy is it for me to forgive?

Posted on November 29, 2023November 29, 2023 by stephe

After a long shift at the fire department, Matt Swatzell fell asleep while driving and crashed into another vehicle, taking the life of pregnant mother June Fitzgerald and injuring her 19-month-old daughter. According to ‘Today magazine’, Fitzgerald’s husband, a full-time pastor, asked for the man’s diminished sentence—and began meeting with Swatzell for coffee and conversation. Many years later, the two men remain close. “You forgive as you’ve been forgiven,” Fitzgerald told Today. So, how do we Read more about How easy is it for me to forgive?[…]

Are you building community through small groups?

Posted on August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 by stephe

We have been in Canada for two years at the end of this month and in Calgary for eighteen months. When we arrived from Europe, we were living with my brother-in-law and his wife in community. We took it in turns to cook meals and enjoyed long and sometimes deep discussions over the meal table. Over the next six months we met a lot of people but our community didn’t really expand. In moving to Read more about Are you building community through small groups?[…]

What can we learn about leadership from the late great Queen Elizabeth ll?

Posted on September 30, 2022September 30, 2022 by stephe

Crowds lined the streets to honour this amazing Queen who has been in office for the last seventy years. So much has been said, so many affirmations given, so much respect; I want to add thoughts of leadership lessons I’ve read from the many who have loved, admired and been inspired by her. We cherish the memory of this truly great leader. Maintain calmness in the midst of change: The past seventy years have involved Read more about What can we learn about leadership from the late great Queen Elizabeth ll?[…]

YWAM ACTs (Area Circle Teams) – a new structure for new generations?

Posted on August 2, 2022August 2, 2022 by stephe

I recently read the metaphor which Jesus taught in Matthew 9:17 on ‘wine and wineskins.’ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine, and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved. Every new generation enjoys new wine or a fresh approach to leadership. They require a new wineskin or structure that they feel comfortable with to serve their new passion. The latest generation is Read more about YWAM ACTs (Area Circle Teams) – a new structure for new generations?[…]

What’s the underlying message of advent & easter?

Posted on January 3, 2022January 3, 2022 by stephe

We’ve recently been celebrating the wonder of the birth of Jesus and I hope that you did have a good Christmas. We have had our fill of carols being played non-stop, delicious food to feast on, the giving and receiving of presents and connection with family and/or friends. In another three months we will be commemorating Easter with the horrific crucifixion but the joy of resurrection. Philippians 2:7-8 sums up the significance of these celebrations: Read more about What’s the underlying message of advent & easter?[…]

Margins: Are yours sufficient?

Posted on December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 by stephe

To enable everyone to stay safe during the past twenty months, we’ve become familiar with social distancing and keeping the right margin between each other. (Although these guys aren’t wearing their masks!). I want to think about the word ‘margin’ in a different way though. For this couple to sit talking on these benches, there had to be a decision to take some time out, to head to the park and sit down. We will Read more about Margins: Are yours sufficient?[…]

Do you see yourself as a manager or leader?

Posted on August 1, 2021August 1, 2021 by stephe

There have been multiple books and articles on the topic of management and leadership which especially deal with the difference between them. It seems to me that people are desperate to be known as leaders rather than managers and I think this can be true in YWAM too. I hardly even hear the word, ‘manager’ in our mission – perhaps it even has a negative connotation? Do you know of a manager of a base Read more about Do you see yourself as a manager or leader?[…]

How do we incorporate a developmental bias in our leadership?

Posted on June 4, 2021 by stephe

YWAM is a grassroots ministry where there are few formulas and no policy manuals. Everything is really based on understanding the values. So, when you pioneer a new work, you can go and look at what others are doing, find out what they have learned then design a ministry based upon the good practices and policies that you hear about. However, the general rule has been ‘pray, and do what the Lord tells you!’ A Read more about How do we incorporate a developmental bias in our leadership?[…]

Are you engaging in ‘caring connections’?

Posted on March 31, 2021March 31, 2021 by stephe

I have a challenge for you this month that I believe will inspire you and make a measurable difference in your life. It will only take an hour/month and a little initiative to get it going. OK – here it is: Start a group of 3 or 4 people that you connect with and who are willing to meet for an hour each month to have ‘conversations on purpose’. This can be in person or Read more about Are you engaging in ‘caring connections’?[…]

Are we in danger of causing Jesus to sigh?

Posted on February 27, 2021February 27, 2021 by stephe

In Mark 8, Jesus is talking with the pharisees or rather they are arguing with him and putting him to the test. They are looking for a sign from heaven to prove his authority in what he is declaring as truth. In response Jesus breathes a deep sigh and leaves without giving them any specific sign that they are looking for. What a sad verse. I wonder sometimes, if we are causing Jesus to have Read more about Are we in danger of causing Jesus to sigh?[…]