As USA delays again, it prolongs the suffering. More and more lives are lost, but the end game has started.

One of the most common questions I get asked when out preaching and visiting is... 

What do you think will happen in Ukraine and when will the war end? 

I am no expert. I read, I listen to friends. I know this is a complex matter with many moving parts.  The protraction of this brings fatigue to some in their desire to get news. I am surprised by how little true unbiased coverage exists on a daily basis. Specialist sources are way more helpful. This is my take today, in a hope that it helps someone get some things up to date / saves you some time.  

As Vladimir Putin ghosts past 1,000,000 lives lost in his "military operation", on day 1237 of the full scale invasion he continues to laugh at humanity whilst heading towards for the ultimate reckoning with his maker. Up until now he has bargained on his smoke screens working to evade any retribution for illegally annexing Crimea, Donbas, and poisoning citizens on UK soil. It has worked with many on a temporary level, as disinformation, chaos in Western politics, egotistic governments have sought their own agendas. 

However, I spot some significant things starting to move. 

1)  There are signs of desperation in warfare. The use of chemical weapons in trenches against Ukrainians seems a last ditch resort  by Russian troops for land grabs. In truth when ground has been taken, Ukraine has taken it back fairly swiftly with the loss of many Russian lives. In this war of attrition, inordinately high tragic cost of life have only seen the boundary lines move only by fractions. It is akin to world war 1 basic man to man combat. Moscow has bargained on a 2-3 day failed operation now being covered by a war of attrition where they hope to last one more day than everyone else. Because no land is being taken, and high causality costs are rising, gas and chemical warfare has been resorted to in order to try to convince the Russian public and hierarchy that things are still moving in the right direction for them. 

 However, if this becomes more the pattern, eyes will be taken off the "clinical"approach of technical drone and missile warfare. There is something apparently sanitised about a soldier far away controlling missiles and drones with a joystick, of course the reality is anything but neat or clear, it remains evil. Nothing about chemical warfare though leaves people disaffected, there is no "good" angle. Whilst the Kremlin has no scruples with going down this road, I believe many in the West will, and one wonders what the true feelings in Russia and its international partners will be when this new reality hits their families. 

2) There are signs of political fragility  on both sides. There has been a lightweight approach in general from the US in recent months. Another White white house ultimatum makes Putin smile as he listens to Trump. The first 30 day ultimatum had no effect, but maybe a 50 day one will do it? This is just extension time to survive and regroup. China reiterated yesterday that they cannot let Russia lose. Is this rhetoric for the American government or the true state of affairs? Will China really raid the piggy bank to fight over Europe and get entangled in Putin's head games? Should the U.S. change its tack with teeth and go back all in, things of course may significantly move to a swifter resolution. 

On the other side Europe (for all the discussions) remains essentially an economic collaboration not a military one. Changing the amount of GDP on military sending in synchronised defiance, has yet to change the practical day to day reality in the field, and dealing with such a dictator who responds to force is unlikely to. However the movements of the last few months show that there are now enough F16's (a's and b's) to be a game changer. Should key European politicians speak up to make serious moves to mobilise what is in place,  the USA approach would be more irrelevant than in the past. Experts in the matter tell me defending against a grouping of F16's is a very different prospect to individual or comparatively more vulnerable isolated sorties for isolated missions (some of which have been shot down).

What seems more significant over the last few days are the level of fatalities at the upper rows of the Kremlin as people jostle for succession, and fight over the remaining scraps following monetary hardship and sanctions. A guy falling out of a window or appearing in false suicide is nothing new, but the step up in regularity, relational chaos, and timings are. The last street fighter standing is slowly losing his inner circle. Yes, people will sycophantically sidle up to replace the deceased, but with every round of promotion that takes place, the stakes are also raised. Putin is willing to lose 1,000,000 souls, but can he withstand row after row of his inner generals and non military business hierarchy being lost by friendly fire. The economic (corrupt inner circle) leadership structures are under severe pressure. Will one of the vulnerable not at some point call out this in self protection and lead others to push back? Add to that the nature of global allies he now calls his own friends. Each have their wars and agendas. He has not assembled a group for a dinner party, but is playing Russian roulette with psychos, all of whom are desperate for survival. 

Timing

Without doubt, Trump coming to power and his approach which handed Putin all the negotiating cards and gave unprecedented credance, delayed the end of the conflict by years not days. At that juncture Russia was failing in its attempts. Moral encouragement was handed on a plate, Putin was made to  look like a player again, a leader, an influencer and despots the world over gathered to be supportive. Since then nothing of note has changed in that dynamic but much more away from the Whitehouse has. The step up in world conflicts (Middle East) and fragility of world peace has produced a nervousness that finally has woken up peace loving democratic nations to the issues. We are but a finger click away from world war 3. Some would say the prelude has already started. No count China has a key role in world peace or fragility. A lot depends in the next few days on how far China will back a despot losing the plot. 

Possible Game changers?

• RELEASE THE POUNDS

300 billion still sits in frozen and confiscated assets. Should Starmer lift his eyes off domestic affairs and release this for Ukrainian forces, it would reduce the significance of USA involvement. Yes a significant amount is held in Europe, but when governments are slow to spend their own money defending Europe this becomes an increasing likelihood.

• COORDINATE THE RESOURCES THAT ARE READY TO GO.

Aerial mobilisation. Should the arranged military aircraft get the green light in a coordinated effort, the timeline for the end of the conflict could be dramatically reduced. F16's will do the job they are designed to, and antiquated MiGS and the like will not fare so well on the battle ground as they do rolling past on a polished trolly over the pavements of Red-Square. The Russian air force (with a large percentage of reservists) are poorly trained. Any help from its allies is similar or considerably worse (North Korea). The fear in aerial combat has always been a denial that NATO are fronting up to the Kremlin, The blurring of allied combinations and collaborations suggests however that something is being prepared. 

• EXPOSE THE BRUTALITY, INHUMANITY and ANTIQUITY OF PUTIN'S TRENCH TACTICS.

It seems very "off the agenda" at present that archaic 1st world war trench warfare is Putin's main tactic. The lives of his countrymen offered to the slaughter seems to have made limited impact on internal politics so far. Increased intercontinental ballistics and drone raids are no doubt in part to cover this up, but this is not sustainable, and in many ways is brutal gesture  of random targets rather than a considered strategy to bring the end game. The only real success story for Putin to tell is that he has inordinately prolonged things, but this has far more to do with the West's lack of response (and delayed hardware from the USA due to politics) than his own genius or strategy. 

A leader who is ready to slaughter 1,000,000 of his comrades probably has no scruples in slaughtering 2,000,000. He has so far managed to distract with intercontinental, ballistic and drone warfare. However, it feels like the present desperation in the trenches will change the dynamic. There is only so far subhuman behaviour can go in inhumanity to man. The use of chemical and gas warfare is harder to explain to a world that understands what a drone does, but when videos start returning of what the frontline currently looks like, I believe things will change, We have seen this in the Balkans, Syria and previous conflicts. Things deteriorate to such a level that those families impacted and losing their lives for the comfort of a dictator do become emboldened to draw a line to the end of suffering. 

• Putin has resorted to this because he is being wiped out by the most basic trench warfare. Fighting with shovels has no future, badly trained military fresh from prison will not last long. 
• When the penny drops in the West that this (chemical and biological weapons) is now the normal modus operandi of an inhumane psycho, and that we are next in Europe, this conflict will come to a swifter conclusion.
• Relative economic comfort has become such an Idol in the west that we do not feel the pain of others we are cushioned from  this in our cosy ghettos, to the extent that we see no "need" to increase military preparation to a realistic level.  I believe this will change if the present realities of war (which have breached new lows in the trenches) make it onto our glorious TV sets in the clarity of UHD. The living room will not be a comfortable place to be any longer, for any MP looking to keep their occupation, and procrastination will seem less appealing. Up until now the Salisbury attack was viewed as isolated or confined, I wonder if that perspective is now coming to an end. I cannot imagine this lasting if news emerges of preparation for national service of our young people or mobilisation of forces in Baltics and Poland escalates. 

Whilst all this takes place, the battle for souls in Ukraine continues, We are praying for over 20 gospel youth camps currently happening in Ukraine and with Ukrainians in nearby countries. The updates so far have been outstandingly encouraging. God loves the dejected, marginalised and downtrodden. We have seen so many times his special smile and blessing on such as they turn to Him. The proclamation of the gospel does not stop in such a crisis, it takes much spiritual ground with many ready to listen. 

The baptismal services in Ukraine last weekend marked another tangible moment of firther encouragement. What a reality check. The church grows as the war continues. Church plants are full, existing gospel churches overflow to bigger buildings. The eternal society and new community is being gathered. The next generation are emboldened to stand for Christ as the puppet his enemy causes destruction and chaos. Our God has our time in His hands and the hearts of leaders also. Our ultimate trust and complete dependence remains steadfast. We are safe in His grip of grace. We pray on knowing that only one kingdom will ultimately prevail for all eternity. Gen 50:20. Re: the increase of Christ's government ... there will be no end. 

 

Good times united in the mission of God. Sunday.

 Praise God for a great day with God's people. 

Post Lord's Meal call to the missional challenge
in dependance on Him whose plans cannot be stopped.

This morning we gathered to hear God's word, confess our common union in His grace and with each other through His meal, and think about our part in His Big Mission. He met with us. 

We are encouraged by the response to His calling. There is however much to do. People seemed particularly challenged by testimonies we shared of God's faithfulness in areas of the world where mission is hard (harder than here). It is true that whatever context we are in we kind find excuses. Faith trusts God that He has solutions bigger than the obstacles we see in front of us. The global plan of God to reach the unreached is worked out through those who step out in faith (Gen 12:1-3) to a land where they trust God for all things. 

This afternoon and evening was spent in the company of faithful workers who have done just that as we discussed how we go forward in mission partnership. We are hugely encouraged by the loving, transparent, nature of this fellowship. True fellowship shares the deep fears, burdens, past hurts, future dreams, issues of identity, concerns for family and church. It is such a privilege to partner with mission in this country at this stage. The challenge is Big, but our God is bigger. I am reminded that quality fellowship (true (NT) fellowship in mission) is better than quantity, In an age when some obsess over numbers, quality time with tested followers is so far greater currency than superficial time with a great quantity of people. 

We remain committed to supporting such in this country in every way we can, we are so encouraged by this dynamic growing to include more and expectant of what God will do. We hope to be soon arranging an online gathering to pray for this country with some of our friends here. Maybe you would like to join us, and hear their testimonies of God's keeping, provision and goodness over many years. 

Thank God for a full church this morning of those either passionate about following Him or earnest in seeking the truth,

Thank God for quality time, sharing pastoral burdens and the burdens of the churches with each other and THE LORD.

Praise the LORD JESUS CHRIST for His hand of care on His bride. As He prepares Her for that great day, may there be more and more who know His care and come to maturity in Him.

Pray for the next generation. The families of pastors, the children of first generation believers, the young who will carry the missional baton. 

Pray for us as we seek to support the vital spiritual leadership families  here, for their healthy model and mentoring of the church.

Thank you. 

Travel blog 7 : National prayer and the pull of identity. (SAT PM)

 Hi friends. 

We're just in from a prayer gathering from around the country to pray for the nation. It is so wonderful to hear prayer in 3 languages to the living God, earnest, and in deep dependance on Him. It made us think about prayer in our own nation. When there are only a few of you in a nation, there is more of an urgency about prayer. You appreciate anyone who will pray appropriately with you and get passionate for the cause. God met with us, and wonderful fellowship led to new friendships. In Christ and His people we find our eternal home. 

BLURRED SENSE OF BELONGING.

One thing that has cropped up in numerous conversations over the last 48 hours particularly is the issue of identity. If you are a refugee, nomad, fleeing from the war in your country or people, or if your country has been through numerous reiterations (of political leadership or boundary changes) your national identity and sense of belonging is blurred. Some mission workers come with a strong identity of their home context, this is maybe one of the historical barriers to the planting of church here. 

The bible teaches us that our citizenship is in heaven. Those who totally surrender to Him in abandoned dependance know what it is to be aliens in a foreign land. This earth will not be our forever home, we were never destined to fit in here, yet we are caused to love and bless the nation. In Jer 29 this is laid out for us, to seek the prosperity and Shalom of the city. God loves the city. We are called to pray for those in leadership of it, be relational in life and prayer with them, and look to God in the knowledge that although we will be here a long time, we are to fix our eyes on the eternal city. Our forever home will come. Christ has gone to prepare it for us. 

Pray for those in identity crisis. 

1) Pray for the Christians here who are not living sold out or missional lives because they have lost sight that this is not their forever home. The lure of this world in routine, laziness, toys and trappings is so the repeated lie the enemy uses to distract from the very missional calling each believer has here with so many unreached. LORD capitavate hearts to this place of surrender and obedience. 

2) Pray for those whose Christian identity Is being swamped by the prevailing identity around, For some first generation believers this synchronous behaviour is influenced by family, or others either non native or indigenous who are exploring their identity by earning all they can and spending all they can.

3) Pray for those mission workers whose identity is from their sending country not flexible to this environment. Pray that the Lord will teach them how He loves the city and how they can also have a loving wise relationship with it, without them becoming synchronised to it.  

4) Pray for those children (youth) of first generation believers. Their Mum and Dad's have had little training in the way of Christian leadership / biblical family dynamics. The gospel is still relatively new here. There was little contextual advice / biblical teaching around for new believers to apply in this context. Now some (I sense many) in the emerging generations are turning to the influence of their peers and rejecting the way of their parents (following Christ). Pray that God will open hearts and eyes to see both the wisdom of God in His word (which they have heard so clearly) and the love of Christ expressed through their parents. Praise God for pockets (relatively small numbers) of healthy teens and twenties. Pray God's protection over them and their influence on this country. 

Lord may we never take the political and relative relational security of our nations for granted when we have it. May we never use it as a pretext for arrogant mission or communication of any relational pretension. Lord may our hearts be full, our communication agile, our mobility and surrender ready for your purposes and expansion of your eternal family and kingdom. 

Hope this helps. May His church shine brightly and with clarity in such a day of opportunity. 

Thank you again for your faithful prayers. We are united in Him, Your prayers are part of the national heart of prayer going up this evening. 

Travel Blog 6

 It's been slightly warm ...

As we have travelled amongst different ministries the last couple of days, the truth is that we have sensed the raised temperature of the spiritual battle also. Those who are truly reaching out to the unreached and poor, marginalised, forgotten about, have had everything thrown at them by the enemy. Such is the nature of strategic mission work, and ground breaking kingdom industry. 

On top of this they are doing things for which there is no training manual. Of course...they have God's word, they act on the primacy of it and are thoroughly biblical in their approach... yet the cultural challenges that come with first generation Christianity present their own issues which need thinking through afresh and reformation under God.

 What works in other contexts would definitely not work here, and has failed so spectacularly when others from outside come in with imposed cultural ideas on how this church should look like in this context. Development of indigenous leaders has its own peculiar challenge. Cultural sensitivity is the main thing lacking in those who have travelled here so far, and the primary reason the pastors gave today for why this church has not taken root and multiplied as we would dearly love it to. Our role is to help pioneers and think through help and resources which will navigate this issue biblically. 

The reality is that indigenous culture will always be an influence. We can train leaders to be biblical, but under pressure many will be tempted to resort to type and what they have known. The cultural mindset/ worldview, family influence, attitudes to money, marriage, routines of the day (and the very hot summer) all impact how the church community can grow, the commitment of people to serve others and church growth, the reality of growing indigenous mature leaders of the truth. 

Those who have endured and been fruitful here admit through their own tears that there is actually no true indigenous leadership present. The prevailing church here is led  those who have come from outside and dedicated their lives to introduction of the gospel to this culture with a view to handing over to indigenous leadership. However,  the sustaining leaders of the church here remain those who at present have no mature leaders to hand on to.

 Our prayer is for us to aid these purposes, As we serve the church here and those who have served it so faithfully we long to see indigenous leadership mature and be able to carry the gospel into the next generation and season. With all that church planters and workers have thrown at them on a regular basis this could only happen through a supernatural work of God. What is humanity impossible is possible with God.  This is the truth of Genesis 12:1-3. We pray not only for the miraculous new birth of those from kingdoms and cultures of darkness, but also the multicultural family of God being born in cultures where humanly it has seemed impossible, This is particularly true of refugee and poorest communities here. So long neglected and despised, the door has been opened to the gospel.  So many lives have been changed by receiving Christ, but this is not the same as having a church full of mature disciples who can lead. What is now a church amongst the poorest is not "standard" western church. It is community, connections, relationships which grow into communication about Christ, receiving Christ and then outworking the application of this in so many complex situations. There is so much to be encouraged by, but such a long way to go. 

Pray for Pastor S and his work amongst the Roma community. 

Pray for Pastor D and his work amongst those who have fled wars.

Pray for Pastor E and his work amongst poor urban families. 

Pray for Pastor X and his work amongst those from dark religion practices and superstition. 

Pray for us tomorrow as we meet to pray for this special country. 

Bless you, thank you. 

Travelblog 5 Wednesday

 A long and exciting day. We drove into the neighbouring country, border crossing in was quick, getting out even late at night was quite slow. Our first port of call was meeting up with a dear brother and family we have been praying some time for. They have been prolific church planters, united in a special way they have shared the many highs and profound lows. 

THE FOCUS ON A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY. 

After 4 churches planted in this country, and numerous others in other countries the focus is switched to reaching children and families in a nook of the capital which is unreached. Others have pointed out to us that there as many as 65 churches in the capital, why would another one be needed when there are so many unreached in the rest of the country? However, unreached can defined by culture and people group not just geography. Half the population of this country lives in the capital area. 

Currently these precious folks are focussed on a 4 week children's mission based at church, in their newly (mostly) finished building. Pray for them in this strategic work. High rise and urban business swamps the neighbourhood, but community is so much more than a collection of people. This seems a golden missional opportunity. Maybe you would like to join us next year for 1 week (or maybe longer) on a short term team here? Fellowship over lunch was precious. The facility offers meeting space, teaching and meeting room, some guest accommodation for teams coming on mission, a bright media space for podcasts and broadcast, all run from the recently installed solar. Praise God for all that he is doing in lives of children hearing the gospel. 

We then met up with UK folks who have been doing the hard yards here for many years. The story charted (with some regret) how in the earlier days following the fall of communism opportunities abounded for open conversation about Christ. Now there are several challenges. 

THE BRAIN DRAIN / MIGRATION: Notably young people leave rural areas making training the next generation of leaders / elders hard in those places. Rural churches have been planted but many have disappeared even within the last generation. 

THE EASY LIFE IN THE SUN: This country is so beautiful. The beaches are packed. A measure of prosperity from tourism has brought a culture seeking more of this world and less consideration of eternity and the meaty issues of existence. People live for today. Sadly they work 2 or 3 jobs, make hay whilst the sun is shining. For many churches trying to build gospel community this is an issue. When do you meet with folks for fellowship. Several stories emerged of pastors being requested to put all the meetings on Sunday to serve all the churches needs so that other days can focus only on business. This is not a healthy model. Yes there are practical challenges. Manic traffic make bringing the church community together hard. Yet the predominant drive for many has become making money and not seeing kingdom increase. The prevailing culture seems to be the business and tourism environment many work all hours in. Pray for this. 

Praise God for the pastors , leaders and their families who set a model of the simple life, travelling light as they travel to the eternal city, forever home, sold out for the kingdom. A consumer driven model for church is starting to emerge in the cities. Pray for those who are burning themselves out trying to feed this monster. Pray that eyes will remain on the biblical model of new community and that The LORD will continue to give wisdom to those who apply this in faithful mission. 

We are so encouraged. God has special people here who see the issues. There is also great need for support (pastoral, strategic, relational, teaching, mission teams. next generation influence, financial). We see so much why we are here at this time. 

Thank you for your prayers, it is very evident that you are faithful intercessors. We are so humbled and so grateful, 

 

Travelblog 4 Tuesday Pm

This evening a very special time in small group. 

God has orchestrated a special family from indigenous background to not only come to himself but live as light and salt in a very dark place. 

This is one region not too far away, but where members of His family are extremely rare. 

In such circumstances God can use extraordinary means to break through the darkness. In some christian cultures, it would be scary and greeted with great suspicion to hear of supernatural encounters with dreams and miraculous meetings telling you to seek out Christ and His people. 

In this culture, the darkness is so pervasive and the deception and lies of the enemy is so deep, it takes the extraordinary to break in to cause someone to seek Christ. This is the appropriate way he works and speaks so beautifully. The king of love shows He is greater than the king of destruction. The Saviour who brings dignity breaks through the culture of sin, dark family secrets of shame, as He directs to identity in himself with sin forgiven and righteousness from Himself. 

The one who exposes sin and reveals His grace and holiness is so blindingly bright in the context were sin is covered by deception and lies. It is impossible to ignore such grace and truth.  God is good. It was so good to hear testimonies of such clarity and beauty. (Col 1:13) 

God has His people in this place, and our prayer is that they will be mightily used. There is no accident as to their location, conversion story, confidence due to His dealings, and character of boldness in the face of guarenteed opposition. 

Pray for their boldness to continue, so evidently given by Him and pointing to Him. 

Pray for their lives of purity to continue to impact families, relatives and business colleagues who are so hungry as they seek the truth. 

Thank you for your encouragement and partnership in prayer. 

Travelblog 3 Monday and Tuesday AM

Thanks for your patience for updates. We had a day exploring the local and regional spiritual situation yesterday, praying for this land which has so much need of local and regional witness to Christ. I have just returned from our men's early morning prayer meeting. 

Here are our observations and prayers...

1) Many have come and gone trying to serve the establishment of the church here. Yet although God has orchestrated this so marvellously with people coming from many nations, the situation re: the building of the national church is that it is still very much at foundation level. 

Why have so many come and gone?

a) The work is hard, hot, and slow. Because the work has been slow, those who have invested 20-30 years are much older now than when they came with energy. Age takes its toll and illness, strokes, medication, healthcare all become factors for those who have laid faithful foundations in prayerful obedience, and now they returned to places where it is easier to find medical help appropriate for them. 

b) There are many social and community nuances here. Both indigenous people and the many nations that gather here makes for a complex dynamic. Mission workers have not maybe always understood the great collaboration. The have understood the commission to make disciples, the command to love, but not made the most of resources they have brought, because they have unintentionally been isolated in mission as they try to apply themselves to one task without those around them shaping their ministry into the whole. It comes from a well meaning intention to stick faithfully to what they think God has called them to, but maybe teamwork amongst a limited number of believers is the only way a country like this can be reached. It is sacred ground, and I am no-one to say how the resources should be spent, but I hazard a suggestion that the stewarding of national gifts and resources is the key to this. One gifted person can work in many locations if they are balanced and utilised appropriately by others in team. One person will burnout without team, and accomplish little in such complexity and magnitude of need.

Like South Asia or any other part of an unreached world, the sensitivity to people groups and culture is complex. Understanding what is already in place, or the cultural norm is crucial for culturally appropriate engagement with church to be a success. The development of a church from zero which will be culturally impacting for the long term, relies on the sensitivity of workers to culturally appropriate communication and operations, as well as their sensitivity to what God is doing in the larger jigsaw of his people. Each can come from their own mission organisation with a culture and expectation on which their funding and strategy is based. BUT...One size never fits all. We need to submit to His plan, leadership and purposes and with humility be ready for His pace, and direction, making the most of the sum of the parts as we all together fit in to serve our commanding officer. 

c) This can be a lonely ministry. So many people need Jesus. The need is vast and the workers are few. It can be so overwhelming. For one figure to persevere in such a context, requires a balancing of others around us who can lift our eyes to ... the one who sees with greater perspective. We have to start somewhere, but we need to see that we are part of a bigger plan. This is our role, and why we sense God's timing in being here today - to encourage perspective as we train and encourage.  This remaining need  for personal encouragement, strategic plan, unreserved comittment  will we believe not disappear, this side of glory. 

e) Discouragement has come upon some. Some attempts at church planting fail. This can make us ask if our church will be next. 8 churches currently operate/ exist and now have some witness. This number is greater than 3 years ago, but for every local church that remains at least one has disappeared. The number of churches needed, remains many multiples of this due to the nature of geography, indigenous culture and missional opportunity. We are not a reverse engineering church planting movement, with numerical targets. We long to see indigenous movements of GOD's grace turn into healthy churches. It is He who brings the growth. We serve His numbers and purposes.

What are we praying for.

Yesterday we went to an exhibition of olive trees. It was fascinating. A particular olive grown here is of great quality. For many years the locals didn't appreciate it, and olive trees were neglected. It takes years (between 2-12) for an olive tree to show fruit.  This is a wide window of unpredictability. You see the analogy hopefully.

LORD help those who work here see the importance of their work in your hands and purposes and not give up on such significant, and strategic work before it becomes established, but keep going to a fruitful season. 

LORD may many more trees (churches) be planted. 

LORD spread your people to cover the land. 

LORD bless this great city through your people (Jer 29, Jonah 4:11)

LORD help us as we nurture the growth, in pruning, sowing, and the resources for growth give us wisdom and the long game clarity we need. 

Praise GOD for his faithful hand on this place. We sense the tide is turning with individuals coming to faith who are indigenous to the culture, trophies of grace who will be mobilised to be perfect ambassadors to this nuanced culture and missional challenge. 

Travelblog 2 Sunday PM

A wonderful day. The church here  is doing well despite many challenges.

There are a number of features immediately apparent:

1) This Church attracts all nations. This is both a blessing and a complex conundrum for leadership, 

It was good to see greet Kazak, Russian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Serbian, Slevenian friends as well as locals and several other nations. The big prayer always from our hearts is for more locals to be mobilised with the love and truth of Christ. 

a) Each nation brings its own culture:

Sometimes we like to think of Christianity as a monoculture (that the church is made up of people who think like us0, that we are all the same, In reality the eternal church was always designed with dynamic diversity in mind, a reflection and expression of the manifold grace of God. Each people group come with their own habits, preferences and expectations /  ambitions. It is a supernatural work to see all one in united praise and witness, all one in Christ Jesus

b) Each nation brings its own language. 

Post Babel the complexity of language demands for  numerous translations and technologies to make a gathering helpful in communication. We listened to headphones speaking English. The Leader spoke Serbian, the young translator (aged 17) spoke Russian, the voice at the back was translating to local language. The bible spoke to all with power and clarity. Praise God for S's clear preach full of love, grace, sensitivity and wisdom from God. We face an enemy who sows discouragement, disunity and isolation. We have a God in whom we stand, firmly rooted in Jesus His victory, His presence and His word. His voice is clear and comes with a love which penetrates all made in His image, comforts all who are weary, feeds all who are hungry, satisfies all who are thirsty, 

What can we pray for ?

That the church will  follow through / respond in the way expressed this morning.  That individuals will take responsibility to be prepared for the seriousness of the spiritual battle and what is coming. 

That there will be true unity and faithfulness to each other in prayer for the spiritual battle. Like the armies of old, guarding the one to our left, together we stand. 

That they will be strong in Christ not attempting the battle or to try fixing problems in their own strength EPH 6:10

That their hearts will be protected as they put on His armour.

That the church will not fight each other (flesh and blood) but be alert to the enemy who loves us to fight against each other. 

That we will be alert to the enemies plan to cause relational pain (Gen 3) from sinful selfish passion,

That the church will be one in Christ Jesus and enjoy His purposes outworked amongst them. 

Pray for good relationships in church not division. 

Good relationships ( between husbands and wives, children parents, worker and  bosses)

• Thank God that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world.
• Thank God that Christ intercedes for us our unity with Him and each other, as He and the Father are one. (John 17) 
• Praise God that His word drenches our shields for the extinguishing of the fire of the evil one. 
• Praise God whose word is steady and true. 
• Praise God that in defence He stands with us and provides, in attack His word is so powerful,
• The church is an army fighting together. 

Praying for you as you stand in the battle. in His strength and pray for church amongst the unreached by praying for the fledgling church here. 

Travelblog return 1 Sunday AM

 Hi Friends,

Thanks so much for praying with us on this  re-visit to the precious church planted in 0.001%. It seems too long since we were here, but this is His timing and for that we are so grateful,  We arrived safely into warm strong winds. Sadly our luggage did not, and so if you were here today you would spot us as the pasty brits sporting the summer season getup of the local discount fashion store. 

With a short time of prayer and essential refresh, it was down to the business of catch-up last night as we ate. Instantly there are things we can say for sure...

1) It takes great faithfulness to plant and lead a church to unreached. Our friend has now been here 25 years. Praise God for his faithfulness to the call, a steady commitment to do what has been commanded to by the commander. This is Hesed love worked out in the 21st century, A comittment of love which is widely tested by manifold trial and opposition. In some ways some would say that the church is still a baby church. Numbers may seem humanly unimpressive to some, but the legacy is a church which is on a good trajectory. The culture is missional, where hardcore servants are born, and leadership is not an easy thing to aspire to. The challenges are obvious but so is the keeping, provision and work of God. HE is at work here. What THE LORD starts He will complete. His servants mirror this commitment. 

2. The enemy has thrown (and will throw) anything he can at such a precious church.

The reason leadership is so hard is that it is in the furnace of a raging spiritual battle, The church have been going through Ephesians. This morning we look at the armour of God. (6:10-18). Pray for us please;

a) That we will see clearly what is being thrown at us as His church.

b) That we will be able to stand in His provision, power and character to win the many lost here.

Always the word of God is relevant. Morning by morning new mercies and riches we discover. Each day I see what profound contingency and wisdom God has given in His word for every tribe, tongue, nation, cultural nuance, challenge to His bride, nurture of His blood bought people. God is Good ! 

I couldn't help but think of 2 Tim 2 as we were reunited with our precious brother here. Many of you will know of the backstory of his calling from military posting to pastoral ministry. 

2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,[a] who will be able to teach others also.3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 

We praise God for those and their families who live to please the one who is altogether worthy of our lives. The eternal fruit of the faithful is so precious, echoing the sacrifice and glory of the one who has given everything ensure the reaching of the unreached. 

All glory to the one who orchestrates mercy and faithfulness to those so far away,  in order that they be brought into the cast iron grip of grace. 

This is authentic following of the masters steps. This is the antithesis of easy street Christianity and the insipid prosperity consumeristic model of faith that so easily pervades the western world. However hardship for Him, is also flooded by the presence of Him. 

Lord make us faithful servants, fill our lives with your faithfulness, 

Intelligent care for Children at Risk

As I listen to the news today, I hear of another boy being wounded in a Gaza tent as he receives urgent medical attention for his previous shot wound. As the doctor turns the boy over to complete the procedure another rogue shot comes into the medical tent and provides fresh trauma for all concerned. We live in a world of hurt upon hurt, pain upon pain. What compounds this is that sometimes there is not a lot of intelligence in how we choose to help. Sometimes we are more focussed on what we want to do or achieve than the best way of administering the best for the person receiving care. No doubt in this instance the medics had little choice on where to care for the boy, their bravery is outstanding, their strategic thinking so difficult in a place of so much disorder. This is the nature of the present conflict in Gaza ... a complete mess in which both sides seem to fail in aiding the full flow of care or human compassion. Reporting / bringing aid on the frontline is so hard in the fog of war. Where trauma, pain and needs abound decision making becomes more critical. 

It does raise a tactical question though...

  is our desire to help reducing future hurt or increasing it ? 

In gospel ministry an old saint said "you can't preach to empty stomaches, because they can't hear you over the rumbling. " There are parallels to many who are hurting in different and tragic ways across the globe. Decision making for grace driven, Christ centred mercy ministry needs to be clear. 

Of particular concern to our team over the last 20 or so years have been the orphans and effective orphans (those who do have parents or family but want nothing to do with them or offer them no care.) Many initiatives have been set up across the world. I will fill in details on an update at a later stage,  but a colleague thought it was worth mentioning (in bullet form at least) a few things we think have been percolated for more wisdom in the battle to care for the most vulnerable in our world. Myriads of children suffer not because of their choices but because of the adults who have brought them into that predicament. The question is how adults who show love in the name of Christ might work to undo what can be undone and set things on a healthier trajectory. The last thing we want is to compound the pain of others by our bad decision making. 

1. PREVENTION IS TRULY BETTER THAN CURE: 

In Easter Europe and Philippines particular, we work with local authorities to identify children and teenagers most at risk of going on to the streets. I can't tell you how strategic this has been. I commend those and their wisdom for spearheading this. Other agencies are keen to have the photo or TV advert of the street child to raise millions, but really ? do things need to get to this stage ? Is this the way of dignity and wisdom before God ?

WHY DO CHILDREN END UP ON THE STREETS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP THEM GETTING THERE ?

Children simply come to the end of the road when adults are not prepared to fund them or not motivated / able (maybe due to alcoholism, mental health or addiction) to look after them.  Some might be orphans in the state system (with all its underhand backhanders to carers which reduce funds to care for children) but  even this has a time limit,  an end of care cutoff at a certain age (maybe 16).  Then when there is no profit for the care provider, the child is forgotten (kicked out!) long before they have been prepared for the real world never mind the underworld.  The trauma culture of street living is hard undone. Even the most regenerate, sanctified Christian young person or adult that has been completely changed since their time on the streets still show many instinctive signs of that time. Trauma is easily re-triggered, instinctive self protection behaviour is hard to unlearn. We see the same things from soldiers coming back with PTSD.  Positive relationships through building trust are harder when you come from an environment where no one can be trusted and all relationships are manipulative, abusive or without order.  

Of course we are not saying that we don't work or want to work with children off the streets (far from it), but our preference and  desire would be that they never get to that point in the first place. So we believe it is wiser to work as early in the process for prevention as possible. This might be less photogenic, less dramatic, less tear jerking for the donors who want a "story" of redemption, (therefore we are undoubtedly less likely to receive a donation), but before God we believe this the right thing and wiser approach. 

2.  BUILD INTELLIGENT FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH AND MINISTRY:

INVEST IN SAFEGUARDING AND RISK ASSESSMENT AS AN EXPRESSION OF A HEART OF FAITH, DILIGENT OBEDIENCE AND WORSHIP.

 GOD WILL BLESS THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTLIKE HUMBLE SUBMISSION. THE BUILDING UP OF DISCIPLES AND CHANGED LIVES WILL BE STRONG WHEN WE ACT IN HIS WISDOM. 

In the chaos of the Urban Jungle we need to be  extra vigilant with care (especially of ourselves and the team). I heard someone say once, "we don't have time to do risk assessment, there are kids starving here". Of course I understood their commendable heart, and eagerness to be activists - just to do something, but the truth is ... that without caring for the team there will be no team to care for children. There's so much arrogance to thinking that we can do whatever we want and it will be blessed of God. 

Safeguarding vigilance is for the protection and wellbeing of the team as well as the children. Risk analysis and proactive care and prevention helps both those who serve and being served. Nothing is wasted by taking time out to regularly train and consider these matters in greater detail, to train others. I actually think this is the mind and heart of God. He is a God of order. In a world of Chaos, I see that those who put their time into ordering care with transparency and wisdom are those God blesses most. This might fly in the face of those who are motivated by numbers ("today we fed 4000 children") but the story is always more nuanced and complex than a single stat. Lives are complex, the grace of God is simple but the outworking of it is manifold and has so many layers of influence and impact. It is our role to understand this as best as we can. Sometimes it is right for God to answer our prayers with a "NO" as he gives us a smaller ministry to be more faithful with. 

Sometimes we have to set (accept) a limit on how many children can be helped. We are not the Saviour of the world, He is. If He sets a limit, or diligent care says that we are compromising team care by attempting too much, we need to hear His wisdom with a humble heart, and accept that we are only part of His work, a small component. We are a piece in His jigsaw not  the total picture or total answer to the worlds needs.  We do not have the ultimate vantage point, ultimate divine wisdom of missional orchestration,  or total sovereignty of control... He does. All HIS WAYS are perfect, God is Good in all His ways.

Faith ministry in biblical terms is never blind, but open eyed. Caleb saw the mountain and giant opposition from every perspective before He said that God was bigger. It is an outworking of faith that invests time into the details we trust God for. Be real and open about what you are up against, detail it before the Lord in prayer and then prepare to lead your team in care well. What some call "faith" is actually blind optimism where they ask God to bless the mess. Do the hard yards of preparation, risk assessing, proactively safeguarding. Those who are negligent, uncaring of workers and children, do not offer an intelligent prayer for God to care for others through them. 

3. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN HELPING CAN HURT:

Intelligent care notes two things...

A) WHAT WE ARE AIMING AT: The strategy of what we are trying to achieve / where the long game is heading is so important, as is our accountability to stick to the task. Ministry drift is so common, and can be avoided by accountability. 

B) THE BEST WAY TO GET THERE: How we help those we care for to learn to care for themselves.

Ultimately a transformed life in Jesus means that those who know Him have a wonderful new identity in Him and His family. His eternal strategy is the best focus. There are however practical issues that need to be navigated along the way which need practical wisdom from God. We need to care for people regardless of whether they respond to Him in faith and trust or not. His general grace is for all made in His image who should have dignity. 

Learning to eat properly, cook properly, wash properly, get out of bed and be on time, trust relationally, work honestly, learn humbly are all things which need to be learned incrementally and not spoon fed. When we feed children and don't help them to feed themselves or others we can breed selfishness, entitlement and laziness. I have seen this excused by phrases like " they have been through so much, we can't expect any more" or "if we don't show them generosity, no one will". Both phrases are almost true, but learning to care for ourselves is one of the greatest things we learn from good parents and guardians. If children do not have such care, it is part of our redemptive role to teach these disciplines in a very patient, unconditionally loving and consistently dignified way. I guess where the rubber hits the road for me is what is deemed most important. For some "the project", "the way we do it at the center", the "reputation of the charity or leader"  becomes an idol rather than the means or tool surrendered to God for His greater purposes. Children need to get to a better place of self care, and that place ultimately is when they are independent of us.  Our goal is to be a nobody... not needed, out of a job. We are servants. This demands humility and faith, trusting God not ourselves. I do believe the biggest danger to those who care for vulnerable children in ministry is pride. 

If we can't do the above in our system, we need to change the system. If we are caring for children because it makes us feel good, to be cathartic about our past, we are in the wrong job, and probably would benefit from a few sessions with a wise and sensitive biblical counsellor. I thoroughly recommend "helping without hurting" if you have not read it. It raises some helpful issues. 

4. PEER GROUP INFLUENCE IS MASSIVE: Belonging, influence and identity are such important things to think through. Everything is built on the foundation of how we view ourselves and our worldviews. 

 If you have 1 adult leader and 6 children in a larger group of 30 children who spend most of their time with each other, the balance of influence and culture is probably with the children. The prevailing identity is likely defined by the minds of the children. They are strong, they have learned resilience from what they have been through and we need to see that by default they set the temperature, culture, momentum and direction. This is a particular issue when children are adopted or cared for as siblings too numerous for the care system. (I think of family of 7 who no-one wanted to take from Orphanage. The eldest acted as Dad, the second eldest as Mum, nothing happened without their direction, influence or mental assent.) 

 The intelligent worker puts strong believing teenagers with good daily habits amongst others. It is what one person described to me as having "a good spread of currants in the scone." To set the pace and increase the transparency of changing behavioural living,  peer group mentors are so important. The metrics involved mean that often a strong team is needed just for one or two children to have all the help and influence they need. If you are not thinking about your metrics, and who has the balance of influence, you have not thought it through. Trying to do it all yourself, or assuming because you love God it will undoubtedly work out, you are not being too  clever and maybe in danger of being very proud. Stronger characters need stronger influencers to get somewhere healthy.  

The best advert for the gospel and what influences best for transformation are those who were once upon a time strong characters of opposition and chaos, who now become strong "firm but fair" mentors of the next generation as they bring them to order with love, respect and dignity. I think of one girl (now woman) so changed that no-one would argue with Her. (I certainly didn't :)) 

Such is her natural stature/  demeanour, and force of Character, she is a natural leader. She was a leader in orphanage and on the streets. Her life story now says that Christ transforms... robustly, strongly !!!!. She is soft and gentle with a sensitive heart behind a robust shell. Whilst being still robust and hard to argue with, you know in her eyes that she knows pain in this world and has experienced it to the 'nth degree.  Christ has brought about an appropriate change. Where there was hardness there is now steadfastness, where there was impetuous selfishness there is now eager sheltering of others. This outworking of a care  community is what we pray for. It is in some ways the contemporary equivalent illustration of Saul become Paul. With God, anything is possible, all things can be redeemed for His glory.  

Not everyone who comes through a loving transformative home and relational eye opening meeting with Jesus should then be in charge of the next generation or take care of vulnerable or traumatised children. For some, a life outside of this environment and into non systematic, "normal" family away from trauma backgrounds is way more appropriate / redemptive, However for some, it is appropriate they give out comfort to others from the comfort they have received from GOD. This is their life calling and ministry. You need to keep the influential, gifted and called in your team (even if they are used subversively, at a distance,  or under the radar). Chose your future leaders carefully. Have a mix of those outside and from within the culture - the balance and perspective will be wiser. 

5. WORK WITH THE TRUSTED LOCAL CHURCH: 

Don't do it your way, do God's work His way, and you will know God's blessing and provision. 

There is nothing which compares to the NEW COMMUNITY OF CHRIST to help transform children thoroughly or anyone for that matter.  Yes it is Jesus who transforms lives most. If we are not a gospel ministry but simply a social action feeding centre ... we have not dealt with the soul, we've done less that half a job. Christ is at work in glorious ways across the world with the most forgotten children on the planet. Interestingly though He choses His local church to make the biggest and most holistic lasting differences. I will talk another time about how reaching the unreached means that often we need a church long before our care of children really takes off in effective life transformation. 

In the new community we find multigenerational family committed to us. Here we find community which watches our backs and keeps us accountable when we are let out on a leash and in danger of unwittingly causing ourselves harm. Here we find healthy role models who get grace. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. Church family is a place of acceptance, forgiveness and nurture when it is authentically filled with JESUS.  At least it should be. I understand it isn't always. It may seem tempting for some to set up a ministry detached from a local church for autonomy - detached from the transparency, accountability, but it is never wise, because God's plan and mission is always through the church, and this is what He blesses for His glory. If a team and community is not in place, invest in that first. 

The diversity of sanctified wisdom, influence, mentorship and love found in the biblically literate church is always greater than any human institution. Some institutional care for children setups say more about their founder than they do about the way of Christ. I would urge each to run away from setting up an idol to immortalise or commend their own compassion - this is just sinful. Look at folks like George Muller, but see the Christ behind it. George wasn't the saviour, he was the one who learned to point to the saviour and follow His way, plan and provision. Be inspired by others in the past, but only so that the GOD they worship is honoured more in your own life. Don't blindly copy their actions and  industry without knowing the God that produced it, who may call you to do it a different way for your context and generation as you personally submit to His word and reform your life under it. There is no substitute for a close walk with Jesus.  Second hand mission never works, it needs to come from Him for Him. We are here to make much of Him and sink ourselves into the background as we give Him all the glory. We are nothing other than stage hands, behind the curtain doing the menial work, and it is a privilege because of the love, dignity, and grace, He has shown us. 

I hope something here is of help. God bless all those who work in His name with vulnerable children, submitting to His word and way, honouring Him through character and diligence to bring glory to Him. God bless you and cause His face to shine on you as you do His work, with His character, diligence, care and blessing. 

Lose the little idols of the heart.

 Those who have the greatest Joy serving Christ in this life hold on to this life very loosely. Jesus said in Luke 14;25-27 that we must be ready to leave our families,  and take nothing for contingent self sufficiency (Luke 9:3-4). Either we trust him to provide or we do not. 

Surely the principle Jesus is spelling out to each and every follower is that we hold onto nothing dearly other than Him. Should we have Him both for now and eternity, you and I are wealthy beyond measure. It is essential to understand that we will never have true fruitfulness serving Him in this life if a compartment of our heart reserves special status for things we love other than Him. That is idolatry, and even though we might think it insignificant, or in someway excusably offset by other merits, it will always compromise our instincts, attitudes and abilities, we'll never be "fully in" and focussed on the things He has called us to. Likewise we will never have full joy in service if we seek to find our joy and treasure in other things, however small an affection we protest we have for them, or complain that our biggest affection is still for Him. As my old Sunday school teacher used to rattle off on a regular basis..."Either He is either Lord or all or not Lord of all." They were 100% bang on. 

I guess what prompts me to write this is the regularity I see the subtle re-emergence of this battle, not just in my own life but in those around me and across the world in ministry. Idols although different across the world are still made in our own image for self gratification. Sin is Sin, humans are humans wherever you meet them. We are made to worship, and when we make what we worship it is always pathetically inferior to the Living God. 

I've noticed some traits:

1) As we get older our propensity for little idols increases. This is really subtle. The enemy makes sure it is subtle. The older generations speak of the younger ones and their idolatry, their appetite for pleasure and self service as if they never knew what that was like. My major concern is for those in ages 40-100 who don't even see it as they serve. Partly because they are statistically nearer leaving the life they should hold on to so lightly and partly because they likely have less time to serve, deal with the issues, reach the lost and be ready to meet Christ to give account of the stewardship of their lives.

What kind of affections of idolatry do I see excused? 

Family: As we gain kids, grandkids, and the tribe get bigger we have a tendency to be less likely to be objective about that in relation to our affections for Christ, and more likely to be consumed in emotions, demands and priorities. Get real, if you have a big family and lots of "perfect", "adorable', "special", "unique", ones - remember they are by grace not by merit, they are sinners not without spot or blemish, a gift from God which he can also take away (job 1:21). It is the eternal family which ultimately counts. We need to remember what family will look like in heaven and how that impacts now. 

He is my family, and all who belong to Him. The more I desire to see His family grow, and invest into that with affections, prayer and service, the greater joy I have in life and eternity. 

Pleasure and comfort: I see a lot of affections for the safe haven.  This especially so when Christians feel marginalised and culturally under pressure. For some the garden, or beauty spot, others the long weekend or "me time". Yes maybe younger generations are more pleasure seeking in streaming, box set binging,  travel, entertainment, but that doesn't mean our pleasures as boring stay at homes are any less idolatrous. The location doesn't matter, whether you spend or not doesn't matter, what matters is what you look to for your happy place or rest reset. 

We shouldn't need certain things  to make us happy if we have Christ. If He is our daily reset, and time alone with Him provides the joy it always does (for me) the diary shouldn't be looking for the next holiday, new plant, decorator coming in, new car, new clothing, etc etc to bring life back to an equilibrium which works for us. Having a great affection to clean the church or love the church building, have perfect flowers at the front of church can be an idol. Having so much affection for the community you serve that you will never hear His voice to go anywhere else - is idolatrous. Taking your hurts to Him is fruitful. Investing your suffering in Him is fruitful. Trying to find ways to escape pain in a fallen world without Him is never fruitful. 

GOD GIVES GOOD THINGS - BUT FOR HIS GLORY not our purposes: 

We're not saying God is a kill joy master who only wants our industry. We are not saying our Heavenly Father doesn't give us great pleasures to enjoy (James 1:17) in this life as a legitimate balance and rest from service. Our ultimate rest and Joy is not in what He gives however, it is in  Him. What we are saying is that we need to be honest about where our true affections lie, and not mask "guilty pleasures" as feeding the monster of SIN, serving self, and doing away with total surrender to whatever He calls us to. The  greatest pleasures in Christ in my life have come from the hardest times of service, when most has been given up. Then He is most intimate and I am most satisfied, in total surrender, when I have nothing else in this world that I hold dear. 

DON'T FEED THE MONSTER IDOL OF "MINISTRY": 

One last thing. I'm increasingly worried about the affection those in ministry have for their own ministry as they reach middle years. We can have a tendency to want to copy and paste past blessings, returning to where He blessed us last rather than trust Him for future fresh blessing.  It is the principle of manna in the wilderness. His mercy and blessings are new every morning. 

Some are passionate about  having a ministry legacy that says we were faithful because we were reliable / immovable/ always doing the same over and over. To say that "he was faithful as pastor because he never left the pulpit in 60 years" may sound like a great thing... unless God was of course constantly calling him elsewhere in mission, and he was never prepared to train up successors because He was so self obsessed. Then  it was selfish ambition for what others said about him or he wanted them to say about him that drove that intransigency. Then his idol was his own ministry. 

I see this as one of the primary reasons for spiritual decline in mission networks and service. I've also seen men hanker after a "larger" more "prestigious" ministry, a "bigger church platform" or be called something more impressive "Lead, Senior, Director of ministries at large, pastor and global church network team director" OK that is made up, but you get the drift. "My pulpit is not that posh" I hear some of you cry... yes,  but an old battered one where you love to stand for the wrong reasons can be equally sinful place to plonk yourself. 

Why do you have affection for preaching ? Is it because you love serving others ? Or has something else subtly grown in between the cracks of the appreciation from people, amidst the weeds of listening to yourself ?It is a great test of any gift to see how you do if it is taken away from you for a season. It's never a bad thing to have a break to recharge and honesty check, a reset to do things for the right reason. 

Likewise, why are you a missionary ? Is it because your mission ministry is your identity or because your passion to serve where He sends and however He sends for whatever He asks is greater than it has ever been ? 

Why do you serve in Church ? Why do you give? If the answer isn't love, of Christ and for His people, you are a nasty dissonent unmelodic noise in the kingdom orchestra (1 COR 13). IT is the height of SPIRITUAL immaturity to be self serving and self obsessed (v11) with the spiritual gifts God has given you. 

Pastors are always servants and sometimes the best thing we can do is have no status and be cleaning the toilets for others out of a genuinely filled heart of love and alone in the joy of God. No one knows but Him, and it's a beautiful place to be. Don't be seduced by ministry as a way to status or identity. That is the enemies' greatest tactic to nullify fruitfulness in disciples. in our status seeking generation. We're Children first, worshippers, servants. If anything else comes along, be humble and flexible about it. We're not all here for you but Him. 

If you can say about a spiritual leader that there's only one thing they really serve and that is themselves (their ministry, their mission network, their influence, their platform in the denomination) and they have no time or passion to serve anything or anyone outside of that there is a major issue. Having no time due to being faithful and diligently focussed on what Christ has called you to is one thing. Having no consideration or affection for anyone in the His family who doesn't want to serve your purposes, network or priorities ... is a very different thing. How does He want you to serve His children and equip them for works of service ?  He certainly doesn't want you to invest in others so people say how well you invested in others. We serve His kingdom and not our own. The sooner you and I get over ourselves  our pathetic little kingdoms and our idolatry of ourselves, the happier, more fruitful and more profitable our lives will be. He is glorious, His kingdom is glorious, don't settle for less. Serving others with overwhelming gratitude and worship to Him, without any desire for reward, congratulations or compensation in this life is the goal (cf Matt 6:2).