Welcome to 2010 proper

Welcome to 2010 proper.It's been an encouragement to me to hear people talking about January as their abiding month. A time to reflect, take time, rest think, appreciate and so on. I must say, I have been better at preaching it than practising it, not taking holidays doesn't help.Thanks to everyone who has stepped in to support the 9am service over January - feedback from both congregations has been positive.As I think about the balance of up, in and out this year, it's time for a little more "in". That is, cultivating relationships, taking time, listening, doing some maintenance (the church certainly needs some), honouring foundations and questioning the future. Jesus always worked out of rest. He didn't rest from work. A bit more "in" seeks to appreciate relating with people as an outcome in itself.I was out on Dennis' yacht the other day and he asked if someone wanted to steer. Large yachts handle like a car with four flat tyres. You're aiming for a land mark and tend to over steer one way then the other. The zig zagging novice! Dennis turned on the auto pilot to illustrate how much, or little, you actually needed to turn the wheel to keep on course. The auto pilot never moved more than a handspan either left or right.A little more "in" doesn't mean we crank the wheel full lock left then full lock right. It means just a "little" more, like the auto pilot.Practically this means me spending regular time with leaders, some of us perhaps taking time to review what they are doing and why. It will mean a facilitated time of reflection for the whole church in either March or April over the course of a weekend. This will be a very important time where the whole church listens, reflects, prays and discusses. We will get a date to you asap and encourage you to make coming and contributing a priority.Cheryl and I have been at St Phils five years this month. It's time for us all to think about that. When I began with you, I asked that my contract be reviewed and renewed (or not) after five years. This is "in" work. If we are to continue, we need to decide what that means and looks like. It's all just the stuff of being transparent and accountable, which I believe in. 2011 will inevitably be a big centenary year.2010 will see some ground work going in to that. 2011 will be a year of mission in my mind celebrating stories of the past but even more so the present and our hopes for the next hundred years. We will need to have some energy for that.Above all, it's a God project. Growing in faith, trust, knowledge and the authority of God for all is number one. We cannot give what we do not have or be who we're not becoming. Looking forward to your support in steering, and all the other things that go into sailing, in 2010.Regards in the AdventureMalcolm