Mike Smallbones FUTURE
GENERAL INFORMATION (June 2010) @ Mike Smallbones FUTURE(Keywords: Mike Smallbones FUTURE, Bernard Preston, Scripture Union, Mike Smallbones support)(apologies to the purists. Yes, of course, Mike Smallbones' future, but Google doesn't care for the apostrophe!) At the end of March my initial contract with Scripture Union Africa officially ended, and I thought retirement would start! But that is not the way it happened! The next day I began a two year contract at the request of Scripture Union Africa. It promises to be very busy two years too, although I did ask for a reduced time commitment with a bit less travel. But it also looks exciting too!
ABOUT ME @ Mike Smallbones FUTUREIt is hard to accept that I have been in Christian ministry with Scripture Union for over 40 years, and that now I am really in the last phase of life as I have known it. Yes, there are a few “if only’s” and “what ifs”, but mostly Elaine and I look back with a tremendous amount of gratitude to God and also to many people along the way, who have made our lives so rich and rewarding. To be able to continue with the task of equipping others is a wonderful privilege. I find however, that my understanding of so many things has changed (and that does create some problems!) I wish I knew then what I know now! Actually, a lot of what I always thought I knew so well, and had all the answers for, I now am less sure about! But I suppose that is what makes the journey of life so interesting. I find that I am still learning – a lot! I am exploring new ways of looking at life, at the Bible, at worship, and discovering more about Jesus than I ever knew before. This is both exciting and challenging and not a little scary!In May we celebrated my mother’s 90th birthday with a lunch with some of her old friends (not too many around anymore), and those family members who were able to make it. (We are rather scattered – US and UK.) Sadly, Mom’s memory is virtually gone now, except for past events. But she seemed to enjoy the day. Recent Events: (February - May 2010) @ Mike Smallbones FUTUREOrientations are I think the training I most enjoy! Enthusiastic and energetic young (mostly) staff, eager to learn and ready to be challenged. Bible Studies encouraging radical thinking on what really is a Christian and the real nature of the Good News Jesus brought form the basis of the preparation for ministry. An in depth and creative study of the Good Samaritan usually leads to some rather uncomfortable realisations of who we are to allow to be our neighbours. Practical sessions on what Scripture Union is and our ethos, methodology follow. The training went well, but the travelling there from South Africa was marked by long delays in Airports due to storms and who-knows-what! Upcoming Events @ Mike Smallbones FUTURE
An open letter ... 10 December 2009 @ Mike Smallbones FUTUREDear friends,At the end of this year I will have completed 40 years of ministry to children and young people with Scripture Union. I have in fact already reached the official retiring age for Scripture Union Africa, but my contract runs till 31 March 2010. Just when I thought my time with SU was coming to an end 6 years ago, and I was approaching the retiring age stipulated by Scripture Union South Africa, I was offered the position of Children’s Ministry Coordinator for Scripture Union Africa. I was really surprised at this, as I thought that I would be considered to be too old, not to mention the fact that I was a white South African male! But this was not the only surprise; the position was on condition that I raised my own support for salary etc. Personally I thought I had little hope of raising this money. (Faith has not really been my strong point, I am sad to say.) But God thought otherwise and I feel rebuked at my lack of faith because in spite of it, God provided! Within the space of three months, a number of people had offered to contribute towards this support and by the time we left South Africa for Nairobi, my full support for the first year was committed. I was amazed to say the least! This support has continued to come in over the last 5 and a bit years. God has seen to it that we have had what we have needed month by month. I am deeply grateful to each one of you who have supported Elaine and me as we made the very painful transition out of the beautiful surroundings of Glenhaven in Underberg, and moved to Nairobi, Kenya to what we believed God was calling us to do 6 years ago. Some have made contributions on a regular basis, while others have made “one offs” from time to time, all of which have enabled us to live! Thank you. My years in Scripture Union Africa have really been the highlight of my career. While both Elaine and I are very glad to be back living in SA, we really enjoyed our 4 ½ years living in Nairobi. We were enriched by the friendship of so many people from all over the world, not to mention the interesting challenges and experiences of living in a foreign country and a very African country too! My work in SU Africa started out being mainly related to ministry to children. I soon realised however, as I visited SU movements on the continent, that many staff had little or no training at all in their time with SU, apart from a short New Staff Orientation which sometimes happened two or three years after starting their period of service. Some were in fact going to training courses offered by other organisations. And so I started to become more involved in this area, developing a Training Policy Statement for SU Africa as well as running more and more training courses myself in areas beyond my original brief. I have been really encouraged to see how this has been appreciated and to see how more and more training is now being done around the continent. I have been able to draw on my experience in various positions in SU in South Africa to provide training across the ministry spectrum, including some admin and staff-related matters. I have also been involved in the development of a Global Training Strategy together with the International SU staff. We had a Pilot Course of training flowing from this in Nairobi in November. This included a very important Training of Trainers segment as well. The idea is that we should now run similar courses at strategic points through out the continent. At the present time I am very involved with two key tasks at the request of SU Africa:
These tasks have not really been completed yet. More recently I was asked to develop programmes for children and young people (Bible Studies, etc) concerning the Christian and the environment. I have not started with this yet! My contract with SU Africa was for 6 years, this ends at the end of March 2010. I recently received a request from the SU Africa Regional General Director, David Gichung’wa to consider staying on in my position for another one or two years to assist him and the Africa Regional Team to continue the process of implementing the strategic directions we decided upon four years ago, which include the two areas which I mentioned above. After considerable thought and prayer, both Elaine and I feel that it is right that I do continue, but at the same time attempting to have a reduced travelling schedule! (The last 5 years have been pretty hectic and demanding.) A major issue relating to this is of course, the support to go with it. I would need both financial and prayer support, as in the past. Some of those who have supported me over the last years are themselves retiring and for this reason (and some for other reasons) have indicated that they will no longer be able to support me as they have in the past. (Some have already stopped their contribution.) I will therefore need to raise the income needed from new sources. I write this letter for two reasons:
Oh, and if for whatever reason, you do not want to continue receiving my newsletter, please let me know. I will not be offended! I know that one can just get too much stuff coming by email, and your interests and concerns may well lie elsewhere. Thank you for reading this rather long letter. Your interest in SU in Africa, and in my role especially is much appreciated. May God bless you as he has blest us – incredibly! Mike Smallbones 47 Steele Road Pelham Pietermaritzburg 3201 South Africa
THE POWER (and THE JOY) OF TITHING @ Mike Smallbones FUTUREIf you've never discovered the royal way, 'tis more blessed to give than to receive, then you are seriously missing out. Ever wondered why the windows of heaven never open for you... BEE UNDER THE MITRE ...USEFUL LINKS @ Mike Smallbones FUTUREGo to MIKE SMALLBONES SUPPORT …Return from Mike Smallbones FUTURE to MIKES CORNER … Go from Mike Smallbones FUTURE to BERNARD PRESTON home page … Mike Smallbones FUTURE |
