The Taylor family leave this Friday (August 22) for a period of study leave in Adelaide. We will be guests of Parkin Wesley College and the Uniting Church (mix of Presbyterian and Methodist), who are providing housing, car, plus allowances. I return on 1 November, while the Taylor girls return October 14.
Study leave is a block of time to equip for more effective ministry. I work three days per week for Opawa and my study leave goals for Opawa are to:
*invest in good family time
*do some creative writing projects
*walk and reflect and process and pray.
Opawa is a very different church now, compared to the church I came to in 2004. I am seeking clarity for our next season. edit some of my sermons into internet resources for a US publishing company
I work two days per week for BCNZ (now Laidlaw College) for which my study leave goals are:
*to teach a course on Missional Church leadership
*to turn that course into a book for a US publishing company
The kids will not being going to school, instead working on a range of learning projects and having lots of fun. Lynne will be working on some parts of our AngelWings business and having lots of fun!
In order to pay for the family's flights, and for the fun activities, I am also doing a one day leadership seminar with the Churches of Christ denomination, two Bible studies at the Uniting Church Synod, plus teaching a five day block course at Tabor College.
All fun. I leave the church in very good hands - God’s and yours, confident that God who has begun a good work will carry it on to completion.