I recently congratulated a friend upon his election to a new community role by commenting, \u2018Congratulations! You have been collecting new titles with alacrity!’<\/p>\n
His response, \u2018I have a few titles. They come and go-but character is what really matters.\u2019<\/p>\n
Titles can be fun: \u2018The Right Reverend\u2019 and \u2018The Very Reverend\u2019 are titles which raise a smile at their degree of overstatement. Surely being \u2018reverend\u2019 is sufficiently grand, if not challenging!<\/p>\n
Moreover, if this one is \u2018the right reverend\u2019, where is \u2018the wrong reverend\u2019 or where is the \u2018Not-so Very Reverend\u2019, and who of these persons would we want to invite home?<\/p>\n
Titles are important designations of leadership and responsibility. We are urged to pray for our leaders both within, and without, the Church.<\/p>\n
Leadership will only fully fulfil its roles and responsibilities when infused with life-giving character. Character infuses life into leadership and life into the community.<\/p>\n
Firstly<\/strong>, the Holy Spirit is at work within each and every follower of Jesus Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit is that of transforming followers into the likeness and image of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians<\/em> 3:12-18)<\/p>\n This is God\u2019s will for us. (Philippians<\/em> 1:6) We are being chipped away at or, more Biblically speaking, we are \u2018being transformed by\u2019 God, the Holy Spirit. Truly amazing!<\/p>\n See Galatians<\/em> 5:22,23: \u2018love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.\u2019 What a blessing!<\/p>\n Secondly<\/strong>, the Christian community is called to exhort and encourage one another in love and good works and so to grow the character of each and every member of the Body of Christ.<\/p>\n Thirdly<\/strong>, intentional character formation is aided by the intentional ministry of mature Christians who come alongside and assist in giving focus to the Holy Spirit\u2019s work in the Christian\u2019s life. This is often referred to today as mentoring: Christian mentoring. A definition (note 1):<\/p>\n Within intentional, empowering, unique relationships, Christian mentoring identifies and promotes the work of God\u2019s Spirit in others\u2019 lives, assisting them to access God\u2019s resources for their growth and strength in spirituality, character and ministry.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Like my friend I can say<\/strong>,\u00a0 \u2018I have a few titles. They come and go \u2013 but character is what really matters.\u2019<\/p>\n Transforming Holy Spirit, work in my life and strengthen me to keep in step with your work in my life, that I may be being transformed into the image of Christ. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Shalom,<\/p>\n + John Note 1: \u00a0A book by an Australian author which I have found to be very helpful is: Rick Lewis, Mentoring Matters<\/em>, Monarch Books, Oxford, UK, 2009. Note 1 is on page 20.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ‘Congratulations!’ I recently congratulated a friend upon his election to a new community role by commenting, \u2018Congratulations! You have been collecting new titles with alacrity!’ His response, \u2018I have a few titles. They come and go-but character is what really … Continue reading Do you recall the fruit of the Holy Spirit\u2019s ministry in our character?<\/h4>\n
Thus we are all called to strive and pray:<\/h4>\n
\nBishop of Tasmania<\/p><\/blockquote>\n