My Life and Books (3) Grow Where You Are

After I resigned from parish ministry, I began 33 years of employment in a public sector organisation 1984. We had moved to Christchurch with three young children, so we badly needed a home and income. There were not many jobs going at that time, so I took the one I was offered, even though it did not seem to be right, assuming that something better would turn up.

I had resigned on a principle of faith, so I presume I was hoping for something more spiritual, or more important. It took me quite a long time to realise that God had put me in this place to bless me. Some of the things I have gained over the 33 years in employment include the following.

• My first manager was a really good writer, something that I always struggled with. She taught me to write clearly and precisely. She showed me that using the right words is essential for communicating a message. I did not realise at the time how important that would become.

• Four ten years, I was responsible for editing many of the organisation’s information releases. I learned how to produce really tight writing, with clear, readable, concise, accurate information.

• I was manager of large division for five years. I really struggled with this task, but I learned a lot about how good leaders operate and relate to the people following them.

• Just as I had to be a pastor of a church to discover what the church could be, I needed to be part of a large bureaucracy to understand how bureaucratic organisations can lose their way. Bureaucratic or political power can bring out the worst in people.

• For the last twelve years before retiting, my role was advisory. I had to learn how to have an influence in situations where I had very little authority. I discovered that people are not necessarily persuaded by the truth or strength of your arguments. Influence depends much more on the quality of your relationships and strength of their respect of you.

• I worked with some incredibly clever conceptual thinkers. I learned how to work through step-by-step from first principles to realistic practical solutions. I learned how to expose implausible assumptions and false logic.

• I interacted with a diverse range of people: people from many nations, a variety of religions, and every other difference that you can think of. I have learned to see the image of God in people who are very different from me.

• I made good friends, and got to know some people whom I can really trust.

• I had the opportunity to travel to about a dozen different countries and meet with some very interesting people.

• The income provided for the needs of my family while they were growing up. I once said that it was a good trough to have your snout in. The comments at my retirement suggest that the organisation got good value for the money.

• For the last fifteen years, I was able to work part-time, and still receive a good income. This freed me up to do the things that God has called me to do. I wrote and published four books. I have added hundreds of articles to the Kingdom Watcher website.

So it was a good place to be, although I did not always realise it.