13 Nov 2026, 14:17Pastor Kwesi Moore, SEC PresidentWatford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Making the Most of Every Opportunity
Pastoral Letter, 6 November 2026
It is a thing of wonder that God chooses to use human agents like ourselves and invites us to become ‘partners’ with Him in carrying out His work. What an amazing privilege it is that, despite our clear human limitations, God entrusts us with responsibilities and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.
As we approach the middle of November, we find ourselves at an interesting point in the year. The year is not yet over, and preparations for the end-of-year holidays and associated activities have not quite reached their peak. It is, therefore, a valuable window of opportunity: a time to consider how best to make the most of the remaining weeks of 2026.
This may be the time when plans made in our local churches for the year, targets, S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals, and perhaps Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are in your thoughts as we look at what we have achieved, what remains to be done, and how we can finish the year well. While this may sound like the language of business and management, principles related to these are not unfamiliar within the Christian faith. In fact, it can be a motivating exercise to consider how some of God’s expectations of His people could be understood as early expressions of what we might now call ‘performance indicators.’
Throughout Scripture, we find examples of very specific responsibilities and standards by which God’s people were encouraged to live and serve. Many prophetic timelines have elements of this, such as specific, time-bound promises (by a certain deadline) that God achieved with awesome accuracy.
When God led Abraham outside one night, He showed him the stars in the sky. We can learn from how He used them as a specific, measurable commitment and a visual marker of the outcome of His promise (Genesis 15:5). The Lord later returned to this same clear target: a masterclass in refreshing, reminding, and communicating the end results through vision. In Genesis 22:17, God further developed this picture with Abraham, promising that he would become the father of a vast family as numerous as the stars and the sand on the seashore. The result of that fulfilled promise is that we ourselves are here as God’s family today.
Similarly, we see clear accountability in the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls and the restoration of civic life established and monitored by Nehemiah, who worked to a focused timeline of just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15-16). Later, we hear the repeated messages of prophets such as Amos and Micah (Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8), who reminded Israel that spiritual performance is never complete without tangible justice, mercy, and care for the vulnerable in their communities.
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus further highlights the principle of a return on the resources with which He has entrusted us. Here, the master evaluates His servants using clear figures of doubling five talents to ten, and two talents to four, and then rewards active growth and initiative over passive preservation of what they already had.
Jesus also referred to measurable outcomes consistently to validate His own ministry, inviting His followers to reflect upon them as proof of faithfulness and true discipleship. When John the Baptist asked if Jesus was truly the Messiah, Jesus pointed to tangible effects: ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor’ (Luke 7:22). Likewise, in Matthew 25:35-40, faithful servants are depicted as those who feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned. This challenges us to ask: how far do our church activities reflect who we are called to be in this world and faithfully present the Gospel?
Above all, Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of fulfilling the work entrusted to Him. His words, ‘I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do’ (John 17:4), remind us of the vital importance of purpose and faithfulness in completing our calling to the best of our ability.
Looking back is important, but so is looking forward. Ideas for the coming year often come into focus before the holidays begin. We may already have achieved some of the targets we set ourselves at the beginning of the year, while others may still be outstanding. We may also be beginning to think about new priorities and objectives for the year ahead. Whatever stage we find ourselves at, we should remember that every moment is an opportunity given to us by God. Let us not become discouraged by what remains undone, but rather seek His wisdom and strength to make the most of the opportunities before us.
In finding a healthy balance between spirituality and organisational stewardship, we must be careful not to allow targets, budgets, and performance indicators to become the only measures by which we assess the life of the Church. We are not like any other organisation; our calling is spiritual, relational, and missional. Nevertheless, we should not spiritualise away the importance of planning, accountability, responsible stewardship, and effective service. Faithfulness to God is also directly reflected in how we use the resources, time, and opportunities He has placed in our hands.
I thank every member, minister, and worker in the administration for the service we have carried out so far in everyday, quiet acts of faithfulness. We will not know the full value of our efforts in mission and ministry on this side of eternity.
Before we get into practical details of calendars, budgets, and targets at the end of the year, I would encourage us to reflect on what God has been doing in our churches and communities throughout this year and begin to discern where He might be leading us next. As we reflect together, here are some important questions worth considering:
What needs and unmet opportunities within our church families and local communities are weighing on our hearts?
As we look towards next year, where might God be nudging us to take a step of faith?
Where can we grab the opportunity to see a task through to completion in the closing weeks of 2026?
How are we each contributing to the work God has entrusted to us?
We should also remember that this is a time of year when people can begin to experience tiredness and burnout. This is true not only of our congregations, but also of those who serve and lead, including our leaders and ministers. As we consider the work ahead, let us not overlook the importance of supporting one another, recognising the pressures people carry, and ensuring that our commitment to serving God is accompanied by genuine care for those who serve.
As we travel together in this work, let us remain open to God’s leading ready to learn, attentive to the needs around us, and willing to respond faithfully. There are still many things that can be accomplished before the year ends, and much to anticipate in the year ahead. May we approach both with gratitude for what God has done, and confidence in what He can do.
"We will go, we will go,
Where God leads, we will go.
We will follow Christ and spread His love;
We will go where our Saviour leads."
May God bless you all.
It is a thing of wonder that God chooses to use human agents like ourselves and invites us to become ‘partners’ with Him in carrying out His work. What an amazing privilege it is that, despite our clear human limitations, God entrusts us with responsibilities and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.
As we approach the middle of November, we find ourselves at an interesting point in the year. The year is not yet over, and preparations for the end-of-year holidays and associated activities have not quite reached their peak. It is, therefore, a valuable window of opportunity: a time to consider how best to make the most of the remaining weeks of 2026.
This may be the time when plans made in our local churches for the year, targets, S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals, and perhaps Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are in your thoughts as we look at what we have achieved, what remains to be done, and how we can finish the year well. While this may sound like the language of business and management, principles related to these are not unfamiliar within the Christian faith. In fact, it can be a motivating exercise to consider how some of God’s expectations of His people could be understood as early expressions of what we might now call ‘performance indicators.’
Throughout Scripture, we find examples of very specific responsibilities and standards by which God’s people were encouraged to live and serve. Many prophetic timelines have elements of this, such as specific, time-bound promises (by a certain deadline) that God achieved with awesome accuracy.
When God led Abraham outside one night, He showed him the stars in the sky. We can learn from how He used them as a specific, measurable commitment and a visual marker of the outcome of His promise (Genesis 15:5). The Lord later returned to this same clear target: a masterclass in refreshing, reminding, and communicating the end results through vision. In Genesis 22:17, God further developed this picture with Abraham, promising that he would become the father of a vast family as numerous as the stars and the sand on the seashore. The result of that fulfilled promise is that we ourselves are here as God’s family today.
Similarly, we see clear accountability in the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls and the restoration of civic life established and monitored by Nehemiah, who worked to a focused timeline of just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15-16). Later, we hear the repeated messages of prophets such as Amos and Micah (Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8), who reminded Israel that spiritual performance is never complete without tangible justice, mercy, and care for the vulnerable in their communities.
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus further highlights the principle of a return on the resources with which He has entrusted us. Here, the master evaluates His servants using clear figures of doubling five talents to ten, and two talents to four, and then rewards active growth and initiative over passive preservation of what they already had.
Jesus also referred to measurable outcomes consistently to validate His own ministry, inviting His followers to reflect upon them as proof of faithfulness and true discipleship. When John the Baptist asked if Jesus was truly the Messiah, Jesus pointed to tangible effects: ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor’ (Luke 7:22). Likewise, in Matthew 25:35-40, faithful servants are depicted as those who feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned. This challenges us to ask: how far do our church activities reflect who we are called to be in this world and faithfully present the Gospel?
Above all, Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of fulfilling the work entrusted to Him. His words, ‘I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do’ (John 17:4), remind us of the vital importance of purpose and faithfulness in completing our calling to the best of our ability.
Looking back is important, but so is looking forward. Ideas for the coming year often come into focus before the holidays begin. We may already have achieved some of the targets we set ourselves at the beginning of the year, while others may still be outstanding. We may also be beginning to think about new priorities and objectives for the year ahead. Whatever stage we find ourselves at, we should remember that every moment is an opportunity given to us by God. Let us not become discouraged by what remains undone, but rather seek His wisdom and strength to make the most of the opportunities before us.
In finding a healthy balance between spirituality and organisational stewardship, we must be careful not to allow targets, budgets, and performance indicators to become the only measures by which we assess the life of the Church. We are not like any other organisation; our calling is spiritual, relational, and missional. Nevertheless, we should not spiritualise away the importance of planning, accountability, responsible stewardship, and effective service. Faithfulness to God is also directly reflected in how we use the resources, time, and opportunities He has placed in our hands.
I thank every member, minister, and worker in the administration for the service we have carried out so far in everyday, quiet acts of faithfulness. We will not know the full value of our efforts in mission and ministry on this side of eternity.
Before we get into practical details of calendars, budgets, and targets at the end of the year, I would encourage us to reflect on what God has been doing in our churches and communities throughout this year and begin to discern where He might be leading us next. As we reflect together, here are some important questions worth considering:
What needs and unmet opportunities within our church families and local communities are weighing on our hearts?
As we look towards next year, where might God be nudging us to take a step of faith?
Where can we grab the opportunity to see a task through to completion in the closing weeks of 2026?
How are we each contributing to the work God has entrusted to us?
We should also remember that this is a time of year when people can begin to experience tiredness and burnout. This is true not only of our congregations, but also of those who serve and lead, including our leaders and ministers. As we consider the work ahead, let us not overlook the importance of supporting one another, recognising the pressures people carry, and ensuring that our commitment to serving God is accompanied by genuine care for those who serve.
As we travel together in this work, let us remain open to God’s leading ready to learn, attentive to the needs around us, and willing to respond faithfully. There are still many things that can be accomplished before the year ends, and much to anticipate in the year ahead. May we approach both with gratitude for what God has done, and confidence in what He can do.
"We will go, we will go,
Where God leads, we will go.
We will follow Christ and spread His love;
We will go where our Saviour leads."
May God bless you all.
