PRTS Ministry

1. Your desk should be like a cockpit

2. Everything at your desk falls into just a few categories

3. The desk is for doing work, not storing work or reminding you of work

From Charles Simeon (in Hugh Evan Hopkins, Charles Simeon of Cambridge [Eerdmans, 1977], 134):The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters. 1st  To hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others.2nd  To believe nothing of the kind till I am absolutely forced to it.3rd  Never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report.4th  Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed toward others.5th  Always to believe, that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter....The more prominent any person's character is, the more likely he is to suffer in this way; there being in the heart of every man, unless greatly subdued by grace, a pleasure in hearing anything which may sink others to his level, or lower them in the estimation of the world. We seem to ourselves elevated in proportion as others are depressed.

From Hugh Evan Hopkins, Charles Simeon of Cambridge (Eerdmans, 1977), 123-4:Although he wrote so many letters Simeon was very well aware how much better it was, if possible, to talk rather than write, especially when a 'delicate or much-controverted point' arose. With his usual sensitivity to the feelings of others, he said, "If I speak with a man, I can stop when I see it is doing harm; I can soften off the truth so as not to fly in the face of his cherished views...Written words convey ideas, convey sentiments, but they cannot really convey exact feelings."Simeon was a thinker who also 'felt' a great deal. He wrote when there was no other way of communicating with a person, but realised all the time the many limitations of letters, particularly in expressing emotions: "You cannot hesitate upon paper; you cannot weep upon paper; you cannot give upon paper the tone of love; you cannot look kindness upon paper," though he tried his hardest to do so. At any rate, the difficulties and drawbacks in communication in those days do not seem to have deterred him from putting his pen to paper almost every day.

It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is. It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed. It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary. It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real. It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross. Brokenness and failure are necessary. Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions. Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes. God’s way is better than my way. Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.