CLC International Council Meetings 2012
UK Director, Phil Burnham, shares about a fun day away from all the intense meetings!
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Time certainly flies when you’re enjoying yourself - and we certainly did just that on Thursday, March 15th. Besides visiting the ruins of the original Panama City and the area that became its more protected centre, we saw the workings of the Canal and visited CLC colleagues at two of the CLC Panama bookshops. (CLC International Team photo below)
 We visited one of the locks on the Panama Canal, learning something of its complicated and costly history, its relevance to international trade and its future development (more locks, deeper and wider channels to gain greater efficiencies). As a ministry that’s now more than 70 years old, the CLC International Council delegates treasure our common history and we salute our forebears whose faith and commitment have brought us to where we are today. We are convinced of our global relevance as providers of trustworthy content and as distributors of the same so that people might come to faith and maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ. And though the future of bricks and mortar Christian bookshops in many parts of the world is unknown (in fact I dare say that no one in our industry really knows where technology will eventually take us), we have been strongly encouraged to embrace the future and react positively to it and with it so that we and our customers can benefit from the improved efficiencies to be gained through technology. We also visited two shops that CLC Panama has in the capital. They are beautifully fitted out and staffed by an enthusiastic and predominantly young team. We were hugely blessed by their hospitality and fellowship. The shop is located in the largest shopping centre in Latin America (Allbrook Mall) is a fantastic testimony to God’s provision and what an example of our team’s commitment and faith. They have to open and close in line with everyone else, which means long hours and even working on Sundays – and as you can imagine, the monetary cost is not insignificant. We were thrilled to include our guests (one from Charisma House and four from Broadman&Holman/Lifeway ) in this day out and have some fun and fellowship together. In recent evenings we have enjoyed their hospitality at the meal table (yum-yum) and we have had the opportunity to hear something about their new releases. It has been extremely encouraging, and also challenging, to hear how B&H have reacted to the advances in technology, learning along the way, and how they have increased distribution as a result – even in traditional book format. I reckon the trip to the Canal Zone and the topics we are discussing day by day actually dovetail quite nicely in a strange kind of way. The locks are there to help the vessels follow the natural waterways and negotiate the steps up and over the hilly terrain and back to sea level on the other side. Can you imagine the propblem? “So, then, this ship has to go up there and down the other side. Er, excuse me, but are you really serious?” Our business sessions have shown us that in CLC we have a wealth of knowledge, experience, gifts and talent. By tapping into these common resources in greater measure, what one ministry cannot achieve alone can be made reality through clear and consistent vision-casting, supportive collaboration and open communication. The future is scary and let’s be honest: who doesn’t prefer to stay within the security of the familiar? Our commitment to the Great Commission demands of us now more than ever before that as a global missionary organisation we help each other step up the stairs instead of being limited in whatever way and for whatever reason to staring up the steps.
To read more about the week's meeting and to see various video interviews with the team members visit: CLC International Council 2012 - Panama City
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Our Vision Statement:
- to operate Christian resource centres that attract
and impact the local community.
- to provide relevant Christian resources that build up
the Church and transform lives.
- to fulfil our mission objective and contribute to
literature-related projects worldwide.
