An Ichthus reader asked the LWPT Trustees some questions to which we offer some basic, but by no means obvious, answers…

Ichthus really is a journal of Leaders of Worship, Preachers and Friends of LWPT. The articles are by people who receive Ichthus. There is information about people who receive Ichthus. There is correspondence between people who receive Ichthus. And we all receive Ichthus every three months as a key part of LWPT’s work. This article has been prompted by an Ichthus reader who emailed the editor asking for a reminder about what LWPT is and what its Trustees do.

LWPT is a registered charity. Its legal documents declare its first purpose is ‘to advance Christian religion’ by supporting preachers and leaders of worship in ‘training, education and pastoral care’ and by ‘developing resources and materials’ that help them fulfil their ministries.

The new LWPT caption: enabling the best for worship tries to sum up this purpose which finds expression in different kinds of ‘support for development’ provided by LWPT: Ichthus, the LWPT website, LWPT Assembly, the LWPT Fellowship Weekend and local activities organised by LWPT Friends.

LWPT also continues to fulfil a well-established purpose: to assist those in financial or other need. The new caption for that is: enabling the best in time of need. This provision is for leaders of worship, preachers and their dependants. It includes provision of one-off grants, regular allowances, top-up payments for care fees and Christmas gifts. Through its subsidiary: LWP Homes, there is also provision of Christian residential care currently available at our four residential homes (Minehead in the South West, Grange-over- Sands in the North West, Woodhall Spa in the East Midlands and Westcliff on Sea in the South East).

LWPT Trustees (whose details are updated in each issue of Ichthus) ensure that all this work is carried out. This year, the Board of Trustees is moving to a tighter organisational structure that co-ordinates its work more efficiently and spreads the workload more evenly. Until this year, the Board tackled not only policy-making but also executive management. These two distinct roles are now being teased out so that the Board of Trustees will focus on policy making, overall ‘steer’ and accountability. A new Board of executive management (Trustees, other volunteers and staff) will co-ordinate and manage the day-to-day work.

The new title sounds a mouthful, but it’s actually a few people who make sure that all that needs to be done gets done. Each person on the board of executive management oversees a particular aspect of LWPT’s work: governance, finance, promotion & fund-raising, support for development, care & financial help, LWP Homes. They will be ‘meeting’ monthly (thanks to new technology) with the LWPT executive officer.

Several LWPT Trustees are also directors of LWP Homes. That system ensures that the two organisations stay in kilter. This year, the LWP Homes Board is exploring the feasibility of using existing assets to open a fifth home in the West Midlands.

Your giving to LWPT goes directly to enabling the best for worship + the best in time of need. Of course it’s only by your giving that all this work is able to continue – and that includes Ichthus itself, a journal which you’re saying is increasingly ‘hitting the spot’ for preachers and leaders of worship. Please help. Perhaps you feel able to send a cheque to the LWPT office, or establish a Standing Order, to support the charity’s work or even in appreciation of Ichthus (remember the new [more cost-effective] address) or you can give online at www.lwpt.org.uk. And don’t forget ‘Let’s walk!’ in 2009 where local groups of LWPT Friends can walk, eat and fund-raise for LWPT all at the same time. Thank you for all your help, love and prayers.

Peter Relf