thinking honestly about life and faith
Pentecost is God’s answer to the story of Babel. The Spirit of God turns the community’s memory into a promise. Pentecost is the transformation of their pain into a promise, with power in the present. And that is because the unique … Read More »
It’s very easy to be busy. Most of us are good at doing things. What makes a real difference is being effective and to be effective we need really to know what we are doing, why we are doing it, … Read More »
Recently as part of a leadership workshop, we were presented with a number of challenging questions to ask, when an organisation is considering a change of direction or policy. One of these, to paraphrase it a little, is: What if … Read More »
This week, a very high profile young footballer announced that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and would that day undergo surgery. There has been a wonderful outpouring of support for him, especially poignant in that he has so … Read More »
The people are what it’s about. That’s not something that should need to be said, but it does need to be said. Leaders and pastors need to remind themselves that ‘the church’ is the people. The pastor is the pastor … Read More »
This year I am working with the Box Hill Baptist Church, in Melbourne, in what is called an ‘intentional missional interim ministry’. It’s a very varied and sometimes demanding role, which has kept me away from blogging for a while, … Read More »
The movie Lion is a wonderful story, and the book (which I’ve just finished reading) is even more so. On the cover of the book the key idea is expressed succinctly: ‘As a five-year-old in India, I became completely lost. Twenty-five … Read More »
Along with many other public groups and associations, the Baptist World Alliance has issued a statement urging us to welcome refugees, not create further barriers to their freedom. It’s quoted below. I think it is immensely important that we raise … Read More »
It’s not a very popular idea these days, but the question of the formation of character is still a critical question for educators in many fields, and one that comes to mind as one reads Tim Winton’s The Boy … Read More »
I am greatly enjoying Tim Winton’s The Boy Behind the Curtain. It shows him to be a deeply reflective man, a person of spiritual and ethical sensitivity as well as dedicated and hard-working in his life as a writer. The … Read More »