Monthly Archives: August 2006

Getting kitted out

I’m currently pulling Ephesians 6:10-20 apart in readiness for Sunday’s harangue. It’s one of those extremely visual passages with ready made images from my Sunday School days – the Roman soldier kitted out in battle gear. The Sunday School message was quite evident in suitably modified moral protection terms. Wear the armour that will protectContinue reading “Getting kitted out”

House of Sand and Fog

Meeting with a book club forces me to read things I wouldn’t normally come across. I wouldn’t normally access books from Oprah’s Book Club, for instance. I’m glad of the opportunity however, for I have come across a range of fascinating material in the form of stories and dilemmas that would not arise out ofContinue reading “House of Sand and Fog”

Church with State or Church vs State?

Here’s a survey being run by the Australian Democrats. Basically it’s asking how involved with each other church and state should be in forming public policy. It’s at http://www.democrats.org.au/survey2/survey/GodGovt_v2/ Give it a go! Thanks Michael Bullard for the tip off.

When it all comes together

Church reviews, Celtic models of ministry and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians bring about another of those synchronous moments of which I am quite fond! The Revised Common Lectionary has us travelling through Ephesians right now – a marvelous treatise of a vision of universal community that embraces all – for all are from GodContinue reading “When it all comes together”

Celtic models of ministry

A few years ago I stumbled across something called the Celtic approach to Christianity. As I investigated further, it was apparent that I was at a fork in the road in how I approached my ministry. I realised that I was often focused on ecclesiastical organisational minutiae when my heart was really set on theContinue reading “Celtic models of ministry”

Offshore Processing of Refugees

The controversial Bill that will see all arriving asylum seekers being processed offshore, out of sight and out of mind, beyond scrutiny and legal protection, will be re-presented to Parliament this week by the Prime Minister. Opposing MPs of his party have now been lobbied and pressured to support his line and it is unsureContinue reading “Offshore Processing of Refugees”

Analysis Paralysis

Wednesday already! I have just launched a harangue for this week’s church newsletter about the necessary evils of statistics and surveys. We are beginning a Church Life Review by filling out National Church Life Survey forms as a congregation together during the service. (This will be good practice for Census night on Tuesday). Then weContinue reading “Analysis Paralysis”