Two weeks before Easter and it is not surprising that the story of the raising of Lazarus comes out for an airing (see John 11:1-45). Tales of “dead men walking” hold particularly morbid fascination for us. So compelling is the narrative, that a former Australian Prime Minister’s autobiography, which includes an episode of his fallContinue reading “Raising Lazarus”
Category Archives: Ministry
On discombobulating…
Towards the close of this morning’s harangue, I experienced a disconnect with what I was saying and ended up saying the opposite. My carefully listening audience rippled with assorted “eh?s” and “what?”s? I paused and said “Hang on – I’m all discombobulated. Let’s try that again…” Afterwards.. you guessed it… all anyone wanted to discussContinue reading “On discombobulating…”
Playing with light…
… things got a bit complicated and I began to see shades of grey… …now all is a chaos of technicolor! Dwelling on tomorrow’s text from Ephesians 5:8-14: “Live as children of light.”
Meet St. Photini, The Samaritan Woman
In correspondence with an Orthodox priest some years ago, I was fascinated to learn that the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was well commemorated on her saint’s feast day. This gospel character that is often painted in misogynist terms from the pulpit is actually regarded by the ancient church as St Photini, “theContinue reading “Meet St. Photini, The Samaritan Woman”
Herding cats
I was reminded of this when our workshop leader last night attempted to divide 31 of us into groups of five!
Temptations – no big deal?
Temptation is a big deal because it looks like no big deal! Even for Jesus when he is tested by the devil out in the wilderness having fasted 40 days & 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-11) – right? Wrong! How many times have I heard it said that the temptations were no big deal for JesusContinue reading “Temptations – no big deal?”
Churches across Australia assist the world’s newest nation
Act For Peace is the action arm of the National Council of Churches in Australia. The annual Christmas Bowl Appeal raises large sums of money for its programs. This report shows how churches across the land contribute not only prayer, but muscle, towards peace building endeavours that carry the hallmarks of sustainability and justice, particularlyContinue reading “Churches across Australia assist the world’s newest nation”
Funding school chaplaincy
Australia’s National School Chaplaincy Program is under review and the public is invited to respond to a discussion paper through submissions that are due no later than March 18th. As I predicted when government subsidies for chaplains in schools was announced by the Howard government in 2006, religious organisations would need to prepare for a roughContinue reading “Funding school chaplaincy”
Prayer – a light side!
My faith community purposefully set itself up in the 60s as non-gender biased – quite a statement in the conservative setting of the times. It did not matter whether it was male or female that performed ministry functions among us and there continues to be no distinction at all levels of leadership. This does notContinue reading “Prayer – a light side!”
The “why?” question arises again
In the wake of the NZ earthquake, as with other natural disasters, the “Why does God allow it?” and “Why did God not prevent it?” questions have arisen in some of my circles. These questions are not new and are part of the human reaction to traumatic events that range from personal to worldwide inContinue reading “The “why?” question arises again”
Wondering Pilgrim 