Category Archives: Spirituality

Relinqishment and Succession

As my church and  I move into the twilight zone of relinquishment of a two-decade ministry and preparation for a yet unknown successor, the story of Elijah passing his mantle on to Elishah is instructive. Change of leadership simultaneously raises levels of anxiety and hope. Succession must be carefully managed. I am no Elijah and, asContinue reading “Relinqishment and Succession”

All things to all people – look for the motive!

“I have become all things to all people” – this phrase speaks of election campaigns! Suddenly politicians, normally hiding from public view, enter the catwalk,  glad-handing everywhere. Previous “no-go” districts in their electorates become the target of media focused sortees, where solutions are offered to longstanding unsolvable problems. In order to win the maximum number ofContinue reading “All things to all people – look for the motive!”

Tall poppy rights

Visitors to Australia are sometimes mystified by the Australian egalitarian penchant for “lopping the tall poppies,” i.e. ridiculing those who, by virtue of excellence in their field, may be at risk of showing a tendency to rise above the crowd either in attitude, eccentric behaviour or even failure to meet popular expectation. We quickly cut themContinue reading “Tall poppy rights”

Action Man Jesus?

One can feel quite exhausted following a reading of the Gospel of Mark’s account of a day in the life of Jesus – today’s text Mark1: 29-39. There is a lot packed into the day so described. It is typical of Mark’s story-telling style – rapid, clipped, urgent, sparing of detail. It gives a pictureContinue reading “Action Man Jesus?”

We think we’re in charge…

Sure we have agency for good or ill, wise or foolish. Some will think it a great idea for the Australian government to invest heavily in the military industrial complex and become one of the world’s major exporters of military equipment. As a strategy for long-term economic growth and employment, it is a winner! For thoseContinue reading “We think we’re in charge…”

Not much to inspire here!

I open the sacred text in anticipation of inspiring insight. Today the set passage is Job 7:1-7. It lands us right in the midst of Job’s despair and he is giving full vent. He has lost everything – home, wealth, health. He has every right to his pity party and who could grudge him that. SoContinue reading “Not much to inspire here!”

Is dispossession biblically sanctioned?

The conqueror will always say “Yes!” and, for support, misappropriate passages like the one set for today (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). There is a big difference, however, between the cultural and historical context of nation-forging from a horde of liberated Hebrew slaves preserving their fragile identity and colonial expansionism. It is ironic that such a text emergesContinue reading “Is dispossession biblically sanctioned?”

Australia’s new six classes

Aussies have long said, “Jack is as good as his master” – we are the land where equal status is championed and where we eschew the class consciousness that separated the lower convict class and their gentrified overseers at the outset of European settlement. Sociologist Jill Sheppard, in a recent report, suggests there are six identifiableContinue reading “Australia’s new six classes”

Presenting one’s credentials …

First impressions are paramount, our life coaches tell us. Suit up, look confident and practice that opening line if you want to succeed in love, finance and influence. What if your goal is to begin a process that transforms the world from one beholden to despotic violence to one that exhibits the wholesome fullness ofContinue reading “Presenting one’s credentials …”