40 years ago today…

… I knelt on a Melbourne platform and was ordained a minister of Churches of Christ in Australia.  Today is an occasion of reflection of what it has all meant. Historically my tradition has had an ambiguous stance towards the matter of “setting apart” or ordaining clergy. After all, are not all ordained and set asideContinue reading “40 years ago today…”

Breakfast with BJ

Part of the Saturday morning crowd with BJ and Chipo Mpofu (right)   Folk from over half a dozen Perth western suburbs churches gathered for an early Saturday morning breakfast with BJ & Chipo Mpofu. Under his role as President of World Convention of Churches of Christ, BJ opened the proceedings with a celebration ofContinue reading “Breakfast with BJ”

200 years

Things are beginning to happen amongst the individual and diverse communities of what began to emerge 200 years ago as the Restoration Movement and ended up under a plethora of monikas covering most of the countries of the world – variously Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, the Christian Church, churches (small c) of Christ.Continue reading “200 years”

New links

I’ve just updated some links in the sidebar to the left, mostly around the Stone-Campbell theme. I find I’m talking in terms of “Stone-Campbell” rather than “restoration movement” these days, as the latter term can be and often is misconstrued. As ever, it is a meeting with individuals who engage the challenges of their timeContinue reading “New links”

Now here’s a good link to a WCCC summary

Trust the Disciples to put up a succinct yet pithy summary of World Convention that takes us onto the next step – preparing for the “Great Communion.’ See their site here. You will also find a link to a slide show of convention highlights there. My own pictures are on Flickr, albeit with restricted access.Continue reading “Now here’s a good link to a WCCC summary”

Cooling my heels at LAX

Arrived at LA airport about noon. The plane for Changi leaves in 13 hours so plenty of time to cool my heels – reading, blogging, waiting to check my bag in. A deaf bloke circulates the tables selling pens and little stars & stripes badges. I buy one of each. Shortly after the PA systemContinue reading “Cooling my heels at LAX”

Giving thanks where its due

A number of delegates to the convention were impressed when I said that I was present largely through the largesse of my home congregation at Wembley Downs. So this would be a good spot to say thanks to folk like John & Margaret Somerville and Ken Patterson and my church board and elders who proddedContinue reading “Giving thanks where its due”

Post Convention Reflections

Los Angeles World Convention is an odd animal – difficult to categorise. One passport screener asked whether I was here for business or pleasure. Those who know me well know that I rarely give black & white answers – it’s just not in my make up. I said I’m here for a convention. He saidContinue reading “Post Convention Reflections”

Campbell Country

At last a hot spot at Nashville Airport where the homeland security guard is so friendly he says “Pass right on through, Dennis!” It’s still a few hours before my flight to LA, so I’ll just upload my journal re the journey through Campbell stamping grounds – Travelling east through the plains of Ohio, weContinue reading “Campbell Country”

A platypus at Otter Creek

Otter Creek Church of Christ was one of a number of Nashville churches that graciously hosted World Convention visitors today. The church is an adherent of the a capella tradition, but for the last ten years has worked diligently in promoting healing of the divisions within the Stone-Campbell movement. One leader wryly observed that theyContinue reading “A platypus at Otter Creek”