I recently came across an article in a local magazine. The article was titled ‘Save the Village Chapel’ and related to a building (referred to as our ‘Beloved Village Chapel’) occupied by a local congregation of a mid-sized denomination. The building is around a hundred years old and the congregation small, elderly and declining. The … Continue reading Sadness and Tragedy – A Metaphor
It is 46 years since Cyclone Tracy hit the northern Australian city of Darwin, on that fateful Christmas Eve in 1974. I always remember that event at Christmas time because it was that storm that brought us to Australia in the first place, to work on the reconstruction of Darwin. On that night, the Christmas … Continue reading The Eye of Peace
‘He is stolen and it is not harmless!’ _____________ I entered the large shopping complex and there He was, front, centre and large, enthroned in his palace. There He was, ‘the reason for the season’. The One who is always encouraging the children to come to him, and woe betide anyone who want to … Continue reading ‘The Stealing of Christmas’ Revisited
The result of the current restrictions on social gatherings means that churches have had to cease services as have other meetings such as bible studies where people physically meet. This prohibition has also included Unbounded Church groups, however, as with many other aspects of life, many UC members have moved to meeting in Cyber-Groups. … Continue reading Spiritually Distanced? – A Cyber Option
When we take holidays that usually means we do some travelling. As we do so we usually take the opportunity to visit a local church or two wherever we might be staying. On a recent trip we ended up visiting a church (disguised in this post) where some friends are regular attenders. We have visited … Continue reading An Inconvenient Question!
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” ‘God Knows’ – Millie Haskins ******** I was walking along our local beach recently when I encountered a woman with two dogs both of which … Continue reading The Hand of God
For Support, Encouragement, Equipping, Knowledge Sharing- 26th October, 2019 For all those who are already involved in, or interested in developing, Missional Communities and Networks. Looking at some of the (perhaps new) skills for the creation and development of MCs in the 'Live, Work and Play' cultural universes where unchurched people spend their time. For … Continue reading Notice – A ‘SEEK Day’ Missional Community Gathering
The general subject of this booklet is the Missional Malaise that now infects the whole Australian church landscape. The specific subject is the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, arguably still the strongest part of the Australian non- Catholic Church and thus of broader relevance to the wider church. While the specific focus is Sydney, it can … Continue reading The Missional Malaise – Time for Something Completely Different
Once again we have stepped through the gate of the new year. The blank canvas of 2019 lies before us. What will we paint on it? What tapestry will we weave as we journey through that space of time? Every year at this time, I am reminded of the poem written by British poet Minnie … Continue reading The Gate of the Year–A Reflective Re-Post
A few days ago I was privileged to visit the Colosseum in Rome. Standing and looking at those ancient but still magnificent ruins, the architecture of towering and imposing walls brought many thoughts to mind. “I am – a Christian. I suffer what I’m suffering now, but then there will be another in me, who … Continue reading Down the Ages Distant Voices Still Speak
unbounded church 