From time to time I have written about some of what I call the 'Straws' blowing in the winds that are rapidly changing Australian culture. Such ‘Straws’ are indicators of the increasing de-Christianisation of society, paralleled by a rising rejection of, and hostility to, the Church and Christians in general in every aspect of public … Continue reading More ‘Straws Blowing In The Wind’- Or Is It A Gale?
I have always admired the Missionaries of previous centuries, for example those who took Christianity to the native tribes of Africa in the 19th Century, particularly the Scottish missionary David Livingstone. A major aspect of the challenge faced by Livingstone and others was the need to penetrate a threatening landscape, often jungles full of threats … Continue reading Without More Missionaries We Will Lose
‘Unbounded Church’ is an idea-the idea that the Australian church, if it is to resurrect its mission, needs to be ‘unbound’. That is, it needs to be set free from its current rigid, cumbersome and change-averse ‘Christendom’ influenced forms, structures and mission strategies in order to be – ‘A church as we haven’t known … Continue reading Unbounded Church Gathering 2018
All of us are familiar with the motor car. It dominates our cities, for most westerners it is considered a normal part of life. Its history pretty well parallels the history of the 20th century, from its origins in the later decades of the 19th century through to the early years of the 21st. Over … Continue reading On Mars the Commodore Just Won’t Cut It!
One of the great promises of God is that he promises a life to come, a life of perfection, joy, peace, no pain, no death, no suffering or bereavement. (Revelation 21:1-4). This promise is one that Christians particularly at certain times need to hang on to, because our current life of course is not always … Continue reading Our Certainty and God’s Suffering Love Paradox
“The future depends on our capacity to manage change amid uncertainty” Paul Kelly ____________________________ I read this quote in an article by Paul Kelly in the “Weekend Australian” newspaper recently just after returning from a Sunday church service and I was struck by its relevance to the church. For I had observed once … Continue reading The Church In the Land That Time Forgot
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” __________________________ In parting words to his disciples Jesus said “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the Earth” (Acts 1:8) . Most church members ‘Get’ the idea of the “to the Ends … Continue reading Where Are the Beautiful Feet?
I don’t know whether you have noticed it but there is currently what might be called a ‘Great Salt Crisis’ both in terms of quantity and quality. This is not evident by an unavailability of salt at the supermarket, but rather refers to the use of the term ‘Salt’ by Jesus in Matthew 5:13 as … Continue reading The Great Salt crisis
A friend of mine who lives in Darwin at the ‘Top End’ of Australia had in his back yard a very large and beautiful Mango tree, that is until the day he went outside only to find the tree crashed to the ground dead. The problem, one not unfamiliar to those who live in the … Continue reading Amos and the ‘Church is Great Today’ Delusion
‘Coffee with Spirit’ started about two years ago in a Community Centre café where there are always many people present, there for a coffee or snack, or to participate in one of the regular schedule of events in the Centre. The group meets weekly, always at the same time and day. This is so clearly … Continue reading The Day the Atheist Asked for Prayer
