thinking honestly about life and faith
I’ve greatly enjoyed reading Magda Szubanski’s memoir Reckoning. It’s a rigorously honest and (of course) funny account of growing up in outer suburban Melbourne, discovering her talent for comedy and acting, finding her own identity and sexuality—but all of this played … Read More »
I’m heading today to Bangkok for the annual gathering of the international study commissions of the Baptist World Alliance. It is my privilege to lead one of these groups, the Commission on Baptist Doctrine and Christian Unity. Our work involves … Read More »
Here is the text of our Community Prayers, shared at Box Hill Baptist Church this morning: Today I want to invite you into a time of prayer, as guided reflection. I will mention a number of matters, and invite you … Read More »
Pentecost is God’s answer to the story of Babel. The Spirit of God turns the community’s memory into a promise. Pentecost is the transformation of their pain into a promise, with power in the present. And that is because the unique … Read More »
It’s very easy to be busy. Most of us are good at doing things. What makes a real difference is being effective and to be effective we need really to know what we are doing, why we are doing it, … Read More »
Recently as part of a leadership workshop, we were presented with a number of challenging questions to ask, when an organisation is considering a change of direction or policy. One of these, to paraphrase it a little, is: What if … Read More »
This week, a very high profile young footballer announced that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and would that day undergo surgery. There has been a wonderful outpouring of support for him, especially poignant in that he has so … Read More »
The people are what it’s about. That’s not something that should need to be said, but it does need to be said. Leaders and pastors need to remind themselves that ‘the church’ is the people. The pastor is the pastor … Read More »
This year I am working with the Box Hill Baptist Church, in Melbourne, in what is called an ‘intentional missional interim ministry’. It’s a very varied and sometimes demanding role, which has kept me away from blogging for a while, … Read More »
The movie Lion is a wonderful story, and the book (which I’ve just finished reading) is even more so. On the cover of the book the key idea is expressed succinctly: ‘As a five-year-old in India, I became completely lost. Twenty-five … Read More »