thinking honestly about life and faith
In almost every area of education today we are talking about formation. It’s not so much information or training that is needed, but the formation of the person who will exercise those skills and do something with that information: and … Read More »
Yesterday was the 39th anniversary of my ordination as a Baptist pastor. After all these years, there are a few reflections I would like to share. I’m still a pastor. My initial sense of calling came when I was very … Read More »
There’s a lot of confusion about what it means to be ‘strong’ and arguably this is one of the causes of so much violence, oppression of women and minority groups, and also frustration and alienation of men—from one another and … Read More »
A scrap of scripture. Here is the text of a reflection I led today as the basis for a retreat with our ordinands. The basic theme was ‘Who is your Jesus?’ In other words, what is the image of the … Read More »
This week we have all see the heart-wrenching images of a small boy’s body washed up on a Turkish beach. Together with his mother and brother, this boy drowned while trying to escape the war in Syria. As I write this … Read More »
Three weeks ago I visited a plastic surgeon to ask him to check on some bumps and spots on my skin. Fortunately none of those is anything to worry about. But another spot on one finger was of interest: he … Read More »
It’s not difficult to say what makes a bad pastor or priest: plenty of evidence there. But what makes a good pastor? I mean someone we can really respect, value and appreciate as a pastor? Here I am not talking … Read More »
The saying ‘All will be well’ is central to the thought of Julian of Norwich. I’ve been enjoying reading a small book exploring her thought, The Gift of Julian of Norwich, written by Karen Manton and illustrated beautifully by Lynne Muir. … Read More »
A decade ago I wrote that I think the search for identity and for belonging are central to so much of the what is termed ‘Australian culture’. It has become a tactic of some of our political leaders to label … Read More »
With the passing this week of such significant figures as Joan Kirner and Alan Bond—very different in the their contributions and example to us—it is interesting to consider how we actually respond to other people’s lives and our own, and … Read More »