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Changing the world through encounter: Hospitality - good food - wine - coffee and conversation. Gathering fragments of meaning and hope and some absolutely meaningless ones along the way. Finding god/goddess in all of that.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
spirituality and suicide
I have not be blogging lately - too busy - the lodge is thriving and Ngaire's cancer is getting worse, so I have been tied up.. but not without reflection.
A newsletter from St Andrews on the Terrace caught my eye - David Tacey was the Geering lecturer in 2006 - he is at La trobe University in Melbourne and has written The Spirituality Revolution.
The bit that caught my eye was on suicide. "David spoke of his conversations with Aboriginal elders about why the suicide rate is 507 times higher amongst Aboriginal people than white people. One of the elders said that Aboriginal people were detribalised, and they were not 'dying in ceremony' (through initiation rites) Therefore the "desire to die to themselves may overtake them".
"David talked about how symbols of death and rebirth can be found in Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Maori and Aboriginal rituals. Spirituality is about dying to a former life, and being born to a new life. In Christianity this is symbolised by Baptism. Putting it into psychological terms, David said that "The ego needs to be virtually eliminated from time to time to allow the true self to be re-routed, and re-grounded." Religious rituals can help us to go through the process of being reborn.
When people want to kill themselves, it is usually because they cannot go on as before - they want their old life to cease, but the symbolism of religion may help them to realise that their death does not have to be literal and physical. This is one way spirituality can be a lifeline and may play a vital role in suicide prevention.
Prodigal kiwi has more reflections on the lecture at http://prodigal.typepad.com/prodigal_kiwi/2006/07/david_tacey_lis.html
A newsletter from St Andrews on the Terrace caught my eye - David Tacey was the Geering lecturer in 2006 - he is at La trobe University in Melbourne and has written The Spirituality Revolution.
The bit that caught my eye was on suicide. "David spoke of his conversations with Aboriginal elders about why the suicide rate is 507 times higher amongst Aboriginal people than white people. One of the elders said that Aboriginal people were detribalised, and they were not 'dying in ceremony' (through initiation rites) Therefore the "desire to die to themselves may overtake them".
"David talked about how symbols of death and rebirth can be found in Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Maori and Aboriginal rituals. Spirituality is about dying to a former life, and being born to a new life. In Christianity this is symbolised by Baptism. Putting it into psychological terms, David said that "The ego needs to be virtually eliminated from time to time to allow the true self to be re-routed, and re-grounded." Religious rituals can help us to go through the process of being reborn.
When people want to kill themselves, it is usually because they cannot go on as before - they want their old life to cease, but the symbolism of religion may help them to realise that their death does not have to be literal and physical. This is one way spirituality can be a lifeline and may play a vital role in suicide prevention.
Prodigal kiwi has more reflections on the lecture at http://prodigal.typepad.com/prodigal_kiwi/2006/07/david_tacey_lis.html
Saturday, November 12, 2005
a churchless Church
Jenny Mcintosh (Spirited Exchanges, Wellington) quotes Kester Brewin, author of The Complex Christ writing on his blog (http://www.thecomplexchrist.com) his own musings of the question and answer session I did with Dave Tomlinson (in the UK at Greenbelt 2005) :
"Perhaps we need a churchless Church. The body of Christ is a given - we have to belong to the Church (macro). But perhaps we should give up calling the things we are involved in church (micro). It is just such a loaded and unhelpful word to use. "Do you want to come to church?" To be honest, no I don't. And by the numbers and temper of those in the debate, there's plenty of others who don't either. Church can be something I am a part of. But it's not something I want to 'go to'."
This is so where I am at!
"Perhaps we need a churchless Church. The body of Christ is a given - we have to belong to the Church (macro). But perhaps we should give up calling the things we are involved in church (micro). It is just such a loaded and unhelpful word to use. "Do you want to come to church?" To be honest, no I don't. And by the numbers and temper of those in the debate, there's plenty of others who don't either. Church can be something I am a part of. But it's not something I want to 'go to'."
This is so where I am at!
The path is made by walking - some thoughts on prayer
Radical prayer, mystic theologian Matthew Fox says, is “the utterance of your heart.” He envisions living every moment with awareness that all thoughts, feelings and actions have a profound impact on everyone and everything.
Sister Carla, a Maryknoll nun who would die while working for peace and justice in El Salvador, describes an attitude of prayer as knowing, "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace el camino al andar"—"Hiker, there is no path; the path is made by walking." For more on Sister Carla http://www.peacemakersguide.org/articles/Carol-Ann-Piette.htm
Quoted in SMACA http://www.stmatthews.org.nz
Anchorhold - the prayer of the heart in daily life is a new book by new zealander Raymond Pelly. How do we learn to pray in the middle of the all the pressures of daily life? He recommends an 'anchorhold' a place of withdrawal and solitude - the name links to the early Christian anchorites who withdrew into deserts. For many urban dwellers finding such a place of quiet, even within their own homes, can be a problem, but Pelly recommends it strongly.
Sister Carla, a Maryknoll nun who would die while working for peace and justice in El Salvador, describes an attitude of prayer as knowing, "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace el camino al andar"—"Hiker, there is no path; the path is made by walking." For more on Sister Carla http://www.peacemakersguide.org/articles/Carol-Ann-Piette.htm
Quoted in SMACA http://www.stmatthews.org.nz
Anchorhold - the prayer of the heart in daily life is a new book by new zealander Raymond Pelly. How do we learn to pray in the middle of the all the pressures of daily life? He recommends an 'anchorhold' a place of withdrawal and solitude - the name links to the early Christian anchorites who withdrew into deserts. For many urban dwellers finding such a place of quiet, even within their own homes, can be a problem, but Pelly recommends it strongly.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
some wisdom from Maya angelou on what she has learned from life
Maya Angelou
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70 birthday.Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance." "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70 birthday.Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance." "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Saturday, October 01, 2005
both/and - an election reflection
Well another NZ election over - a nail biter to the finish, and though the details are yet to be mapped out, it looks like a left coalition will be in charge.
Labour says it is concerned at such an obvious split in the country. There are voter splits between rural and provincial New Zealand, between men and women, between families and high income earners. I hope Labour will do something to build community and consensus again.
Anglican Bishop Richard Randerson I think puts it very well. He sees no reason why Pakeha tradtions can't stand alongside Maori kaupapa and why traditional family values can't co-exist with the rights of minority groups.
"We haven't had the 'both/and' message enough in the past few years", says Randerson "Its been 'either/or'." Its now up to the politicians to become statespeople, he believes.
"A statesman can say this is the kind of society we could have and everybody has a stake in it. A mere politician says here's another group in society who's getting a gain and you guys had better get up and fight for your own interests or you'll get left in the scrum. We have had enough of that"
Right on - maori rights don't cancel out pakeha rights, lesbian and gay rights don't cancel out family's rights, neither do family rights undermine that of single people. In fact the opposite can be the case, we can all the be richer.
Richard was quoted in: The Listener http://www.thelistener.co.nz/default,4742.sm
Labour says it is concerned at such an obvious split in the country. There are voter splits between rural and provincial New Zealand, between men and women, between families and high income earners. I hope Labour will do something to build community and consensus again.
Anglican Bishop Richard Randerson I think puts it very well. He sees no reason why Pakeha tradtions can't stand alongside Maori kaupapa and why traditional family values can't co-exist with the rights of minority groups.
"We haven't had the 'both/and' message enough in the past few years", says Randerson "Its been 'either/or'." Its now up to the politicians to become statespeople, he believes.
"A statesman can say this is the kind of society we could have and everybody has a stake in it. A mere politician says here's another group in society who's getting a gain and you guys had better get up and fight for your own interests or you'll get left in the scrum. We have had enough of that"
Right on - maori rights don't cancel out pakeha rights, lesbian and gay rights don't cancel out family's rights, neither do family rights undermine that of single people. In fact the opposite can be the case, we can all the be richer.
Richard was quoted in: The Listener http://www.thelistener.co.nz/default,4742.sm
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Winter at Waipu
Winter at Waipu
This has been a major project for me this year - a very ambitious one to try and set up a programme of events for three months - at times I thought I was mad to take it on. But now as we draw to a close - the whole village is buzzing with it. Its been fantastic - poetry, rugby, snow, scottish dancing, caving - we have had it all.
Apart from the overall festival framework, I organised the open day at the local Marae which was amazing, and a concert at our Lodge with Mahinarangi Tocker which was sold out.
We will have a feedback meeting about it, but all the signs are good for doing it again - and next year I don't think I will have to sell the idea at all - people know what its potential is.
I just love being a part of a small community - not cut off inside the church part of that community, but on the street - working with lots of different sectors for the good of the whole community.
This has been a major project for me this year - a very ambitious one to try and set up a programme of events for three months - at times I thought I was mad to take it on. But now as we draw to a close - the whole village is buzzing with it. Its been fantastic - poetry, rugby, snow, scottish dancing, caving - we have had it all.
Apart from the overall festival framework, I organised the open day at the local Marae which was amazing, and a concert at our Lodge with Mahinarangi Tocker which was sold out.
We will have a feedback meeting about it, but all the signs are good for doing it again - and next year I don't think I will have to sell the idea at all - people know what its potential is.
I just love being a part of a small community - not cut off inside the church part of that community, but on the street - working with lots of different sectors for the good of the whole community.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Lighthouse Trails Research - Exposing the Dangers of Contemplative Prayer
Lighthouse Trails Research - Exposing the Dangers of Contemplative Prayer
I just stumbled on this website and thought at first it was tongue in cheek in 'exposing the dangers of contemplative prayer'. Wow I could not have been more wrong - they are truly frightened by people praying.
Now that is scary!
I just stumbled on this website and thought at first it was tongue in cheek in 'exposing the dangers of contemplative prayer'. Wow I could not have been more wrong - they are truly frightened by people praying.
Now that is scary!
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
birthdays and friends
We have just recovered from a weekend party - the occasion was to celebrate my partner Ngaire's 6oth birthday. It also comes in the middle of uncertainty about a reoccurance of cancer.
It was the BEST weekend - ngaire's family arrived friday night, saturday we booked out the local restaurant with 46 friends, and had 60 for brunch on Sunday at the Lodge - http://www.waihoihoi.co.nz
In the afternoon, all eyes were on the horizon as we awaited the surprise group present of a helicopter ride. She guessed of course that we were not just bird watching. The helicopter ride was out of this world - soaring over the area we now call home, friends below us outside every house waving, over the bush, the islands, over Bream Head and back along 22 kilometres of beach.
This was also our 15 years +1 celebration of friendship - every five years we have a party to celebrate our life together and the network of friendship that sustains us. I love the serendipity of such occasions as people gather from all the corners of our lives and make connections with each other - old friends, and new ones, family and neighbours and workmates.
Good friends are truly the wind beneath our wings - in the good times like birthdays and celebrations, and in the hard times like facing the possibility of cancer - we are sustained by their love, support and presence.
It was the BEST weekend - ngaire's family arrived friday night, saturday we booked out the local restaurant with 46 friends, and had 60 for brunch on Sunday at the Lodge - http://www.waihoihoi.co.nz
In the afternoon, all eyes were on the horizon as we awaited the surprise group present of a helicopter ride. She guessed of course that we were not just bird watching. The helicopter ride was out of this world - soaring over the area we now call home, friends below us outside every house waving, over the bush, the islands, over Bream Head and back along 22 kilometres of beach.
This was also our 15 years +1 celebration of friendship - every five years we have a party to celebrate our life together and the network of friendship that sustains us. I love the serendipity of such occasions as people gather from all the corners of our lives and make connections with each other - old friends, and new ones, family and neighbours and workmates.
Good friends are truly the wind beneath our wings - in the good times like birthdays and celebrations, and in the hard times like facing the possibility of cancer - we are sustained by their love, support and presence.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Happy is a state of mind
Once again Canvas in the weekend herald has yielded an article to get me pondering. Carlin Flora has written the article - here are some snippets
"The things we expect will bring us lasting joy rarely do. Long-anticipated events give us a swell of glee.. then we settle back into being just about as happy as we've always been. Most of us have a happiness 'set' point, fixed by temperament and early life experience, which is very difficult to shift."
"However psychologists now believe many of us can turn the well-being thermostat up or down a few notches by changing how we think about anticipation, memory and the present moment.... focusing on the moment may help us understand how to be happy. Besides, we have a built-in tendency to grow more cheerful as we get older: aging helps us ignore the the negative and shift our attention towards the positive. Finding happiness isn't hopeless, its a matter of time..."
Linda Cartensen, a professor of psychology at Stanford has done some work on this. They are now studying Buddhist meditation to see how their practice alters their perception of time.
All of this confirms for me the importance of the spiritual practice of living in the moment - treasuring the now and the sacredness of the now. This theme is there in celtic prayer - bless me in my going and my coming, as I make this fire, and tend this food.... It is there it the buddhist practice of mindfulness....
"The things we expect will bring us lasting joy rarely do. Long-anticipated events give us a swell of glee.. then we settle back into being just about as happy as we've always been. Most of us have a happiness 'set' point, fixed by temperament and early life experience, which is very difficult to shift."
"However psychologists now believe many of us can turn the well-being thermostat up or down a few notches by changing how we think about anticipation, memory and the present moment.... focusing on the moment may help us understand how to be happy. Besides, we have a built-in tendency to grow more cheerful as we get older: aging helps us ignore the the negative and shift our attention towards the positive. Finding happiness isn't hopeless, its a matter of time..."
Linda Cartensen, a professor of psychology at Stanford has done some work on this. They are now studying Buddhist meditation to see how their practice alters their perception of time.
All of this confirms for me the importance of the spiritual practice of living in the moment - treasuring the now and the sacredness of the now. This theme is there in celtic prayer - bless me in my going and my coming, as I make this fire, and tend this food.... It is there it the buddhist practice of mindfulness....
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Benefits of boredom
"Rather than be constantly told what we want and be pressurised to go after it, I think we would be benefit greatly from spells of vaguely restless boredom in which desire can crystallise"
From an article about Adam Phillips book "Going Sane" in The Weekend Herald 7 May 2005. Adams is a psychoanalyst who hates the 'intrusiveness' of therapy, a rigorous sceptic whose brilliant books have tackled despair, disillusionment and tickling.
He reflects on the madness at the heart of modern life in a way I find engaging.
He suggests knitting might be as useful as therapy. Right on.
taking time, coming home to yourself, giving yourself a break...
From an article about Adam Phillips book "Going Sane" in The Weekend Herald 7 May 2005. Adams is a psychoanalyst who hates the 'intrusiveness' of therapy, a rigorous sceptic whose brilliant books have tackled despair, disillusionment and tickling.
He reflects on the madness at the heart of modern life in a way I find engaging.
He suggests knitting might be as useful as therapy. Right on.
taking time, coming home to yourself, giving yourself a break...
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
purple potato miracle
I have just picked some purple potatoes from the garden - an old variety, sometimes called maori potatoes, they are purple right through even when cooked. They are one of the most perfect foods I have ever tasted - definately the nectar of the gods.
Along with courgettes, parsley, basil, spring onions, beetroot, also from the garden, this will form the basis of the meal tonight we will share with guests.
Simple things - working the soil, building it up, forking it over (ngaire does the hard work) and abundant harvest of nourishment and taste.
last night steve rang about futurechurch and jesus of montreal, to ask how I was. simple care, honouring of story, respect, and commitment to a dream.
this is real. this is sacred. purple potatoes and shared story.
Along with courgettes, parsley, basil, spring onions, beetroot, also from the garden, this will form the basis of the meal tonight we will share with guests.
Simple things - working the soil, building it up, forking it over (ngaire does the hard work) and abundant harvest of nourishment and taste.
last night steve rang about futurechurch and jesus of montreal, to ask how I was. simple care, honouring of story, respect, and commitment to a dream.
this is real. this is sacred. purple potatoes and shared story.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
futurechurch NZ and Jesus of Montreal
the futurechurch project is being allowed to die, perhaps unknowingly, but it is dying. My job is to finally put it down.
the methodist church could not find a way to continue to support it. they could not even answer my letter about renegotiating the contract. Its not the money - its there, earmarked for the purpose. Its beaurocracy unable to make decisions, a system beyond crisis.
in november last year i gave a presentation to methodist conference, it was about the need for lighter more flexible structures to support innovation and change. It was well received, and if I had asked for a show of support for the project, i would have got good support I am sure. but even that might not have been enough.
structurally they just could not find a way of responding or relating to the project.
so now its my job to put it to sleep forever... or maybe not.
my aim is to find away of taking the website, a few $$, a network and a dream, and seeing if the bits, like the organs of Jesus of Montreal, can live again in another place, with another name, but with the same dream or hope.
the methodist church could not find a way to continue to support it. they could not even answer my letter about renegotiating the contract. Its not the money - its there, earmarked for the purpose. Its beaurocracy unable to make decisions, a system beyond crisis.
in november last year i gave a presentation to methodist conference, it was about the need for lighter more flexible structures to support innovation and change. It was well received, and if I had asked for a show of support for the project, i would have got good support I am sure. but even that might not have been enough.
structurally they just could not find a way of responding or relating to the project.
so now its my job to put it to sleep forever... or maybe not.
my aim is to find away of taking the website, a few $$, a network and a dream, and seeing if the bits, like the organs of Jesus of Montreal, can live again in another place, with another name, but with the same dream or hope.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
tourists and pilgrims
Well its been some time since I blogged - we had a splendid Christmas at the Lodge, shared with five friends and 7 guests - from Spain, Germany, Ireland and NZ. Good food, conversation, laughter, presents, reflections...
Then it was off to camping once again with friends - a great time, despite the weather (no summer visible yet), so instead of swimming there was horse riding, kayaking, walking and reading and playing Cranium... Lots of relaxation as we cooked over the fire, and sat around drinking coffee as breakfast merged with morning tea and lunch. Perfect.
I read this quote in Refresh - a NZ journal on contemplative spirituality http://www.sgm.org.nz
"I have heard modern Iona dismissed by its detractors as simply a mecca for 'spiritual tourism'. It is true that many who make the short crossing from Mull probably fall into the category of tourists but there is a very thin line between tourism and pilgrimage. Among the island's visitors are many bearing pain or troubled with doubts and anxieties - contemporary pilgrims and penitents reaching out for healing and wholeness." Ian Bradley
This is so much my experience of offering hospitality at Waihoihoi Lodge - we are not an 'intentional' retreat, but we do offer a warm welcome to a fabulous home overlooking a spectacular view, with generous hospitality as the hallmark. And people say the go away changed/challenged, with new enthusiasm and zest for life...
Paul Dyer at Houchen Retreat House in Hamilton said yesterday that they were expanding a little into the general accommodation market...
Interesting...
Then it was off to camping once again with friends - a great time, despite the weather (no summer visible yet), so instead of swimming there was horse riding, kayaking, walking and reading and playing Cranium... Lots of relaxation as we cooked over the fire, and sat around drinking coffee as breakfast merged with morning tea and lunch. Perfect.
I read this quote in Refresh - a NZ journal on contemplative spirituality http://www.sgm.org.nz
"I have heard modern Iona dismissed by its detractors as simply a mecca for 'spiritual tourism'. It is true that many who make the short crossing from Mull probably fall into the category of tourists but there is a very thin line between tourism and pilgrimage. Among the island's visitors are many bearing pain or troubled with doubts and anxieties - contemporary pilgrims and penitents reaching out for healing and wholeness." Ian Bradley
This is so much my experience of offering hospitality at Waihoihoi Lodge - we are not an 'intentional' retreat, but we do offer a warm welcome to a fabulous home overlooking a spectacular view, with generous hospitality as the hallmark. And people say the go away changed/challenged, with new enthusiasm and zest for life...
Paul Dyer at Houchen Retreat House in Hamilton said yesterday that they were expanding a little into the general accommodation market...
Interesting...
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
I did not get in
Well, I did not get into Council, despite fantastic support from my local community here in Waipu, it was not enough. Maybe next time. I learnt a lot more about Council and will continue to work on some local projects including building relationships with local Maori, getting new and better signage to the town from the main highway, and organising a programme called Winter@waipu to promote us in the off season.
I also have just finished 6 weeks recovery from a hystectomy, so life is just getting back to normal again - it never ceases to amaze me how the body heals itself. I read in the newspaper on the weekend some research which said that a positive frame of mind makes a huge difference to people's recovery rates - Doctors are finally admitting it!
I also have just finished 6 weeks recovery from a hystectomy, so life is just getting back to normal again - it never ceases to amaze me how the body heals itself. I read in the newspaper on the weekend some research which said that a positive frame of mind makes a huge difference to people's recovery rates - Doctors are finally admitting it!
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
feeling positive...
Two weeks ago I decided to stand for local council, encouraged by people I have got to know in my local community of Waipu. Since then it has been all go, getting nominated, printing flyers and posters, and visiting people.
Someone asked me why I was standing and I thought about it and found myself answering "Because I think I will be good at it".
I took a big breath after that, as I am not one usually to blow my own trumpet. I reflected on this with a group of local women: about how we are more ready to admit our shortcomings than our gifts, and how this is reinforced by family, society and church.
Interesting - i recall being overwhelmed by Matthew Fox's book Original Blessing, where he posited that the most important thing in the biblical story is that we were originally blessed, rather than the age old focus on original sin.
I find this liberating, it means we can focus on encouraging each other, bringing out the best, sharing our giftedness, with gratitude to those who have shared their giftedness and creativity wth us.
Someone asked me why I was standing and I thought about it and found myself answering "Because I think I will be good at it".
I took a big breath after that, as I am not one usually to blow my own trumpet. I reflected on this with a group of local women: about how we are more ready to admit our shortcomings than our gifts, and how this is reinforced by family, society and church.
Interesting - i recall being overwhelmed by Matthew Fox's book Original Blessing, where he posited that the most important thing in the biblical story is that we were originally blessed, rather than the age old focus on original sin.
I find this liberating, it means we can focus on encouraging each other, bringing out the best, sharing our giftedness, with gratitude to those who have shared their giftedness and creativity wth us.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Avoiding the hard choices?
great questions posed in the July 04 page of emergingchurch.info
"Will the emerging, missional, re-imagined,
post-modern, alternative church of the future be a place that grows character? Or in seeking to incarnate the gospel in a consumer society will we have the excuses, in the name of being relevant, to avoid hard choices?"
IAN MOBSBY UK
"Given the assumption that we accept the validity of liquid modernity or postmodernity, then we need to face quite a challenge. What does it mean to be 'church' in such a brave new world defined by consumption and individualism? How do we build connections between Christians in someform of relationship and what does church look, taste and smell like in a new context?"
Mochachino theology ANNA AVEN USA
"Many times as I have observed our culture I have called some approaches to spirituality "cut-and-paste" religion, and indeed, that's what it looks like.Some pull a little Zen, a little evangelicalism, a little orthodoxy and top it off with a smidgen of yoga as though our spirituality can be approached like our specialized drinks at Starbucks."
follow the links for more on this.
emergingchurch.info : a touching place for the emerging church:
"Will the emerging, missional, re-imagined,
post-modern, alternative church of the future be a place that grows character? Or in seeking to incarnate the gospel in a consumer society will we have the excuses, in the name of being relevant, to avoid hard choices?"
IAN MOBSBY UK
"Given the assumption that we accept the validity of liquid modernity or postmodernity, then we need to face quite a challenge. What does it mean to be 'church' in such a brave new world defined by consumption and individualism? How do we build connections between Christians in someform of relationship and what does church look, taste and smell like in a new context?"
Mochachino theology ANNA AVEN USA
"Many times as I have observed our culture I have called some approaches to spirituality "cut-and-paste" religion, and indeed, that's what it looks like.Some pull a little Zen, a little evangelicalism, a little orthodoxy and top it off with a smidgen of yoga as though our spirituality can be approached like our specialized drinks at Starbucks."
follow the links for more on this.
emergingchurch.info : a touching place for the emerging church:
Monday, May 31, 2004
emerging downunder
This link takes you to an article I did for emergingchurch.info about what was happening (?emerging?) in NZ, some good links to other down under voices too. emergingchurch.info > stories > futurechurch nz
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Keepers of the Fire
KEEPERS OF THE FIRE
I see church as a gathered community who keep the holy fires of faith, spirit and story burning on the hilltops - visible and accessible.
Author: Rosemary
A fire is a place of warmth and hospitality, it is more temporary than a building, more effort is required to keep it alive, but it is also more satisfying of basic elemental needs.
The Holy Fires are places where fragments of hope and meaning are gathered and celebrated, where they are connected to other stories, and where we gain strength to continue our journeys.
A few people have made a commitment to keep these Holy Fires alive, some have been there a long time, others stay for short periods. They keep the fires alive not for their own sake but for the sake of those who drop by to sit awhile.
I see all of us as followers of The Way - travelling minstrels in a sacred world, bringing life, questions, dance, reflection and laughter wherever we travel. Occasionally we rest by the Holy Fires to gain refreshment for the journey, and we bring our own stories - fragments of hope and meaning to celebrate there before going out again.
A few of us (and I am one) rarely visit the Holy Fires, but are seen lighting occasional fires along the way. The Holy Fires remain important to us, even though we rarely visit, we can point other questing spirits to them, the memory of them we carry within us, and the fire we carry from them we use to light fires where we are lodging for the night.
Future Church is an effort to notice where those Holy Fires are burning, and provide signposts for those who want to visit them, as well as providing some food, inspiration, stories for the journey.
I see church as a gathered community who keep the holy fires of faith, spirit and story burning on the hilltops - visible and accessible.
Author: Rosemary
A fire is a place of warmth and hospitality, it is more temporary than a building, more effort is required to keep it alive, but it is also more satisfying of basic elemental needs.
The Holy Fires are places where fragments of hope and meaning are gathered and celebrated, where they are connected to other stories, and where we gain strength to continue our journeys.
A few people have made a commitment to keep these Holy Fires alive, some have been there a long time, others stay for short periods. They keep the fires alive not for their own sake but for the sake of those who drop by to sit awhile.
I see all of us as followers of The Way - travelling minstrels in a sacred world, bringing life, questions, dance, reflection and laughter wherever we travel. Occasionally we rest by the Holy Fires to gain refreshment for the journey, and we bring our own stories - fragments of hope and meaning to celebrate there before going out again.
A few of us (and I am one) rarely visit the Holy Fires, but are seen lighting occasional fires along the way. The Holy Fires remain important to us, even though we rarely visit, we can point other questing spirits to them, the memory of them we carry within us, and the fire we carry from them we use to light fires where we are lodging for the night.
Future Church is an effort to notice where those Holy Fires are burning, and provide signposts for those who want to visit them, as well as providing some food, inspiration, stories for the journey.
Monday, May 24, 2004
They want me!!
I have just had a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs to say I have been accepted for NZ Citizenship - I just have to go to a ceremony and that will be it.
30 years I have lived here in NZ (Born and bred in Sydney) - I was anxious that when I finally asked to become a citizen they might not want me - but they do!!
I don't know really why I have just got around to this, because I realised NZ was definately home when I was backing the NZ team to win against Oz in the Hockey final in the Montreal Olympics.
I was thinking of standing for local government, so that was the last thing that pushed me, but also my parents are both dead now, and it feels like with them gone, a last tie to OZ was lost.
So I am now a New Zealander - a Pakeha proudly supporting Te Tiriti O Waitangi in this land.
Whoopee!
30 years I have lived here in NZ (Born and bred in Sydney) - I was anxious that when I finally asked to become a citizen they might not want me - but they do!!
I don't know really why I have just got around to this, because I realised NZ was definately home when I was backing the NZ team to win against Oz in the Hockey final in the Montreal Olympics.
I was thinking of standing for local government, so that was the last thing that pushed me, but also my parents are both dead now, and it feels like with them gone, a last tie to OZ was lost.
So I am now a New Zealander - a Pakeha proudly supporting Te Tiriti O Waitangi in this land.
Whoopee!
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
jonnybaker blog on not being an evangelical
jonnybaker blog
A snippet i found in jonnybaker's blog follow the link to read it all
: the other image i found was a snarling shark - there is a bitter judgemental spirit that has taken a grip of evangelicalism - even though there is a kind of pretence mouthing words like compassion, grace and meekness, really there's a nasty bite and everybody knows it. evangelicals have somehow set themsleves up as guardians of god's truth but mutated into something that embodies a different spirit to that of christ. grace had left the building...
if i'm not evangelical what am i? a christian - that's enough.
(there was an interesting new development that maybe will turn out to be something more hopeful -
A snippet i found in jonnybaker's blog follow the link to read it all
: the other image i found was a snarling shark - there is a bitter judgemental spirit that has taken a grip of evangelicalism - even though there is a kind of pretence mouthing words like compassion, grace and meekness, really there's a nasty bite and everybody knows it. evangelicals have somehow set themsleves up as guardians of god's truth but mutated into something that embodies a different spirit to that of christ. grace had left the building...
if i'm not evangelical what am i? a christian - that's enough.
(there was an interesting new development that maybe will turn out to be something more hopeful -
