Interviews
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Pastor Wanted
An independent evangelical church in Kogarah, Grace Chinese Christian Church, is looking for a full-time pastor to lead its 110-140 sized English Congregation. I've been told that there are many asian congregations in Sydney who are crying out for pastors...
A church without worship
This debate is continuing, and it has been very helpful too. Peterson himself has added several clarifying comments to the thread.
Christian Reflections
This is Mikey's blog. He will be posting about his trip to Seattle over the coming weeks...
Friday, February 27, 2009
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King and Country
Yesterday I was in the library searching for a book on everyday life in 18th century Yorkshire. As I was browsing the shelves, I made a blindingly obvious realisation - the English define their history by their monarchs. And it goes beyond just a handy label for a period, there is the idea that the monarch emodies something essential about the character of the nation. So Victorian England was prudish because Victoria was prudish. Restoration England was extravagant because Charles II was extravagant. And so on.
It made me think a little about the monarchs of Israel and Judah. In those instances too, the king "sums up" the national character. So when a king is going astray, you find the whole nation is going astray as well. Makes you wonder - does the country make the king, or does the king make the country?
Lent on York
Justin is preaching through the parable of the prodigal son over Lent. Looks like a good series, if you are down that end of the city, check it out.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Golden Grove
This was the ship that Johnson and his wife sailed out on. It was one of three store ships in the fleet.
The First Fleet
I've been reading a whole heap on the first fleet recently. I'm more and more impressed with what an extraordinary endeavour the whole thing was. To take 1500 people, mostly convicts, and transport them 15,000 miles to create a new society on the fringe of the known world... It was unprecedented.
Minding your own business
I think there's a perception that becoming a Christian, an evangelical Christian at any rate, means becoming a royal pain in the neck. That you have to be sticking your nose in everywhere, giving an opinion on everything.
But this passage from 1 Thessalonians 4 interests me -
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Our image of the faithful Christian witness is a Christian who is in conflict. But God actually commends those who live a quiet life, minding their own business. This sort of behaviour actually wins the respect of outsiders. The broader teaching of scripture is that we should be treating outsiders with gentleness, grace, patience and respect. I wonder what would happen if we all aspired to "a quiet life"?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Emission Impossible
Ross Gittins describes the huge flaw in the government's carbon trading scheme -
...nothing we choose to do for moral reasons will do anything to reduce the nation's total emissions of greenhouse gases. That's because the nation's total emissions will be controlled by an annually reducing cap... So when you and I voluntarily cut back our emissions we don't reduce the nation's total emissions, we just make more room for other, industrial polluters - say, the aluminium, steel or cement industries - to increase their emissions.
The Fatal Shore
Reading The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes at the moment. It is essentially the history of convict transportation to Australia. Fascinating and brilliantly written. Justly considered a classic.
Single Women
Well, I posted below on the subject of female fertility. I was surprised to get some very emotional responses from a number of 30-something women who, for various reasons, hadn't married or had kids. Clearly the topic strikes a very strong chord with them. It was the longest comment thread I've had for ages.
A few interesting themes emerged in the thread. But it's clear to me that we aren't taking especially good care of older single women in the church. There are a large number of them out there, many of them are hurting, and they perhaps feel marginalised, invisible even.
What should be done?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Making Connections for Life #1
Very rough cut of last weeks sermon, which we are hoping to turn into a product later this year -
A church without worship?
David Peterson's article, referred to below. It seems David wants to strongly affirm the place of worship in church.
The Case for Civility
Horton interviews Os Guiness about his latest book. A very important subject, intellectuals especially should check it out...
Church without Worship?
Explosive stuff. An exceprt -
In this month's Southern Cross, David Peterson suggests that churches have drifted away from praising God in their gatherings.
He says that rather than keeping worship as a specific part of their gatherings, Christians have taken it out of their time together.
"Very little is said about praise being offered to God, because praise is often explained as singing about God to others," Peterson writes.
Peterson argues that when we remove the language of worship from our meetings, God is easily pushed to the side.
"With this development has come an emphasis on meeting for fellowship and mutual encouragement, with little apparent expectation of encountering God together," he writes.
A New Man
My dear friend Ben had a great week, with some exciting breakthroughs and answers to prayer.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Church Planting Network Launch - Pix
Here are some photos from last night's launch of the new church planting network. There have been a few attempts at this sort of thing before, but this feels like the Real Deal to me. I think they've got the right leadership at the top, and the right set of values. More details will follow...
New Australian Church Planting Network
Last night, a new Australian Church Planting Network was launched. MK has the full story here. This is huge news - one of the most significant things to happen in Oz Christianity for a while. Please pray for the new network, give to it, consider joining it. They also need a name, so send along your suggestions. Very excited by this.
On Rowan Williams: Critical Essays
A review of this recently published book. Most of the contributors are young-ish, and at least 4 of them (Jensen, Myers, Smith and Clarke) are active in some form of online writing. I wonder if this will be more and more the case for academics, going forward?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Knocking on doors
Archie Poulos on a tried and true method. "Research has shown that residents on whose doors we knock are not unhappy to have us do this. The unhappiness arises when they think we are trying to sell them something or won't let them finish the contact."
The Depression Epidemic
Dr Arch Hart speaks about the depression epidemic gripping our society. He comments that a generation ago, clinical depression occurred in about 1 in 40. Nowadays, it's something like 1 in 4 are clinically depressed. He has his own little pet theory as to the cause, but I wonder if other people have any thoughts? Why is it happening, and what should we do about it?
Home group
Justyn started home group last night. It's a good group he's going to, I have a lot of time for all the people there. They will be an excellent influence...
Research
The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay With an Account of the Establishment of the Colonies of Port Jackson and Norfolk Island (1789) (Phillip)
A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson (Tench)
A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany-Bay (Tench)
An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Volume 1 (Collins)
An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Volume 2 (Collins)
A Voyage to Botany Bay (Barrington)
Buried Alive (Various)
An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island (Hunter, King, Phillip)
Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales (White)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Valentines Day
I had an excellent Valentines Day in case you were wondering. We did the roses, chocolates, dinner, soppy movie thing. All good. But I know it's a painful day for a lot of women. This article suggests a practical way that the day might be redeemed for singles.
Britney+Girls+Sex
My latest post for SA -
Britney Spears burst onto the global music scene in 1998, a sexy teenager proudly wearing her faith and her virginity on her sleeve. The virginity was a predictable early casualty, and the faith is MIA at the time of writing.
Read more
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Open Sourcebook
The Open Sourcebook is a collaborative project that aims at creating useful, plain-language resources for worship. Our goal is to create contextualized and comprehensible prayers, confessions, and readings that are easily understood by both insiders (those who have actively participated in church life for a while) and outsiders (those who are new to church life and unfamiliar with church language).
More here
More here
Top Gear
Anyone else watch Top Gear last night? The guys declared the Honda FCX Clarity to be the most important car built in the last 100 years. It's a zero emission hydrogen powered vehicle...
Make Poverty History
This form allows you to easily send an email to your local MP, encouraging the government to do more for global poverty
Conversion
Been listening to John Mark Reynolds from BIOLA talk about apologetics. He states what we all know already - that very, very few people are converted through intellectual argument. Reynolds believes the biggest apologetic hurdle is the cultural issue. You have to show the person you are witnessing to that it's possible for them to retain their personal cultural identity whilst embracing Christ.
He uses the example of CS Lewis. He believes what Lewis's friends did was not convince him with arguments. Rather, they showed him, implicitly, that it was possible for Lewis to be an academic don at Oxford and also be a Christian. We joke about whitebread Anglican churches in the suburbs, but the mono-culture presents an apologetic hurdle to those who look, sound and think differently.
Because most Christians wear a bit of a mask, there's a sense in which the church community can feel a bit artificial, like those around us are not quite real people. There's a sense in which we all need to become more authentic people before we can start to connect with those outside.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Vocation
I'll probably be writing more about vocation in the future, maybe in my SA column. For now, here are a couple of helpful articles -
The Doctrine of Vocation
Our Calling and God's Glory
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Aboriginal Treaty?
At the last federal election, John Howard pledged to seek a treaty between the Commonwealth and Aboriginal Australia. He lost the election, so we will never know what that might have looked like. But I suspect that a treaty would be a far more powerful gesture than the apology was. I wonder if this should be looked at again?
The Apology - 1 year on
Some different reactions to the anniversary of the apology. Read the comments and you will see the diversity of feelings about the indigenous issue...
OCA Prayer Points
Overseas Council Australia
Praise God for the Board Meeting held on Wednesday of this week. Give thanks for the contribution of two new members, David Brown and Steve Kerr.
We have an extensive program organised for Peter Thien from MEGST in Myanmar to start in a couple of weeks at churches in Sydney and Melbourne. Due to increased Australian immigration restrictions the first attempt at getting a visa has been unsuccessful. Please pray that we can intercede to get the visa and the meetings can go ahead.
Lanka Graduate Centre, Sri Lanka
Last year the Graduate Centre, together with the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka and Compassion International launched the "Holistic Child Development" course. The ceremony to award certificates to those students who had completed the first year of study was held recently. Please give thanks to God for the students and please pray they will continue into their second year with great enthusiasm and willingness to keep learning.
Please pray also for God's intervention in the "Anti Conversion Bill" that is before the government. If the Bill is passed this will have serious consequences for both the Bible College and Graduate Centre and indeed will impact all Christians in Sri Lanka.
Namibia Theological College, Namibia
Please pray for Martin Khoaseb, Principal, as he settles back into life in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Thank God that his wife and daughter have been able to join him for the first time since he began his studies.
Martin has formally submitted his research proposal. He is researching the psychological and spiritual impact of healing from a pastoral approach on those individuals who seek healing and in particular the effect on those who do not receive healing that has been promised to them.
Please pray that he will continue to research well as he aims to complete his work by the end of 2010.
Zarephath Bible Institute, Pakistan
Please pray for the College as it commenced a new academic year with 11 new students (one female and 10 males) joining the undergraduate class and 15 new students (3 females and 12 males) joining the graduate class. The college also has 24 students enrolled in the evening classes. The total number of students studying at the college, including second and third year students, is 64.
Please pray also for Pakistan as the country continues to struggle with the electricity shortage. Various options are being considered to find a solution at the college as the power shortage has made life difficult with teachers and staff having to cope with load sharing. Thank God for the patience displayed by all concerned in this difficult time.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Big Day In - Out?
I was disappointed to hear that a number of our larger churches chose not to participate in the Big Day In. It was such a great chance to express solidarity, I think it's a shame they gave it a miss...
Moffatt Inducted
Went and saw Justin Moffatt inducted as the 15th rector of Australia's oldest parish. Lots of challenges ahead, but he's a good to have in such a strategic place. Prayers...
Research
In my few spare moments I'm continuing to research Richard Johnson and the early days of the colony. This is the sort of thing that interests you when you reach your late 30s. I've been up to the State Library a couple of times, reading through the early government correspondence. I've also checked out Macintosh's biography. It is superbly well researched, but the writing lacks vitality. There would definitely be room for another bio. We'll see...
"Greens must take blame for deaths"
It wasn't climate change which killed as many as 300 people in Victoria last weekend. It wasn't arsonists. It was the unstoppable intensity of a bushfire, turbo-charged by huge quantities of ground fuel which had been allowed to accumulate over years of drought. It was the power of green ideology over government to oppose attempts to reduce fuel hazards before a megafire erupts, and which prevents landholders from clearing vegetation to protect themselves. More here
Church of England affirms "uniqueness of Christ"
Our expectations of the English church are so low that this is headline news
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Pray in the City
My friend Justin Moffatt is hosting a prayer service in the city tomorrow. Please check it out. The Lord willing, I'll be there
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Their Secret Arts
I'm reading Exodus at the moment. Regarding Pharoah's magicians, I've always wondered whether they were simply David Copperfield style illusionists, or whether they were actually involved with some sort of dark spirituality. I wonder if Copperfield could do the staff to snake thing? Probably...
Studying...
Went to the State Library today to do a little bit of research. I'm starting to compile some sources for the early colonial period, say 1788-1800. I've been interested in this period for a while anyway, and the Johnson project just might pull some of this study together. At the moment I'm mostly concentrating on a few popular books about the era, to get a feel for it, but I'll be looking to tackle some more serious material soon.
Is Postmodernism Passe?
Michael's first proper piece, very stimulating. I love all the content being written under the new SA format, I think it's excellent.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Toughen up?
Are modern guys too in touch with their emotions? Miranda Devine writes -
Perhaps women respond because Eastwood has evoked an era when men were manly, loyal, selfless, and quietly devoted to duty and sacrifice. Not that there aren't men like that today. But you can't really imagine a Roger Federer, 27, or a Rafael Nadal, 22, telling a bad guy: "Go ahead, make my day." They'd just start blubbering - not that there's anything wrong with that. Ahem...
What do you think guys, do we need to toughen up?
Commonwealth of Thieves
I'm reading Tom Keneally's book, Commonwealth of Thieves, which deals with the colonisation of Australia. My goodness, the man can write. I've just finished reading a couple of books dealing with the same period, written by professional historians. They were pretty tough going, Keneally's book, by contrast, is simply a joy - you start reading and suddenly find an hour has slipped by.
As I hinted below, a very embryonic idea has formed in my mind to attempt a new biography of Richard Johnson. It's a fairly preposterous idea for all sorts of reasons, but we'll see. In the mean time, I'm very keen to make a study of the early colonial period.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
The High Cost of Feminism
A London playwright speaks about how feminism has sold her a lie. I read more and more articles like this. Some quotes -
I was led to believe that women could "have it all" and, more to the point, that we wanted it all. To that end I have spent 20 years ruthlessly pursuing my dreams - to be a successful playwright. I have sacrificed all my womanly duties and laid it all at the altar of a career. And was it worth it? The answer has to be a resounding no.
... I argue that women's libbers of the Sixties and Seventies put careerism at the forefront, trampling the traditional role of women underneath their Doc Martens. I wish a more balanced view of womanhood had been available to me. I wish that being a housewife or a mother wasn't such a toxic idea to middle-class liberals of yesteryear.
... I made a conscious decision not to have serious relationships because I thought I had all the time in the world. Many of my friends did the same. It's about understanding what is important in life, and from what I see and feel, loving relationships and children bring more happiness than work ever can.
... I am a failure in my own eyes. Somewhere inside lurks a woman I cannot control and she is in the kitchen with a baby on her hip and dough in her hand, staring me down. She is saying: "This is happiness, this is what it's all about." It's an instinct that makes me a woman, an instinct that I can't ignore even if I wanted to.
... As I write this I feel sad, as if the feminist principles that my mother brought me up on are being trashed. Am I betraying womanhood? No, I am revealing a shameful truth.
Ok, these are some hard words because I know there are some girls out there who have some regrets about life decisions. Still, I think we need to speak frankly for the sake of the next generation. Girls, here's the reality. You can have start a career when you are 20, or 30, or 40, or 50. I've even known people to start new careers or businesses in their 60s. Time is on your side there. But nature only affords you a pretty narrow window to have kids, pretty much 20-35. Science can sometimes extend that by a few years.
It's so old fashioned I know, but if you want kids almost your #1 priority in your 20s needs to be finding a decent bloke, marrying him, and getting pregnant. You can get serious about your career after that, and still have 30+ years at it.
Ok, a word of comfort for those for whom this door may be closing - there are always other options. I don't think it is ever "too late" for marriage, and I know heaps of people who have married in their 40s, 50s and even 60s. The door may have closed on your own kids, but I honestly believe adoption and fostering can be just as satisfying, and that can happen at any age. I was encouraged by John Piper who adopted his daughter, Talitha, in his 50s. And Piper speaks often about what a blessing she has been.
Ok, very interested to hear your comments. Go anonymous if you wish...
Friday, February 06, 2009
Australia's First Preacher - Richard Johnson
Was talking to a friend the other day about how few biographies seem to exist for important Australian Christians. I guess there is only a tiny market for such things. Got me to thinking about the very first preacher in Australia. His name was Rev. Richard Johnson, and he was the chaplain sent out with the First Fleet in 1788.
He was friends with William Wilberforce and John Newton, who were largely responsible for his appointment. He was a very compassionate man who spent much time caring for the needs of the convicts. He was also thought to be perhaps the finest farmer in the colony, in the early years at least.
But first and foremost he was an Evangelical, who wanted to see souls won for Christ. You get a real feeling for the man from the opening lines of this address, which he published in 1792 -
I Beseech you, brethren, suffer this word of exhortation. Your souls are precious. They are precious in the sight of God. They are precious to the Lord Jesus Christ. They are precious in my esteem. Oh that you yourselves were equally sensible of their value.
We have now been here almost five years. During this time, I trust, I have been faithful in the discharge of my duty, faithful to my God, my country, my conscience, and to your immortal souls.
I would, nay I do, humbly hope, that my labours have not been wholly in vain. Some of you, I trust, have been convinced of your folly, sin and danger; you have earnestly sought, and happily found mercy with God through a Mediator. You can now approach him as a God reconciled, a merciful Father and Friend, and are evidencing the reality of your conversion, by an upright life and conversation.
How good is that? As far as I can tell, the last biography of Richard Johnson was published over 60 years ago. Perhaps it's time for an update...
Jensen on the Holy Spirit
The Dean is planning to spend much energy this year teaching on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. These sermons will be well worth listening to, I'm sure...
Pudding too sweet?
A couple of days ago I said I was generally in favour of Rudd's stimulus package. I'm starting to have doubts. This is a helpful analysis. The one off cash handouts seem politically motivated. I would rather see the money spent in some visionary infrastructure projects - eg. a serious effort to get cars out of the Sydney CBD.
Adoption
A report on how adoption has declined in Australia. I feel very positively about adoption - I am adopted myself. By God's grace, I have an excellent relationship with my (adoptive) parents, and also with my birth mum. We were talking about adoption last night, actually. In Africa there are thousands of orphaned babies who cannot find parents. In Australia, there are many many couples who find themselves unable to have children, who would love to adopt. You would think we should be able to make these two realities meet in a happy ending. But the hurdles are very high. Pray that state and federal governments would work together to make this easier.
Union with Christ
A and I had dinner with Con, Bron, Roe and Nae last night. Good times. Con and I spent a bit of time discussing the doctrine of the union with Christ, continuing a conversation from the weekend. I don't think he'll mind me telling you that he has started writing a massive monograph on this subject. I was really pleased to hear that as I believe the subject is not well understood in our churches. I hope it turns out to be very influential.
For myself, I first encountered the doctrine in an article by Michael Horton. I straight away saw the idea as very profound, very true, and very beautiful...
Thursday, February 05, 2009
J+2 weeks
It's been about two weeks since J moved in. He has settled in so well, it's been great, thanks for all your prayers. He has made a stack of friends at school already, and he's loving the freedom and flexibility that urban living gives him. It could not have gone better, pray it stays good...
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Mark Dever on Evangelism
An interview in The Longing. Some good stuff in there, but I don't think he is really fair to John Dickson...
Firing the Fiscal Cannon
Good article by Gittins. I believe the federal government is generally taking the right approach to the crisis.
Contentment
We did another study on contentment last night. As part of that, we looked at these wise words from EB Pusey -
- Allow yourself to complain of nothing, not even the weather.
- Never picture yourself to yourself under any circumstances in which you are not.
- Never compare your own lot with that of another.
- Never allow yourself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves you better and more wisely than you do yourself.
- Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not yours. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. The Lord will provide.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Christ and Community
Spoke below about the world seeking community, the church offering it. But we don't always do it well. It's not just about welcoming. Welcoming is good, essential. But there needs to be a healthy community to welcome people into. If everyone in the church is just spinning around in their own little world of pain or selfishness or whatever, the community just aint going to be functioning, it aint gonna be attractive to anyone. We need to press forward in our own maturity, and in developing deep, healthy, affirming and fulfilling relationships with those around us.
Sydneyanglicans.net reveals new face
This week Sydneyanglicans.net is introducing a new team of bloggers covering Christian life and ministry from every conceivable angle. (more here)
9Marks - Latest eJournal now available
The theme is "Seminaries don't raise up pastors, churches do." More here
Monday, February 02, 2009
Sydneyanglicans.net - New content
The changes have begun on Sydneyanglicans.net. The Archbishop has put up a bible study, and Kara Martin has written an introduction to her column. The old forums are gone, however you can comment on these new blog-style items. Comments appear immediately. Check it out. Look for my first post on Wednesday...
"It takes a city to raise a child"
Excellent talk by Tim Keller, which I referenced below. If you are raising kids in an urban area, this is a "must listen".
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Bringing your kids to faith
I write about this pretty often, and I always say similar things. But everyone is always interested in this topic, so it's worth bringing up often. What's the best way to raise your kids as Christians? How do you bring them to faith? Here's some of my thoughts. Please interact with me on these, tell me your own experiences.
Firstly, I believe a child born to a Christian parent and raised in the church community is a member of the kingdom. This is the reason I really truly do believe in infant baptism. I know some folk (like John Piper) believe your children are born pagans and you have to convert them. I believe they were (effectively) born Christian, and need to be discipled. I think this can make a pretty big difference to how you raise them.
Next, I never got too worried about the kids interacting with popular culture. The thing I remember most about the Christian kids at school is what they weren't allowed to do. The movies or music or tv they weren't allowed to engage in. That seemed to define Christianity more than anything for me when I was younger. Not very attractive, and not surprising that those kids so often rebelled.
I've never taken that approach. My attitude has generally been that if I think something is ok for me to consume, then it is ok for the kids to consume. And I think quality culture (pop or not) is a good part of God's creation. You might find that quality in an HBO mini-series, or in an Iron Maiden album, wherever. Not everyone would be comfortable with their 11 year old singing The Number of the Beast in the front seat of the car, but I've always been chillaxed on all that, and I think it has helped.
Another point. The reality of your own faith is so important. The life you are living is probably the biggest influence you will have on your kids faith. If your faith seems real, and if it seems to interact with the real world - that will make a huge difference to them. If you are Church Charlie on Sunday and then just like everyone else during the week, that will diminish the cred of Christianity to your children. On the other hand, if you are a holy joe floating on the clouds all week who doesn't seem to have a clue, your kids will slowly start to believe that your faith is useless. I probably need to chat more about this, it could be the most important thing.
Next point. Older Christian guys have been a huge part of my sons faith. There are a group of guys in their early 20s who have befriended J & M, and H as well now. The boys look up to these guys heaps, and want to be like them. It has been massively influential. It is one of the advantages of being in an urban church - there are a lot of 20-somethings around, in ratio to the number of teens. You don't get that in suburban churches. It's really been huge.
Another point is devotions. Family devotions never worked for us, sitting around reading the bible together. I was so glad when Tim Keller said they never worked for his kids either! I know a lot of parents try to get their kids reading their bibles as early as possible. I've taken a different approach. I've bought a whole heap of books for the boys to read during our devotional times, when occur about every second day. The focus of the books has been on providing the big picture of the bible in an accessible way (The Comic Book Bible, for example), or on presenting theology in a systematic way (my Short Catechism, Dickson's books, The Aussie Pilgrims Progress etc). Recently I've been buying short readable bios of great Christian figures.
My general aim has been to create the framework for their faith. So I've wanted them to have a grasp of the biblical meta-narrative, and I've wanted them to learn the fundamentals of systematic theology. And I want everything they read to be entertaining. All of this will provide a framework for their own personal bible study later on. A different approach to some, I know.
Final point - prayer. Of course. I pray for them all every day. I pray with them every night that I have them. With J now, that means I'm praying with him every night. That ones obvious, I guess.
Looking forward to your comments.
Desperately Seeking Community
Shane pointed out this report, showing that people in the inner west (my region) are among the most unhappy in Australia. Surely this is an opportunity - church can be a great source of community. Problem is that we don't always do it that well. The community might be genuine, but the barriers to entry might still be a bit high. Small groups are the places where you find it most - but they are pretty intense. Not for the casual enquirer.
What else can we do? I'm pretty attracted to the Soul Revival model, developed by Gymea Anglican. These guys basically meet from Saturday evening til late every week, just hanging out as a Christian community. In our Annandale context, perhaps it could work something like this. We could start a saturday evening service, running say 5-6:30, then encourage people to stay around after for dinner for a community gathering sort of thing, to hang out after dinner til they go home to bed. You could have a couple of tvs, xbox, some board games, music, beer, I dunno, whatever people wanna do.
You could invite people to come hang out at the community gathering, and hope that they will eventually come early for the worship. Our new church building has an ideal space for this sort of thing too. Anyway, just a random seed to plant in Dominic and Matt's minds...
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