Church planting at its best may be the most strategic dimension of mission. At its worst it can be an expression of selfish ambition and turf war. The energy and excitement of a new… Continue reading
In considering the question of whether Australia should move to become a republic, I think its helpful to consider both fact and sentiment. Currently, in the Commonwealth of Australia, executive power is constitutionally vested in the Queen of… Continue reading
I’ve just finished lecturing through a new topic Beyond Sunday: Introduction to Faith, Life and Work. The unit was introduced in response to reflection on how much of ministry is focused on the gathered church;… Continue reading
This week I picked up Eric Metaxas’ latest book 7 Women and the Secrets of their Greatness, which provides an introductory overview of the lives of Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Saint… Continue reading
A talk I gave in Atlanta on the radical call of Jesus to go to ‘the other side of the lake’.
I’ve been reflecting lately on the mysterious wonder of crying. It started a few weeks back when a book arrived with the ingenious title “Poems that make Grown Men Cry. It’s a selection by a… Continue reading
I’m an Elected Councillor on the City of Mitcham, in South Australia. On last night’s agenda, Council was presented for decision a request by the organisers of the FEAST Queer Cultural Festival to fly the rainbow… Continue reading
Three years ago I wrote of my fascination with Mad Men. Tomorrow the series comes to an end. It’s been a masterpiece of television, a set piece of sharp cultural analysis. Various plots are climaxing. Last… Continue reading
The current fanaticism for luxury cruises invites some analysis. I considered some thoughts on this strange aquatic holiday hyperreality, because it’s quite obviously – perhaps too obviously – a meaty motif through which to make… Continue reading
I must recommend Debra Hirsch’s new book Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations about Sexuality & Spirituality. This is the book Debra was destined to write, drawing on decades of ministry in this area. Typical of Debra’s… Continue reading
I was intrigued to read a paper by Rev. Prof. John A. Moses, Professorial Associate in History, Charles Sturt University, on the history of this annual commemoration. Moses, along with George Davis, is the author… Continue reading
The influence of Charles Taylor’s magisterial book A Secular Age continues to permeate. For those uninitiated, this important (and huge) text seeks to explain how exclusive humanism came to be, to answer the question “Why was… Continue reading
Over the years I have intermittently given a talk on the true nature of LOVE, and told the story of how Priscilla and I got together. It’s a story that people seem to find compelling… Continue reading
I was recently in the US speaking at a few churches. The talk below is Seeking: Money, Status & Life Overflowing from Grace Snellville in Atlanta. It’s about how Jesus confronts the modern quest for identity through… Continue reading
I’ve just finished Double Down: The Explosive Inside Account of the 2012 Presidential Election by John Helleman and Mark Halperin. It’s the sequel to their magnificent Game Change: Obama & the Clintons, McCain… Continue reading
I must recommend Richard Flanagan’s newest novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North. It’s a staggeringly good novel, incredibly moving and compelling. I found myself aching to get back to it. It tells… Continue reading
I recently preached a short series on some Spiritual Disciples at Malvern Uniting Church. Here are links to the recordings, if they’re of interest: Living Simply The Mysterious Practice of Fasting The Purpose… Continue reading
Last Friday night was my formal induction service onto the Faculty at Uniting College. The service was led by the Moderator, Dr Deidre Palmer along with Principal, Rev Dr Steve Taylor. The liturgy… Continue reading
I was recently asked to give a presentation on how general governance principles might assist Church Councils. The forum was the Urban Mission Network, focusing quite specifically on Congregations of the Uniting Church.… Continue reading
For several months last year I had the privilege of convening a committee which steered the development of the Strategic Plan process for the South Australian Synod of my denomination, the Uniting Church in… Continue reading
Bruce Springsteen has been in Australia this month, playing epic shows around the country, all the while his latest album High Hopes, hit No 1 in the US and several other countries. At… Continue reading
The reach of Tim Keller continues. In March he’s in Sydney for a conference for Church Planters and Pastors, in a week that also involved events for Young Adult Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and… Continue reading
Had to share this. It’s a photoshop collection by Craig Mitchell. Craig is a former colleague and (current) friend, recently appointed the National Director for Formation, Education and Discipleship. He’s also a photoshop proficient,… Continue reading
A while ago I posted on Paul’s use of the term ‘herald‘ to describing his ministry: “For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher…” (2 Timothy 1:11)… Continue reading
I was planning to post something on the recent death of Lou Reed. A friend at school, Honi, first introduced me to the Velvet Underground, but don’t think I really knew Lou until… Continue reading
The penultimate song on Radiohead’s last album, The King of Limbs, is entitled ‘Give up the Ghost’. It’s a tender song, a sparse hymn atop a simply strummed guitar riff, undergirded by a sampled… Continue reading
I’ve been reflecting recently on each of the quite radical statements of Jesus at the beginning of the famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5: 1-12, which read like radical axioms for… Continue reading
A few months back I gave an address at a Uniting Church Charismata Day on The Spirit & Evangelism. It’s essentially a mini-lecture theological overview of the Spirit and evangelism, and has just been… Continue reading
There’s growing support for grass-roots funding towards the making of a documentary film about the life of Rev John Smith. John is one of the defining figures of Christian mission and ministry in… Continue reading
This from Harvard Business Review: A new study by academics at Baylor University found that entrepreneurs prayed more frequently than other people and were more likely to believe that God was personally responsive to… Continue reading
Posting on novelist Jonathan Franzen yesterday prompted me to re-read his famous ‘Harper’s Article‘ on the increasing irrelevance of the great novel in contemporary society. After sparking significant debate, he slightly revised the… Continue reading
Novelist Jonathan Franzen writes an interesting article in today’s Guardian on several elements of increased technoconsumerism in modern life. It focuses on German author Karl Krauss, whose soon-to-be published essays he has recently translated. I’m not… Continue reading
A few weeks back I preached at Activate Church here in Adelaide on Money and Radical Generosity. Despite my voice sounding a bit crook on the day, I always love being with this very… Continue reading
Last year, Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC launched the New City Catechism, with its own free accessible app. For those not familiar, catechisms are uniquely structured clear set of teachings on Christian doctrine. They are… Continue reading
I’ve just gotten back from a great 10 days in the US, preaching at a couple of churches, Grace Midtown and Grace Snellville, and three days of teaching with a big bunch of college students… Continue reading
Those interested in how the economy has reflected and shaped the Australian psyche should check out George Megalogenis’s latest, The Australian Moment: How We Were Made for these Times. Megalogenis is one of my… Continue reading
In July I’m looking forward to speaking at a couple of churches in Atlanta for the first time. On 20th I’m at Grace Midtown, then over the next three days teaching with an… Continue reading
I am an ordained Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia. I am also the elected member for The Park Ward on Mitcham Council. I was asked recently how I… Continue reading
On Friday I read a new book well worth recommending to those struggling to have children. It’s Resurrection Year by Sheridan Voysey. My wife and I having walked part of this journey, I found… Continue reading
On Sunday, my wife Priscilla preached on a fascinating topic: Ordinariness. Drawing from some ‘incidental’ moments from Jesus’ encounters with people in the Gospel of Luke, she spoke about the fact so much… Continue reading
We’ve been unpacking in our new place, and this week my wife stumbled upon this old green tin. I recognised it straight away – it had belonged to my Dad, who coincidently passed… Continue reading
I’ve just returned from the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Blackwood Soldiers Memorial. In Australia, this annual ritual commemorates those soldiers who lost their lives in war. It was, as usual, a… Continue reading
UPDATE: I’ve just heard the news that author Sue Townsend has passed away. Coincidentally, it was the death of Margaret Thatcher almost exactly one year ago that prompted me to think of Townsend greatest… Continue reading
Recent conversations with Christian leaders (from various denominations) highlights a desire for a way of articulating the nature and purpose of the church, with a greater emphasis of the broader context of the… Continue reading
A friend recently requested a recommended audio version of the Bible. I actually love listening to scripture, being swept into the whole grand narrative; and hearing verses afresh brings thoughts to mind which… Continue reading
A while ago, a friend text me a verse: 2 Timothy 1:11, For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I… Continue reading
Last week in preparation for a talk with a non-profit, I conducted an online survey with questions related to values, life-pressures, identity, regrets and hopes. I was keen to see if it confirmed… Continue reading
The folks at Activate Church have podcasted my recent sermon on the The Spirit, Authority & Mission. It’s a more concise version of a talk I’ve been asked to do several times now… Continue reading
I’ve just finished Sarah Martin’s recent biography on Davis McCaughey. For those unfamiliar, McCaughey was a defining figure in the formation of the Uniting Church, personally drafting much of the Uniting Church’s foundational… Continue reading
Starting in late April, I’m doing a weeknightly lecture series ‘Spirituality for 21st Century Disciples‘ at two locations, north and south of Adelaide. It’s a unique opportunity for people to engage in some… Continue reading
