Today’s post is the fourth in a series introducing three key factors that I think the church needs to engage well and deeply to move forward into the new future that the Spirit is unfolding. I began with an introduction which you can find here. The first factor was renewing theology (find the post here),… Read More renewing ecclesiology
Today’s post is the third in a series introducing three key factors that I think the church needs to engage well and deeply with if it is to to move forward into the new future that the Spirit is unfolding. I began with an introduction which you can find here. The first factor was theology… Read More renewing community
On the first Monday of each month I offer some reflections on a New Zealand book I have been reading. These are not book reviews, but a reflection on how the book interacts with my story and the questions that I currently have. I share where the book takes me with my questions, whether it… Read More New Zealand Jesus: Social and religious transformations of an image, 1890-1940
“Where are all the young people?” I’ve been at countless meetings where I have been approached by a kindly and passionate older lady who has asked me that question. Statistically in NZ the church is shrinking in people under 60 and growing in people over 60 so probability says our meetings will be dominated by… Read More renewing theology
A few months ago, a visitor came to the church service I attend. She had been part of the church some time ago, and all she could talk about was how it used to be. She told us her memories of the church as it used to be. She expected us to engage with those… Read More the people of God gathered, for today
On the first Monday of each month I offer some reflections on a book I have been reading. These are not book reviews, but a reflection on how the book interacts with my story and the questions that I currently have. I share where the book takes me with my questions, whether it conjures up… Read More reflections on Breaking Calabashes
I wish I had a dramatic tale to tell you. A story of a complete turnaround that caused me to leave a church or organisation (or even more exciting to be asked to leave). I wish I had left because I had a reversal in ideas and ideologies that left me directly at odds with… Read More u-turns and meanders
On the first Monday of each month I offer some reflections on a book I have been reading. These are not book reviews, but a reflection on how the book interacts with my story and the questions that I currently have. I share where the book takes me with my questions, whether it conjures up… Read More reflections on Breaking Calabashes
I wish I had a dramatic tale to tell you. A story of a complete turnaround that caused me to leave a church or organisation (or even more exciting to be asked to leave). I wish I had left because I had a reversal in ideas and ideologies that left me directly at odds with… Read More u-turns and meanders
A fresh year lies before us, it’s pain and pleasures lie tightly furled and hidden from our eyes and ears. As we are swept into the year it can be easy to focus on productivity and tasks, questions like, what do I want to achieve? What do I want to do? How many people do… Read More tend your garden
Reflecting on Church in NZ 