Burnout is not and has never been an individual’s problem. From the very beginning of the use of the term burnout by Freudenberger in the late 1970’s and Maslach in the 1980’s it has been seen as a problem that is created by workplace conditions and characteristics of the work role. This NZ mental health… Read More You are responsible for your pastor’s burnout
“Here at the end of all things” This is a phrase that has echoed in my mind lately. It is a quote from Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien) the quest is over, Frodo has admitted his failure to have the courage to proactively dispose of the ring, Mt Doom is erupting and the quest… Read More Embark on a homeward journey
Today is Saturday – Holy Saturday. Have you noticed how uncomfortable western evangelical Christians are with the Saturday of Easter? It seems that we don’t know what to do with this in-between space, the day in between Jesus dying and rising. It becomes a nothing day, when we go and stand in the supermarket queues… Read More Staying In Saturday
I attended The Justice Conference, here are a few reflections… Read More justice within and without
Changing churches isn’t uncommon for us in New Zealand. Perhaps it is an Auckland thing, or perhaps a kiwi thing. When I first began working with people from overseas they were a bit shocked at how often and how easily New Zealanders change churches. In my work with missionaries often a candidate would not have… Read More should I stay or should I go?
It happened again recently someone asked “How can we get millennials to join our church (or organisation, business or NGO) if they are like this and we are like this”. Sometimes I think we are stuck in a boomerang loop Gen X, Gen Y, Millenials, Gen Z, we seem to be stuck explaining the same… Read More stop saying this about millennials
Last week I found a hair on my chin, it was not from the cat who had been sleeping on my clothes, it was firmly attached and sprouting in that random way that unwanted hairs have. It was a sign that I had to think about something I have been repressing ever since I saw… Read More why every church needs an eccentric lady
Usually in Auckland we don’t think much about our power, at the click of a switch we have light, hot water, all the things we need to make our life comfortable. Last week we became suddenly aware of all the things that require power. A storm damaged the overhead lines that deliver electricity and many… Read More Name Your Power
A few weeks ago Billy Graham died aged 99. My sympathy and prayers go to his family and friends who mourn a real person that was close to them. In many ways, BG was more than just that real person the friends and family knew. He was known to so many of a certain generation… Read More I spent my career fighting Billy Graham
I have been waiting. On Monday I was waiting – silence. On Tuesday I was waiting – silence. Today the silence has become deafening. I don’t feel like I should be the one to raise this after all, I am one of the fortunate ones who can say #notme. But perhaps that makes it easier… Read More silence speaks
Reflecting on Church in NZ 