Monday, October 15, 2012

An open letter to Guy Sebastian

What would be a good response by Christians to Guy Sebastian's recent comments about his faith?

Here's a pretty winsome attempt by a friend of mine, Nathan Campbell. Well done bro-cous!


The Bible for Christian bloggers

Here's a helpful article a friend from church sent me, for Christians to think about how we're communicating online. By a bloke called Bryan Chappell.



I like a lot of his points. But I especially like how he just seems to be applying the principles of godly character that we Christians are to exhibit in all conversations, not just online.

Here is an especially challenging bit for Christian bloggers. He captures a point I feel pretty strongly about now, having been guilty of this a lot in my time:
Responsibilities for Bloggers

...A blogger may contend that he or she is not responsible for what others say in such open forums. But this defense can be compromised by the blogger's self-interests. At sites known for their edginess, shutting down or refereeing incendiary comments may damage the popularity of the blog.

The "cock-fight fascination" that draws visitors to religious controversy creates ethical pressures for Christian bloggers who believe they best fulfill their mission by garnering more attention for their point of view. The Bible calls them to seek peace, but they have to multiply controversy (or allow commenters to do so) in order to keep their blog visitable and viable (Rom 12:18; Heb 12:14-15).

We will not have means to navigate these issues unless we again agree that the Bible applies in the blogosphere (Ps 24:1). With that agreement, we can examine biblical responsibilities that we personally assume when we post on the internet.

The biblical ethic that primarily should bind us is not maximizing pageviews but faithfulness. If faithfulness should require our failure to succeed in worldly terms, then loyalty to heaven's priorities demands that we fail rather than disregard Scripture.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Why federal politics is getting worse but will get better

Why is Australian federal politics so bad at the moment?

Many years ago I read an article on the Palestinian-Israeli issue that asked why that terrible situation remains perpetually mired in a downward spiral of armed conflict. The provocative answer put forward was simple: no-one has won. After years of conflict, no-one has lost. No one has overcome. No-one has been defeated. And there's nothing like swallowing the bitter pill of defeat to make one side submit to the power (if not legitimacy) of the other. It's a dark thesis. And a damning insight into the true nature of humanity.

In Australian federal politics at the moment, the only thing that seems certain about it's grubby state of affairs is that it can't possibly get any worse. But of course it can and it will. Because no-one has won. No-one won the last election. No-one has been defeated. And after 2 years of conflict, no-one has lost either. It's like we're still in campaign mode. No-one has overcome. And no-one has been made to swallow the bitter pill of defeat. Power doesn't reside with one side; neither does legitimacy. For us, a hung parliament is only a recipe for unceasing and ever-more degrading conflict.

But that's where the similarities end. Our parliament might be plumbing new depths - but at least our leaders aren't using machine guns, tanks, pipe-bombs or ripcords. Our problems are incomparable to the destructive force of that conflict on the other side of the world. Where real 'barrages' and real 'withering attacks' only really destroy.

Now words too can be destructive, of course - but not only destructive. Whereas the conflict in the middle-east seems without end, in a year or so our leaders will order writs for another election. And they'll draw ink, not blood, in doing so. Then one side will win. The other will lose. One will enjoy the sweet taste of victory, the other the bitterness of defeat. And that's when Australian federal politics will get better.
Because someone has won.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Sarah's touring!

In a few days Sarah will be off to tour Australia - every capital city on the mainland - as a backing vocalist for Stuart Townend. I think the order is Sydney, BrisVegas, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne.

You can check out the details here (although several concerts are already sold out!) I understand she might be leading a few new EMU music songs too. But we'll wait and see.

Here's Sarah singing at an EMU Music conference back in 2005. She'd given birth to one of our sons only a few weeks before this gig in Sydney (I got to cradle him in my arms that night). What an amazing woman.



This time, our latest little blessing will be over 4 months old. But still young enough to need to be where Sarah is. So he gets to go too. And of course he'll need a babysitter while Sarah's working.....!

Getting excited.


My Spring holiday Reading review

Well, my Spring holidays are finished. And so are several books. Which were good? Which were bad? Which were gold?

Here's a brief summary.

Danny the Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl. 
3.5 stars. 

Immensely enjoyed reading this to one of my sons at bedtime. We finished in the final week of school last term. The final chapter is simply called 'My father'. Without revealing the ending, that's a fair summary of what this book is about. I'd recommend it to dads to read to their sons at bedtime - great for cultivating the imagination of a 7 year old. And for building your relationship with your boy.

On a final note, it's interesting that such a book was written by Roald Dahl. A genius storyteller as a man who had a less than ideal boyhood. He lost his Dad when he was only 3. Just weeks after losing a sister. As my Uncle once said to me, "We live with our childhood every day."


Going the Distance: How to Stay Fit for a Lifetime of Ministry
by Peter Brain. 
4 stars. 

Also finished this in the last week of last term. Went through a few chapters each week with our trainees at church (and some other staff). Part of their training in 'Theological Reflection'.

You can check out my other posts on this book here. Going through it slowly over a whole term has been exceedingly beneficial. And discussing each chapter with friends. Lots of gold in here to be revisited frequently for those in full-time pastoral work.

The only two critical comments I could make are that some of the illustrations and applications are now dated (rendered obsolete by rapid technological change since it was first written) and that the author, quite understandably, is writing from an Anglican perspective. Some bridging in application is needed if you're a minister in a different Christian church (like my Presbyterian denomination).




The Hunger Games, books 1 and 2, by Suzanne Collins
3.5 stars. 

It's about time I finally got into these, since so many friends recommended them. So these holidays I sat around and read the first 2. WOAH! Fast and furious. Adventurous. Great fun. Dark. And Roman - so very Roman.

The world's made up of 12 provinces ('Districts') all under the heel of 'The Capitol'. 'Tributes' are sent from each district to this capital each year, which is a shining light in a barbaric world. The tributes enter in chariots, are placed in an 'arena' and must fight to the death. It's all very imperial, right down to the Roman names the author drops in ('Seneca' is the Head Gamemaker; 'Venia, Flavia and Octavia' are the heroine's attendants). Of course, the most barbaric place in this fictional world turns out to be at the very heart of the empire.

There're some nice dofts of the hat to Western culture - her great act of ultimate rebellion involves her taking fruit to eat (as well as giving some to her man...) - and there're some subtle critiques too: the shallow, materialistic privileged who live as economic parasites off the poorer peoples of the world; the obsession with spin; the idolatry of perception; the gluttony of the rich.

There's a very cutting line in book 2 about the so-called power of the empire... so 'powerful' just a few berries could bring it all undone. Ouch.

Looking forward to Sarah grabbing the third from the library.


Preaching without Notes, by Joseph M. Webb
4 stars. 

Enjoyed reflecting on preaching while being dislocated from work. A highly provocative book. The title's accurate. He gives 3 main reasons for preaching without notes (not to be confused with preaching without preparation!)

1) To maximise connectedness.
2) To maximise participation.
3) To reflect authentic witness.

It's essentially a 'how-to' book that first has a significant chunk devoted to an apology for his cause. I found his arguments compelling.

The central critique from the author is directed at the obsession we have as preachers to read manuscripts. He quotes:
As to delivery itself, reading is of necessity less effective, and in most cases immensely less effective, for all of the great purposes of oratory, than speaking. Greater coldness of manner is almost inevitable. If one attempts to be very animated or pathetic it will look unnatural. The tones of voice are monotonous, or have a forced variety. The gestures are almost always unnatural, because it is not natural to gesticulate much in reading and they scarcely ever raise us higher than to feel that really this man reads almost like speaking. (p. 20)










Saturday, October 6, 2012

11 reflections on 2 years of being a Pastor

After a whole 2 years as a Pastor, I've been reflecting on some of the things I've been learning. I realise that may sound ridiculous (just 2 years?) but I've got some. So I'm going to list them.

Here're a few tentative reflections:

1) A pastor's job can be the best and worst possible job in the world. At the same time.

2) The best ministry I've done has been an expression of the ministry God has been doing in me. The worst ministry I've done has been an expression of the ministry I am doing for myself.

3) The single, biggest inhibitor to the growth of any ministry are the self-deceptions of those leading it.

4) Intellect does not equal godliness. Nor lack of it. In fact, intellect is no barometer of godliness at all. Some of the smartest people I've met are some of the most foolish. And same with some of the less-intellectually-able people I've met. And vice versa. I hope that makes sense...

5) Lots of people ask to be told the truth in one-on-one conversations. But few really want to hear it.

6) Self-discipline is the single, biggest lack among us pastors.

7) Most of the time, when we think we are finally beginning to ask ourselves the really tough questions, we are barely scratching the surface.

8) Pastoral work can be incredibly isolating. But it can also be incredibly refreshing.

9) Pastors are always dealing with some people for whom 'they are the best of times' and with some for whom 'they are the worst of times'. On any given day you can be dealing both with people of tremendous grief and amazing joy. Changing gears suddenly can be difficult. Exhilarating. Sometimes both.

10) One struggle for a pastor is to be relationally differentiated and personally integrated as a man following Jesus; whereas the constant temptation of his work is to relationally disengage (or overengage) and personally compartmentalise.

11) Perception is not reality. Despite the overwhelming testimony of our culture, reality always trumps perception in the long term. Now, perhaps more than ever, man looks at outward appearances. The pressure for pastors to do the same is incredible. But God looks at the heart.







Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Where do I stand on gay marriage?

Last week discussions began in our federal parliament over amendments to the Marriage Act.

A number of different bills were introduced to legislate, in one form or another, gay marriage. Despite the main bills being defeated, it is an issue which may or may not have run it's course here in Australia. I suspect the issue will remain with us for some time yet.

So where do I stand?

Well, as a Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland (PCQ) I think this letter reflects my position. It was sent by PCQ to our Prime Minister, Ms Julia Gillard, last week. It was drafted by a colleague, friend and brother-in-Christ, then edited by several colleagues of ours - ministers and other thoughtful members of the denomination. Together we form the new GiST ('Gospel in Society Today') team of PCQ.


According to the rules of the church the letter was approved and then signed by both the Clerk and Moderator of  the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. It was also sent to the Opposition Leader, Mr Tony Abbott.

I am hopeful that this letter accurately reflects the actual view of most PCQ ministers now - not just the official view of our Assembly.














































* GBLTI standing for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex.

10 questions I want to ask every morning

Holidays are great for personal reflection if I discipline myself to not think about work. These holidays I've been pondering the one thing I want to really nail this coming term. I've decided I want to ask myself 10 questions each morning when I get up, as I am reading the Bible, praying and journalling my prayers.

Here's the draft list:

1) What attribute of God is worthy of my adoration in this passage of the Bible?

2) What sin do I need to confess at this moment?

3) Thinking through the day ahead, what area of my life do I need to most ask for God's grace in?

4) How is Jesus the ultimate example of this attribute of God, the ultimate solution for this sin and the ultimate source of this grace?

5) Reflecting on yesterday, what was one thing God was wanting me to learn from the unexpected interactions I had with people?

6) Thinking about the conversations I have scheduled for today, where might Jesus be wanting me to put the old man inside to death, and to grow in the new?

7) Who is 1 old friend I will ring today?

8) Who will I write a letter to today, and how might I best encourage them?

9) Who will I pray for now, and how will I pray for them?

10) As husband and father, what is the one thing I can do today to lead and bless my family in a way that changes their lives for the better?

It's a big list. And ambitious. (Probably too ambitious of course, but that's nothing new).
What do you think?

I hope to keep finetuning it over this week last week of holidays.