Church: A snapshot of one congregation…
Rosemary and I were in the UK recently and finding ourselves free on the Sunday morning, decided to attend the Church of England service taking place across the road from our hotel. Struggle one was finding the entrance, though once spotted, it was clear enough. There were about 60 in the congregation, and we had gathered for the sung Eucharist – the only service being held that day. I know nothing about the congregation, but several things struck me… There was a warmth of welcome that was very reassuring. An elderly man at the door immediately said to us, ‘I don’t...
Read MoreSex, Wealth, Power and Self: Identifying the Idols of our Time
The Bible says a great deal about idols and idol worship. They are non-threatening passages to read, largely because they seem to have little to do with us, and we can therefore quietly smile at long gone eras who found the pull to bow the knee to idols of silver, gold and brass, irresistible. It is of course startling that the ancient Israelites would dance around a golden calf, when they had experienced Yahweh’s help and provision time and time again… But that was the Israelites for you. You could never depend on their ongoing loyalty beyond next Tuesday – and scripture...
Read MoreManaging Monday with Jean Vanier – take 2
Jean Vanier (1928-) is a theologian and philosopher, known for transforming the way we think about intellectual disability. His work is deeply humane and challenging. Here are some of his thoughts… I am struck by how sharing our weaknesses and vulnerabilities is more nourishing to others that sharing our qualities and successes – Jean Vanier A society which discards those who are weak and non-productive risks exaggerating the development of reason, organisation, aggression and the desire to dominate. It becomes a society without a heart, without kindness – a rational and...
Read MoreReading and Writing Culture…
In Everyday Theology, Kevin Vanhoozer (the key editor of this fine collection of essays) laments what he calls the Great Omission, which he suggests is the failure of Christians to read the signs of the times. He particularly reproaches our inability to read culture and to write culture, and calls on Christians to increase their ‘cultural literacy’, so that we can both engage appropriately with our time, and make our own distinct mark on the world (writing culture). The idea of ‘writing culture’ caught my imagination, and I thought it worth exploring in this post...
Read MorePracticing the presence of people…
You might well be familiar with Brother Lawrence’s classic The Practice of the Presence of God – a wonderful text on becoming aware of God in the everyday. But what do you think about practicing the presence of people. At my home church (Carey Baptist) we are currently working through Peter Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, and on Sunday it was my turn to speak, the topic springing from chapter 9 of the book, ‘Growing into a mature adult: Learning new skills to love well.’ It is in this chapter that Scazzero speaks of ‘the spiritual discipline...
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