Posts by brian

Stanley Hauerwas – take 3

Posted by on May 28, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Stanley Hauerwas (1940- ) is a noted American theologian, ethicist and academic. Here is a third look of some of his thoughts. For those who would like to read more of Hauerwas, here is a link to Patrik Hagman’s blog which provides a complete guide to his work. For Christians do not place their hope in their children, but rather their children are a sign of their hope… that God has not abandoned this world. Stanley Hauerwas The courageous have fears that cowards never know. Stanley Hauerwas A social order bent on producing wealth as an end in itself cannot avoid the creation of a...

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Why Pastors should (must) Pastor: Seven Musts…

Posted by on May 24, 2018 in Blog | 2 comments

It’s never been easy to be a pastor. Though it is often claimed that contemporary ministry is more difficult and complex than it has ever been, that usually signals that the claimant knows very little about previous periods of church history. For example, I am a Baptist pastor. Is it really more difficult to be a Baptist pastor today, than it was back in the 1600’s when the denomination was first founded? Hardly likely! Do you know what they did to so many Baptist pastors back then? Having said that, it is a challenging privilege to be a pastor – and both are true. It...

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Managing Monday with Stanley Hauerwas: Take 2

Posted by on May 21, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Stanley Hauerwas (1940- ) is a noted American theologian, ethicist and academic. Here is a second taster of some of his thoughts… The great enemy of Christianity in America is not atheism, it’s sentimentality. Stanley Hauerwas As Christians we do not seek to be free but rather to be of use, for it is only by serving that we discover the freedom offered by God. Stanley Hauewas The basis for the ethics of the Sermon on the Mount is not what works but rather the way God is. Cheek turning is not advocated as what works (it usually does not), but advocated because this is the way God...

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Managing Monday with Stanley Hauerwas

Posted by on May 14, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Stanley Hauerwas (1940- ) is a noted American theologian, ethicist and academic. Here is a tiny taster of some of his thoughts… The kingdom, it seems, grows through rejection. Success is not a sign of faithfulness. Stanley Hauerwas You learn who you are only by making yourself accountable to the judgment of others. Stanley Hauerwas Nationalism is a religion and war is its liturgy. Stanley Hauerwas …you need to read the fathers reading Scripture as part of our common life if we are to sustain a sense that we don’t get to make Christianity up. We receive it through the lives of...

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Managing Monday with Desmond Tutu – Take 3

Posted by on May 7, 2018 in Blog | 0 comments

Desmond Tutu (1931-), Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, anti-apartheid and human rights activist, winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize, and chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has consistently championed the cause of the vulnerable, being willing to speak truth to power in a wide range of circumstances. This is our third and final look at some of his insights… Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put all together that overwhelm the world. Desmond Tutu All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in...

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