Articles, thoughts, essays, and content from Brian as well as students – our budding theologians.
Chef or Ingredient: Christian alternatives…
I’ve heard it often enough: “Decide. Are you going to be the chef, or an ingredient?” Be a leader, or be consumed. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said it in slightly different terms at the World Economic Forum in Davos (20 Jan 26) when he cautioned middle power countries “If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.” Beneath both are the sentiment that if you don’t get yourself into a position of power you will be a mere pawn in someone else’s game – not important enough to...
read moreHidden Burdens: Because there is a silent scream in most of us…
I was at church on Sunday with no responsibility for the service other than to be there. It’s great to simply be a worshipper without any need to quietly rehearse your sermon opening, or to second guess it and wonder if you should quickly come up with an alternate. Perhaps it was because I was in that place of settled calm that I was more thoughtful when the service leader invited us to a time of prayer that focussed on the hidden burdens that people carry. He expressed it beautifully. Hidden burdens are – well hidden. Often no...
read moreNot how can I be happy, but how can we be happy: From I to we…
Rosemary and I have been watching Pole to Pole with Will Smith. It’s pretty inspiring, even though I’m not going to raise my hand to visit the spots explored, nor will I be swimming under a polar icecap anytime soon! In an episode on happiness Smith makes a fascinating summary statement that the key question should not be “how can I be happy, but how can we be happy.” In an era characterised by unhappiness and anxiety, this changes our focus from the individualism of the West, to the far longer wisdom of this planet,...
read moreDeciding or Discerning: It’s not always the same…
It was a discussion we were having on our Uber ride to a Baptist World Aid Board meeting. We agreed that we were all familiar with the steps that go into making good decisions. There are many valuable models but here is a common 7 step approach: 1 Clarify the decision to be made (So simple to say – sometimes complex in practice) 2 Gather relevant data to guide your decision (Tap into more than one source) 3 Identify alternatives (And there are almost always some, so beware of those who insist there aren’t) 4 Weigh evidence (An...
read moreBecause Everything Depends Upon You, and Nothing Does…
If you’ve spent more than three minutes in theological circles you will have come across the free will/ predestination debate. An astonishing number of theological, philosophical and practical issues come back to it. Am I the author of my own destiny, or a pawn in a wider plan? The pawn option doesn’t need to be trivial. After all, while I may strut around with a sense of great importance in a tiny pool of my own making, does that really compare to the honour of being a pawn in a game that is Universe and eternity wide? Now...
read moreOn Knowing Who You Are and Whose You Are…
One of my strangest pastoral conversations was with an elderly member of the congregation who asked if I would be willing to keep the headstone for her grave in the garage at the church manse, until it was required. She told me that at her age, she liked to have everything ready and in order, and the headstone was all made – Her full name was on it, plus the date of her birth and, if my memory serves me correctly, just two words: “Greatly Loved”. All that was needed was for the date of her demise to be added. She said that...
read moreBecause it’s not about position but trajectory
With the school year about to get under way, I’ve been involved in several staff Professional Learning days. I always enjoy leading days like this – especially towards the start of the year when people are fresh and motivated for what lies ahead. One of the topics we looked at has stuck with me. It can be summed up by the comment, “It’s not about position, but trajectory.” In other words, it is not where you are right now that really matters, but where you are likely to be if you carry along on your present...
read moreWhen Heroes Fail: Thoughts on Philip Yancey and other Mortals…
I wasn’t going to write this post. There has been more than enough publicity given to Christian author extraordinaire Philip Yancey’s announcement of his 8 year affair with a married woman, and other than saying “It’s not the first time something like this has happened, and it is highly improbable that it will be the last” I didn’t think there was much I could add to the discussion. While I am always willing to face and discuss reality, I try not to wallow in what has gone wrong, or to point the wagging...
read moreLet go or be dragged…
Rosemary and I are going through an interesting experience. A year ago we decided to “right size” and signed up for a new, significantly smaller home which is currently being built. It is well under way and we are probably about 4 months from move in date (and my, builders are evasive if you try and pin them down to a date. Don’t misunderstand me, they have been wonderful in every other way, but what started as “perhaps by Christmas 2025” is now “probably by the second quarter of 2026”.) Our new home...
read moreRemembering who you are… 5 Reminders for the New Year
Apparently 88% of people break their New Year resolutions within 2 weeks and only 8% are following them at the year end. Given that most say they will achieve things without having thought through a realistic plan, that’s not too surprising. We often set ourselves up to fail by making improbable pledges that are hard to implement. When we assure ourselves that we will go to the gym every day, we are sabotaging our likelihood of success because once a day is missed, the goal can’t be met, so after a missed day or two, why not give...
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