Articles, thoughts, essays, and content from Brian as well as students – our budding theologians.
Reflections on Transitioning to Retirement: 5 Years On… (Part 2)
My first post on my journey towards retirement focused on what I have been doing in the 5 years since I completed my 17 year stint as principal of Vose Seminary. I worked with the philosophy that an abrupt change from the 60 hour working week of that era to a shattering zero would be unwise, and I’ve now moved to a hopefully long term sustainable 35-40 hour work week. I should probably add that whereas my 60 hour week often involved dealing with stressful situations, I’ve been moving away from stress. There is not none (and would...
read moreReflections on Transitioning to Retirement: 5 Years On… (Part 1)
This is a more personal post as I reflect on the 5 years that have raced away since I finished my time as Principal of Vose Seminary… At the end of 2020 – now 5 years ago – I stepped away from 17 years as principal of Vose Seminary and embarked on a journey of transitioning to retirement. During the Vose era my working week was rarely less than 60 hours, so I thought if I aimed at a 40 hour working week it would feel like a significant and helpful adjustment – and I was right. You can feel quite tranquil when you work...
read moreRefresh: Not such a silent night…
With Christmas 2025 almost upon us, I was struck by how relevant my Christmas 2022 post was. Truly, the more things change, the more they remain the same… Hope this Refresh post from 3 years ago helps orientate you to some deeper truths this Christmas. Refresh: Not such a silent night… Back in the 1990’s I was part of a tour which started in Egypt and finished in Israel. Naturally a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was part of the agenda. I had high hopes for the time, and imagined myself bowing the knee at the...
read moreBecause those who don’t move, don’t notice their chains…
Before I dive into this weeks topic let me acknowledge the devastating tragedy that took place at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday 14 December, when during a Hanukkah celebration, two gunmen shot into the crowd killing 15 people and wounding dozens of others. Yes, Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the birthing of light in the midst of darkness – so it is all so incredibly poignant. Sometimes I comment on events like this, sometimes I don’t. There has been so much commentary around this tragedy that this time I will remain silent...
read moreRefresh: In Your Dreams…
In a world where bad news and tragedy dominates, perhaps it’s time to dream again. And as this Refresh post from May 2023 reminds us, that doesn’t have to be “in your dreams”… Refresh: In Your Dreams… Language tells us a lot about ourselves. Take the three little words “in your dreams”. They really mean, “Don’t even think about it – it’s not going to happen.” It’s a pretty gloomy view of the world and assumes a planet where dreams don’t come true. And if...
read moreSeeing Through Another’s Eyes
It was one of the odder conversations I’ve had. We had just moved to New Zealand and were in a temporary house while the church manse we were to stay at was being finished. Being new, I wanted to get to know our neighbors and seeing the one on our left hand side in his yard, I popped my head over the fence to say hello. He was very friendly and showed interest in who I was and where I was from. I felt welcomed and as though we could become friends. And then a strange thing happened. “This is such a perfect country” he said. “And it...
read moreRefresh: Sabbath as Restoring or Restorying?
As the silly season kicks in and most of us are desperately trying to get on top of too full an agenda, I thought this post from November 2023 would be a gentle reminder to keep first things first. Refresh: Sabbath as Restoring or Restorying? Perhaps the title of this post is a little too clever, but it started as a throw away question in a podcast I was half listening to while going through my paces at the gym. My location is important, as it meant I was trying to follow a thoughtful discussion whilst gasping for breath and wondering if I...
read moreLove in Action: When Words are Not Enough…
I don’t know if you enjoy the Peanuts cartoon characters but in one memorable sketch the ever philosophical Linus bursts out: “I love humanity – its people I can’t stand.” Love is so much easier when it’s theoretical. And there are indeed some extraordinary visions of what love is. St Paul’s portrait in 1 Cor 13 is breathtaking. Do you remember this part of it: “Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the...
read moreRefresh: By Persevering…
Is there a difference between persistence and perseverance? This Refresh post from Oct 2023 says there is, and argues that it is not simply a niggle point. To persist is to keep going; to persevere is to keep going despite adversity. I thought it worth thinking about this again… What’s the greatest predictor of future success? While experts express a range of views, their answers usually include words like resilience, tenacity and perseverance. Those who persevere, reap the reward. Naturally there are limits to this. If you persist in...
read moreBecause “No” is a Full Sentence: When Values Guide Decisions
I’ve always been intrigued by Jesus’ instruction, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt 5:37). It’s refreshingly simple, and an invitation to engage in straightforward speech and make promises that can be trusted. If I say ‘Yes, I will do that’ I should do it. If I need to add 25 qualifiers (provided the weather is good, or I don’t get a better offer, or…), I am in real danger of...
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