Saturday, August 13, 2005

processing my time/space continuum

This week I had three learning institutions enquire about me teaching block courses with them. One was in the US, two were in different places in New Zealand. I held a fourth conversation about some teaching in Australia. I’d love to be doing block courses in different places, and being with students wrestling with life and faith today.

Yet I also have responsibilities as father and husband to three excellent people, pastor of a growing and complex church and lecturer. And some of you like the spare time I put into this blog and some of you also appreciate the time I put into writing.

Does anyone out there have any ideas on how I can manage such requests without over-stretching my time/space continuum?

Posted by steve at 05:09 PM

Monks at a Belgian abbey have been forced to stop selling their famous beer after it was voted the best in the world and was promptly sold out.

The abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren in western Belgium is home to some 30 Cistercian and Trappist monks who lead a life of seclusion, prayer, manual labor – and beer-brewing.

Link

Posted by steve at 04:59 PM

Friday, August 12, 2005

cafe church planter wanted in sydney

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This looks a great opportunity in inner-city Sydney. Hope Street (cool tagline: Innovating Christian Community, Empowering the marginalised) is seeking a ministry team leader for its church planting and community development work in Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. You’ll need to have leadership experience in Christian ministry and an aptitude for working on the margins of church and society.

It seems they have sold a church and are wanting a cafe church planter. I spent a few days with them in 2001 and really like them. You can download full information and application process from here:

Posted by steve at 05:13 PM

Thursday, August 11, 2005

first day of my new job

I did my first “day” at a new job today. I was asked to review a Film Festival movie, called Sedition, for a New Zealand denominational magazine. They paid for tickets and a writing fee, and (I hope) get a funky film review.

I get to add to my stash of film reviews (as model assignments for the BCNZ gospel and film course), to publicise myself as a gospel and film lecturer and to spread some of my ideas. And above all, to enjoy a movie.

The first thing I discovered was that reviewers have mana. The movie theatre offered me a free ticket in exchange for a “good review”! If the trial goes well, it might become monthly and regular. I’m suggesting syndication in New Zealand!

Posted by steve at 06:08 PM

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

WWJS (where would Jesus sit?)

I am teaching a class on being Kiwi, being Christian at the moment. Tomorrow we are exploring the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. I am raising questions of justice, facing the past, Christianity and post-colonialism. I mean, where would Jesus sit in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi? As part of stirring the pot, I’m going to be using an artpiece of Douglas Coupland’s (photo taken by John Drane). View image – 120K

Posted by steve at 02:58 PM

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

the liberation of a missional leadership text

On Sunday I began a series on leadership (the sermon is available here, along with some discussion questions for study groups). I am concerned that leadership is often reduced to certain styles and personalities. So I find 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:21 liberating. Paul uses 6 different images to describe his leadership.

Paul has planted some house churches in Corinth (done the “apostolic” thing). Now there appears to be conflict over leadership. Paul continues the “apostolic” thing (perhaps working to protect the missional DNA of this early church plant?), by tackling understandings of leadership. He then offers 6 different images of leader; Servants; Workers; Builders; Resource managers; Cross carriers; Parents. To me this is wonderfully liberating and offers a whole new range of leading.

In honour of Al Hirsch, and in some good-natured Tasman-banter, I am calling this the “SWBRCP” model (not as easy to say as APEPT, and therefore unlikely to be as catchy, I know:)). A few weeks ago, when I wondered aloud about the APEPT model, Alan commented back:
“suspect many of you would not like to be part of genuine missional movements because of your reserve on so many things. How are we every going to change things if everyone is so touchy about basic biblical ministry?”

So in honour of being so “touchy” about being Biblical and missional, I offer the “SWBRCP” model; arising from the missional ministry of 1 Corinthians. For in the wonderful diversity of God, some are called to be apostolic leaders as servants; others as workers, others as builders; others as resource managers; others as cross carriers; others as parents.

Now I am not suggesting that this “SWBRCP” model should have books written about it. Heaven forbid. Rather, I wonder, if given that Paul can suggest both SWBRCP and APEPT, perhaps we are being offered uniquely creative leadership for every different context. I find this missionally liberating.

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Posted by steve at 12:43 PM

Monday, August 08, 2005

post-it prayers

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This has worked well the last two Sunday evenings. Invite two people to stand with their backs to the audience. Give out post-it stickers and invite the rest of the congregation to write “thanks God for” prayers on the post-it’s, and place them on people’s backs.

Its a fun and interactive way to pray. It uses gifts of encouragement (which, according to the apostle Barnabas, are at the heart of the missional church). For it’s impact, on Amy, (who is part of the ministry team at Opawa) read here.

Posted by steve at 11:13 AM

Friday, August 05, 2005

colouring our worship

Context: I have been thinking about how to name the wide range of emotions and experiences people bring to church. I am going to try this on Sunday and am wondering if it could become a regular part of our Sunday morning congregation.

Environment: cross at front, colour paint chips in baskets around church.

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Posted by steve at 12:15 PM

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Excuse me while I scream

I had to send the following email yesterday:

Hmmm. I think a major oops has happened here. I have nursed a guilty conscience all this year cos you sent me an email after [the conference] asking for something written and I didn’t think I’d sent anything, hence my nursed guilt.

Then in June I met [another of the conference organisers] and he thanked me for my contribution to the [conference] book. I was puzzled.

Now I understand. At the end of the conference I gave participants a copy of part of a chapter from my out of bounds church book. And it appears that you have typed in by hand, then edited that chapter (you will be the 3rd person to do it, since Zondervan did it twice also!) Big scream all around – either of laughter or pain, I am not sure.

The upshot …

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Posted by steve at 03:43 PM

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

some good news

For those who don’t read the out of bounds church? book blog, I’ve been smiling for the last few days because a complimentary copy of my out of bounds church? book arrived on Monday, with the news that my publishers have commissioned a second print run. So I am quietly thanking all those who have brought copies and made this possible.

Note: (I set up the out of bounds church? book blog to offer various extras in relation to the book – like the original postcards in colour, like sections cut in the editing process, like my responses to questions emailed to me by book readers and also to collect all the reviews and blog comment/ary on the book.)

Posted by steve at 02:24 PM

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

it is a beautiful book

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Early this year I was asked to write an article for a German artist, Sieger Koder. I said yes, intrigued, but a bit cynical about what would result.

I got the result over the weekend. It is a beautiful book. It is hardcover and A4 size. It is full colour on glossy pages. It features the gorgeous art of Sieger Koder. It is written in German, apart from one chapter, written in English. That chapter is mine. I am very proud to be part of such a beautiful book. I love the fact that in the grace of God I get to write words for an artist in a foreign country. It’s a long way from a scrawny kid growing up in a jungle in Papua New Guinea.

For more on the book go here. For a summary of the article, go here.

Posted by steve at 09:37 AM