sustain:if:able kiwi

intuition and anecdotes in theology

A playful moment today. I am working this week on a chapter on emerging church practices. In trying to make sense of how to proceed, I have been enjoying a book by Max Van Manen, Researching Lived Experience: Human Science for an Action Sensitive Pedagogy.

The book explores how to use lived experience – ours and others – not for mere academic interest, but to be part of transformation – in us and in our spheres of influence. In the book, Van Manen seeks a method by which to be systematic and critically rigorous about lived experience. One way he suggests is by the use of anecdotes. He notes how so often in conversations, people use short stories to make a point.

Anecdotes connect us to real life. They can provide concrete demonstrations of wisdom. They provide experiential case studies. Each anecdote is unique and particular, yet often each anecdote is addressing matters of universal importance.

So I have been looking through my interview data, looking for anecdotes. Surprise, surprise, I found that in the 5 focus group interviews I did, 45 anecdotes were used. Previously I might have dismissed these as examples, difficult to make into nice little sound bites. So probably I would have walked past them.

Instead, today I have grouped these 45 anecdotes and begun to analyse them, each particular, for the emerging practices present in them.

As I have worked, I have also been thinking about the Gospels. And I began to wonder if perhaps they too are in fact a collection, artfully chosen, of anecdotes about Jesus. In John 20:30, we are told that “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.” In describing these signs to each other, the disciples used anecdotes. Which John then declares that he has selected, edited and artfully arranged so that the reader “may believe” and “by believing … may have life.” I love that sense of the Gospel writer daring to tell a universal story by gathering a particular set of particular anecdotes.

But how to connect some anecdotes from an emerging church today with these Gospels as anecdotes?

So this afternoon I spread out the Jesus Deck on the office floor. The Jesus Deck has 52 cards. In other words, 52 anecdotes from the life of Jesus! I spread out these Gospel anecdotes alongside the anecdotes from my interviews.

It is certainly not an approach I’ve used in research before. But it has begun to generate some really interesting conversations. Whether they are dead ends or not, we will see in the coming days.

my study leave world

This is what my world has been reduced to … the lived experience of everyday people (Cityside survey data) being placed alongside mission, methodologies of how to read living experience, theories of curation. Locked in a concrete box called an office, removed from distractions, my world is now smaller, yet, strangely, larger.

a seasonal spirituality of wine making

I was re-reading my sabbatical 08 journal last week. Partly because it was this time a year ago the Taylor family headed off (August 20-Nov 1). Partly because of the news that two of my sabbatical writing projects have been given the green publishing light. (1st, a chapter on the Bible in bro’town accepted for an edited book, published by Semeia Studies, designed to be used in theology and popular culture graduate level courses. 2nd, a paper constructing a pneumatology for engaging popular culture accepted as a book chapter, to be published by Wipf and Stock publishers.)

As part of the sabbatical, I took a 3 day retreat, walking the Riesling trail and re-reading my journal, I found the following quote:

“It begins with the old, dry grown vines gently tendered. Berries gently hand picked at optimal ripeness, producing full-flavoured fruit. Crushed, hard plunged, basket pressed to extract intense juices. Add passionate wine making skills, maybe an influence of oak. And in time …. delicious, full-bodied, flavoursome wines just for you to enjoy.”

It caused me to reflect on seasons; of how vines become laden become harvested become processed become served. What season am I/you/Opawa? What practices and resources are needed for this season? (And all this before you even think about toasts to new wineskins.)

Updated: In honour of this post, I got my Spirituality Of Wine of the shelf and will be reflecting around it’s themes over the next weeks.

some days are better than others

I’m tired of missional church. Too inward a conversation. Isn’t it richer to live a missional life in God’s missional world. Or too broad?

I wrote near 3,000 words today, working on the sabbatical book project. My task was exploring the book of Ruth in terms of mission, change and leadership. Part of my hope is to shift the word missional away from it’s current pairing with the word church, and instead to pair it with lived life. Hence narratives like the book of Ruth, in which missional is not formed around church but around God at work in the life experiences of poor migrants and wealthier business people.

3,000 words is probably my best day’s writing ever, so I’m stoked.

With hindsight, four things helped the writing and one did not. What did help was:
- an emergency pastoral visit, which as I processed it in a cafe afterward, suddenly released a flow of words and got me over the initial writing block
- preaching on Ruth as a peacemaker at Grow with peace a few weeks ago, and the act of preaching forces one to clarify one’s thoughts
- doing a staff/student colloquim at Parkin-Wesley a month ago, on the topic of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz as a missional leader, and the resulting discussion, which was all grist for the mill
- my research assistant, who did a fantastic job working up the Ruth text in preparation for the above colloquim

And what did not help?
- getting up early! I set the alarm for an early rise. But I simply stared at the screen for over an hour, until taking the kids to school and the pastoral appointment kickstarted some writing.

So, today I thank God for the practices of ministry – for pastoral moments, preaching experiences, teaching times.

final sabbatical update

nb: my sabbatical from Opawa has ended, and thus my ability to be away and be secluded in Adelaide. However my sabbatical from Laidlaw College continues, and thus the writing project. So I intend to go out to our holiday home to write Wednesday’s and Thursday’s – pray for this – I have a lot of work to do – basically 2 book contracts and a book chapter to complete.

tuesday morning update

the weekend that was: led the Bible studies at the South Australian Uniting Church synod, offering a missional reading of Luke 1:39-45, which seemed to go really well. I took what I thought were quite a few risks – including doing a communal lectio divina with 350 people, mixing the Magnificant with Paul Kelly, offering open mic feedback – but the response was positive. Then I flew back home ! home ! home ! and ended the weekend as I started it really, doing a lectio divina, of another Luke 1 passage, at our Soak service at Opawa.

where i am at the moment: at home, in our home office, about to head to Opawa – to look at my pigeon hole after 10 weeks away, and to look into the eyes of the staff after 10 weeks away.

on my to-do list this week: not sure, but I suspect that there will be some unexpected surprises somewhere after 10 weeks away.

reading: The Race, by James Patterson, a lightly entertaining read on the flight back from Sydney.

music that’s caught my attention: International traveller by Salmonella Dub.

how i’m feeling about this week: glad – to be home, glad – to be running my river, glad – to be weeding the garden, glad – to be having a cup of tea on our deck.

communion with companions

I wrote the following today for my final chapel service at Parkin-Wesley; seeking to weave theologies of creation and community in relation to communion, mixed with some of my experiences of being here in Adelaide:

For where two or three are gathered
And so God created
gave us earth from which comes grain
gave us water which comes grape
made companions, for it is not good for one to be alone

And so we pause, and in the silence give thanks to God for the companionship of God’s creation

For where two or three are gathered, around table, with friends,
Jesus took bread, broke it, and gave it to them
Some would betray, some would stumble,
some would overpromise, others would underdeliver
“This is my body, which is for you, do this in remembrance of me”

And so we pause, and we give thanks to God for the body,
for our companions at Parkin Wesley, by passing the peace among each other

For where two or three are gathered: this (data projected) moment/image:
taken with my cellphone,
of a wine glass, a McLarenvale Grenache, taken at Samuels George
a Saturday two weekends ago
sitting with companions

And so we pause, and I invite you to name, first name only,
as an expression of thanks to God for the companions  – parents, teachers, lovers, friends – that have brought you to this day,

In the same way after supper he took the cup
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood
do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me”
The “Companion” wine label, a new covenant – God for us, God with us, God among us,

And so we pause, and in the silence invite the Spirit to renew us,
that in grain and grape, our companionship – with God, with each other, with God’s creation – might be renewed

Come, eat, drink,

and then, as an expression of our companionship, we will conclude by saying together the Lords Prayer

sabbatical update 8

Monday morning update

the weekend that was: in Melbourne with friends. they were unable to come to Adelaide, so I had to go to them.  Good to renew relationships with 4 groups of people.

where i am at the moment: Parkin-Wesley, having flown in from Melbourne this morning, but heading off for lunch with a local church leadership team. I’ve got three such conversations this week, joining with local church leaderships for conversations sparked off by my presence and speaking here in Adelaide.

on my to-do list this week: Speaking at Uniting Church Synod, doing a 50 minute Bible Study on Friday morning and again on Saturday morning.  And leaving Adelaide, Saturday, to return home.  So this week marks the end of my “church” sabbatical, although my Laidlaw College sabbatical continues through until the end of the year. I’m sad about that, as it has been such a richly refreshing and profitable time.

reading: Derrida’s Bible. Picked it up at a book sale yesterday for $5 and appreciating the provocative insights around Scripture.

music that’s caught my attention: Coldplay’s Strawberry Swing, and that line “without you it’s a waste of time” and thinking of my family and really missing them and wondering what I’m doing here when they are there.

how i’m feeling about this week: nervous – speaking at the Synod is a big deal and I’m trying some creative stuff and I don’t want to stuff up – and stressed – I have to clear up the relational and physical debris of my last 10 weeks – and unsettled – I have not eaten a meal at home in the last 10 days, what with all the goodbyes and relational stuff – and sad – sad to go, yet I’d be sad to stay. In other words, I’m a complex mess of feeling.

retreating along a wine trail

As part of my sabbatical, I wanted to include some time to retreat, pray and reflect. I have just had a wonderful time completing part (a), which involved walking the Riesling Trail.  I find God best outdoors and when walking, so I really wanted to do something that allowed this.   Plus a few years ago, I came across 10 excellent reflection questions, which I saw on MarkO‘s blog.  So I put the two pieces together over the last few days.

I would walk the Riesling Trail for an hour, pondering a question, surrounded by this incredibly rich mix of history, wine production and art of various sorts. Then I’d stop and journal, often with a coffee or with a tasting mixed in.  It proved very fruitful, helping me focus, opening up some surprising new insights and providing some real clarity on the next steps for my life, including Opawa.  (And I kept the tenth one back, because I think it’s worth talking about as a Taylor team ).  For those interested, here are the 10 questions: (more…)

needing a caption

samuels gorge

sabbatical update 7

Monday afternoon update

the weekend that was: rich weekend – Saturday started with a walk along Brighton Beach, then an afternoon tour of McLarenvale with friends, before a fun dinner party with some relaxed Adeladians. Sunday included ecochurch (it is so nice to be in a church which uses the body in worship) and a walk with an Aboriginal guide around the botanical gardens. Marked a Masters thesis, then did some preparation for speaking at Coromandel Valley Uniting in the evening – a two hour seminar on mission and worship. I’ve refused all preaching, but these people are in a really good process, so I was happy to play a part. I found it a very helpful experience, both in preparation and speaking, and it clarified some ideas around my book.

where i am at the moment: Parkin-Wesley. I have just finished my last Missional Church Leadership class, so am enjoying the post-class sense of relief.

on my to-do list this week: I am off on personal retreat later in the week, planning to walk for a few days, reflecting on God, life, gifts and my vocation/s.

reading: Christopher Wright’s, The Mission of God.

music that’s caught my attention: 1 Giant Leap, The way you dream, as I have been reading Mary’s Magnificant. How on earth did a dream like that get attributed to a peasant teenager girl in a patriarchal society? How do we cultivate such dreamers today? What are my dreams for church and society in my day?

how i’m feeling about this week: excited. Very. Looking forward to the retreat and then a weekend with Melbourne with friends.

sabbatical update 6

Monday morning update (on a Tuesday)

the weekend that was: The Taylor “girls” are heading back to Christchurch this week, so it was “girls choice” weekend. Kayli wanted to attend eco-church and Shannon wanted to return to the Museum to show me some artifacts from Papua New Guinea, including from the tribe of my childhood. We threw in a cruise up the Adelaide River and a lunch at their favourite cafe, Cibo.

where i am at the moment: Parkin-Wesley. Back into a writing groove, and have churned out about 5,000 words on the “opawa story”; charting some of the changes we have made at Opawa. It’s a mix of why we did it and what we did and it’s been fun. We’ve done a lot in 5 years.

on my to-do list this week: I am doing the Bible studies at the Uniting Church synod in a few weeks – about 350 people coming and I have to be Biblical, interesting, interactive, connective, challenging …. yep, got some work to do. I am playing with some “Adventish” Bible passages, which no doubt will reappear at Opawa in December!

reading: just finished a fictional account of life in Iraq before their revolution. Fascinating glimpse into another culture.

music that’s caught my attention: with my family leaving me, it’s lots of Radiohead, In Rainbows, that depressive, ethereal, moody rock.

how i’m feeling about this week: sad. It’s been fabulous having Lynne and the girls with me and we have had such a grand time. I’m so grateful to my hosts for making this possible. But returning to an empty house of memories is going to be very hard.

sabbatical update 5

Monday morning update (on a Wednesday)

the weekend that was: It was a long weekend, so a 3 day trip to Kangaroo Island with sister-in-law and family beckoned. Fascinating part of Australia.

where i am at the moment: Just exiting Najjars cafe, North Adelaide. I have been speaking to about 35 people at a leaders breakfast. I was introduced just as all the breakfasts arrived, making connections and momentum difficult. Grand timing!

on my to-do list this week: Tidy office – there’s been a lot of speaking in the last few weeks, and that means notes everywhere.

reading: Rublevs Icon by Benge. Beautiful book, fascinating exploration of relationship between art and theology over time.

how i’m feeling about this week: relieved. These last 2 weeks have been my “speaking phase”, moving between a wide range of settings and groups. I have enjoyed it and had good feedback ..

“participants appreciated the significant biblical/theological underpinning of mission which you conveyed, with emphasis on the relevance of the Luke 10 sending stories in our own context, and the way in which you told stories of your own faith community’s application of these missional principles in very practical and “do-able” ways. Thanks again Steve.”

But have also realised that I do feel very awkward creating connections in new groups, with a varied audience, when I do not have time to build a conversational rapport. I suspect at the moment that in term of my skill set I am a better teacher than one-off speaker.

sabbatical update 5

Monday morning update

the weekend that was: food and friends – trips to Willunga market and to a local winery. Social catching up with two of the lecturers at Parkin-Wesley. Refreshing.

where i am at the moment:

Tabor College – teaching a class on Living the Bible in a contemporary context with about 22 students. I normally teach this class as a 1 week block course somewhere overseas once a year. The last few years it has been Fuller. This year it is Tabor. Their campus is beautiful – in an old orphanage in a lovely established part of town. The local cafes are great, the technical support has been excellent and I am anticipating an excellent week.

on my to-do list this week: teaching this course well.

procrastinating about: (still) some emails in my inbox. I’m on sabbatical, but they keep rolling in …

next trip: still trying to con friends into houseboating on the Murray River with us. Just about given up.

how i’m feeling about this week: energised and refreshed. I am halfway through my time here and as I jogged this morning, I gave thanks to God for the way that simple things, like no evening meetings, and 2 day weekends, and time with my kids, have started to recharge my soul.

sabbatical update 4

Monday morning update (on a Tuesday)

the weekend that was: a 4 day trip to the outback – lotsa driving, lotsa walking, lotsa gazing in awe at big rocks in dry places, sleeping under stars, singing dingos and camel rides for the kids.

where i am at the moment: Parkin-Wesley with ears blocked. The C in Parkin Wesley is now for Construction, not for College. Office renovations are under way. Do I stay – with internet and security – or do I go to a cafe?

on my to-do list this week: speaking to Churches of Christ leaders here in South Australia on Wednesday. I have spoken twice to Churches of Christ in Victoria/Tasmania, so should be an interesting day.

procrastinating about: some emails in my inbox. I’m on sabbatical, but they keep rolling in …

book i’m in the midst of: Lollipop shoes by Joanna Harris. (A followup to the famous book/movie Chocolat).

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Prefab Sprout – Adromada Heights, track 4 – Life’s a Miracle, a funeral request in honour of the life of blog-friend Tom Allen

next trip: trying to con friends into houseboating on the Murray River with us. trying ….

how i’m feeling about this week: tired – all these weekends touristing! great experiences, tired bodies.