Open Doors—Will We Walk Through? CMSSS #3
In a world of gospel need, from Sydney to Slovenia, are we as Sydney evangelicals too Sydney-centric? Already this week at CMS Summer School we’ve heard of explicit invitations to the Australian evangelical community from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tanzania (to cite but three examples) to send gospel workers. Moreover, according to Lindsay Brown … Read more
Liberating Integration: CMSSS #2
A solidly Biblical doctrine of creation is powerful and liberating: that’s what I’ve been loving at CMS Summer School this year. Bible-honouring Christians can feel boxed in. If I embrace science and its findings I’m sometimes made to feel I’m betraying Christian belief in creation and respect for God’s Word. On another front if I … Read more
A Cracking Inspiration: CMSSS #1
I’ve been to quite a few CMS Summer Schools, and this year’s is turning out to be a cracker! Here are some highlights for me from the first 24 hours. 1. God is at the centre. The God who reveals himself in the Christian Scriptures stands alone at the centre of his creation: ‘In the … Read more
‘do more’ for 2012 (#3): serve by leading
I work with a fantastic team of people. Seriously. But I think I’ve short-changed them in a key area. The EU Staff team I lead at Sydney Uni is full of Godly, gifted, interesting, committed, fun, thoughtful people: I love working with them every day. My general approach (which was modelled to me on different … Read more
‘do more’ for 2012 (#2): be the dad they need
Being ‘Dad’ to our five great kids is the most constantly stretching thing I’ve ever done. It’s also, in all likelihood, the most significant thing I’ll ever do. Yet it’s disturbingly easy to ‘be the dad that’s convenient (for me)‘ rather than ‘be the dad they need‘. Let’s call this what it is: self-centredness. Actually, … Read more
‘do more’ for 2012 (#1): oftener to the well
It is a waste of time, not an economy of it, to dispense with study, private prayer, and due preparation for your work. [...] We have more cause to pray and read our Bibles than any other people in the world. [...] Having to carry the living water to others, we must go oftener to … Read more
Returning to the digital fray
It’s been a while—two-and-a-half years in fact—since I last blogged. And that initial effort lasted a massive three posts! But with the new year dawning and lots of thoughts charging round my brain (a standard experience for me when ‘on holidays’) it seemed a good opportunity. And even though blogging is ‘so 2009′, I’m bored … Read more
“It’s all about muzzle velocity”
I once had the privilege of hearing Don Robbie, former Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and ex-EU’er from the 1940′s, speak about the significance of the EU’s ministry. “It’s all about muzzle velocity” was his assessment, referring to the heavy guns they saw used in WWII. A shell’s final landing place is entirely determined by it’s … Read more
Just give me reality
So what ought be our next ‘value’ after evangelism in the EU and EU GradsFund ministry? HOLD IT RIGHT THERE – that is precisely the WRONG QUESTION. Values are about what ARE, not what you think OUGHT be. Most strategic plans of Christian groups/churches I’ve been in are inspiring triumphs of day-dreaming with no foundation … Read more
Who do we want to be?
What are your values? It’s an important question – our values define us, shape us, drive us forward. But articulating your values isn’t so easy! They are hard to pin down and identify. Like trying to look at your sunnies when usually you look through them. I’ve been trying to write down … Read more
