Ilamspace Musings

January Vacation!

2007-01-12T13:11:00.000+13:00

Sorry if you have been looking to see what is going on at Ilam. There are services every Sunday at 10.30am at the Ilam Primary School. These services are taken by various people from the Congregation as Ernest has concluded his ministry at the Church and they are now awaiting the arrival of Rod and Steph Robson who are to be the new Pastors sharing the position.
The Welcome day for the Robsons is the 4th February. No time has been set at the time of this posting. However phone the Church office after the 28th January when Fraser will have returned from his mission trip to China, and he will advise you about the times etc.

Sunday 24th December

2006-12-20T10:56:00.000+13:00

This Week:
What is in a name? That is the question we will ask as we meet for worship today. Of course as it is Christmas Eve the particular name that we will be considering is the name of "Jesus." Does it have a meaning? If so what is it?
We will sing Christmas Carols as we prepare for the coming of the Christ.

Next Week:
We will start a series of at least three Sundays when we meet informally outside. (Weather permitting!) Each Sunday the leader will have a topic for discussion as well as songs to sing while the children enjoy the play ground. If it is wet then the programme will be in the Hall. Steve Muir will be the leader on the 31st.

Text for today:
...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21

From Ernest and Margaret:
This will be our last Sunday with you as Pastor ad Wife. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Church. We have appreciated your openness and welcome. This has been a year when have learned many new ways of being a Christian in a receptive congregation. It has been a privilege to get to know you all and to share your difficult times as well as your more exciting ones. We are sure that God will richly bless your renewed ministry in 2007 and beyond.

Sunday 17th December

2006-12-13T09:50:00.000+13:00

This Sunday
Ray, Debs, and Ernest will share their reflections on the recent Baptist Assembly that they attended in Nelson. It was a time of great encouragement and also challenge as we think about the shape and pattern of the Church in future days. The chidren will have a Craft Day.
The reading that is appropriate for these reports is: Hebrews 10:24 and 25.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Next Week:
10.30am Christmas Eve Family Service with carols and stories. There will also be an opportunity to farewell the Stevensons.
Note there will not be a Christmas Day service at Ilam Baptist.

Sunday 3rd December

2006-11-29T15:31:00.000+13:00

This week:
"What about Prayer?" is the topic for this Sunday. The text chosen is from the letter of James chapter 5 and verses 13 to 18. Parts of this text are often quoted but today we will look at what James says about prayer as a response in all circumstances, that prayer is a group activity and that prayer should make a difference.

Next week:
The Children of Galaxy Club will join us for their end of year sharing and fun. There will also be something from SPF13 and the Youth Group.

Sunday 26th November

2006-11-22T10:39:00.000+13:00

This Week:
10.30am Alison Daly and Noel Marceau will be leading the service and their topic is "the sound of silence!"
Also Frederick and Maryse Rohs (Esther's parents) will be sharing about their personal experiences of ministry in Asia.

7.30pm. All who belong to the Ilam Baptist Congregation are invited to a presentation by the Pastoral Search Committee and the Leadership team with a recommendation for a call to the position of Senior Pastor for the Church. After the presentation there will be a time for questions and then prayer before a vote will be taken by secret ballot.

Next Week:
Ernest will be speaking from a passage in James 5:13-18. "What about Prayer?"

Sunday 19th November

2006-11-15T16:36:00.000+13:00

This is the third in the series of topics requested in a recent survey of the Church members. The first was about "Heaven" and the second two weeks ago about "Ilam's perception/interpretation as to whether it is OK to have sex before marriage." The texts for both of these messages are now on the Ilamrave Blog. If you would like to know something of the interesting discussions afterwards you will need to talk to someone who was present.
This week the requested topic is "The wrath of God." God's wrath is mentioned more than 150 times in the old and New Testaments. What does it mean for us, and perhaps more to the point what does it mean for others in our community especially when we consider that God is also known as a God of mercy and grace?

Sunday 5th November

2006-11-02T10:16:00.000+13:00

This week:
Recently as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations we did a survey of the congregation. One of the questions asked for suggestions for Sunday messages. So two weeks ago we discussed 'Heaven' and this week we will look at the topic, "what is the Ilam perspective/interpretation on whether or not it is OK to have sex before marriage." An interesting topic!

Next Week:
Our guest speaker will be Andrew Tisch.

Sunday 29th October

2006-10-26T16:03:00.000+13:00

This Week:
Our guest speaker today is Mr John Exton. John, who will be known to many of us, is the manager of the Kingdom Resources Trust, a community ministry of Spreydon Baptist Church. On their website they say, "Kingdom Resources is about bridging the gap. We try to bring people and resources together where they're needed most. We call it the 'Money-Go-Round'." As a Church we at Ilam have funds invested, at no interest, with the Trust.

Next Week:
Ernest will be speaking on another topic requested in the 10th Anniversary survey - The Ilam perspective/interpretation on whether or not it’s Ok to have sex before marriage.

Sunday October 22nd

2006-10-19T11:29:00.000+13:00

This week:
As those of you at the AGM heard there has been a request for a message on the "Perceptions of Heaven." So that is what we will attempt this Sunday. Where is it? What will we do there? What is paradise? Is there really a heaven to look forward to? Will I know my husband and family? These are just some of the questions that have been suggested. You may have more.

Next Week:
Ernest will be in Blenheim celebrating with the folk there the 50th anniversary of the Church. The speaker at Ilam will be well known to some - John Exton of Kingdom Resources Trust.

Sunday October 15th

2006-10-11T09:53:00.000+13:00

The apostle John in his first letter is very concerned about Christians knowing and sharing the truth. Of course he is particularly concerned about the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. In this day and age we are faced with more and more challenges to the idea that it is possible to know the truth. John has something to say about that also. Our reading is 1 John 2:18-27.

Sunday October 8th

2006-10-04T10:27:00.000+13:00

This week:

Our guest speaker this Sunday is Peter Majendie. Peter worships at Opawa Baptist and has been responsible for several thought provoking Christmas and Easter presentations on their grounds. Last Christmas the presentation was able to be displayed in Cathedral Square drawing a good viewing audience.
Today Peter is to tell us, amongst other things, of his plans for this Christmas. He is keen to see more people involved with these creative witness times. If you would like to know more, speak to Peter after the service.

Annual General Meeting.

This will be held at the conclusion of this morning's service. All are welcome to stay. Annual reports are available on the table at the entrance.

10th Anniversary Meetings.

The Anniversary activities last weekend went very well. The session with Dr Alan Jamieson on Saturday afternoon was based on the stages of faith. Then we had dinner in the evening with much talking and reminiscing especially over camp ads and fun.
Sunday morning saw us at breakfast. (That is those who put their clocks forward the night before!) Then the Service gave opportunity to reflect on 10 years as an independant Baptist Church and hear from Murray Robertson and Alan Jamieson who were both instrumental in the foundations of the home group which eventually became the Church.
The Saturday afternoon was filmed as was the Sunday morning service. It is intended to make a DVD of these sessions. Contact us if you would be interested.

10th Anniversary Weekend

2006-09-26T10:42:00.000+12:00

Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st of October mark the 10th Anniversary of Ilam as a Baptist Church.
The beginnings were back in 1982 when a home group from Spreydon met in the Ilam School Hall. At that time they were still part of Spreydon Church which was going through space problems due to numbers attending.
After a while Alan Jamieson was appointed as the Pastor for the group. In 1995 when a new building meant that groups could all be accommodated at Spreydon, the group at Ilam decided that they would rather continue on as a separate Church. By this time Alan Jamieson had moved on to Wellington Central Baptist. In 1996 the Church was constituted as a Church affiliated with the Baptist Union of New Zealand.
Soon Alistair McKenzie and then Colin Wood became Pastors of the new Church.
Now 10 years later they have both moved on to other roles and the Church is in the process of searching for a new pastor.
This weekend there will be a seminar led by Alan Jamieson on Saturday afternoon. At this semnar he will share some of his developed ideas since leaving Ilam.
Saturday night will be a dinner and informal dance evening with a showing of items from the past, such as camp advertisements and other personal memoirs.
Sunday morning there will be a Breakfast (Gold Coin collection) at 9.30am followed by the morning service at 10.30 in which Murray Robertson will speak and Alan Jamieson will bring a message.

Sunday 10th September

2006-09-07T11:30:00.000+12:00

Guest Speaker is Aaron Routhe. Aaron and his family are new to Ilam this year. Aaron heads up a programme based at Living Springs for students from the USA who come for a semester to study how Christians can be more aware of the creation around them and therefore care for it.

Sunday 3rd September

2006-08-30T11:14:00.000+12:00

Last week Rachelle led us to think about Christian growth. Several people shared their struggle with this concept. But today I want to go one step backwards: how can we recognise a Christian? Are there any defining features? The Apostle John has something to say about this topic as do other New Testament writers.
The questions that it raises for me are:
Is it important that we know if we are a Christian? (How do we recognise we are?)
Is it important that we know who else is a Christian? (How do we recognise they are?)
Is it important that we know why we are a Christian?

The reading for the day will be 1 John 2:3-11

Sunday August 27th

2006-08-24T11:41:00.000+12:00

This Week:
The topic is “Soul Morphing.”
Rachelle Martin has coordinated a range of people and ideas for our edification.

This Year:
Ilam Baptist is 10 years old. So we are celebrating on the weekend of 30th September and 1st October.
On Saturday we have a seminar with Alan Jamieson, 'What comes after the Churchless Faith?'
Saturday evening will feature a catered meal and then an evening of memories and dancing.
Sunday morning we will have breakfast together before the morning service in which Murray Robertson has been asked to speak.
If you are interested in attending send a message to ilambap@xtra.co.nz for details.

Sunday August 20th

2006-08-16T11:18:00.001+12:00

This week:
We move on to John's first letter. As with the earlier letters we come across a concept which needs unpacking if we are to understand it in a Christian context. The topic is "Christian Fellowship." How does this compare with friendship? What is special about it? As a Church we are proud to have a good reputation for Christian Fellowship. Is this correct? Do we really understand what it is and how it can be maintained? Where is God in all of this?
Our reading today is 1 John 1 :1-10.
John first of all gives us a summary of his credentials as it were. How does he know what he is writing about? John then defines Fellowship with God. He writes about how to be enlightened by God and what happens when we find the relationship channel is blocked. What is 'sin' that he writes about? Where does confession and forgiveness fit in to all of this?
Be prepared to share your thoughts at the conclusion of the message.

Sunday August 13th

2006-08-10T10:26:00.000+12:00

This Sunday our guest speaker is Warren Judkins.
He is speaking on 'Judging Others' and his text is Matthew 7:1-6

Sunday August 6th.

2006-08-02T11:40:00.000+12:00

The Apostle John, who is credited with writing the second letter of John we are studying this week, was also known as the "Apostle of Love." This was because that topic appears so often in his Gospel and letters. However as we in English only have one word to cover a variety of types of love it seems that often we mistake what John is writing about with the general type of love we experience in our daily lives.
So this week we will try and find out about God's love, which is what John is writing about. Is it a love that we can practice? Or only a love that we can talk about and be glad to receive from God?
Where does truth fit in with love? John gives both great emphasis. What does that mean for us? We live in a society where 'tolerance' is the important philosophy. Does this mean that right and wrong can only be personal and not something that we can require of others?
Be prepared to share your thoughts at the conclusion of the message.

Sunday July 30th

2006-07-31T15:47:00.000+12:00

Delta Community:

Over a number of years people from Ilam Baptist have been involved with the work of the Delta Community based in a building on North Avon road next to the North Avon Baptist Church. Today Pastor Tony McCahon and Marlys Piper are going to tell us more about the work done at Delta.
Several others are already assisting with Budgetting advice, and we have some Ilamites on the Board of Delta. Weheard that the community in that area are well served by the workers, both paid and volunteer at Delta. Marlys has a particular interest in assisting refugees but many others receive assistance through counselling, food bank and activities at the Centre.
Monday nights are when the Delta Community Church meets and these are lively meetings for many who otherwise find it difficult to get out or who need a fellowship that is warm and accepting. If you would like to know more or perhaps find out about volunteering please contact Tony or Marlys at the Centre.

Sunday July 23rd

2006-07-20T09:51:00.000+12:00

A Healthy Soul?

Do we ever consider that our soul might or might not be healthy? John writing to a friend (John’s 3rd Letter) comments on the health of his soul. Should we think about such a thing?
In 1907 a Dr MacDougall of Massachusetts tried weighing bodies before and after death to see if there was any difference in weight due to a departing soul! He concluded that there could be as much as a 21gram weight loss! Many others do not agree.
If our soul is that part of us that relates most to God what effect can its health have on us? Can others observe whether our soul is healthy or not? Should we be concerned about it?
Psalm 43 and 43 were once a single Psalm written by a worship leader who was being forcibly prevented from not only doing his job but from even going to the Temple! He felt his soul was cut off from God!
Can we maintain healthy souls? Should we?

Sunday July 16th

2006-07-13T09:57:00.000+12:00

This Week:

Today our guest speakers are Wendy and Steve Tripp. Steve and Wendy and their two children Isaac (11) and Niam (5) are looking forward to going to work with Servants in Cambodia in the New Year. They will be working there alongside Ephran and Becky Roxas who have been sent out from the Philippines.
Wendy is an artist who has been involved with Servants since the 1980’s and Steve is a medical doctor. The family has been to Cambodia before for short term periods. Steve was also a member of a pioneering Servants team sent to Aceh, Indonesia where he assisted with relief work following the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Missionscope have invited them to come and meet us all so that we might know them better as we pray and give them financial support in the new work they will be doing in Cambodia.

Tonight:

An Open Leadership Meeting to which everyone is invited. As a Church we have two or three such meetings in the year where in an informal atmosphere we can meet each other, seek clarification and encourage each other in the work we do together as a Church. (See details elsewhere)

Next Week:

Ernest is speaking from 3 John about ‘A Healthy Soul?’ The other key passages to read will be Psalms 42 and 43.

Sunday July 9th.

2006-07-04T11:56:00.000+12:00

As you can tell from the previous posting Ilam Baptist has now gone PC! (Post Colin) His contributions will be greatly missed but hopefully, after a brief time of respite, we will see his questing presence again in blogland.

John 14:15-17
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

Following our studies in Acts several people asked questions about the Holy Spirit. "What is the Holy Spirit?"
Today we will hear the message prepared for Pentecost Sunday (June 4) but which was pre-empted by a guest speaker.
This message was also prompted in part by a letter from a friend who is corresponding with a childhood acquaintance about what it means to be a Christian. The comments of the acquaintance and her understanding of what it means to be a Christian reminded me very much of the situation in Samaria. It seems that many of us may be in the place where we are content with knowing the forgiveness of sin, even being friends with God, but should there be more? And if so what place does the Holy Spirit play in it?

So long and thanks for all the (loaves and) fish

2006-07-04T11:36:00.000+12:00

Thanks Ilam. Colin here. Last post... Ilamspace is handed over to the capable hands of Ernest and Fraser. All yours guys. Have fun, post, or wind it up. All your call.
Fare well.

Prayer and denying yourself

2006-05-15T08:47:00.000+12:00

Yep, we're in the midst of a short series focused on prayer and self denial. I have a love/hate relationship with this. The world does have dramatic needs. I think that Bono was right to say that the way we answer these questions is what History will judge us by.
But Couch Potato Colin, would rather not bother. He wants to enjoy life and not to feel guilty or have to struggle through the minefield of development issue.
(sigh)
Let the battle commence.

Random acts of Mission

2006-04-18T09:36:00.000+12:00

We're skipping forward a bit in Acts to the latter part of Acts 8; the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Enuch. There's been an interesting pattern coming out of Acts, there is a movement here. First the jews, then the Hellenist Jews, then the Samaritan Jews, and with the Enuch, a 'god-fearer' outsider is introduced to Jesus.
For me this story raises all our mixed feelings about evangelism. It reads a bit like those christian paperbacks where everything happens magically. There's inspiration in a story like this, but it is accompanied often by an uneasy feeling as when we do an inventory of our own lives, we seldom can point to the same kind of story... Or can you ?
There's also a bit to the baptism.. In my time as a minister I notice that the question is often asked... so why should I get baptised ? Seldom do I hear the question the ethiopians question "What is to stop me..". I wonder why that is ?

Caught at cross purposes

2006-04-12T08:53:00.000+12:00

Easter approaches. Maundy thursday tomorrow night, then friday and sunday. Wow I really know my calendar. It's a low key Easter for us at Ilam, but don't let that stop you. Why not hit an Easter friday service, or catch one of those Jesus movies with the kids... take the time to think about why a saviour might find himself at cross purposes.

The times they are a changing

2006-04-05T11:12:00.000+12:00

If you have wondered why this blog has been increasingly quiet... well one of the reasons went public on sunday. I've been having to wrestle with what I am doing at Ilam and what God might be saying... It's been a journey that I didn't think was appropriate to share on the web but now that it's public I can put it out there...
This is roughly what I said on sunday.

"It's become clear to me and Linda that our time at Ilam is coming to a end. So I'm letting you all know that I'm resigning. Life is often not as simplistic as we'd like and I can't give one simple reason for this. We came to Ilam wanting to love, serve and follow Jesus. I've loved the journey that Ilam has been on and my involvement in shaping that journey. I'm deeply grateful for the chance to serve and get to know many of you. You are amazing. If you are a snapshop of church (a gathering of God's people) then Church is truly awesome. You are awesome. I have loved the chance to be involved in a community that has wanted to be missional, that has valued participation, that has allowed people to think honestly. I have been grateful to work alongside Alistair as a friend and co-worker and learn about how to work in a church with someone who has a deep grounded spirituality.

It looks to me like the next phase of Ilam's journey will have different needs from it's pastors. At this time I find that I am less engaged and involved in shaping Ilam's future. By resigning I clear the slate for the call committee and the leadership team as they dream of futures for Ilam. A new minister won't feel she/or he has to worry about treading on my toes. It allows you as a community to decide what your priorities are, without worrying about what your pastors think.

It also allows me to start thinking seriously about what is next for me and for my family, something that you'll understand requires some attention. Where I pour my time and energy next is uncertain for me. So Linda and I and Eleanor and Caitlin would value your prayers and support at this time.

Ernest is a good man, I have enjoyed working with him and look forward to the next 3 months of working with him. I think that God has work for Ernest to do here and he brings particular skills and life experiences that Ilam needs at this time. I am grateful to God for his presence, my resignation is in no way linked to Ernest's presence.

This is not the end of the world, There is grief for us in this decision, as we have grown to love and value you guys, this community. It's been more than 7 years of our lives. So for some of you our decision will bring sadness and I am sad to cause it. The journey with Jesus is sometimes surprising, often challenging, but always worthwhile. As we set our faces to this next phase of our journey we wish you all the best in yours."

So there you go, that's the gossip almost straight from the horses mouth. Not sure what this means for this blog. I'll certainly let it go in three months time.

Lois and Deb spoke really well on sunday. We taped it, if you are interested we can cut a CD for anyone who was away. We'll try to be in the habit of taping stuff in the future... But not this Palm sunday as it's an all age service and my guess is that it won't be taping material.

The Germ of the idea behind it comes from having been to a couple of A&P shows of late. The Oxford Show (in which my daughters competed in Highland Dancing and won lots of medals) and the Tapawera A&P show. In each of these there's a parade, where people show off the stuff they are most proud of. Children ride horses, drag cows or pet sheep around a field. Farmers sit in their shiny John Deere Tractors followed by trailors of some bizzare agricultural machinery (some of which looks like it came out of the Matrix movies). Everyone parades what they are proud of...
This theme of thanksgiving and rejoicing in the stuff of now is what we'll visit this Palm sunday.
So if you come, come thinking about what you can thank God for. What are you proud of...

Camp

2006-03-27T10:31:00.000+12:00

Saturday was a great day for outdoor persuits.
Sunday a bit cooler and more clouds.
Sunday morning we had time to find out how Peter encourages those Christians who feel like strangers in their own land. A minority who find it hard going.

the kingdom of God is a place/space where...

2006-03-08T01:21:00.000+13:00

We passed out pieces of paper on sunday with the following phrase :

The kingdom of God is a place/space where

This is what people wrote ...

- All are welcome

- Love is expressed and live unconditionally

There is no condemnation – God takes all our burdens
The longer you are there, the more you want to be there (Only you are completely satisfied by the presence of God in spite of this)
Creativity cascades and effervesces
you want to be different
The Good in everyone is seen and the bad doesn't matter

What would you write ?

Acts 3-Act5

2006-02-22T15:03:00.000+13:00

Seemingly from out of nowhere the christian church appears. They have everything in common at first, then its simply a matter of selling and giving to those in need. There are healing and miracles, and a public reaction. Luke contrasts the reaction of the leaders of the Jewish organisations and of the people (Remind you of anyone ?). The leaders are more concerned about power than healing, authority than action.
And then there is the shocker of the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Full of ironies this story touches on issues of land, power, and truth. I hear echos of the garden of eden, and of the temptation of Jesus in it. It's a shocker because if anyone who lies was struck dead in church. Our churches would be pretty empty.
This does however emphasize an issue of purity.. and of standing apart from society. What would our equivalent be ?

2006-02-15T13:06:00.000+13:00

Gidday. I've shifted my day off from friday to monday, which means this won't ever get updated on a monday. Oh well. The original idea was to update people on the direction that the sermon/service was going. Sometimes it's so itching to jump out that it's hard to stop writing here. Other times I just haven't got a clue early on in the week.
We're realing Acts 3. but the community theme continues. We have a hunger for and a fear of community. Finding it in New Zealand is tricky. The height of our fences has grown. We have become more insular and isloated as a people. As followers of Jesus we have to wrestle with how we should live. What shape of living reflects Jesus to our culture and it has to cross over with our culture. Peter and John have to pass the beggar to see him. How do we do this ?
What kind of community should we seek to create and what are our proximity spaces ?
Food for thought....Hmmmm.

God did it first!

2006-01-31T15:17:00.000+13:00

Planning.
Its not as modern as it sounds.
This Sunday we will find out how and why God did it!
Peter's first sermon tells all.

Also we will farewell the Mathias family as they set off for India.

Pentecost

2006-01-22T23:12:00.000+13:00

This coming sunday kicks off with us looking at Pentecost. You might not have to wear flame retardent clothing as I'm off on holiday- Ernest is up -It'll be good..

The first Church meeting :Acts 1:13-26

2006-01-17T11:36:00.000+13:00

If you are going to read this, then start by flipping to www.Biblegateway.com and reading the passage...
Have you done that yet ?
O.K. Now I can confess that I have never really understood both why they felt they had to elect another apostle and why this gets written about. It's not exactly exciting stuff. It is not like Matthias proves to be hugely significant. We never hear about him again.
So what do you think ? Was this just another meeting ?

Commentators are divided about what the disciples thought they were doing. They differ as to whether or not they should have done this in the first place.

Other people end up going to this passage because they are looking for answers on the somewhat gnarly topic of guidance.

I'll post something more on this latter on in the week when it becomes clearer to me. But at this stage I just want to ask ? Why did Luke write this ? What is it that makes it worth the papyrus it was written on ? do you think ?

Ciao
Colin

A question of timing ?

2006-01-10T09:29:00.000+13:00

Everyone talks about us being an instant generation, unaccustomed to waiting. I wonder how much of a lie that is. We all wait, We wait to fall asleep, for our friends to arrive, for the ad break to finish. We have waiting lists for operations. Face it we all spend a lot of our lives waiting. It's just a question of what we do while we wait. What do you do in times of waiting.
My guess is that is some of the appeal of PSP's and cellphones, is that it gives us something to do when we wait. This passage of Acts has the disciples asking the question.. When ? Is this the time - the time we have been waiting for ? This is the start of my processing for this weeks sermon.. Waiting for what ? When ? What do you make of Jesus' response ?

Acting up in the new year

2006-01-06T09:37:00.000+13:00

Gidday,

I'm back (Colin) from a short break.
I was completely exhausted after the Christmas Journey. We had 6800 people go through and lots of postitive feedback, though on the last day someone stole a data projector ! (Argh) ! Lots of things weren't perfect; I know some volunteers didn't get rung, the publicity profile wasn't that high. Sgtill 6800 people walked through a journey that invited people to interact with God and God's stories. That's Gold and I'm proud of it. Thanks for all who helped and offered to get involved. If I can figure out how to post pictures I'll do that.

We're going to spend some time looking at the book of Acts this year. It's full of great themes... how about these ones ?
growth and conflict, the priority of mission, the power of the Holy Spirit, community life, prayer, the place of suffering, the sovereignty of God, the legal status of christianity... and the list goes on.
And it's full of challenges for the church
- Where do we model Radical community life as opposed to individualism ?
- When do we sacrfice something for our own good as opposed to our selfishness and desire to leave others to fend for themselves ?
- How can we dealing with truth when it clashes with pluralism ?
- What's the balance between dialogue or apologetics in mission ?
- Where do we invest beyond ourselves, or does the church merely focus on self-preservation ?
- Do we value excellence more than purity and prayer ?
- What is the place of suffering in following Jesus ?

Should be good stuff... We're starting this week by looking at the kingdom of God.
What does that mean to you ?

Merry Christmas

2005-12-21T13:03:00.000+13:00

Christmas is upon us. We've had about 4000 people through the christmas journey so far. Peter and Joyce's efforts have been stunning and I'm proud of it, and of all who put work in, or volunteered to man it. Good on ya.

I'm off for a break for the week after Christmas and Ernest is covering. Have to see if he wants to get into Blogging... or at least posting sermons online.

It's been a busy time for us and it's going to be good to take a breath.

AGAINST OUR BETTER JUDGMENT
We told her she couldn't go;
she was too young
to stay up that late.
She told us that
Baby Jesus would be there
and he was younger than she.
We told him he couldn't go
he was too old
to brave the cold night air .
He told us he'd rather greet heaven
from the Christmas Eve service
than be found slumped by the TV
So we bundled them up
against the extreme cold
against their own defenselessness
against our better judgment
and they went out with joy.
my prayer is that those of us who think
that we're in charge of the world
and the church
will remember that the stable was filled
with such as these:
those who could not be kept from rejoicing!

(Anne Weems I think)

The small picture.

2005-12-12T09:26:00.000+13:00

On Sunday Alistair talked of going home by a different way, the challenge of the magi to take a different road. This week we're looking at what it might mean to have Jesus born as a baby. We say this stuff about God made flesh so easily, but a real life poohing, crying baby. Dependant on mothers breast, unable to do more than grasp a finger. What might it mean that God is willing to join us completely on our terms ?
What might it mean that God is willing to enter into the small picture ?

Last week we butchered a Dylan song and put new words to it. There was some inspired nasal twanging (including an indian flavour from Jeff and Kaaren). It was a poem from Charles Causley (1917- ?)
Just thought I'd put it up on the blog to read... The Ballard of the breadman
Ballad of the Bread Man
Mary stood in the kitchen
Baking a loaf of bread.
An angel flew in through the window.
'We've a job for you,' he said.
'God in his big gold heaven,
Sitting in his big blue chair,
Wanted a mother for his little son.
Suddenly saw you there.'

Mary shook and trembled,
'It isn't true what you say.'
'Don't say that, ' said the angel.
'The baby's on its way.'
Joseph was in the workshop
Planing a piece of wood.
'The old man's past it,' the neighbours said.
'That girl's been up to no good.'
and who was that elegant fellow,
' They said, 'in the shiny gear?'
The things they said about Gabriel
Were hardly fit to hear.
Mary never answered,
Mary never replied.
She kept the information,
Like the baby, safe inside.
It was election winter.
They went to vote in town.
When Mary found her time had come
The hotels let her down.
The baby was born in an annexe
Next to the local pub.
At midnight, a delegation
Turned up from the Farmers' Club.
They talked about an explosion That made a hole in the sky,
Said they'd been sent to the lamb & Flag
To see God come down from on high.
A few days later a bishop
And a five-star general were seen
With the head of an African country
In a bullet-proof limousine.
'We've come,' they said, 'with tokens
For the little boy to choose.'
Told the tale about war and peace
In the television news.
After them came the soldiers
With rifle and bomb and gun,
Looking for enemies of the state.
The family had packed and gone.
When they got back to the village
The neighbours said, to a man, '
That boy will never be one of us,
Though he does what he blessed well can.'
He went round to all the people
A paper crown on his head.
Here is some bread from my father:
Take, eat, he said.
Nobody seemed very hungry.
Nobody seemed to care.
Nobody saw the god in himself Quietly standing there.
He finished up in the papers.
He came to a very bad end.
He was charged with bringing the living to life.
No man was that prisoner's friend.
There's only one kind of punishment
To fit that kind of a crime.
They rigged a trial and shot him dead.
They were only just in time.
They lifted the young man by the leg,
They lifted him by the arm,
They locked him in a cathedral
In case he came to harm.
They stored him safe as water
Under seven rocks.
One Sunday morning he burst out
like a jack-in-the-box.
Through the town he went walking.
He showed them the holes in his head.
Now do you want any loaves? he cried.
'Not today,' they said.

Technology, containers, two kings and Christmas

2005-12-06T13:12:00.000+13:00

Hi, once again, Technology has been adding to gray hairs got my computer back, but of course then everything doesn't quite work... In fact it bears a remarkable resemblance to a type of Kellogs breakfast cereal. (Yes it's flakey !) Argh... (that's a kind of explanation of lack of service...) Blog coming back online now...
I'm both excited and mildy stressed about the Christmas journey project in the square. 8 containers with various christmas journey themes. Goes in tomorrow and opens on Saturday. So this time tomorrow I'll be weilding a hammer and saw and trying to make technology work again... (sigh)

But this week we're looking at a tale of two kings. Herod and another one. Herod only gets remembered because of the other one. Herod would have got all the media coverage. Jesus got more of nappy coverage. - well you know what I mean ...

It's not to hard to figure out what Herod as King is like, but then Jesus as King is a different story.

What kind of King would Jesus make of your life ? Or is the king picture just too outmoded to work anymore ? Can you find a better one ?
P.S. American President is not better.

Lois sent me this brilliant wee reading...
My days are all spent
in decorating my house.
I am forever preparing
for your arrival.
I hunger for your presence
yet I take not the time
to wait for your coming
and to my great sorrow
you never arrive.

It is because I refuse
to be silent
that I cannot hear you.
It is because I refuse
to await you
that you cannot come.

It is because I refuse
to be idle
that I cannot enjoy you.

It is because I am too busy
hanging decorations
that I cannot welcome you home.

Yet in your deep wisdom
your presence leans towards mine.
You understand my decorations
to be symbols of my hunger
and you know of the day
when my heart swept clean
will be the only decoration needed
and I will listen for your coming
like night awaiting day.

Macrina Wiederkehr

The joys of technology

2005-11-23T16:24:00.000+13:00

Visiting this blog and wondering why it's all quiet ?

Answer my laptop gave up the ghost last night. It's back at the workshop for rest and
recovery.. Sigh

reflections to come

2005-11-08T17:45:00.000+13:00

Paul and Lynne are sharing their journeys on sunday. Alistair and Colin are off at curtainraiser and Assembly. Check out the Ilamrave website if you want to read the feedback from last sunday... Worth having a crack at.
Ciao
Colin

dreams and schemes - and what does God want

2005-10-31T10:53:00.000+13:00

Last week it was great to have Katherine, Stephanie and Jonathan get baptised. REally cool to hear their stories and a bonus that all their families were there. Jonathans folks drove down from Taranaki, ( a bit of a marathon trip).

This week we'll be having a dreaming and scheming session. Some people have started calling it an Ilam day. It's organised and shaped by the leadership team, so I had better not to try to say too much about it.
However if you're part of the Ilam community, it's worth asking yourself both what do you long for Ilam to do (and by extension, what do you long to do) and what parts of being involved at Ilam are really important for your growing as a maturing follower of Jesus.

I look forward to hearing peoples ideas, dreams and visions.

The Jesus way

2005-10-25T12:31:00.000+13:00

The small apology. This blog has been a tad silent of late. I've been away and then ame back to a busy week. But I'm back into it now...

A couple of people popped into the chaplains office the other day. We got to talking and in the middle of the conversation, I found myself saying that if you want to live your live in the Jesus way, then you have to accept that you'll have the same frustration and dis-satisfaction with the institutions that somehow fail to show the love of Jesus. This week we have some people getting baptised. As they do so they are indicating that they want to live their lives in reference to Jesus, tryinf to follow him. Learning about the God revealed through Jesus.
What does that mean for us ? Fighting against injustice ? Looking for ways to love our neighbours ? Being part of a community seeking to do this ? Worshipping ? If Baptism is a way of indicating that you are up for it... then what are you up for ? What does following Jesus look like ?
--- your thoughts and comments here...
CIao
Colin

Where are we going - thoughts on Ilam's future

2005-09-13T18:20:00.000+12:00

Where are we (Ilam Baptist) going ?
As a church we’ve always found it easier to say what we are not and what we don’t want to be, than what we want to be. I believe that Ilam stands at a cross roads . It’s important for us to find words that express not just who we don’t want to be, but also who we feel God is calling us to be. That’s a process that needs to be soaked in prayer.
It’s also a time when it might be helpful to have pictures that allow us to talk about possible directions and and visions of Ilam Baptist’s that could be. It’s not that easy to find good metaphors from other churches because of some of Ilam’s unique and precious attributes
o We have been quietly growing. We are Ilam has increased in numbers from 160 (in 2000) to 240 people (in 2005).
o Not many churches of our size meet in a school hall.
o Not many churches have the proportion of younger people that we have, with so few elderly.
o Not many churches of our size run with the levels of informality that we do.
o Not many churches intentionally run with only part-time staff.
To that end I want to suggest a couple of metaphors that might help us to define the Ilam we want to head towards. This is also shaped by last Sundays’ C6 where we discussed trinity and reflected on what it means to have Trinitarian God who invites both participation and relationship. Both of these sets of word pictures concentrate on the Sunday gathering portion of Ilam, which is not ultimately what Ilam is.
Market or Mall?
Within a short bike ride of Ilam are two different and opposite approaches to commerce. Despite the consumeristic nature of these two approaches I think they have some valuable insights to show us.
Riccarton Mall (AKA Westfield) is a professionally run, clean and sparkling consumer haven. You are welcome to eat, drink, and shop there until you are foot weary. It has it’s own custom designed property and what goes on inside the mall is tightly controlled by the professional management. It services a number of different groupings of people, but does so in a reasonably faceless and impersonal way. Many larger churches have this look and feel. They offer a professional service to their clientel but while you may participate, you really can’t change the nature of the Mall.
In stark contrast to that every Sunday morning Riccarton Market assembles itself at the local racecourse. It is also a consumer haven where you may eat, drink and shop but there are marked differences in culture and experience.
It uses someone else’s property and while what goes on is still controlled there is much more room for diversity, and a certain level of chaos seems obligatory. As with the mall, it services lots of different groupings of people, however there is the possibility of a strong sense of community growing between the various shoppers and the stall owners. Shopping is potentially less faceless and more relational than with the mall. The following table tries to summarise some of these differences.
Riccarton Mall Riccarton Market
Custom made building Assembles itself each Sunday
Tightly controlled Less tightly controlled
Uniform Diversity of people and products
Relation less in format More relational
Shops manned by employees Stalls often manned by owners.
particpation by buying Available for anyone to participate, either as a consumer or a provider
Formal (behaviour demanded) Informal
Sterile environment Messy and temporary environment
advertised, and marketed Largely known about by word of mouth
The place The people.
Tendency middle of the road Tendency towards being counter-cultural.
A provider An exchanger
I think the market provides a more helpful word picture for a future Ilam, where diversity is still encouraged and where the weekly gathering is an exercise in people coming to share from what they have and gain from what others have. However let us be clear that in being church we offer people a relationship and the chance to participate, not a product.
Which model would you prefer ? What would that mean in terms of how we do mission ? What might it mean for core components of church like how we do services, look after our children, youth group and crèche ? What role would you need staff to fill for either model ?
Settlers or pioneers ?

The second concept comes from from Brendan Manning’s book the Lion and the Lamb:
“There are two visions of life, two kinds of people. The first see life as a possession to be carefully guarded. They are called settlers. The second see life as a wild, fantastic, explosive gift. They are called pioneers. These two types give rise to two kinds of theology: Settler Theology and Pioneer Theology.”
I think that Ilam has thus far been an attempt to do pioneer Church. The temporary nature of the church, the policy of employing part time staff, the reliance on co-operation with others are all aspects of pioneer church.
While Brendan’s clearly strongly in favour of the pioneer model. There are a variety of strengths of the settler model. It provides a safe place to raise children. It provides security and the possibility of growing deep roots. Such a church is a place to grow old together. Lines of accountability are predictable in settler church. It is in fact much more efficient and professional than pioneer church. There are a number of churches running this way in Christchurch.
Ilam’s history and I think it’s calling have traditionally made it more allied with pioneer church. I think this word picture offers us some insights into what church might look like, what kind of staff you might need, what we contribution we could make to the church and what we could look to the church to provide. See what Brendan says and see what you think.
According to Wes Seeliger in his book Western Theology, the first kind, Settler Theology, is an attempt to answer all the questions, define and housebreak some sort of Supreme Being, establish the status quo on golden tablets in cinemascope. Pioneer Theology is an attempt to talk about what it means to receive the strange gift of life. The Wild West is the setting for both theologies.
Iii Settler Theology, the church is the courthouse. It is the Center of town life. The old stone structure dominates the town Square. Its windows are small and this makes things dark inside. Within the courthouse walls, records are kept, taxes collected, trials held for bad guys. The courthouse is the settler’s symbol of law, order, stability, and—most important—security. The mayor’s office is on the top floor. His eagle eye ferrets the smallest details of town life.
In Pioneer Theology, the church is the covered wagon. It’s a house on wheels, always on the move. The covered wagon is where the pioneers eat, sleep, fight, love, and die. It bears the marks of life and movement—it creaks, is scarred with arrow bandaged with bailing wire. The covered wagon is always where the action is. It moves toward the future and doesn’t bother to glorify its own ruts. The old wagon isn’t comfortable, but the pioneers don’t mind. They are more into adventure than comfort.
At this point he talks about the images of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in each metaphor, which I’ll skip for now.
In Settler Theology, the Christian is the settler. He/she fears the open, unknown frontier. His/her concern is to stay on good terms with the mayor(god) and keep out of the sheriff’s(Jesus) way. “Safety first” is her/his motto. To her/him the courthouse is a symbol of security, peace, order, and happiness. He/she keeps money in the bank. The banker is her/his best friend. The settler never misses an ice cream party.
In Pioneer Theology, the Christian is the pioneer. He/she is a person of daring, hungry for new life. She/he rides hard, knows how to Use a gun when necessary. The pioneer feels sorry for the settlers and tries to tell them of the joy and fulfilment of life on the trail. She/He dies with her/his boots on.
In Settler Theology, the clergyman is the banker. Within her/his vault are locked the values of the town. She/He is a highly respected person, has a gun, but keeps it hidden in the desk. He/She feels that the sheriff and I have a lot in common. After all, they both protect the bank.
In Pioneer Theology, the clergyman is the cook. He/She doesn’t furnish the meat. She/He just dishes up what the buffalo hunter (Holy Spirit) provides. This is how she/he supports the movement of the wagon. She/He never confuses the job with that of the trail boss(God) , scout(Jesus) , or buffalo hunter(Holy Spirit) . She/He sees him/herself as just another pioneer who has learned to cook. The cook’s job is to help the pioneers pioneer.
In Settler Theology, faith is trusting in the safety of the town: obeying the laws, keeping your nose clean, believing the mayor is in the courthouse.
In Pioneer Theology, faith is the spirit of adventure. The readiness to move out. To risk everything on the trail. Faith is obedience to the restless voice of the trail boss.
In Settler Theology, sin is breaking one of the town’s ordinances. In Pioneer Theology, sin is wanting to turn back.
In Settler Theology, salvation is living close to home and hanging around the courthouse. In Pioneer Theology, salvation is being more afraid of sterile town life than of death on the trail. Salvation is joy at the thought of another day to push on into the unknown. It is trusting the trail boss(God) and following the scout(Jesus) while living on the meat provided by the buffalo hunter(Holy Spirit).

Well what do you think ?
We need images to describe where God is calling Ilam. We need to be clear in our direction particularly if Ilam is looking at new staff, as the roles asked of staff vary according to the model. Do any of these images allow us to describe an Ilam of the future ? What draws you about Pioneer or settler church ? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Mall or the Market. Where do you think we should be going ?
What would happen if we –while trying to operate like a Market, looked for the same type of service as a Mall ?

We need to find language to describe our dreams and visions in a forward looking way. Are these images helpful for that ? As you think and pray for Ilam, do you have other word pictures that might describe the Ilam Baptist that could be ? What are they ? Let’s get the ball rolling. I’m posting this text onto the website Ilamspace.blogspot.com. Anyone is welcome to comment, or even send me an email, and I’ll post it for you.

Generous Orthodoxy - Jesus and Salvation

2005-09-12T14:47:00.000+12:00

After being kidnapped by pirates last week, we're back to generous orthodoxy, this time looking at Jesus and salvation. I guess in evangelical circles it's easy for us to reduce salvation down to a simple formula. I don't reckon it's as easy as that.
I'm haunted by Anne Lamotts article "Hunger" in Travelling mercies... at the end of an article writing about having bulimia she writes
"It is, finally, so wonderful to have learned to eat, to taste and love what slips down my throat, padding me, filling me up, that I’m not uncomfortable calling it a small miracle. A friend who does not believe in God says, “Maybe not a miracle, but a little improvement:’ but to that I say, Listen! You must not have heard me right: I couldn’t feed myself! So thanks for your input, but I know where I was, and where I am now, and you just can’t get here from there".

So it is with salvation, there is more than saving souls here. Much more... what do you think.

As a postscript I'm writing up a few thoughts about possible futures for Ilam which I plan to post here. so I hope to post something latter on this week.
Ciao

Pirates Parrots and last week.

2005-09-05T09:27:00.000+12:00

Last week we talked about trinity and gender and I was unsurprised that in the end Gender had more discussion. It's easier for us to talk about gender because we all have our own ideas about what it means. I declared how I try to operate and I think dis-appointed people on both sides. Drat. Oh well. Still I was really grateful that we were able to have a discussion on a touchy topic that showed good humour and still addressed the issues concerning How we see God.

But next week it's pirates and Parrots ! I have to visit a costume shop to hire a pirate costume. Originally we were going to do this on the 18th, which I thought was offical "talk like a pirate day". It turns out that it's actually the 19th. Talk like a pirate day is half aimed to be just good fun, and half a serious exploration of piracy. What return should we give to our society for what we ask ?

I know that most university students in the halls watch movies before they are even released. Swapping MP3's is common place. Photocopying.. the age of mass reproduction raises ethical issues for us. Nor is this issue one sided. Copyright appears to be about control. Namoi Klein reckons that Copyright is America's biggest export item.
How much control should we be seeking of what we do and what return should we make on what we use ?

Yes it's true

2005-08-28T19:20:00.000+12:00

This sunday Alistair announced his resignation. It comes as a bit of a shock. We will sorely miss him. I've been working closely with Alistair for the last 7 years. I'll miss him loads. I'll post a bit more this week with some of his words as to why and what he's thinking of.

This is what he said
Alistairs announcement
“I said before I went away that there is nothing like cancer to get you thinking hard about what you are doing with your life and what you want to do. For me this has certainly been the case this year. And this includes questions about my continuing involvement in pastoral leadership here at Ilam. Especially right now, because in the next week I have to start writing things down about where I’m up to for the review process we’re about to embark here at Ilam.

Anyway, after a lot of questions and wrestling and prayer, I have decided that I don’t’ feel the renewed sense of call to Ilam that I have been seeking and I don’t intend to pursue this review process for myself. Instead, today I want to give you three months notice of my intention to finish up as the Leader of Ministries here at Ilam. This three months notice is what my contract requires.

There are a number of reasons why I have come to this conclusion, although I’m not sure that I can clearly identify all the elements even myself.

In part it’s a product of the continuing struggle that I have had juggling the competing time demands of two jobs and especially as expectations seem to be expanding in both of them recently. In part its about the new leadership configuration at Ilam and new job definitions for Colin and myself. While this has worked to provide some more clarity and clear lines of responsibility, what has been arrived at really doesn’t fit my gifts and temperament very well and has become less satisfying and more of a struggle for me personally. At the same time, in terms of some of the other work I do, or would like to do, there are dreams that I have had to sit on for some time that I think maybe now is the right time to do something more about.

But all that said, I still don’t really have any idea right now at all of what the shape of the future is for me. And at this stage it all seems pretty vague and a bit scarey. But I have felt that to be fair to Ilam as we embark on this review process I should work out as clearly as possible where I am at. And this is the result.

It hurts to say this, because I love being part of this church family. You helped to restore my faith in church when it was flagging. And I know that Ilam has done the same for many others in this way, including the other members of my family. And I have to say that none of us has been very keen for me to make this decision and none of us has wanted to feel that grief that we know goes with this decision. You have been a great support for our family as we have gone through some very difficult times and we will be forever grateful for that. Anyway, this is not a farewell speech yet. But it is a carefully considered decision that I have come to reluctantly, but still prayerfully and decisively. Its been 8 years since I began as pastor here at Ilam and this represents a whole lot of different friendships and experiences in ministry. We have loved the honesty and creativity and laughter that we have experienced in this place. And I hope that there’s still a lot more to come of that for all of us. I know that this decision today means a new beginning for both you and me and a bit of a testing time ahead as we all find ourselves both grieving and groping to see more clearly the path ahead. But I hope that it also represents one of those opportunities for God to do some new good things among us and that we will find ways to encourage and support each other so that this can be a good transition. Most of all I want to say thanks again for all your love.

Generous Orthodoxy ?

2005-08-22T09:19:00.000+12:00

It was a pretty good weekend. A bunch of people gardening at Marty and Clare’s place. Followed by an art auction to raise money for Transend. I was stoked to be part of a community that would do these things. Lois, Carlyle Deborah and others put lots of energy into organising the art auction and surprise ! There are many artistic people in the Ilam community. It was great seeing what they had created, and then watching the drama of the auction....
A good evening…I couldn't drag my kids away.
It’s good to have Alistair back looking good. Let’s hope he continues to have a minimum of side effects from the treatment.

But we’re at the beginning of a series focusing on “Generous Orthodoxy”. It’s an odd term because no one really advocates a mean-spirited crazy and weird Christianity ( Well if they do they don’t think it is that way). We’re starting this series because of the desire for us at Ilam to have a core of belief, but still be generous in allowing people to believe differently. We’ve been trying operate this way for a while. To state what we believe and what we are doing, and allow for dissent, discussion and learn where possible from that. Brian McLaren has written a book called generous Orthodoxy that a number of people in the church have read. It seems to have scratched where a number of people are itching, so we’re picking up on this and wanting to look at how we can as a community hold close to core( Have a substance to our faith if you like) while still being able to be generous to others.
It’s a key issue when you live in a pluralistic society like ours.
This week we’ll be looking at Jesus who is our core belief and what that means to us.

The end of Mark

2005-08-16T13:36:00.000+12:00

O.K. I dot a dold, so I'm late posting this.
Why did we read mark ? For me it's in part the knowledge that we tend to prefer to transform the gospel rather than take on the tricker job of transforming ourselves. If we leave the development of our faith to itself, it often works out into a form of idolatry. We need things to be faithful to, to keep us on track.
"The christian faith recognises that we are violent fearful frightened creatures who cannot reason or will our way out of our mortality. SO the gospel begins, not with the assertion that we are violent fearful frightened creatures, but with the pledge that if we offer ourselves to truthful story and the community formed by listening to that story in the church, we will be transformed into people more significant than we could ever have been on our own." - Hauerwas
Reading Mark, slowly has helped me make some changes. Not because they were easy, but because when they arose, I couldn't dodge them.
I'm keen this week to hear what others have done, or even the issues they have managed to dodge.

The Last Chapter of Mark

2005-08-08T11:48:00.000+12:00

There's two big issues that confront us with reading the last chapter of Mark. One of them is one of those perenial evangelical theological thorns. How come it's got three endings and what does that do to our understanding of the Bible? Any likely and inspired explanations are welcome. I'll have a crack at this on Sunday. But I'm likely to put more time and energy into what we can learn from the way Mark tells his story. (and leaves it hanging).
Just been lent Dave Dobbyn's new CD available light, (thanks Grant). I'm thrashing it for a week and then I'll hand it back without ripping it. Looking like a purchase may be on the cards. I mention this because of the track "Roll away my stone". Which might make a good theme song for Mark 16.

The last post

2005-08-01T09:50:00.000+12:00

Before talking about last week, first let me reflect on what happened this week.
We smashed a series of plates. We wrote on them the nasty stuff that we think would make Jesus angry and we smashed them. It was a bit chaotic. I was particularily worryed by the barrel that kids seemed drawn to. I thought people would drop the plate on in the barrel, which would be no problem, but they threw them and there were kids standing too close.
Someone complained- fair enough, I wouldn't do it the same way again, but they said something that has bugged me since then. They said "It's not safe". Silly I know, but I found myself thinking last night, when did we get the idea that church was supposed to be safe ? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to break osh guidelines, or do stupid dangerous stuff for the sake of it. But I don't think church is supposed to be safe. If anything, it should be the opposite.

This week coming we're doing the last 5 chapters of Mark - Yeah right ! O.K. we drew up the plans so that we could finish off Mark and move into the generous orthodoxy series in time with Alistairs return (results so far are good). But I've got few ideas as to how to do this sunday. I'll post something after I've done some more homework.
HAve a good one.

The Berlin Wall, Apartheid, Make Poverty history... and so on

2005-07-25T12:35:00.000+12:00

We've reached the classic text for Palm Sunday. For almost every year at Ilam we've done a children friendly palm sunday procession. Once, notably we faked a Paul holmes show version, and had Jesus turn up, denounce people and leave.
For the tri-umphant procession - well maybe not so triumphant - has a dark underbelly.
People movements do happen. The Berlin wall, one day fell. South Africa did overthrow apartheid but not without considerable pain. And in Jesus's procession into Jersualem there are hints at a people movement. A revolution...
Now frankly I'm more comfortable with the 'be faithful in small things' personalised and perhaps privatised following of Jesus. Crowds make me nervous. But as I'm reading this passage (mark 11) I'm noticing much more of a revolutionary twist to it and that makes me nervous. If Jesus's condemnation of the temple, was how it was failing to serve the poor, if we really can "say to this mountain". Which mountains should we be speaking to... Still I write this early in the week... and have a week to turn over the passage, and any comments...

Blind - who me ?

2005-07-18T10:54:00.000+12:00

When I started this Blog my hope was that people from the Ilam community would use it to add comments and help shape what we did in relation to the services that were coming up. I'm pretty keen on the whole service thing being a reflection of a community grappling with the text, their God and the world.
Well the best laid plans of mice and men... It hasn't really worked out that way. One of the repercussions of operating that way is I've tended to be a bit formal in what I've written.
So when I've reviewed what's been going on, I've decided to make some small changes. I'll still tag what's coming up and would welcome discussion. But I think I'll dump the formality and start to use it to process both some of what I'm thinking about Ilam and some of my journey with God. I'll see how that goes. If you visit and like/hate any changes, please feel free to let me know. I'm still experimenting to see if this blog and if the Ilamrave blog can help us build a community of disciples together.

So Welcome Back to Joshua and Fleur from russia. Sounds like they had a great time, but also made a serious effort to contribute to the local community...At the same stage Malcolm's off to fiji to do likewise ( in a more medical fashion). I reckon this is brilliant. Good on you guys.
I you read this and you are thinking about an O.E. Why not seriously consider hooking in with a short term project and making a difference. There's more to life than seeing the sights in London. Some canny characters have even managed to do this and go toa U2 Concert too. Now that's smarts. Anyway.. planning an O.E ? Find a way to make a serious contribution to a community with need. Go on... I dare you.

ON a completely unrelated topic, I'm reading Henri Nouwen's Gracias at the moment... A couple of quotes that struck me :
"A true spirituality cannot be constructed, built or put together; it has to be recognised in the daily life of the people who search together to do God's will in the world". - (page 6)
This one struck me because I think it's easier to claim to grow/build or construct a spirituality. If you do that you don't have to listen... but an approach like that is flawed because we work from our riches... the second quote for me is
"True prayer always involves beocming poor. When we pray we stand naked and vulnerable in front of our Lord and show him our true condition." - (Page 11)
I read that and realised again, why I struggle in prayer. It's not always easy to stand before God with no layers... Alistair's preaching about Blind Bartimaeus this week. One of the gifts of the poor and the handicapped, is that often they have less layers.

Leadership - Bah Humbug

2005-07-12T13:18:00.000+12:00

The next passage for us to read addresses leadership. That's always been a problematic area at Ilam. So have a read and think about how you think it works. Certainly Jesus' model of leadership is somoewhat baffling. For me, I've always been nervous of those who speak about vision as fi it belongs to an individual. I reckon it's probably more a thing that belongs to God, and members of a community grab hold of bits. Like a jigsaw puzzle, we have to assemble it.

Toook my kids through Ferrymead yesterday.. In an aircraft hanger, posted on a real life plane was a sign... for ages 8-80, some assembly required...

Looking in the mirror.

2005-06-27T13:22:00.000+12:00

I hate the way if you mis-type bible, it can read as bile.... Oops sidetracked already. This week we're reading Jesus talking about Divorce. It's one of the places where we can see Jesus interacting with the Old Testament and gives us a glimpse at how he read the bible and applied it to life.. We figure that's got to help us as we seek to read scripture and make sense of it, or perhaps allow it to make sense of us...

For me the website of the week is http://www.sacredspace.ie/. A great place to pray.

Mark 9:38-50 Pick your Nose, not theirs !

2005-06-21T09:45:00.000+12:00

O.K. it's a sad title, but that's part of this passages message. The disciples are keen to establish who's in and out, and Jesus resists the call to exclusivism. And then hits them with some harsh words about what they might need to do to get by. They are hard words and ask me What would I be willing to give up ? Even more strikingly for me, when the disciples are pointing their fingers at others, Jesus takes their hands and points them back at theirselves. Is this the genius of the gospel That we have to sort out our lives, not everyone elses ?
The lives of humans are so layered, while it's easy to point the finger at others, so much happens beneath the surface. For a disturbing and moving glimpse of this visit
postsecret.blogspot.com.

Mission possible (part two)

2005-06-13T13:13:00.000+12:00

Once again, this week the Ilambap Community is listening to it's missionscope group as we remind ourselves of God's heart for others. Last week Chris, Ibrani, Russell and Marion spoke. On saturday Dave Dobbyn was interviewed by Kim Hill. When asked if he was trying to evangelise her, he replied (roughly) , that that was God's job, not his.
We front up to God's heart for mission wanting to do the best we can, but also needing to know that it is God's heart for mission. Our enthusiasms tend to be more on-again off again, but God is constant in a care for, and a welcoming of outsiders.

Mission : A reflection of God's obsession with the outsider

2005-06-08T14:22:00.000+12:00

In the next couple of weeks The Ilam Community will be looking at Overseas Mission. We have a very capable group of people who go by the heading of 'missionscope' who are masterminding this. I'm grateful that they are willing to put time and energy into it.
(good on you).

I was at an emerging churches Hui a couple of weeks ago, and something that came out in conversation was a loose definition of church...
It went something like this :
"Jesus people gathered, peculiar, worshipping, and other focused"
Where Gathered reflected the community nature of church. Where peculiar indicated that the community had a particular character. Where worshipping referred to living life in reference to God, as both god focused and obedient people. Lastly and certainly not leastly Other focused meant't continuing the tradition of Jesus’ infatuation with the alien and the other.
I found this definition quite helpful. I often feel that of all the characteristics our tradition has been closest to loosing the concern with the other.
How do we hold on to this ? How would Ilam rate if we used this as a template for evaluating our discipleship ? What do you think ?
Actions

Back on Air

2005-05-30T13:16:00.000+12:00

Sorry for the service failure, I spent last week in Wellington staying on a Marae that had few phone lines and so was internetless. It was an emerging Churches Hui and was fascinating. I'm writing up my thoughts on it this week. Might even post them.. We'll see. This week we're heading to an all-ages kind of gathering. Reading Mark 9:33-50.
What does it take to come to Jesus ? Who will get in the way.
Peter told a story last week of his parents (a trifle hard of hearing) at a party and being offered a drink. He thought they said "would you like a cup of tea" and replied, I like mine with milk in it. Only what they really said was "Would you like DB?". His Dad drank the beer with milk in it because to refuse would have been rude.
Peter reflected that sometimes that's what people do in church. Take the beer and milk we serve up, and it puts them off for life. I hope that isn't what we do for our kids. Jesus has some pretty harsh things to say about People who serve up the wrong stuff. The community we create now isn't just for us; It's for our kids (and we hope the kids of others).

Jo Atara

2005-05-16T14:20:00.000+12:00

Oops, I said that this week Alistair would continue the passage we'd talked about with what happens after the transfiguration and so he will, but not this sunday ! This sunday we have Jo Atara coming to visit. She's been working in the philipines and has strong connections to Lilok, Servants and more.

If you're in a group wanting to discuss the transfiguration...
some rough ideas might be :
What do you notice about the painting (it can be found at http://www.eyeconart.net/history/Renaissance/transfiguration.htm) ?
Who do you identify with in this painting (or story) and why ?
- How has it been for you ?
Can you describe a mountain top experience ?
What did it do for you ?
Be gentle, some have been burn't by mountain top experiences ?
How can we distinguish between hype and reality (should we ?) ?
Would you like more of God ? How much ?
What would you be willing to give up for it ?
How can we(I) make prayer more a part of our lives here at Ilam ?

(might lead into prayer).

Mark 9:1-10 A glimpse of Heaven ?

2005-05-09T11:15:00.000+12:00

On Sunday I read out a quote from Frederick Buechner about wishful thinking. That living as christians is often about living 'as if'. That's the nature of God's kingdom I guess. We try to live a different way because we believe that in God's reality it is a different way... Here's the quote.
"Christianity is mainly wishful thinking. Even the part about Judgement
and Hell reflects the wish that somewhere the score is being kept.
Dreams are wishful thinking. Children playing at being grown-ups is
wishful thinking.
Sometimes wishing is the wings the truth comes true on.
Sometimes the truth is what sets us wishing for it."

However it isn't always wishful thinking. In the story of the transfiguration, we see a moment when the layers of this matrix, are stripped back and behind that 'Reality' has a somewhat different flavour. It only seems like wishful thinking to us.
When have you encountered Jesus 'all heavened up' ?
How have you tried to build a tent (Made the moment last as long as possible) ?
What is it like to go down the mountainside afterwards ?

Honestly they look like trees walking around.

2005-05-03T21:07:00.000+12:00

Argh. Still shifting offices, Boxes and shelves everywhere. Yet to get the internet connections at the office up and running. Telecom think they sent us a non-functioning modem. So it's still just a little chaotic this week.
In this passage Jesus heals a blind man. It's the only healing that happens as a process rather than an event.
Any theories as to why ? Why didn't Jesus heal him right the first time ?

Bread of heaven ?

2005-04-26T14:55:00.000+12:00

Just got back from a weekend away in the mountains. Snow falling, Moon so bright at night that it cast a clear shadow. Roasting Marshmellows around a fire, tramping through the mud... all of this is a preamble to explain why this wasn't posted yesterday. Just got home and unpacked more dirty clothes that we could fit into our car. Another triumph of physics. If only they made washing machines the same way.

This week we're reading Mark 8:1-9, it's another feeding by Jesus. It's like he just knows how to act appropriately and to meet peoples' needs. I'm left wondering how we do at this. Living in the Western world, being conscious of world debt and poverty , being aware that in my comfort there are needs cryingout to be met. What do I do about this ?
What do you do ? (as I type this, somewhat appropriately it begins to rain)

Anzac Day

2005-04-20T13:57:00.000+12:00

This coming Sunday is very close to Anzac day, so instead of focusing on Mark, we're planning to focus on Anzac day and what it has mean't and might mean to us as we follow Jesus.
The Anzac event was very formative for New Zealand and the numbers of people who show up at dawn parades each year, illustrates that something deep is still touched for Kiwi's. It evokes different memories for each person. Some had parents or grandparents who fought at Gallipolli, or Vietnam. There's a memorial in almost every small town, and in almost every church.
What does Anzac day mean to you ?

Questions from Mark 6:31-8:30

2005-04-17T22:59:00.000+12:00

If the disciples really are on a road to faith, then can you see incidents in your life that match these. Can you recall particular events, or occasions with any of these themes that now are part of the bedrock of your faith.
Challenge (the great feeding) Mark 6: 31-44 8:1-9
Crossing (Across the lake) Mark 6:45-56 8:10
Conflict Mark 7:1-23 8:11-13
Bread Talk Mark 7:24-30 8:14-21
Healing Mark 7:31-36 8:22-26
Confession Mark 7:37 8:27-30

The road to Faith.

2005-04-12T08:55:00.000+12:00

I'm really not sure how to approach this. I noticed in some commentaries that there is a pattern in Mark that is repeated. It's odd enough that I thought it's worth some time and attention. It looks like this :

In Mark 6:31-44 They Feed a multitude Mark It happens again in Mark 8:1-9
In Mark 6:45-56 They cross a lake, It happens again in Mark 8:10
In Mark 7:1023 There is a dispute It happens again in Mark 8:11-13
In Mark 7:24-30 There is talk of bread It happens again in Mark 8:22-26
In Mark 7:31-36 There is a healing It happens again in Mark 8:22-26
In mark 7:37 There is a confession of faih
And then again it happens in mark 8:27-30
So this week we're looking at the road to faith. Are these markers on the road ?
What is Mark saying ?
What's your road to faith been like ? What are the roadsigns ?
What's your road been like ?

Discussion Questions for Mark 7:24-31

2005-04-12T08:44:00.000+12:00

You can obviously spend a bit of time discussing the meaning of the passage, and whaty jesus mean't when he referred to dogs. A more heart felt discussion might come out of considering the woman as a model for how to pray (persistance, on behalf of another, not taking a no easily?).
Alternatively I'd quite like people to discuss where they are at in terms of thinking about their missions, what they are here for, what the discoveries of this are showing them. Then there is a similar discussion of what people believe Ilam might be here for..
Go for it.

Whoops lost a couple of weeks; now for some questions ?

2005-04-04T21:42:00.000+12:00

Easter marked a bit of breather from blogging, but we're back. Last week we looked at Mark Chapter 7 up to 24. We had a discussion about how we might live as followers of Jesus. Peter's sent me some questions from Mark 7 that he came up with.

- What is considered “clean” and “unclean” in the present day? How far do we differ from the Jewish society in its complicated rituals as to what is clean and holy, compared to what is unclean or corrupt?
- Who are the accepted “in-group” crowd in our present day society, and who are considered outsiders? Who are the “Jews and who are the “gentiles”?
- What is the role of “magic” in modern society? Does it still play a part in the healing process? In our church services and religious practices?
- What is the role of secrecy in today’s world? How much of our charitable and praise-worthy behaviour is done secretly and without fanfare?
- Would Jesus be guilty of hate speech in his address to the Phoenician woman? (Where he called her a dog ie a derogatory term for a gentile)?
- Was Jesus a “good man” in the way our society presents him? Note that Christ disputed this description when it was applied to him (“Only my Father is good”)
-If we met Jesus Christ today, would we consider him a little strange?
- How different is our modern version of Christianity with the Jewish religion and its rituals (dating up to the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD)? Is there any comparison?

Next post will look at what we're looking at next week.

Argh and questions around Mark 6

2005-03-14T08:01:00.000+13:00

A few thoughts :
Plugged my laptop into a TV lat night to show a DVD. A few steps beyond multimedia into a sensory experience. A loud Bang, and a strong smell of burning electrical components. Sigh... Time for an 0800 SUpport experience.

Alistair's put some questions together for Mark 6
Some questions to ponder based on Mark Chapter 6.
1. Jesus experienced rejection in his home town what do you notice about how he responded?
2. Jesus warned his disciples that they could expect to experience rejection. How do you respond to rejection? Waht are ways that you have learned to cope with rejection?
3. See Mark 6:6 Is lack of faith the main reason we don't see more miracles happen today?
4. Jesus sent his disciples out with almost nothing for the journey. Does this have any relevance for us?
5. See Mark 6:26 Herod really was distressed and struggled with the situation in which he had got himslef trapped.
6. What are some situations where you find yourself struggling between pressure from other people and Gospel values?
7. Re. The feeding of the five thousand. Can you think of a situation in which you have either found God providing far more than you expected or where you have felt that the job is just too big and you have too little to offer?
8. At what point in your life have you felt left to row your own boat by Jesus and need to hear those words "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid."? (See Mark 6:50)

Lastly, my contribution is about Tania's talk abotu body image. What do you reckon ?
Have we bought a puppy ? What can we do about it ? Are there other burning issues that you think are due a serious critique in the light of reading Mark ?

Mark 6:7- ?

2005-03-07T14:35:00.000+13:00

Alistair is up for this week. I'm catching my breath after a frantic week of lots of activity. Phew.
There's lots in the passage. The urgency, and immediacy of sending out the disciples, their return. Marks' odd flashback scene of John the Baptist.
I read it this morning and hat struck me was the curious verse
I think the thing that strikes me is a curious verse.
Mark 6: 19-20 So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she couldn't do it because Herod was afraid of John. He knew that John was a righteous and holy man, and so he protected him. Whenever he listened to John, he did much of what he said. In fact, he liked listening to him.
I look at groups like the Salvation Army reporting on housing issues, or the City Mission talking about how Wins functions, and I see this same kind of love/hate relationship in terms of Governmental organisations wanting to hear what they say.
I guess that's what prophets always sound like and to authorities it must always seem a very mixed blessing.
John's clash (and Jesus' clash) with Herod is typical of how things work when someone tries to take on a powermonger.
Sorry, this isn't that well phrased. I'll probably come back and post something tomorrow when things have perculated a bit more.

Questions for Mark 5:21:6-6

2005-03-07T14:29:00.000+13:00

I reckon this would be a great passage to simply invite people to tell some stories of faith, either of things they have experienced (or long to), or of types of faith that they really don't want to have. It'd be good to keep the stories more personal than theoretical (i.e. better to be stuff that happened to you, than from a book).

You could also dicuss which person you identify with, and what that means for you
1 ) Jairus (Rich, priveledged, approaching Jesus on behalf of someone else)
2 ) The nameless woman, powerless, and in need
3 ) The hometown crowd, who thinks they know who Jesus is and struggles to have faith.

What can we do to avoid getting stuck in a rut ,like the crowd in Chapter 6 ?
Have fun

Mark 5:21-6:6

2005-02-28T14:34:00.000+13:00

Now of course the theory of this blog is that each week, I post some kind of reflection that indicates what directions things might go in working through the passage, by the time we get to Sunday. In this set of three incidents (two of which are sandwiched together) I guess what I find challenging thing is to do with faith.
For me faith is one of those religious words, like glory that I find incredibly hard to define. I can nail jelly to the wall (you have to freeze it first), but defining faith seems harder. Yes it’s the substance of things hoped for, but somehow that doesnt' say enough.
I guess my struggle comes because I’ve grown wary of the people who seem to advocate switching off their brains as the pathway to faith. Dumb faith can do some dumb things and there are consequences. On the other hand, to just try and follow Jesus in my thought life is inadequate; to only try to do what I understand isn’t faith at all.
So here I am wanting to follow Jesus and put what faith I have in action, and reading the stories of Jairus, The woman and Jesus’ homecrowd, and I don’t want to be the home crowd.
Let me borrow Beuchner’s words when he says that faith is a verb more than a noun, a process more than a possession.
“It is on-again-off-again rather than once-and-for-all. Faith is not being sure where you are going, but going anyway. A journey without maps. Tillich said that doubt isn’t the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith”.
I get nervous when I hear what sounds like mindless faith (from those with minds), or when the hype gets bigger than the substance. And yet, and yet… I don’t want just an ‘off-again’ faith. I want it to be switched on.

What about you ?

Questions for small groups Mark 5:1-20

2005-02-27T17:12:00.000+13:00

When we made pigs, Kaaren had the following questions :
1. What are some of the addictions/ idols of NZ society today?
2. What torments us/ what are our unhealthy fixations?
3. What is our response as Christians – how are we IN the world and not OF the world?
4. How are we “salt” and “light” ?
5. What is our response - how do we live/ what do we/ don’t we buy or do? |
Is there any difference?

There are other issues you could discuss.

Mark takes for granted the existance of a spiritual world. Demons and spirits are written about without much explanation. How do you interpret this ? What are the life experiences that have led you to this point. (Note if you choose this as a topic, please make sure you are willing to listen to people with life experiences, and ideas different to your own).

Jesus sends out the man as the first missionary in order to tell what the Lord has done. What is there that has been amazing in how God had dealt with you that you could tell to others ?

Mark 5: 1-20

2005-02-21T09:50:00.000+13:00

The second encounter with someone who is desperate (the first was the disciples in the storm). The description of the demoniac is an accurate description of addiction, or internalised oppression. Even to the extent of the consequences of it. Isolated and tormented. In a less dramatic way, as individuals most of us have things that torment us or gain power over us. You can probably name some of them when you think of the nights when you lie awake at night with a sick feeling in your stomach or the times you catch yourself in habits or patterns that you know aren’t good.

It happens too on a larger scale. If we were to think of our nation as a single living organism, we’d find hints of things that torment us. Newspaper headlines, and slogans that show that we’re not all healthy. Issues that torment us as a nation. Can you add to the list below ?

Hotels stung by underage drinking crackdown
Homeless on the rise
Gap growing between rich and poor.
(Go on, make a comment and add some of your own.)

In what ways are we a people possessed ? Who is crying out for deliverance ?

And then in the second part of the story comes the curious response of the villages. Liberation is not always welcomed. Those who are co-dependant with addictive behaviours will usually resist changes in the dysfunctional system. Frankly this bit scares me. We’re all happy for God to work on our terms, but what if it’s not on our terms ?

Questions for Mark 4:35-41

2005-02-20T20:53:00.000+13:00

What do you think the disciples should have done in the middle of the storm ?

As you think back on your life to date, what have the storms been ? How have you responded ? What might help you in the middle of them ?

Ched Myers thinks it's really significant that 4 times in Mark, Jesus takes the disciples on a 'crossing journey'. He reckons that the crossing pattern is to underline the fact that despite their cultural and political otherness, Mark's Jesus is determined to bring liberation to 'the other side'. Who is your opposite. Who lives on the other side ? How could you or should you cross over ?

The story ends with both the disciples and Jesus asking questions. What are the questions that you have ?

Mark 4:35-41 - The perfect Storm

2005-02-14T16:43:00.000+13:00

Up until now it's been a pretty cruisey ride for the disciples. They get to be Jesus' roadies; like Tiger Wood's caddie they are cool by association. It's not really until the storm that you can see there might be a cost.
Suddenly the screws are on, and the storm hits.
How do you respond when it all hits the fan ?

Like all storms, it raises questions that demand to be asked by all sides. Don't you care ? Have you no faith ? Who is this guy ? When the Tsunamis hit, the same questions are shouted. Was God asleep ? Is God malevolent ? We get TV specials and celebrities fundraising. There are slow personal tsunamis too, cancer, poverty, bruised and breaking relationships. Following Jesus doesn't promise a clear run at life. It doesn't even promise that it won't seem like Jesus is sleeping.
But can we even wake him up ?

Questions for Mark 4:1-34

2005-02-14T16:32:00.000+13:00

A couple of small groups asked me for some questions to discuss concerning the passages. So I'll post them as I go. Here are the questions for Mark 4:1-34.

Opening possible light question
What’s the best story you’ve read, watched or heard lately ?
Reading the story into your life
Of the kinds of soil described in the parable of the sower, which best describes your life at the moment ? Are you
Beside the way ?
Where birds pluck the seed from the ground ?
Are you rocky soil ?
Do you find yourself in shallow soil with no depth ?
Are you surrounded by weeds that choke new life ?
Where is the good soil in your setting ?
What are obstacles to an abundant harvest ?

What's so dangerous about us ?
If Jesus spoke in parables at least in part because what he had to say was subversive and at times ‘dangerous’ and offensive, then What do you think we should be saying. In other words what have we got to say that is so dangerous that we have to veil it in symbol and story.
For some contemporary examples :
1 ) Catholic peace protestors who threw some of their own blood over the carpet of the US embassy in Wellington last year ?
2 ) Mike Riddell undressing as a protest to Auckland city councillors, illustrating how they were stripping the poor of what little they had.
3 ) T’Shirts with slogans – No logo, or ‘Just UN Do it – No more Nike Sweat shops”
4 ) What are your ideas ?

A personal dimension ?
If story telling helps create a personal relationship with the story teller How are you doing in that relationship ? (hint why not find a way to pray together)

Mark 4: 1-34

2005-02-07T17:15:00.000+13:00

In the movie "Shakespeare in love" one of the characters keeps saying, don't worry, it'll all come right on the night. When questioned about how it will come right he replies "I don't know... it's a mystery".
In this passage Mark records Jesus' first teaching. Given the background of conflict it perhaps isn't surprising that he is somewhat enigmatic.
There's a fair bit of disagreement about how to read the parable of the sower and the seeds. Some reckon that the hundredfold return is astonishing and represents a dramatic event like nations wiping off 3rd world debt. Others reckon it's a normal yield.Some people reckon the sower sows everywhere, because it's going to be ploughed,others differ.
But pretty much everyone agrees that there's some mystery to this, and that results can spring up in surprising places.
In our economically rationalised times, the sower is a disturbing story. It cuts against our conventional wisdom, and argues perhaps more for faithfulness (with a promise of eventual harvest) than for fruitfulness.
Not an easy call in an age that yells "show me the money".
There's an attitude to investment here that I struggle with. Like a peasant with limited seed, I'm still trying to bend my head around the concept of wasting it. Where as in our Western mindset, we seek efficiency.
So how does the quest for efficiency, and justification impact your world ? And how do you cope with the contrasting call for faithfulness and generousity ?

Mark 3:7-30 Belonging ?

2005-01-31T22:47:00.000+13:00

Coming up for Waitangi Day, a significant day for Kiwi's. Though it's not obvious this passage looks at belonging. When Jesus walks up the mountain and selects 12 disciples, there are strong alluisions to Moses going up Mt Sinai and the twelve tribes of isreal. For a Jew there is a glaring connection. A few disciples get re-named, They wander back down and then the family calls.
Here too, belonging is a motif. To a Jewish reader, Family is important. Jesus is actually obligated to his family and it's shocking to see him reject that obligation. It's like not turning up to the christmas family dinner !
I'm ducking the strong man theme at the moment. I've got more to read and think about. All I can really say here is that it suggests that there are sides. So it's not just belonging to any group, but this suggests that it might matter which groups.
We mostly live in cities, in an age where writers talk about tribalism and how we choose our tribes by clothes we buy and the labels we wear... And then there is nationalism. Waitangi day is about belonging to a nation, coming from somewhere physically and historically.
... So for comments, what makes you feel like you belong ? In the light of Waitangi Day, a political backdrop that writes race, and family strongly, where do we belong ?

Mark 2:1-3:6

2005-01-25T11:55:00.000+13:00

Sorry both for the delay in posting (more computer woes- sigh) and for the fact that to make a comment you'd have to register with blogspot. You don't now, so please do feel free to comment.

One of the weird things about the way we are reading this, is that we are reading larger hunks. Stories like the Cripple just call out to be focused on. You can read this one, by entering into it. What is it like to bring a friend to Jesus. Who had faith ? Were they angry when Jesus forgave sin- afterall they brought him to be healed, not forgiven.
But we are reading bigger chunks to get a sense of the flow and all of these short stories involve a clash with the pharisees, or scribes.
Jesus doesn't duck this, in fact you almost get the sense that he is itching for fight. A number of times there are opportunities for Jesus to duck hot potatoes, but he reaches out and grabs each one.
There's a political background once again to these stories. Levi is a hated member of a corrupt group who oppress the poor. The pharisees and priests have a role in deciding what can be eaten and when. Fasting is a luxury for the rich. One commentator reckons that the disciples are engaging in an act of civil disobedience by snacking on hand picked wheat.

I find it hard to exactly relate this to here and now. We have injustices but they are often hidden. Which ones do we leap to attack as Jesus does and how ?
There was a news report yesterday saying that New Zealands student fees are among the highest in the world. Maybe we should be (fake) billing current MP's for the fees they would have paid when they got their degrees if they were studying now ?
The movie fight club has a series of hard edged cultural critiques, there is much for us to criticise in a culture of mistrust, consumerism, materialism and so on..
But how to engage and critque ? (and no I don't just want to moan)
So what do you reckon is key to engage and how... leave your comments...

Mark 1:15-45

2005-01-19T12:13:00.000+13:00

One thing that strikes me about this passage is that in this, the first public showing of Jesus in action, one word that comes up again and again . Authority.
Jesus calls people who instantly down tools and come. Jesus heals people, with no mumbo Jumbo or mucking around, and Jesus even casts out a demon.
There were healers and magicians and Torah teachers around in at the time of Jesus. I read that there are even accounts of exorcisms. Much like our horror films, these accounts are marked by a sense of prolonged dread and struggle. In contrast Jesus just seems to deal with things in a simple and straight forward way and people marvel at the way he does things.
He does them with ‘authority’. Could we translate that as Manna ?
It’s an odd theme for todays world, where in our community we probably don’t view any authority that kindly and where in our efforts to be church, we deliberately try not to create a sense of a person in authority.
As Post moderns (or whatever we are) we’re very aware of authority, able to read the ebbs and flows of power easily. That’s a gift, but we do also need to ask where they leaves us ?
I don’t really want to don a black T shirt, and march on parliament, (a cultural reference that only Kiwi's will get) but I am left asking questions about the difference between jesus acting with authority in this account and how we live and act now. What do you think ?

What the heck is this ?

2005-01-19T12:09:00.000+13:00

Gidday and welcome to my blog. It's a bit of an experiment for me. I’m not really planning to spill my guts, but as I’m working with a church that is wandering it’s way through the Book of Mark. Each week I want to put a few thoughts about the passage up on the blog open for comments. I’m really aiming for people who are part of my community, but if you are a stranger and want to comment, feel free. Please attack any issue as hard you like, but don’t attack people. We're working in a faith community who want engage in a serious dialog between the Bible and our culture. ... so anyway, here goes.