Leadership ::4 Alan Hirsch, moving on...

Sometimes a person will say something which sits very deeply with you. It is how I have evaluated part of my own ministry and, for the good or bad others ministry as well.

That person was Alan Hirsch. What he said was basically that every five years your leadership methods needs to change. That in five years if there has been no significant growth then things need to change. If in five years there has been significant growth then there is a need for change in your leadership methods because you are now working with more people.
If after ten years, where there was no significant growth in the first five years and there was a re-jigging of leadership methods, then there was still no significant growth in ten years . Then its time to move on.

I have seen beyond a doubt churches, which are stagnate, yet the main leadership is satisfied that they are doing alright. Mmmm, time for critical evaluation I would say. Just looking at the Hirsch idea is a good place to start.

Its petty good idea, except I think five years is to long. I'd like to think a more realistic time would be three to four years.

leadership 3:: 12 reasons leaders fail....

Well here is my list reason why leader fail or plain stagnate. I've now seen leaders do all of these. Some of them in secular settings as well.

1) Great bloke:: Bit of a personality, But just interested in keeping people happy. They are mediation experts. Usually don't end up changing anything or going anywhere. Will usually water down a difficult message if they know it could 'offend' people in the crowd.

2) Not really liked:: Good teacher, speaker, has a bit of a plan. Yet has burnt to many bridges along the way. People just aren't willing to give to much of where this person is going.

3) Insular:: Has loaded the leadership team with mates. Yes men. When really a few dissenting voices can sharpen and give clarity to leadership ideas.

4) No direction::At times it is easier to just go with the flow a place has alway gone than to change things for the better.

5) Innovation of others:: Inability to accommodate others ideas. Usually the excuse is. 'It doesn't fit in with our vision, mission statement. The leaders wiill not tick it off even if it is a 'Kingdom' idea.

6) inability to get anything off the ground:: All talk and committees. Yet a few years on, nothing new has got off the ground.

7) No personal accountability:: Good mentors, good mentors, who will ask any question.

8) No financial accountability:: Yep I've seen a few churches blown off the earth with this one. Make sure people are asking question, even ones you don't like.

9) A constant learner::You know the people who are at the edge of stuff. They will know and have read what is currently top of there profession. Not just profess an opinion because they spotted a one liner from twitter or a blog. I've tripped up a few leaders by asking the question when they throw out an opinion "have you read the book?"
After a while the people you are leading will pick up on this....

10) Know the gifts of others in your team:: You can spot this one because the leader usually does everything. In some ways its easier to do it yourself. You don't need to ask anyone then. Yet its a great disservice in trusting others, and letting them grow.

11) No guts:: Not really willing to put there position on the line even if they believe in something. To many ministers are still in the job, because it is the only job they know.

12) Don't know when to call it quits. Has done some good stuff, yet a few years latter things are stagnate and not looking any better. Its better to leave saying I've raised the bar than seeing it raised then slowly fall.

leadership ::2, 'The itch in Church'

This is a bit of a follow up from my previous post so to get the context I'd recommend reading it.

One of the reasons, apart from 'consumerism' that some people move on from church is that there is the leadership uncomfortable itch. That current leadership does not have the capacity, for innovation within their own set of vision, mission or what ever they call it statement. That the leadership often feels threatened if the ideas and impetus don't radiate from the top! Therefore there is uncomfortableness and someone moves on.

Once we had a great guy coming along to our church who didn't quit fit. It took a while to work out why. When his itch was identified and he was given the freedom to scratch the itch, I discovered he actually didn't have the capacity to implement what was missing, in a sad way it was easier for him to move to a church which already had this stuff going on. (The strange thing was this person was perceived as a leader because he went to bible college, but really he was a manager, but more on that later)

I would go on to say, to have true apostolic leadership the 'Itch', needs to be present, with the capacity to implement whatever.

Capacity:: Leadership 5

One of the important aspects for all jobs, including Christian ministry is ones capacity to carry out the job. If you have 100% capacity to do a job then there is a good chance that it will become pretty boring after a while. Not much of a challenge.
The best type of situation is where there is constantly a need to increase skills, in that way there is always a challenge. In this respect capacity is about 80-90%
The worst situation is when someone just doesn't cut, they don't for what ever reason just don't have the skill level, to complete the job. Capacity is between 0-80%

Capacity for Church ministry is made up of a few things, and I'm sure others may have some other reasons. As I've all ready mention skill is real important, passion, vision, implementation, communication and time. For Christina and myself our biggest limitation is time, especially with two toddlers.
The good thing about a Christian community, is other can complement some of the leaders capacity.

Leadership ::1 'Seth Godin'

I'm going to throw up a few of my thoughts on leadership in the next couple of weeks. One of the people who helped clarify a lot of the thoughts for me was Seth Godin and his book Tribes, Here is an excert from his blog::

Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.

The scarcity makes leadership valuable. If everyone tries to lead all the time, not much happens. It’s discomfort that creates the leverage that makes leadership worthwhile.

In other words, if everyone could do it, they would, and it wouldn’t be worth much.

It’s uncomfortable to stand up in front of strangers.
It’s uncomfortable to propose an idea that might fail.
It’s uncomfortable to challenge the status quo.
It’s uncomfortable to resist the urge to settle.

When you identify the discomfort, you’ve found the place where a leader is needed.

If you’re not uncomfortable in your work as a leader, it’s almost certain you’re not reaching your potential as a leader.

 I supose as my stint at Ranges I've experienced these; some mulitiple times

Frank Viola, Re-imagining Church, chapter 6

This Chapter was one where I had differing views from Viola. There is no doubt that if you have unity you have to have something very basic in common. Thus common unity, in other words “community.” This comminality for Viola is “If God has accepted you you belong to the Church”. (I think Viola has shown us his reformed spots here)

I would think there are two main points for Church unity.

That a members are on a Journey towards Jesus. That some would have crossed the line, that Jesus is there saviour and others not. What is important is the direction that members of the community are travelling. Towards Jesus? This comes from social set theory.

The sticking point for me is, does God desire a relationship with those outside the church as those within?  We end up with a type of dualism when God loves those inside the church more than those outside. 

The other aspect which is essential for church unity and Jesus spoke of it at the last supper a number of times is that his followers “love one another”. You will always find something which you will disagree with someone else. What is important is that  you can still love them despite differences.

I felt that the ‘Reformed’ angle, let this chapter down. The line  ”To receive unbelievers as family member is to turn the church into something earthy and human”. Viola used a number of scriptures to support this, which he never elaborated on, but I’ll do that now.

 1 Cor 5:6 : immorality of one who was in there group

Gal 2:4: Spies entered there group

2 Tim 3:6 non-Christians take advantage of Christian women

2 Peter 2:1 : false prophets

Jude 4, 12 : Infultators at the meeting. 

I’m not sure these were the best scriptures to make the above point. What I would say in regards to church unity with those scripture  examples are, the  characters are not heading towards Jesus, the characters are not loving one another.

I was surprised that “love” was not given a greater prominence within a chapter on “Unity”.

God is Back

Listened to the podcast on Radio National with Philip Adams 'God is back'

There are now more Christians in China than there are members of the Communist party and while Pentecostalism has been growing like crazy in Latin America, it's South Korea where you'll find five of the world's ten biggest mega-churches. In 'God is Back', John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge track the revival of religion in a world where previously, intellectuals assumed that modernism would kill religion.

What I found interesting was that some of the ideas were the same as put forward by Alan Hirsch and his mates. That in persecution the Christian church is more likely to experience growth.

I also thought it as interesting the word "pastorpreneur", how these minister are changing. An example was Ps Rick Warren. He is more 'Green', looking more at issues regarding social justice. And not inclined to be so public with social moralizing.

Worth a listen, check it out here.

Missional Distinctivness

Hammo over at backyard missionary put up his most important distinctives for a missional community without using "non-biblical" words, they are::

- generosity - I’d love for the people in our neighborhood to be aware that this is a community who splash their money and time and relationships around with great liberality. In such a self focused society I believe that personal and corporate generosity can function as a prophetic statement about what the kingdom of God is like. And who would ever knock a church for being obscenely generous?!

- earthiness - It’d be great if those who come near feel a sense of these being ordinary people who sometimes get life right and sometimes stuff it up, but who do it with Jesus in the midst. When church people start to give off airs of superiority most Aussies will simply walk away. Again I’d ask, who would ever knock a church for being a ’society of sinners’ where other likeminded strugglers are more than welcome. Everyone knows we aren’t as squeaky clean as sometimes gets made out so let’s be honest with that and maybe we might drop the hypocrite flag a bit lower.

- fun - seriously! I realise this may depend on your definition of ‘fun’, but surely a community where people laugh a lot and enjoy being together has to be one that others would want to be part of? The dour and drab countenance that seems to characterise some church gatherings on a Sunday morning must surely communicate something of the God we worship… I want to be with people who know how to enjoy themselves and can party well (and I say that an introverted non-party animal!)

intelligent - ok by this I am meaning a community where there is the ability to reflect deeply on the issues that face us as missionaries in the west and not simply fall in line with the next fad, nor adhere to a mindless fundamentalism because this is all we have known. Inevitably this means being a curious and questioning community, safe in our relationship with Christ, confident enough to admit that we don’t know it all but courageous enough to consider other viewpoints.

adventurous - people who get the whiff a challenge and rise to it rather than people who simply see the ‘danger’ and wish to play it safe. Having been both in communities that have played it safe and communities that have ‘given it a go’ I never want to go back to the dullness and predictability of that kind of environment.

willing to get involved - its easy to do ministry from a distance, but to be willing to get involved in people’s lives and to have them in your home, to put yourself out and not farm someone out to a designated ‘committee’ is a big commitment. But surely if anyone is going to sense real genuine love from us then it will be largely because we didn’t stand at a distance and yell instructions, but because we got down and dirty and involved in the good the bad and the ugly of life and walked the path come what may.

While I think they are a great list. I also wonder if you can use communicate somthing that incorporates mainstream Australian spirituality. If you can turn on TV and see someone offering horoscopes on free to air television. Then surely the church may have something to say in a missional context as well. Obviously this could also be done without use of 'Biblical language".

Maybe::

Spiritual: A group wanting to incorporate Christian spiritual practices.  Such as prayer for one another, as well as the world. Trying to discern the voice of our creator, through happiness and pain. Believing that the miraculous do occur in our midst.

Maybe not to good, but hopefully you get the point...

Karma, Icon....

 

I spotted this image on my daily reading of 'Mac Talk, Morning news'. It has a differnt picture of Steve Jobs every day. What caught my attention was "Your stealing- it's best not to mess with Karma".  I'm not sure of the context of the photo or the text imprinted on it. It looks like somthing that I could Steve Jobs approving. He has for a long time messed around with eastern philosophy.

After reading Steve Jobs biography "Icon", I came to the conclusion, that Jobs is ruthless. A man that in the board room if he didn't get his way could blow up. 

Yet it is overseas labor which disturbs me the most::

China Labor Watch, which monitors Chinese factories and is based in New York, blamed Mr. Sun’s death on “Foxconn’s inhumane and militant management system, which lacks fundamental respect for human rights.” The group said it published an in-depth study of Foxconn last year, detailing its abuses.

Yes Watch your Karma!!!!

Messages from NT Wright

Stewart Wesly from Network Vineyard has put up two links to NT Wrights messages. I havn't heard them yet, but plan to soon....

Take some time for a view of the Kingdom of God that may surprise and encourage you…
Resurection and the Future World
http://resources.coths.org/sermons2007/20070317_lecture1.mp3
Resurection and the Task of the Church
http://resources.coths.org/sermons2007/20070317_lecture2.mp3
(Just copy and paste the web address into your browser)

Crazy love: Overwhelmed by a relentless God, by Francis Chan

 

Its interesting when you read a book and realize how far you have progress or changed in your faith. Once upon a time I would have read this book and thought it was great because I agreed with it all. Admittedly I didn't actually read the book, I listened to it for free on Christianaudio.com

Just a few thoughts....

Found it quite limited in how the use of the work "heaven", "Saved", were used. I would actually prescribe to using the language of "Kingdom of God". That heaven is actually at hand. Otherwise we can go down a dualistic mentality. 

Chan asked the question "Do obsessed people think about heaven constantly?", what sort of question is that! (I actually re listened to this) Is the carrot heaven? this to be obsession heaven?

There is a fair component of the book which is pretty negative. If your struggling with your commitment now well, you might as well feel guilty about it and read the book.

There are parts which are positive. A call to radical faith. Yet I'm not sure I was convinced with the practical outworking. Is it possible to have a radical faith without heading off to India. Or downsizing your house, giving 30% to your church? Yes, I think there is. The first step is hanging out where Christians don't go. For example. Examining your life and thinking, how many non-Christians are really my friends. Do I really want to know what makes them tick....That is pretty radical for a Christian club. Its a lot harder than just hanging out with the poor and thinking you have it all together in an air of superiority.

So yes the message was good, yet the application missed it for Mr and Mrs average I think.

Would I recommend this book? No.

The Death of Mr Ward

Sometimes you read or see something which makes you think that this stuff shouldn't happen in Australia. Amnesty international sent me though an email with details of the shocking death of Mr Ward, and elderly aboriginal man.

What kind of government allows a person to be literally cooked to death in the searing heat of the Western Australian goldfields?

Well, that's exactly what happened on a scorching summer's day last year when Mr Ward, a respected Aboriginal community elder, died an unimaginable death as he was being unnecessarily and inhumanely transported more than 350km to Kalgoorlie jail.

The circumstances of Mr Ward's death defy the imagination. After being arrested for allegedly drink-driving and locked in an overnight cell in Laverton, WA, the elder was driven four hours to Kalgoorlie in a van since deemed unfit for the purpose of transporting people over such long distances [1]

Mr Ward, the youngest of seven children, was a well-known and respected community chairman, law-man, land manager and spokesperson. The condition of the van that contributed to his death makes stomach-churning reading: no natural airflow, broken air-conditioning, and a surface metal temperature of over 50°C.

After collapsing on the floor of the van, Mr Ward suffered serious burns when his skin came into contact with the metal surface. Leading up to the final moments of his life, his body temperature reached 41.7°C. Without a doubt, Mr Ward's treatment is an affront to personal dignity and emblematic of a deep running disregard for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To take action now follow the link here to the Amnesty international web site

Creation Care

Creation Care is the term Evangelicals are using regarding environmental issues.

Mark Connors has put up a few links to Creation Care, on his blog. Which are worth checking out::

For a good introduction to a biblical theology of Creation Care, click here for a free PDF of a chapter by Bret Stephenson and Stephen Bouma-Prediger from their book Living the Good Life on God's Earth.

Another very good book on this topic is: For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care. The Evangelical Environment Network also has an informative web site. Click here to access a website on Creation Care for pastors.

Libs bring out there environmental policy....

I was pleased to see that the liberal party unveiled their environmental policy the other day. From the Herald Sun::

Opposition's alternative proposes a slow and gradual rise in penalties for electricity generators to allow them time to adjust to cutting their greenhouse gases.

It would also reduce the "churn" effect in the Government's plan, which will raise tens of billions in pollution revenue from industry, but then have to compensate households for their higher electricity and gas bills.

The alternative scheme would save 26,000 jobs in regional Australia, according to the Opposition, including in the Latrobe Valley, Geelong and Portland, which are expected to be hit hard by the Government's scheme.

-The positives as far as I'm concerned is that both Labor and the Liberals are on the same page, that the environment is important. That the have do do somthing in regards to reducing our Carbon emissions. That emissions without offsets aren't good for the environment.

-It also sidelines Fielding more and more. He is now in the minority that believe that carbon emissions don't effect the environment. I don't actually think he needs his 'scientific' argument. Just that Its Gods creation. That humans shouldn't be pumping stuff into the air. God didn't create the earth with chimneys all over the place belching toxic fumes.

-both parties need to articulate a policy which is simple to understand. Both as far as I'm concerned, are to complex in there presentation.

Once again as a Christian, I think its upmost important that we are good stewards of the earth. That there is to much of a linkage between poverty, justice and environmental issues for Christians to ignore.

Frank Viola, Re-imaging Church, Chapter 5

The core idea in this chapter is  based around the metaphor  used the most in the bible for the church, “Family”. A number of scriptures were used, to illustrate the point. Essentially I think Viola is spot on.

There are a number of implications if we take this metaphor seriously. The most important is the implication of business models of churches. Classically the “CEO” models of leadership and structure of church. Where the Church is producing a commodity and to do so certain “minisrtys”, of which are lead by the best and brightest are needed to implement.

I do believe that the bigger the church the more good systems you need. Especially in regards to discipleship. That somehow the ‘family’ metaphor has to be found among the crowds. In many ways it is a harder process. 

Ranges now is at that stage where because of size, ‘Family’, is not that easy without some deliberate process.

Twitter, Facebook, down more power to Georgia?

Interestingly Google, Facebook, Twitter got involved in a denial of service, which brought these sites a bit of grief.
The reason attacks interested me was because twitterfeed.com which I use has been put out of action.

Interestingly as reported the attacks where related to the the Russian Georgian conflict. The person 'Cyxymu' was the intended victim for the attack. He/she used google, facebook, and twitter services.
It made me wonder was it the government of Russia that was behind these attacks; and if so it appears that its backfired on them. 'Cyxymu' now has more publicity internationally than he ever had. It also made me wonder if there was a war between two superpower. What would the cyber implications be....

Personal Theology of Care of Creation

Cat spoke at Church on Sunday and gave out her 'Personal Theology of Care of Creation. It really struck me as somthing which I could really identify with.  

You can check it out on her blog here

Personal Theology of Care of Creation

I recognise and acknowledge God as the Creator. God has a constant and intimate involvement with the earth (Psalm 104).  God has concern for all creation and has made a lasting covenant with the whole earth (Gen. 9:9-17). God loves the world (John 3:16-17).

All living creatures have inherent value for they have been created by God.

My concern for the environment is founded on my relationship with God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of the earth and His mandate to humanity to care for creation (Gen 2:15; Psalm 24:1-2).

I believe that a biblical understanding of care of creation leads to an active involvement regarding environmental concerns.

Sin has damaged not only the relationship between humanity and non-human creation, but has injured creation itself (Romans 8:19-23).

The bible describes God’s plan of salvation to include the whole of creation, not humanity alone.  Christ will return to restore the whole of creation to God (Col 1:20).  Salvation includes the social, political, economic and ecological state of the earth. 

Through the Holy Spirit we are ambassadors of Christ’s redemption to all of creation.

Care of creation has its foundation in soteriology, which clearly proclaims Christs cosmic salvation work on the cross.

Considering the Scriptures, I believe that Christ’s universal work of redemption affirms that any care of creation activity has salvation consequences. 

I believe humanity is the imago Dei and therefore God’s ‘vice-regents’ on earth to care and nurture the earth as God does (Gen. 1:27).

I believe stewardship is the responsibility to care for the world wisely and conscientiously (Gen 1:26-30). Stewardship is a response to the biblical mandate to care for, cultivate and govern the earth on behalf of God.   

Humanity is not the pivotal focus of creation: God the Creator is.  All creation, including humanity, is called to worship the Creator (Psalm 148). 

The current environmental crisis suggests that Christianity has neglected their stewardship role, partly due to an anthropocentric reading of the Scriptures and understanding of salvation.  We have wrongfully assumed that creation exists for our own consumption rather than for God’s glory.

I believe Christians must repent of neglecting our biblical mandate to care for the earth.

I believe that Christian mission must declare and acknowledge God’s cosmic salvation purposes. 

We must care about environmental issues because we are called to love our neighbours and to protect and care for the poor and oppressed (Matt. 7:12, Matt. 22:34-40, Matt. 25:31-46).

I believe in proactively supporting fair-trade and environmental sustainable products and resources. 

I believe in using my ‘vote’ to influence governing bodies to address poverty and injustice, and to implement environmentally sustainable policies.

I believe that reconciliation is central to the call of the church and this must include the relationship of humanity with the non-human creation.

Care of creation must become central to Christian identity and experience, and ecclesial practise.

The current environmental crisis may require local church’s to change the manner and content of their salvation stories to include the biblical mandate to care for the earth.  Christians have a mission to the earth. 

The church must move away from consumerism and be an example of sustainability and environmental concern.

Faith of little children

One of the things about becoming a parent is that you often learn more about yourself. At times I can be incredibly selfish, impatient etc etc.

Jemima been the older sister can be a bit rough at times. One time she was a little bit to rough and Jo was left pushed over and crying. Jemima was sent to her room to think things over.
Almost immediately Jo stopped crying and bolted to Jemima's room yelling "Mima, Mima"
It amazed me how quickly she forgot and forgave.

Matthew 11:25
 
²⁵At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Rupert Murdock, New Corp to charge for online content

http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Rupert Murdock's News Corp has come out and posted a loss. According to the New York Time
$5.4 Billion dollars worth. The paper reported that

the Internet had created opportunities to distribute news cheaply — no need for printing presses or trucks — but said, “it has not made content free. We plan to charge for all our news Web sites.”

I personally don't think it will Murdocks plan will work, in the long term. Yes there is a cost to readership. Journalist should be paid. Yet there are a lot of very, very, good writers and journalist who don't get paid via the old time 'print media' days, they never got a opportunity. Maybe they never had the right qualifications. Google ads means that if good enough, writers with enough persistence can make money. The internet has broadened the volume of journalists and increased the means of distributing the work. It appears to have flattened the competition. Where anyone can break a story, without the overhead. It's a good thing.

This Mr Murdock in the new competition....

Main stream Australian spirituality

Interesting during my break at work, I think it was on a friday. The mid-morning show had some sort of mystic on who was reading peoples future and pasts. There were a number of thoughts that went through my mind.

::This stuff is now mainstream, its on the major television chanells.

::Would there be room for a Christian "Prophet" on mainstream TV to do this stuff. (I have seen it very early in the morning, but it is surrounded by "Christian worship", and a Christian hyped up audience.

:: There is an awareness of spirituality with Australians. Else why would the networks put this stuff on.

:: The way the guy spoke over peoples lives was not that much different to Christians giving some sort of prophetic word.

National Tree Planting day 2009

We went off on Sunday and planted trees in Olinda for National Tree Planting Day. The kids helped so we didn't get all that many planted, but we got a few!

One of the things that Christina and I want to do is participate with our community in the things that really matter for us. Hopefully our care for the environment will reflect God's heart to those around us.

The other thing is starting early with Jemima and Jo. Having an involvement with care for the earth we can teach them how God created the earth and we have a responsibility in looking after it.

So much more practical than sitting in a Church listening about it! (Well depends on the type of church you go to....)

Kids board games, 'Tier auf Tier.'

Christina and I like our board games. So Christina found "Tier auf Tier" or in English 'animal upon animal' for Jemima.

The animals want to show how good they are at making tall pyramids! They must be skillfully careful: Who will position the penguin on top of the crocodile, the sheep on top of the penguin, the serpent on the sheep? The bear wants to stand on top of the pyramid but the height is making him dizzy.

A wobbly stacking game for 2-4 players ages 4-99. With variation for one single player

Christina, my Mum and I had a few games and a lot of laughs. They say there are even more laughs if you turn it into a bit of a drinking game....

Facebook :: 2

After the first post regarding my facebook, there has been culling. Those who I've never really had a real conversation and only wanted to befriend me to push stuff on my wall are gone...

The other thing that I have done thanks to the tip from Ruth is filter. Her comment::

"One great thing you can do now is select 'hide' on contacts or options you're sick of seeing all the time ;) My wall/notifications page is much less crowded now and I generally only see the updates about people I want to know about!"

I have people who are real friends yet, for a better word thrust upon my wall 'Christian Spam'. Unfortunaltely if they put anything up other than the 'Christian Spam' I wont be able to read it. But on the bright side I can still look them up if need to.

Facebook

I have noticed that facebook is used by people for different motives. Some of which I'm happy to go along with. Others use it, trying to push an opinion down my throat without me knowing this is part of the deal. It would appear their motive is about accumulating friends so, that they bait them, throwing out a quote or snippet, usually alligned to an opinion they hold. Then watch as comments appear. It seems to me an unfair way of engagment. For me a fairer way is just to blog. The reader is looking for the material. Instead of it been pushed upon the 'wall'.
Others like politians, or people selling books etc etc will happily become your friend without even knowing you.
So I've decided to do some culling. My criteria now is
::I actually want to know people who want to be my friend (this has been my policy from the start).
::I will have actually had a decent conversation and would genuinely want to know what they are up to. The good thing about facebook this may mean some of my oldest friends.
::I'm also aware that I've got a few non-Christian friends, who wouldn't give a stuff about theology; so I'm mix it up a bit with other things people might be interested in about me.


I am genuinely interested in opinion, of friends. But not so of aquatinces. I do share my opinion with friends. But  I accumulated 'Friends' so as to get a wider audience, for my opinion, thats for the blog....