Joe Hockey, put out a tweet for advice regarding what he should do regarding the current Liberal party turmoil. (He also had lunch with his old boss John Howard, I suspect, John dosn't use Twitter, thus the advice was face to face)
Here is the advice I Tweeted back::
"JoeHockey it the right thing to follow through on the agreement. Climate change is here to stay. Good on you supporting your leader. A+"
Interestingly on JoeHockeys friend list on tweeter is a "KRudd". I wonder what advice he gave...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Yarra Valley Coffee 2/10
Our coffee supply has been a source of anxiety since moving to Phillip Island. We were relived when we found a supplier for Yarra Valley Coffee. After a week its been pretty disappinting 2 ot of 10. Very weak, you get a stronger taste from the milk.
I suspect it could be the age of the coffee. Even though the package says "freshly roasted", I suspect with a "best before" date of May 2010, this may not be the case.
I don't think it's because it's decaf either. I've had exellent decaf, from differnt companies in the past.
Our next try "coffee snobs"
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Restlessness in the Coaltion ranks
Malcolm has called a leadership spill. No tweets from Malcolm or Joe on the matter.
The Challenger is Kevin Andrews. Known for the Haniffe scandel as well as the well written anti Euthanasia legislation (I've actually heard him speak on this).
Its interesting that I think reason that Malcolm was voted in as leader was that there was a realization in the Liberal party that new ideas where needed, that the party needed to be seen as at the center right. (I think Howard was initially perceived by the public to be in this position. But ongoing legislation and time proved this wrong).
The problem for the liberal party and Malcolm is that members keep looking over there shoulder. To how things were, the glory days of Howard. It is this type of thinking that will cause the liberals to stay in opposition. As Joe Hockey said and I paraphrase 'The liberal party dosn't do opposition well but in government we do very well' .
Overall I think that Malcolm was doing a pretty good job, with a tired bunch of old horses. How old is Wilson Tuckey?
The Challenger is Kevin Andrews. Known for the Haniffe scandel as well as the well written anti Euthanasia legislation (I've actually heard him speak on this).
Its interesting that I think reason that Malcolm was voted in as leader was that there was a realization in the Liberal party that new ideas where needed, that the party needed to be seen as at the center right. (I think Howard was initially perceived by the public to be in this position. But ongoing legislation and time proved this wrong).
The problem for the liberal party and Malcolm is that members keep looking over there shoulder. To how things were, the glory days of Howard. It is this type of thinking that will cause the liberals to stay in opposition. As Joe Hockey said and I paraphrase 'The liberal party dosn't do opposition well but in government we do very well' .
Overall I think that Malcolm was doing a pretty good job, with a tired bunch of old horses. How old is Wilson Tuckey?
Frank Viola, Re-imagining church, Chapter 9, Reimaging oversight
There was some interesting observations in this chapter....
Elders whose function was overseeing and shepherding the members of the church.
Very interesting was the claim that
"...The Bible unshakably demonstrates that a plurality of elders oversaw the activity of the early church. No church in the first century had a single leader
Consequently, the common accepted notion of sola pastora (single pastor) is at odds with the New Testament. The bible knows nothing of a person who stands at the helm of a local church, directs it in the world, officiates its Communion (or Lord's Supper), blesses civic event, marries the living, and buries the dead. No such person exists in the entire New Testament."
This paragraph certainly rocks who is seen as traditional 'Church' in regards to structure. I cannot help but think though it is a natural tendency for people to look for an individual for leadership. But maybe as suggested by Viola it should be a plurality of 'Eldership'
Interestingly Ranges is currently working in the manner at the moment, and as far as I'm aware not really interested in changing.
Also of interest, Viola claimed the only time when there was a single leader as such, was when it was getting started, the 'apostolic worker' such as Paul.
Elders whose function was overseeing and shepherding the members of the church.
Very interesting was the claim that
"...The Bible unshakably demonstrates that a plurality of elders oversaw the activity of the early church. No church in the first century had a single leader
Consequently, the common accepted notion of sola pastora (single pastor) is at odds with the New Testament. The bible knows nothing of a person who stands at the helm of a local church, directs it in the world, officiates its Communion (or Lord's Supper), blesses civic event, marries the living, and buries the dead. No such person exists in the entire New Testament."
This paragraph certainly rocks who is seen as traditional 'Church' in regards to structure. I cannot help but think though it is a natural tendency for people to look for an individual for leadership. But maybe as suggested by Viola it should be a plurality of 'Eldership'
Interestingly Ranges is currently working in the manner at the moment, and as far as I'm aware not really interested in changing.
Also of interest, Viola claimed the only time when there was a single leader as such, was when it was getting started, the 'apostolic worker' such as Paul.
Monday, November 23, 2009
online reading
There has been a few bits and pieces that I've been reading and think, worthwhile to share::
42 million 'Solar City', in Bendigo (My home town) has been opened. Supplying enough electricity for 150 houses.
Bob Garbet, who used to go along to Ranges has writen a pretty good piece comparing some of the theological differences between Piper and NT Wright.
The good old Anglicans in Canberra have written a report of when Brian Mc Claren was in town. Well worth a peek.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Is there another way...
I've been pretty much part of the Vineyard movement in Victoria since its inception over ten years ago. I have been part of two church plants and one established church. One of the Church plants was one which Christina and myself planted. So I think I could say that I've seen a bit.
Out of these eight churches that are running only two churches have the resources to employ staff at full time or more.
The rest of the churches only employ pastors part time.
That Vineyad in Victoria have planted three Churches which have failed.
Starting, maintaining and growing a church on limited resources is incredibly stressful, not only on pastors but their families and other leaders.
I suspect other states would mirror the Victorian experience.
My question is. Is there another way?
I would say that there is. But mindset of what Church looks like needs to change. Or in other words there needs to be creativity and innovation to the approaches to creating Christian communities of faith.
Does it need to have a 'worship leader', meet every Sunday at 10am, have home groups, self help groups, constant conversions, help out at the local school...? All these things are good but if you want to start with a bang like this, you need a team of 50 and a budget of well over $100,000 for the first three years. Mindset is the first thing that needs to change.
Out of these eight churches that are running only two churches have the resources to employ staff at full time or more.
The rest of the churches only employ pastors part time.
That Vineyad in Victoria have planted three Churches which have failed.
Starting, maintaining and growing a church on limited resources is incredibly stressful, not only on pastors but their families and other leaders.
I suspect other states would mirror the Victorian experience.
My question is. Is there another way?
I would say that there is. But mindset of what Church looks like needs to change. Or in other words there needs to be creativity and innovation to the approaches to creating Christian communities of faith.
Does it need to have a 'worship leader', meet every Sunday at 10am, have home groups, self help groups, constant conversions, help out at the local school...? All these things are good but if you want to start with a bang like this, you need a team of 50 and a budget of well over $100,000 for the first three years. Mindset is the first thing that needs to change.
The Prom
I love Wilsons Promontory. Accommodation is very basic. The majority of sites are unpowered so its fuel stoves and lamps. Yet I think this is what give it it's charm. For me I'm taken away from technology, phone calls. Just time with friends, family and my own thoughts. It's been our second year in a row and I think it will turn into a bit of a family tradition.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Moving on from Ranges
Well most people who know us, know that Christina myself and the girls have left the mountain. That we have moved on from Ranges Church which we have lead for 6 or so years.
It was always going to be a difficult move, leaving friends and a church which in many ways feels like a child which you have fathered. It is why I've avoided this post, yet I feel has to be written.
There are a number of reasons for the move.
:: I've always wanted to live in a regional. (Christina didn't but was willing to comprise if it was near the sea. Thus Phillip Island.)
:: We wanted to do this prior to the girls starting kinda and school.
:: The ways things at Ranges church was going, was positve. It was a healthy time to move on.
:: I also felt that until the girls both started School we would have had limited time to do anything new and innovative. While maintaining what we already have Again this was a good time for others to step up, and u to move on.
The future, with ministry...
:: At this stage we just want to hang for a year or so at Phillip Island. See what the Holy Spirit is up to. In the church, with the community, and with ourselves.
:: We are still on the board of Vineyard Cataylst Network and will probably head over to Nerium South and help with John and Chris V with their house type church, in the short term.
:: When the time is right we will probably plant again. This time a lot differn't. So stay tuned!
It was always going to be a difficult move, leaving friends and a church which in many ways feels like a child which you have fathered. It is why I've avoided this post, yet I feel has to be written.
There are a number of reasons for the move.
:: I've always wanted to live in a regional. (Christina didn't but was willing to comprise if it was near the sea. Thus Phillip Island.)
:: We wanted to do this prior to the girls starting kinda and school.
:: The ways things at Ranges church was going, was positve. It was a healthy time to move on.
:: I also felt that until the girls both started School we would have had limited time to do anything new and innovative. While maintaining what we already have Again this was a good time for others to step up, and u to move on.
The future, with ministry...
:: At this stage we just want to hang for a year or so at Phillip Island. See what the Holy Spirit is up to. In the church, with the community, and with ourselves.
:: We are still on the board of Vineyard Cataylst Network and will probably head over to Nerium South and help with John and Chris V with their house type church, in the short term.
:: When the time is right we will probably plant again. This time a lot differn't. So stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Enter Joe Hockey on the religious debate...
Joe Hockey, who I think will one day have a crack at the top job of Prime Minister has layed out his religious credentials 'In defense of God' and it is fascinating.
Part of the extract::
Part of the extract::
One reason why Christian faith has declined in the West is because of the reliance placed on a literal reading of the testaments. Such an approach has tangled the Christian faith in a confusion of contradictions.
By encouraging literalist analysis of the Bible, many churches have inadvertently invited people to question the validity of a faith that seems to be based on questionable facts or outdated prescriptions.
I think this is pretty spot on. That the evangelical church has lost the ability to sell the 'Mystery' That there is one box, that if you fit in it you have to believe in such a way. If you have 'grays', you are not encouraged to speak them out, and are discouraged to do so, under the threat of been cast as a black sheep.
So, fundamentalist churches have increased, to much applause by those who inhabit them. (I suspect mainly by people, within the walls who like the security of boxes). The Western Church including Australian belief in Christ and overall Church attendance has declined.
Is there a way of stemming the tide? Well I think there needs to be honesty. That there needs to be a more than just tolerance. Actually loving people who have a slightly warped view to yourself.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
What I've been watching and listening
The ABC has had a few really good programs.
Evenings with John Cleary "Theodicy How to make sense of a God in a world where evil happens".
This was a pretty interesting episode. Yet I got the impression most of the guests were of a evangelical nature. Even though from differn't denominations! I probably would have liked a fair bit more diversity. Never the less very interesting.
Compass: "Anglicans Sydney style".
I always thought myself as a product of Evangelical Anglicanism. Yet I can see I'm not quite there in regards to Sydney Anglicanism. Watching I got the impression that Sydney Anglicans feel like they are persecuted a bit for there more fundamentalist approach to the bible, that it is even to be expected! (I personally like to think that think that persecution also occurs for sticking up for injustice!) I suppose it just reinforced what I had already heard and thought in regards to the beliefs of Sydney Anglican beliefs:: Father, Son and Holy Bible.
You can watch the program here
Evenings with John Cleary "Theodicy How to make sense of a God in a world where evil happens".
This was a pretty interesting episode. Yet I got the impression most of the guests were of a evangelical nature. Even though from differn't denominations! I probably would have liked a fair bit more diversity. Never the less very interesting.
Compass: "Anglicans Sydney style".
I always thought myself as a product of Evangelical Anglicanism. Yet I can see I'm not quite there in regards to Sydney Anglicanism. Watching I got the impression that Sydney Anglicans feel like they are persecuted a bit for there more fundamentalist approach to the bible, that it is even to be expected! (I personally like to think that think that persecution also occurs for sticking up for injustice!) I suppose it just reinforced what I had already heard and thought in regards to the beliefs of Sydney Anglican beliefs:: Father, Son and Holy Bible.
You can watch the program here
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