You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Other people's blogs' category.
I enjoyed the conference on New Monasticism, jointly organised by the Anabaptist network, and the Northumbria community.
Not being part of either of these networks, but interested in both, we went along without much of an idea of what the event would be like. We found it both encouraging and inspiring.
The morning sessions included a time of worship led by the Northumbrians who took us through their morning office. Then Pete Askew of the community introduced Stuart Murray Williams of the Anabaptist network, and Roy Searle of the Northumbria Community. Roy plays cricket with my old P.E. teacher!
There followed two talks - one about Anabaptism, which I went to, and one about the Northumbrian community which Kel went to. I found the explanation of the history of Anabaptism very interesting, and was able to corner Murray Williams at lunch time to quiz him on whether Anabaptists, with their adherence to non violence and peace making, can take an active part in politics outside of anarchism. His answer boiled down to: “there are a number of different opinions about that!”
I also bumped into Mark Berry, the emerging church leader from Telford, who I recognised from his dodgy hair do. It was nice to have a chat, after having commented on his blog occasionally and read a lot about what he’s doing over there.
Other emerging church types knocking about included Ian Mobsby from Moot in London, and Ian Adams from Maybe in Oxford among others.
Brother Samuel from the Aglican order of Franciscans added a touch of gravitas and extra dollops of wisdom. Although he’s not a ‘new monastic’ it is fair to say that his order is less than ancient itself! I really agreed with his remark that one of the key things for a committed ‘monastic’ type community is that they work together manually. His comment ‘there is some very deep spiritual wisdom in making bread’ is so true.
After lunch there was a choice of workshops - I went to a discussion between Ian Mobsby and Brother Samuel - conparing and contrasting the old monastics and the new. Just how monastic are the new monastics? Good question. One of the main themes coming out, and well made by Mobsby and others, was that its more about being frianrs than being monks.
The distinction being that Monks tended to seclude themselves, while friars went out into the community to live out their faith. This is true to a degree, but of course only really applies to certain streams of monkism. Anyhow, I liked the concpet of ‘re-friaring’ the church, but it’s easier to say re-monking!
This session allowed more of a discourse between those in the meeting and the speakers than the first session had - which was very valuable.
More conversations and question and answer sessions followed, with a final session of worship in an Anabaptist style, which included a lovely way of singing the Shema Yisrael among other things.
In all, Kel and I were both really encouraged by what we saw, and the people we met. There were a lot of different types of people there, from the rather posh, to the decidedly not posh - from the emerging church smoothies to the Jesus Army. I’d have liked to have seen some more of the missionary community there, and perhaps some of the 24/7 folk, but that would have just been more icing on an already rich cake.
Well done to all the organisers, I thought it provided a good platform for those who are interested in finding out what others are doing in this area, but arent perhaps able to make all of the connections themselves! Looking forward to more.
I’m in Grimsby now, having eventually got up here last night after a thoroughly enjoyable, if slightly tiring wonder around the UK. In edited highlights - the trip consisted of a cup of tea with Wes Sutton, leader of the Oasis Trust ‘church.co.uk‘ network, at the Oasis base in Waterloo. I was really impressed by what the network is doing in Waterloo, and excited to hear their plans for other projects, some alreadty on the go. Later that evening I returned to the same building, to hear Shane Claiborne speak about his experiences living as an Ordinary Radical. I found out about that event by signing up to a Chrisitan Anarchists mailing list, even though I’m not really an Anarchist. (Shhhh! Don’t tell!)
That night (Wednesday) was spent with Kyber and Mrs Netikos, at their flat in South London. Conversations ranged from virtual reality, to killlng sheep with bolt guns, to archery. And places in between.
Next day, I got to spend some quality time with a friend who wants to expand his clothing company to include a fully ethical range. He’s already working as hard as he can to ensure his suppliers meet the hghest standards of looking after their workforce, and is trying to integrate organic and fairly traded materials into his supply chain. Seems like I’ll be able to help him, which is great.
A bit of a rush over to Euston station then, where I was able to grab a few minutes with Dan Radice of Cokoon. It was good to find out what he’s up to, and to consider what possibilities there are for the future.
Off on to Northampton then, to spend some time with Julie, who is planning to join World Horizons in the summer. I also got a chance to meet Julie’s church, which is an interesting ecumenical fellowship in the heart of the town, very engaged with their community, and offering a whole load of services, from a shoppers coffee shop, to counselling rooms, and various other things throughout their five separate congregations.
On Friday I headed to Shrewsbury via Birmingham - Shrewsbury is home to Ian Matthews and his family. Ian is now working for Zondervan in the UK, but I remember him from our first meeting over ten years ago, when he came to work on a late and unlamented Christian magazine that I worked on at that time. Ian became a friend then, and has remained so, despite not having seen him for a long time.
It was fascinating to see how he and I, through very different paths and in relationship with very different people, have arrived at a very similar place theologically and philosophically (although he’s a left wing libertarian, and I’m not) - it was as surprising as it was encouraging. We both share the same desire to find a way of living in community as families that really works well - I think we agreed that the ideal scenario would be for a group of families to form an open cooperative, the co-op would then own the property, and the families would pay rent to it. Given that it nullifies the effects that personal ownership of property have, and allows for a vaiety of people to live in community in a wholesome way, it seems like the best option. Now, if we could find some other families in Grimsby who were up for that…
A reunion with Kelly and the kids (hooray) meant a short journey to Walsall where we spent the night, and after dispatching the kids to their Grandparents, we went off to the New Monasticism conference in Coventry - which was excellent. I shall blog further details of that soon.
A last laid back drive along the A46 took us all the way to Grimbo - and tea.
The increasing awareness of the fact that people around the world are starving, and its partly our fault, is leading more and more of us to recognise that we need to change our eating habits.
Most of the publicity at the moment is going towards the demonisation of bio fuels, which we already know are in danger of being described as a crime against humanity.
That is good, we have to acknowledge that switching from petroleum to bio fuels isnt enough, we must cut our consumption instead.
But we also can no longer ignore the issue of meat. My opinions on the future of meat eating are already clear, and I feel there is a growing ground swell of opinion which is supporting this view. George Monbiot writes today about the need to cut our meat consumption - he tried veganism for 18 months apparently, and turned grey… I’ve never been a vegan, but I’ve been a vegetarian for many years now, and am full of health!
Monbiot advocates what I call the ‘meat as treat’ solution: “The only reasonable answer to the question of how much meat we should eat is as little as possible. Let’s reserve it - as most societies have done until recently - for special occasions.”
Amen brother.
Meat production is hugely damaging to the environment, and continuing to over consume it is just not a viable option. It is not true to say that all cattle are grazed on grass land and so they arent harming grain stocks, which is an excuse I have heard some give. Apart from the methane emissions alone, which are huge, cattle account for a vast amount of grain and water consumption per kilo of beef.
Even for those who can write of environmental concerns as less important than human concerns, this has got to be a big issue - all over the world people are starving and food riots are happening. We need urgent action on this, if you eat meat, please consider your posistion. If you are a Christian and you eat meat, then that’s doubly true.
Steve Hayes, writer of ‘Notes from Underground’ has been around the block a few times. Occasionally he writes lengthy and fascinating reminisinces of life in Southern Africa, and today he has provided one such, which gives a really valuable insight into the heritage of ‘new’ monasticism.
With vivid detail he recounts stories of past experiments with community living of different kinds, and the ways that some of these have ended (in most cases not well!) Perhaps one of the most fascinating accounts he gives is of early encounters with the ‘Children of God’, which took place before the move into flirty fishing, and so on.
But I think the most valuable part of this particular post, is just the depth it gives to some of what we talk about today, as if it were a new thing. It’s almost as if between the ancient and the present, nothing existed with any life, but this post reminds us of the ways in which folk have experimented and tried out different things, all of which is enormously valuable in terms of learning how to live in intentional community.
I strongly encourage keeping a watching eye on Steve’s blog, there is some real good stuff there.
Yup this time makes it number four, and surely that’s enough for anyone! Let’s just see if there can possibly be any more marriages, it’s quite possible of course that Keith is arranging these himself, in the hope of snagging a bridesmaid..?
Our freeconomist friend Saoirse, he of the pilgrimage to India fame, managed to cross the English channel… twice.
After making it over to France, Saoirse and companions realised that actually they dont speak french, nobody knows who they are or what they are doing, and the French dont get it.
I really feel sorry for Saoirse, I have mixed feelings about his pilgrimage, I admire the freeconomy principle, and thus I have a lot of time for the notion of raising awareness for it, but there are elements of his plan, which I feel are either too naive at best, or at worst ignorant and patronising.
In this instance, I am not sure which is the case, perhaps lets err on the side of naivete. But to cross to France, and once there to realise actually not many people speak English, and they all think you’re a freeloading backpacker…? Yeah, that’s a problem.
So Saoirse and his friends, after some soul searching, gave up. And bought tickets to come home. Oh dear. Once back in Blighty though, our man has a change of heart, buoyed by the encouragement of his friends, he confesses his sins, and renews his vows, he will continue his pilgrimage, but first he will walk around the UK…. oh and learn French.
Assuming Saoirse stays true to his plans, and in a year or so heads back over to the continent, I am hoping that he will have taken the trouble to consider wide cross cultural communication issues, not everyone speaks English or French. Some borders are not crossable legally without a purchased visa too, something else to overcome.
As much as I support his principles, and agree with the basis on which he wants to do this pilgrimage, I fear this is not going to work. The reality is that in some ways the French are right, he is just another freeloading backpacker. He is depending upon gifts from well wishers rather than trading skills and so on for his dinner. Moreover the food he eats is produced as part of the global economy - it is not so easy to opt out of the system. That’s why it is ‘the system’.
There are many who make prophetic statements, and I hope there always will. But this one has a number of problems which I fear will not do the philosphy of freeconomics much good.
If you want to read what the man himself has to say, go here.
One thing I’m unclear about though, and it would be good to get someone elses take on this, is he saying he did get a free ride over the channel to France? Or did his friend’s mum pay for it? I found that part a little confusing.
So this weekend I had the delight of celebrating my old pal Kyb’s 30th, and meeting his wife and some of his other friends.
We had a great time, it was good to see the old boy again, although he is looking pretty old and wizened, its all that city living 
Anyhow, I was kind of intrigued by the job title of Roo Reynolds, one of Kyb’s other friends, he works for IBM as a ‘Metaverse Evangelist’. I dont think I have knowingly met a metaverse evangelist before, so it was quite a thrill… well you know.
Anyhow, Roo’s site is worth a poke around, although his extraordinary collection of lego leaves me a little worried. At the party I almost got drawn into a potentially troublesome discussion on the nature of consumption and the importance of efficiency, but felt that it might ruin the mood, besides there was really nice cake to eat.
Anyhow, the whole metaverse thing got me interested. I first came across the notion of a metaverse in Neal Stephenson’s novel ‘Snow Crash‘ which was one of the many pieces of Cyberpunk literature that I devoured during my student days. Stephenson and his more famous counterpart William Gibson formed an important part of my higher education, and informed some of my later writings. Notably of course Gibson is credited with the invention of the notion of cyberspace, which is considerably better known than metaverse.
The Metaverse is easiest to understand as a virtual world, in which you can act and interact with others, the kind of thing that is manifested in stuff like second life. I dont use any kind of metaverse myself, unless you can count what I’m doing now, which I dont think you can strictly. Metaverses require avatars… so perhaps this is a metaverse then. I dunno, but it sure aint cyberpunk!
So there we are, a good ten years or more since I first studied metaverses, I meet a metaverse evangelist. Interesting. Evangelist is often synonymous with missionary…
I am delighted to see that Keith Smith now has internet access in his mud house, he doesnt yet have running water, but after four years of doing without both water and power, he can now write emails, surf the web, and crucially blog - from his home in Burkina Faso!
Of course this development while on the one hand welcome, has led the good mr Smith to consider - ’should I now be moving to somewhere more remote?’
in 1978, when I was just one year old, a hairy young groovester by the name of Brian McLaren was making records… I think after all the names he’s been called by people over the last few years, he’s extraordinarily brave publicising the fact that one of his old albums has recently been put up for a free download here, let’s just say that despite it’s vintage… well it aint quite punk.
Groovy! Nice jumper Brian.
I’m back, a bit jet lagged, but fine. I’ve not posted anything because I’ve had loads of other stuff to do, and lots of other interesting posts to read.
Can I humbly offer for your reading pleasure:
Ben Edson’s trip to Findhorn and the furore surrounding it.
Reminiscences and timely reminders, about Easy Rider and South Africa, as well as Zimbabwe and Communism…
Jarrod Mckenna’s continued excellent writing.
Richard Sudworth’s musings.
Kester’s well made point about Howies.
Steve and Charlie get married again.
Amongst a hundred or so other good posts I’ve read since returning. Not much point in me writing anything with these guys around!
Just been reading the newest offering from Sahel Steve Davies – currently enjoying the life of a newly wed in la Belle France – but preparing to return to his adopted home of Burkina Faso before long.
Anyhow, Steve’s new book – The Yellowcake Conspiracy – promises thrills and spills along the lines of the Anthony Horowitz books, or perhaps Charlie Higson’s young Bond stories. If that kind of read is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed – it has the necessary villains, plucky hero and gadgetry.
But beyond these necessities what does Steve Davies offer that should tear us away from our beloved Alex Rider? Well quite a lot actually, common to both his Sophie books, and this latest effort is an immersion in the sights and sounds of Africa. The pages drip with Saharan sand, and Tuareg nomads, camels, and cows play as important a part in the tale as do the gadgets and villainy.
Clearly Steve is in love with the continent – although you can also see the inevitable dismay at the ‘complications’ of African politics in the story too.
I think this book (and I’m sure it wont be the last of its kind) is an excellent way to instill some idea of the reality of life in the countries around the Sahara into young lads.
Our world is now almost universally reachable by mobile phone or internet – in a great way this book reflects that. While Horowitz’s Alex Rider is a child of the North, Steve’s creations are his African counterparts. For all that though, the story is extremely easy to read, no difficulty I would suggest for even the least well versed in Africa and its people’s and ways – a good read indeed.
Seems like the book is aimed squarely at the 13/14 age group, and it certainly presses the requisite buttons for that demographic…
One complaint though Steve, why oh why oh why did you call a character Gonad? Made me laugh that did.
You can buy it off Amazon.
It’s been great reading the guest blogs on backyard missionary from Jarrod McKenna - who has written eloquently about Ghandi - and the outworkings of what he said. The latest addition to the series is no exception!
McKenna seems an interesting an intelligent guy - and I was able to take a few minutes to read more about the work he does in Australia this morning. Seems like he’s in the same line as Shane Claiborne - the prominent activist from the US, and indeed the two reference one another here and there.
McKenna’s thoughts make inspirational and encouraging reading for anyone who wants to embrace the radical nature of the Christian faith - just as Shane’s book provides a good platform for those who want to learn what it means to live a Jesus following life - rather than just ‘be a Christian’. I did enjoy McKenna’s comment that if he were to write a book, it wouldnt be ‘how to live as an ordinary radical’ but rather “A how [not] to”.
McKenna also quips that: “Maybe our book would be called ‘The Resistible Revolution’ or ‘The Very Resistible Revolution’.”
I particularly like the focuses on peacemaking and community which both of these guys espouse - in my view this is integral to Christianity.
I would encourage anyone interested to read more about what Jarrod has to say in his guest blogs on bym, and to take a closer look at both the Simple Way community and EPYC in Oz.
is this one by Andy Wilson of 24/7 prayer, who has moved to Canada to found an urban monastery. Monasticism and community expression of Jesus following has been something that has captured my attention very much recently, we’ve been delving into some of the old style meditation patterns at World Horizons, so expect more of that soon…
a good point he makes here
the word missionary is a difficult one for most of us - particularly missionaries!
In Cebu I was lucky enough to meet a couple who are good friends to my mum, hello guys…
You can read about them at Anselmic’s place.
It was interesting to compare the differences between the sort of work they are doing, and the way their mission works to the way WH works and the way WH workers operate in the field, (got to be said, I prefer the way we do stuff… horses for courses and all that .)
kybernetikos put me on to this one, a nifty little exercise which tells you what you know already… but puts it into a nice little graph!!
So go visit the political compass test to make your own little mark. I note that Kyb is clearly a lib dem type, pah! But at least he’s nearer to Ghandi than he is to Mugabe.
Here’s where I sit
Which, according to the following graph, puts me around the same area as Nelson Mandela!! Not sure what to make of that, but I’m sure glad its not Hitler that I’m nearest to.
On the authoritarian scale, I thought I’d be nearer Uncle Joe than I am, phew…
Nice to see the names Hitler and Thatcher in the same area though, reassuring when it comes to ones little prejudices!
Thanks for that Kyb, turned out to be a lot of fun, and btw, congrats, sorry I couldnt make the wedding, I am assured it went off well!
While we were in Cambodia, I was reading Shane Claiborne’s book, The Irresistable revolution, which I can thotoughly reccomend as an interesting and challenging read. I am thinking of reviewing it here, but I am sure you’ll find interesting text about it easily enough yourself.
One of the main points it left me thinking about is community and relationship, and how we live Christianity. Interestingly enough Maggie Dawn writes about that on her blog at the moment.
Good gracious, there was me thinking they were busy hiding in caves and plotting Jihad, but in fact they are reading Brian McLaren and posting comments on tallskinnykiwi, in a desperate attempt to muddle us so much, we are incapable of resisting their tyranny!
And here’s me just wanting to talk about carbon footprints…
Yes, if you didnt know this, read all about it here, thanks to mr skinny kiwi for the tip off!
Now if you dont mind some muslims are keen to establish a Kaliphate in my backyard, and I want to check they are paying the workers a fair price for weaving those headscarves and veils….
In case you cant be bothered to read the article (who can blame you) here’s a highlight: “If the world is to be saved from Muslim conquest, it will be America who does it. And if America is to be saved, only conservatism can do it. And if conservatism is to be saved, it will be those Bible-believing patriots who do it–those conservative, evangelical Christians who are the bedrock of the American way of life.”
Cool huh!
I came across this old post from Keith at under the acacias.
Perhaps due for an update, and maybe renaming: “wwjb - what would Jesus buy?”
I read on treehugger about this box which will eliminate our Co2 emissions from the exhaust pipes of our cars - so that’s a good thing isnt it!
Of course along the lines of what has been being discussed over at greenguy (et tu Kyb?) this has only limited value. Worst case scenario: “I can keep driving, consuming fuel as much as I like, because it doesnt pollute anymore… hoorah! Get the hummer out of the garage again!”
On the other hand, for those of us (including me) who still need to use a car from time to time, this could be a good way of cutting our footprint.
And nice to think that algae are doing something useful for once… instead of just being green scum! 
says that Monbiot is wrong about ethical consumerism. For what its worth, I say that the green guy is wrong. Read all about it!
quite an entertaining youtube video found on the green guy and treehugger, which shows how people ignore bike thievery. However, it would have been better if the guy who was doing the ‘theft’ didnt have his trouser leg tucked in his sock, cos that makes him look like a cyclist rather than a thief. still good for a chuckle though.
Also on treehugger - someone does a week’s fasting and realises its good for them… well fancy that, if only all the major world religions had suggested that before…
The indomitable Kester has made an informed response to the comments made by a certain clergyman about the recent flooding, in which people died, being a judgement on gay people (to paraphrase).
The thing is, obviously that is completely bonkers, and no wonder people are put off the idea of Christianity when you’ve got people saying looney stuff like that. But there’s another point to question here too.
Kester says this:
“…The Bishop of Carlisle, Graham Dow, commented on Sunday that the floods were “a direct consequence of mankind’s lack of respect for each other, for the planet and for God.”
“This much I would actually agree with. Proper respect for one another and the environment would have meant our weather patterns were not altered and these freak weather events would not be happening with such frequency or ferocity.”
But I would ask - actually are these freak weather conditions really a result of man made global warming? I agree that global warming is taking place, I even agree that we have played our part in that. But is that resulting in freak weather? I’m not totally convinced that these floods are a result of that. I think we’ve had floods before, when we didnt have global warming.
I’m more likely to be persuaded that fatally dangerous flooding was caused because of ill advised building in flood plains… (greed is the root cause there) I’m also concerned that inadequate provision is made for such eventualities generally, (again greed at the heart of decision making) but am I convinced that this is a result of our Co2 emissions? Not entirely.
That’s not to say I dont believe in global warming, or as I said, our part in that. I believe that we are bad stewards of the environment generally, and in particular if we all ate a little less meat, this would have a massive impact on the world, after all, we chop down trees to plant food for cattle, which then use lots of water, fart a lot, and then we eat them instead of the food they consumed.
They consume lots of resources, much more than an equivalent amount fo vegetable protein, which by the way is much nicer and less likely to poo on your foot.
Anyhow, just thought I’d ramble on a bit about it.
Stop eating so much meat… it might not be causing floods, but it is helping global warming along.
This started off well…. dont know where I went wrong…
Good article on treehugger today, looking at a recent oxfam report which explains how a cut in US subsidy for homegrown cotton could massively benefit the developing world.
Here’s a snapshot: “…Previous studies my colleagues and I have done clearly show the trade distorting effects of US cotton subsidies by lowering the world price of cotton, with results at the aggregate level,” says Daniel Sumner, director of the University of California Agricultural Issues Center and one of the authors of the Oxfam report. “But these new numbers show that even a modest increase in the world price of cotton that only partly reaches the farmer could greatly improve the daily lives of some of the world’s poorest people, and could literally mean that millions of poor people could be fed.”
For the typical cotton-growing West African household of 10, who live on less than a dollar a day per person, cotton is often the only source of income. According to the Oxfam study, a complete removal of U.S. cotton subsidies would jack up the world price of cotton by 6 to 14 percent, resulting in a 5 to 12 percent increase in the prices that West African farmers receive for their cotton…”
Come on USA, walk the talk, lets stop bolstering up your economy at the expense of millions of lives!
a good interview with Jonny Baker is available on the Allelon site, Jonny is interviewed by Alan Roxburgh, who is an intelligent and insightful interviewer - although looking at him on his site, he does look a bit like Hannibal out of the A team!
Again this is a good listen, as was the earlier interview with Andrew Jones, which proved to be very illuminating too.
I do like the description of Jonny as a ‘younger leader’, very tactful… younger than who would be my question…
I must say though - Jonny may not be ALL that young, but he’s certainly a great thinker, a great do-er, and a great writer, great leader, I reckon he’s probably a great guy altogether… typical!
I picked this link up from Mark Berry’s great blog the other day, and only got a chance to listen to it tonight. It’s a challenging call to a radical lifestyle which eludes most of us, including me.
If you read about him, please dont be put off by people calling him naff things like ‘the coolest Christian ever’ he has something important to say, and I dont get the impression that he is so ‘cool’ he’s stuck up his own orifice, on the contrary, living in community probably helps him have a very healthy sense of self.
I personally find voices like Claiborne’s both encouraging and convicting at the same time, his is a call to a very different way of living, one which presents massive challenges to all of us.
While I like to think I identify with what he says, in my heart I know that I fall way short of the standard that he and others in his community set in terms of how they live together, I guess he’s a kind of John the Baptist voice, he looks a bit like him too. With glasses though…
Perhaps because I’m ignorant, or just not well enough versed in the right literature, but while I am well aware of the phenomenom of ‘new monasticism’, I hadnt heard of Claiborne before, I am glad I now have. Well worth checking this out.
He also has his own homepage, should you wish to read more, and cant be bothered to google him…
Talking of Mark Berry, by the way, I think he will be hooking up with us in South Wales sometime in the autumn, to lead an evening of prayer/worship. Should be fun.
talking of big promises, treehugger have a good write up for Timberland, owner of everybodys favourite Cardigan bay based ethical sportswear brand.
aiming for total carbon neutrality eh… I’m impressed, although I still have some mixed feelings about any company which like them aim to sell more stuff.
It’s a tricky old subject, can there really be such a thing as ethical business?
The excellent Steve at Emergent Kiwi asked a few days ago whether there is a place for the mission agency. I think the question was, ‘is there a mission agency for the missional church?‘ That original post has been followed up by this one and this one.
This has provoked some interesting responses, not least from Jonny Baker, whose opinion is always worth hearing (in my experience) and whose blog is great.
Jonny seems a little defensive of his position as a mission agency worker, Steve felt that he was going to be got at by mission agency people for saying he doesnt think there is a place for the mission agency in mission.
Its interesting, especially for people like me, who are so called missionaries. I work for World Horizons, which is in a sense a mission agency, except that we arent.
We are a movement, a group of people who work together, from various different places around the world, and have a common cause, to bring the good news to the unreached, and most importantly to follow our God.
We are a distinct community within the church, as we share a common culture, (across denominational, national, ethnic and etc boundaries), but does that make us para church? I dont see how.
We are all part of the church, most of us are linked to at least one local fellowship, usually more than one. We generally work in the context of local fellowships, but we work beyond that too, we’re one with the global body of Christ.
Jonny’s agency, CMS, have been around a lot longer than us, (about ten times as long) and they have their own perhaps more distinct identity. But the way I look at it is this, in any fellowship I have been part of, no matter how small or large, there are always delegated tasks, someone to wash up, someone to write stuff down, someone who leads some prayer… etc.
I agree that the idea of an agency existing completely outside the church is dodgy, that’s a sect isnt it? but lets be clear, there arent many of them knocking about - I dont think anyhow.
Missions are more or less relational, WH is very relational, to the point where we’re somewhat inefficient. others are very efficient, some have lots of money, others none. Some like CMS pay people, others like WH dont pay anyone.
But the thing of it is, that we’re all in this task together, we as the church are in it. It makes sense to use specialist skills where they exist, and to consolidate things where we can. But its not good to consign as para church groups which exist as part of the church.
I dont think this is what Steve Taylor was doing by the way, my impression of him is that he is a great guy, who is pioneering a wonderfully missional fellowship in new Zealand. I am sure he uses resources from time to time in order to take their expression of mission forward, and those resources will be produced no doubt by specialist groups.
I must say though that both Steve and Jonny are much better versed in all this sort of thing, especially the language and meanings than I am, and I may have missed some vital points along the way… forgive me if I have. Just my two pennorth (never shy of giving that - ho hum.)
I like the idea of being a ‘hell snob’.
I like the idea of being an anhilationalist. (When I can spell it.)
And I very much like Andrew Jones’ blog.
Tall skinny kiwi - I can only salute you.
a very good place to visit today is Calabash Music’s Tune Your World site.
Not only do you get some excellent free downloads, and lots of interesting news about world music, including two k’naan tracks for free and nothing… (hip hip hoorah) but they also have a good idea! Well thats a start aint it.
The tune your world thing is quite intriguing, I’ve pasted below their description of the concept.
” Do you believe we can change in the world through music?
At Calabash Music we’ve just launched a new campaign that we’re calling‘Tune Your World’ as a creative approach to economic development in Africa.
In the United States our foreign-aid programs do not support our belief that we are a nation known for its good works around the world. The public believes we spend a great deal more money helping other countries than we actually do. Polls suggest that most Americans think the federal government spends about 10 to 15 percent of its budget on foreign aid.
The truth is that we spend less than 1 percent, the lowest of any industrialized nation.
All of sub-Saharan Africa receives just over $1 billion in economic aid. If everyone in the United States gave up one movie a year we could double our current aid to Africa.
We have an even better idea. Tune Your World.
If every American would buy 10 downloads by African Artists — We would DOUBLE the amount of money the US is currently sending to Africa. This is what we mean by ‘Tune Your World’
Where does the money go?
At least 50% (in some cases 100%) of your purchase will go to African Artists, or an African relief NGO and stay in Africa. With this money, musicians will be able to buy new instruments, recording or performing equipment, complete their education, or put a new roof on their house.
Together we can create a thriving music economy in places where the music industry has never worked very well.
How can you make this change happen?
1. Buy 10 songs by African Artists.
2. Forward this URL www.tuneyourworld.com to your friends and family.
It’s that simple.”
So this has put me in mind of a little project which I might undertake, to link you… gentle reader… to some of the sites which host some excellent music by Christians of other cultures. I understand that the excellent George Luke does a radio show called World Beat on UCB which covers this sort of thing, and that will doubtless be worth a listen - its on at a difficult time of the week for me to listen to sadly.
Following the terrible shootings in Virginia Kester blogged about non violence. I always appreciate what Kester writes.
I have made the following contribution to his discussion - with specific regard to the question of the American right to bear arms. As you know, I believe it is less sensible than the right to arm bears.
My view is that the amendment was made to constitution, on the basis of fear. And it is fear which forms the basis for kids carrying guns, knives, other weapons. The second amendment could perhaps be described as a kind of institutionalised fear.
Anyway, here’s my post. Your comments are welcome.
“The second amendment was instituted because of fear.
Fear that somehow the people would become enslaved or powerless without weapons.
Fear that government would be able to control them if they werent armed.
Fear that they might be invaded or the people’s governement usurped.
It is unlikely that this ‘right’ will ever be taken away from the American people, because, sadly, the country that proudly professes Christ doesnt walk the talk in this instance at least.
Fear has no place in the kingdom of God.
Until love and trust usurp fear, particularly of the ‘outsider’, (who should be ‘the neighbour’) there will always be problems of this sort.
Already the demonisation of this ‘outsider’, his mental health problems, his obsessive behaviour, all the other factors that led him to this dreadful act, has begun.
Doubtless this will strengthen in the minds of many the need to be able to protect themselves from such danger strangers.
But the reality is, his fear, fear of not being like everyone else, not succeeding, not getting the girl, not being respected, fed on other fears. Fear does that.
Its not a simple question, what is? But to my mind fear is such an important factor in this equasion that it cant be ignored. It must instead be dealt with. And continuing to demand the right to bear arms is not dealing with it. “
The excellent Keith over at under the acacias blogged about the problems facing cotton growers in Burkina Faso a few days ago. Wish I’d read it before. Well worth you having a look today.
Actually these days, who would.
I read this morning that European and American companies have swindled some more poor forest dwellers out of their birthright, with the old classic ‘bags of sugar’ trick. Makes you proud to be a ‘westerner’. (Misnomer alert).
I dare say that the loggers will either get, or falsify fsc accreditation for their products, which will mean we can all get hold of it, and indulge ourselves in another orgy of patio furniture and so on.
I’ve also been reminded about the sudden realisation that the whole thing of planting trees everywhere to ‘offset’ our carbon emmissions, has been a swindle. What nobody pointed out was that it only works if you plant your trees on the equator, and who would want to do that? It’s all hot and stinky around there, arent there just a lot of poor people living there? They’re only going to chop them down again. Lets plant a woodland in Godalming instead, where we can go for walks, and emply someone to sweep up the leaves.
Good heavens, is it me?
An intelligent commenter on Steve Taylor’s site, made a fine point about syncretism.
He said: “I’m aware of the dangers of syncretism - adopting ‘foreign’ philosophies, ideas, values and trying to make them ‘Christian’. For example : how Christians in the west or the first world have adopted democracy, consumerism, materialism, separatism, abuse of the environment etc. and basically made them ‘Christian’ Ideals, signs of Gods blessing…”
We tend (I think) to consider syncretism as the danger of other cultures bringing into westernised Christianity their heathen practises. - Like the Devil’s own work, a cross between voodoo and Catholicism!!! But how often do we consider our own lack of respect for creation a syncretised response?
Exits stage left, arse firmly in hand.
The current furore over the selling of Faye Turney’s story, and the stories of the other Iran hostage crisis sailors and marines is surely a shot in the foot for the image of Britain overseas.
Far from portraying ourselves in a positive light, we are showing ourselves (once again) to be a nation that is as corrupted by power and fame as its many detractors claim it to be. How can we possibly seek to hold a moral high ground position when soldiers return from a military mission, and then go and sell salacious versions of their stories to newspapers which seek to serve a right wing agenda?
I know full well, having worked for these papers for a number of years, exactly how this all works. Moreover, I know that if the Navy had been bullish, refused to let this happen, squirelled the people away for a week or two, put their families in hotels, whatever necessary, this could largely have been avoided. It would have blown over. The sums of money being offered which were clearly too much for the family to turn down, would have been dramatically smaller this time next week.
Instead, we have this situation which is a full scale PR disaster in foreign relations terms.
Iran had a PR coup with the way it was seen to handle the release of the sailors and marines, just because it wasnt seen that way here, doesnt mean it wasnt seen differently abroad. In turning military people into cry and tell merchants, we’ve done nothing to alter this, and everything to make us look weak and corrupted overseas.
I am a pacifist, I dont support the war in Iraq, I dont support Nuclear development, I dont apologise for Iran’s activities either.
Kester’s grid post last week which reflected in part on the way Jesus treated conflict as opposed to the way others did was a great inspiration and encouragement to me, and I believe it can be translated here. In trying to fight Iran’s propaganda with our own tabloid tales, Britain is shooting itself in the foot.
In this situation, a Jesus style model of grace, forgiveness, and humility would have served much better, not only to better improve our foreign relations, but also for the nation’s collective soul (if there is such a thing;) ).
But as the Clash wisely said: “ The people must have something good to read on a Sunday [or a monday]“
So there.
Lovely weather here in sunny south wales, just perfect for a Good friday stroll down to the sea and a quiet sip looking out over the sea.
And then a slow walk back home, where the sun is equally shiny, but then the rubber hits the road, what CD to play?
I like CD’s, I like records too, but my record player died. On a sunny day like this, it has to be something a bit laid back, so a bit of Jack Johnson seems appropriate. But then again, he’s a bit predictable isnt he? Not him, just the thing of listening to him on a sunny day.
So perhaps a little something from the Gotan project? Ooooh, yeah.
But then again, a drop of Marvin wouldnt go amiss, and I am enjoying Michael Franti at the moment… Oh, and Rivertribe.
I think that music is so important. It is wonderfully life affirming, and that is perhaps why I love hearing tunes from around the world (I dont even have a beard, but I often wear sandals), any way, I enjoyed Sahel Steve’s little recording of an anarchic worship song from Burkina, and I also liked the pounding song he uploaded.
I’ve been boring my friend Brandon recently with endless tales of music from other cultures, trying to make out like I’m some kind of ethnomusicologist, which I sure arent.
Reality is though, we’ve a great luxury here, to be able to enrich ourselves with music of all kinds of styles, and from all different places. It’s sad when we restrict ourselves to a genre or a handful of artists. People in other places dont have that same luxury.
It’s sadder still when we fall into the Christian ghetto, only listening to music that reflects a limited worldview, forgetting that we see but through a glass darkly.
So perhaps I’ll put away Jack, and forget the Gotans for now, Kimmo Pohjonen’s Kluster is worth a revisit, and I really must get on ebay and get hold of some Rachid Taha (he’s playing in London tonight, wish I could go).
Then again, Johnny Cash is always worth a listen….
A good article in the guardian today, about people pledging to make their own clothes rather than buy them. HOORAY!!
There’s nothing surer to cut consumption than asking people put some effort into things.
So I reccomend this site to you, gentle reader. As yet I note that there are no obvious male sign ups on this pledge business, what an embarresment! If I can get my sewing machine working (or just work out how to thread it) I will sign up on the next round (unless I forget about it before then).
I dare say that this article will boost their popularity somewhat, but I will resist my urge to dislike things just because other people like them. (haha)
Again in the news today, more stuff about bio fuels and all that, as if consuming things other than oil will solve all our problems. The only solution is to cut down our consumption. Full stop.
I spoke to my old friend Adam last night, it was one of those good phone calls, where even though we hadnt spoken for some time (years) we fell in very easily again. Adam was my best man, and I was proud when he reminded me that I had introduced him to some of the science fiction writers, who have gone on to influence him. (Proxy influence!)
Now Adam is a clever person, cleverer than me even (is that possible?) and the sort of guy who it will be useful to know come the inevitable(?) meltdown of our planet
Why would he be useful? Well, for a number of reasons, not least his ability to build a computer out of dominos… Now that is clever! I dont understand it of course, but that’s the point, if I understood it, I wouldnt need Adam around.
There’s something wonderfully artistic about this simple calculating machine, which makes me feel…. reassured.
A lot of people question me on vegetarianism. I am after all, a vegetarian, I also dont drink alchohol, nor do I drink coffee, and I only drink green teas.
I am in fact one of life’s awkward squad, I think that it is vital to make lifestyle choices that are in harmony with your beliefs. So I recently vowed to myself that I wouldnt buy any clothing that I didnt need, and if I did buy clothing it would a) be second hand, or b) be ethically sourced (organic cotton/fair trade / locally sourced, whatever is most appropriate).
That is whay I was encouraged this morning to read Steve Taylor’s post about vegetarianism. He rattles off in good form some of the key arguments for being a vegetarian. And there are more too, I would suggest that in fact, with the amount of proteins that are pumped into meat these days, and the way that most animals are intensively farmed, it is better for your body not to eat meat.
I do know a bit about animal husbandry by the way, I grew up on farms, as my dad was a shepherd for a number of years.
Moreover, I consider it a justice issue, by eating meat we are tacitly condoning a form of food production which means that many cannot be fed, and which destroys habitats for both flora, fauna, and human beings!
But before I get too elevated on my high horse, I should make this admission, and this goes for alchohol as well… the initial reason I chose not to eat meat, or drink booze, is that I dont like them. I never liked meat, nor have I ever been able to stomach alchohol. And as for coffee….
And a further admission, I do eat meat when I’m travelling, my reason for this is that when you are offered a meal by someone who is honouring you with the best meal they have, then it is spiteful to turn it down becuase of vegetarianism.
It’s a complicated issue (what isnt?) and not one worth falling out about, but I would urge you to consider, have you thought enough about the way you eat?
I’d been considering posting something about the small furore that has blown up about the Chocolate Jesus sculpture, however, before doing that I read Kester’s post about it, which expresses things much more eloquently than I could.
I humbly suggest you visit, gentle reader.
Steve Davies over at Voice in the desert is looking for a little bit of help with his new book. For reasons he explains on his blog, he has to think of a fictional name for an internet auction site. He is asking his readers to post suggestions in the comments section of the post, the best one will be in the book.
He’s a great writer, so here’s your chance to make your mark on a potential children’s classic!
