Our nature lies in movement; complete calm is death. Blaise Pascal I caught up with an old friend a few years ago over coffee. He confided in me that he wasn’t sure if he believed in hell any more. He was a church leader with an evangelical background. He didn’t seem concerned. After all, he [...]
Tag Archives: Movement
Those wobbling bishops
2 July, 2010 – 9:04 PM
The Ugly Vicar explains the dynamics of how church leaders come to undermine the very beliefs and values they are called to uphold. Note the public silence of key moral issues until they build a consensus to change rules and regulations. The only effective response to this undermining of the Christian faith? — radical principled [...]
Surprised by Acts
24 May, 2010 – 8:48 PM
I’ve been in the book of Acts lately and there have been some surprises—those “ah ha” moments when you see something for the first time that was always there. Here’s a few . . . Acts is the second half of one story. Luke wrote his Gospel to tell the story of what Jesus began [...]
Plain sailing
27 January, 2010 – 8:55 AM
Never mind the manoeuvres, just go straight at ‘em. Horatio Nelson Nelson was of the opinion that in war no captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy. According to Edgar Vincent, his method for evolving plans was not analytical. He despised “pen and ink men”. He relied [...]
Interview with Jay (6)
22 January, 2010 – 1:26 PM
Jay: We have white-hot faith, commitment to a cause, contagious relationships and rapid mobilization. Your fifth one was adaptive methods; speak to that one a little bit. Steve: The heart of the Christian faith never changes and movements are very rigorous in that conservative side of the faith of saying there are some things that [...]
Interview with Jay (5)
20 January, 2010 – 2:20 PM
Jay: Let’s go on to your fourth characteristic — rapid mobilization. Steve: This is a simple concept — everybody has a job to do. Movements don’t abolish the clergy, they abolish the laity. They ordain everyone for ministry. You see it in Jesus’ ministry. Even before the woman at the well has come to a [...]
Interview with Jay (4)
19 January, 2010 – 1:17 PM
Jay: So we have white-hot faith, commitment to a cause and I think your third characteristic of dynamic movements is contagious relationships? Steve: Contagious relationships reminds us that we are all half a dozen handshakes away from everyone on the planet. We can see this in Jesus’ ministry; he is recruiting disciples who bring their [...]
Interview with Jay (3)
18 January, 2010 – 1:14 PM
Jay: The first characteristic was white-hot faith. What’s next? Steve: The second one is commitment to a cause. Movements aren’t just about my experience of God; they’re about changing the world. Every movement has a unique gift that God has given them. In the Catholic religious orders refer to their founding charism. Each order has [...]
Interview with Jay (2)
16 January, 2010 – 1:10 PM
Jay: Let’s turn now to the common characteristics you have found in dynamic movements. I believe the first one is white-hot faith? Steve: Yes, whenever you see a dynamic Christian movement I see white-hot faith — God’s presence and power equipping people for ministry, transforming their lives. Its not just the experiential side, there’s a [...]
Christmas downunder
22 December, 2009 – 9:51 AM
Ever wondered how Santa gets around in the heat of the Australian summer? HT: Andrew Bolt
