Shallowness, subjectivism and much spinning of plates in suburbia

I'm not going to mention the name of the church I visited last Sunday partly because I don't think that it's appropriate when you have negative things to say, but mainly because the negatives are probably present in most evangelical churches including even my own beloved St Cuthberts!

Let me start with the positive. This is an active, faithful, growing group of Christians with a warm sense of fellowship and a genuine commitment to ministry and outreach. However, tragically in my view, there were serious weaknesses on view last Sunday.

For one, every song and even the 18th Century hymn with which we concluded - evidence that this is a problem not confined to our own age - was radically subjective, in other words, exlusively about me and my relationship with God. Of course, there is a rightful place for the expression of such feelings, as the Psalms demonstrate, but it should be part of a balanced 'diet'. What the many visitors present must have thought one can only imagine? That the name of Jesus was only mentioned in the context of 'me' and that only occasionally says it all!

For another thing, there was no liturgy. This in itself is not wrong - not all must be Anglicans - but it so often leads to shallowness. Thus there was no gathering prayer, no confession, no creed, no structured intercession etc of any sort, not even the Lords Prayer. In my view, sensible and sensitive use of liturgy develops individual grit and corporate identity.

Finally, although the minister did not preach, he did virtually everything else apart from the reading (no pew bibles by the way or print version on the noticesheet) I am sure that I have been guilty of this myself, but when viewed 'from a distance' it feels all wrong as well as very uncontemporary. We have come so far in many areas why not reform and renewal on this?

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Coffee and Church

In NYC there is a Starbucks on every street corner - or so it seems. Most days I have breakfast in one - their Perfect Oatmeal with all the toppings and a fruit juice is not a bad start to the day - followed by at least one or two more visits! (my only excuse is that there is no kettle in the room)

eaving aside the debate about Starbucks killing off the competition, usually local and independent, I want to ask, why are these places so popular and what can the church learn? Several points

They are non judgemental. The relaxed slightly bohemian atmosphere is very welcoming particularly to younger people, though interestingly older people seem to feel at home here too. Yesterday, for example, I was joined at my table by a matriarchal looking lady resplendent in expensive gold jewellery and wearing an ankle length fur coat!

You are treated seriously which is a more positive way of saying that you can tailor your purchase to suit your personal wishes - double shot grande with skimmed milk to go!

You are given space - usually - even if you can't get those few comfy chairs. No one hurries you ought of the store so you can read, work, think whatever, though why they don't have free wi fi I don't know.

You can come on your own and feel OK. A bit like 8 o clock communion no one is going to trouble you and everything just happens.

So what can the churches learn?

Starbucks has grasped the culture we are living in - some would say that it has shaped it. Church needs to learn how to tune in.

We need to give people space. Anglican churches are better at this than most.  People need to be able to breath.

We need to learn how to value and respect all those we come into contact with. If they want to be we should let them be. Much of what we do at St Cuthberts already operates along these lines.

We need to articulate our non judgemental philosophy more and apply it consistently as well as explaining it to 'concerned' insiders. People know what they are getting when they come to Starbucks.

There are an increasing number of single people in our society. We need to think carefully about how well we accomodate them?

Made a little less than the angels...

I'm sure that the author of Psalm 8 didn't have this in mind the 2500 or more years ago since he wrote it, but it is worth pondering the miracle of flight. Currently I am being transported across the Atlantic at a speed of 629 mph (jet stream assisted) and at an altitude of 39,034 feet above sea level The outside temperature is around minus 15 degrees centigrade and we have travelled 1640 of the 3300 or so miles between NYC and Manchester. Meanwhile I am sitting in perfect comfort - well sort of - wearing only a T shirt just having been served a hot meal and having enjoyed a glass of red wine - my first alcohol this trip. What ingenuity and power is ours! Let us pray fervently that we use it for good and not bad, for weal and not for woe.

I'm back home and haven't even left the States

InK or two delays at check in though I eventually got through with a slightly overweight bag plus a whole row of seats to myself. At one point we were all re-directed to an adjacent location. The usual dash ensued, as I said to one lady, "just like Tesco". She then proceeded to edge in front me and then quite blatantly jump the queue. I hadn't seen behaviour like it from anybody for, oh let me see, at least eight days. And we say Americans are pushy!

Every valley lifted up... Every mountain and hill made low

Those words from the Book of Isaiah apply quite literally to Manhattan for, prior to the building works in the 19th Century, extensive remodelling of the landscape took place - hence the possibility of the level grid iron street pattern. 'True' Manhattan can be seen in Central Park which has it's fair share of hills and I should know because I've run up and down most of them!

Today, my last day, I wasn't planning to run partly because my legs were tired and also because I needed to vacate my room by midday. However, the weather was and is so good - still cold with lying snow on the Park, but accompanied by warm sunshine - that I thought I must. Didn't do the whole Park, but ran to The Belvedere - a castle like structure set on a rock about half way up. Great view and great joy! Came back via one of the woodland trails and then through E 60 Street and 2nd Ave. Apparently the first NY Marathon in 1970 was confined entirely to the Park. Later ones begin at Brooklyn Bridge, following a painted blue line through all five districts and then finish here. Maybe one day?!

Bethlehem Baptist Church, Brooklyn

I Called down again to the Rescue Mission Wednesday to meet up with the chef Pedro. Everyone seemed pleased to see me even though I wasn't actually helping. That night they fed over 230 and that following breakfast and lunch for the forty or so residents. Residents, by the way, can stay on the basis that they receive basic Christian instruction and in the longer term are prepared to help out with jobs.

Pedro and I travelled to his church, Bethlehem, for the midweek meeting. This consisted in half an hour or so of open worship followed by a brief address. Then into the following groups: men, women and married. This was the most interesting and revealing part of mmy visit. Basically a bible study with a practical thrust what came out was that most had been subject to some sort of addiction and had passed through a 12 step recovery. The men had a wide variety of employment, including several construction workers and all spoke in a direct sort of a way. Not entirely removed from what we do on Cheadle, but nevertheless very different. Turns out the actual Bethlehem church had become home to this new group and that they had breathed new life into it. Seems like this is a common happening here as it is in the UK - old buildings, but with new congregations.

Afterwards Pedro, his wife Shelley and myself went to a Diner then back on the subway, me to Manhattan and they to New Jersey. The very efficient and very well priced system - $25 for a weeks unlimited travel - make this sort of thing possible.

Going out in style - with Roxie, Mr Razzle Dazzle & the Cellophane Man!

Queued this afternoon in a bitterly cold Times Square for half price Broadway tickets. Couldn't decide between Chicago, Phantom of the Opera or Mamma Mia, but in the end went for the former and was sure glad I did. Of course, with a discount, you always need to ask 50% of what, but hey I did get one of the best seats in the house at half price(balanced the books by forgoing the restaurant meal I'd promised myself)

The theatre was compact and I was seated in the middle of the stalls about ten rows back. Sitting next to me was Ray from Korea to whom I had to explain the plot which, for me, took some doing (ask Teresa about my grasp of such things) And who says Americans don't do self-deprecation or can't take the rip out of themselves? Chicago was brilliantly written, exquisitely executed and thoroughly enjoyed even by a cultural and entertainment Philistine like me.

Running in NYC

Whilst over here I have been running here three times. Each time the temperature has been slightly warmer, but on all occasions the Park has been snow covered and the side walks icy.

Running the sidewalk

Only one tumble when a fairly slight lady walked into me from the side and sent me flying. We both fell, she said nothing and simply walked off. I wasn't sure what had happened and so said nothing, though as I was stationery at the time felt no responsibility.

Navigation is easy given that you know your start point as the streets are to a gridiron pattern with horizontals and verticals (not so easy when riding the tube and exit out of one of a multitude of access points) Neither does one attract any sort of attention even when running in a snowstorm, which must relate to the general level of craziness in NYC

Running the Park

Central Park is big - not quite sure how big - and the majority of runners take a 6.2 mile road circuit, though there are many minor tracks and pathways. It is also beautiful with 25,000 trees and a range of interesting buildings and artefacts including something like Cleopatra's needle. On each occasion I have stopped at the north of the Park to watch people skating on one of the two ice rinks (my excuse for a rest anyway). Today I also stopped at Strawberry Fields the John Lennon memorial which had been overlaid with snow in the shape of the peace symbol. On a previous occasion I ran through the Childrens Zoo and saw seals swimming. Those responsible for laying out the Park in the 19th Century have done generations of New Yorkers,both rich and poor alike - and there are many of the former hereabouts, including Bono and Sting - an inestimable service.

It feels so safe here!

Throughout my trip I have been astounded by how much safer NYC has been than I had imagined. Not that I scare particularly easily, but I had visions of rather aggressive, pushy people with an 'in your face' attitude along with restless, if I am honest, mainly black youths, possibly armed, hanging on street corners in the less affluent districts. None of these fears were realised, whether in uptown Manhattan, downtown Soho or across the water in out of town Brooklyn. Even the drivers are markedly less aggressive than in the UK with drivers proceeding cautiously at right turns and being patient with pedestrians at lights and this can't all be down to the price of gas! (the greatest danger comes from cyclists, especially at night, as they dodge about as in the UK, but unlike at home, with no lights). No worries about the iPhone either. Nearly everybody, grannies included, appears to have one and if not they've got a Blackberry!

How to explain the difference? Partly, I think, it is a result of a Citywide strategy developed over the last 20 or so years. Police are everywhere with, for example, a patrol car passing every five or so minutes in Central Park. After all tourism is NY' biggest industry. I also get the feeling from the more deferential attitude shown, that youth and others feel less like messing the police about than in the UK.

At a deeper level, folks here seem genuinely more considerate. They truly do want you to 'have a good day'. This appears to be part and parcel of the American psyche or dream as articulated by President Obama at the inauguration. People here are, it seems, for the most part working hard to achieve a more civil society. Or to put it another way, their individualism is not as individualistic as ours.

Ever spoken to a 32 year old bishop?

Just had coffee - naturally - with Jon Tyson leader of Trinity Grace Church which consists of five congregations across Manhattan. He is Australian, became a Christian aged nineteen, worked in various churches, then came to NYC three years ago and started the church along with his wife and a group of friends! It now totals 600 or so members with an average age of 25!

What accounts for this extraordinary success? Well, John often prays for a couple hours a day, usually from the office roof (the office is in a building recently vacated by hookers and possibly owned by the Mafia). He does a lot of thinking, not least during his two month (sic) summer vacation. He is also in Manhattan at a key moment. Evangelical
churches are few here - Redeemer is the biggest (average age 30) - their membership accounting for only approx 1% of the population. Consequently they can start afresh offering what the others can't, don't want to, or have forgotten. Finally, Jon and his church have received training and finance from Redeemer (100,000 dollars no strings attached)

John isn't, of course, a proper bishop for his church is independent, though affiliated to the Origins movement, part of the 'emerging' church. He has, though, a strong affinity with Anglicanism and even talked of aligning his church with that of the Anglican Communion via an African Archbishop. Even more interestingly, his churches utilise the resources of the Book of Common Prayer in their meetings and individual discipline. This lends a depth and provides a historical frame of reference who would otherwise be lacking. They also follow the church's year e.g. Lent, Easter, Pentecost etc. and also aim to operate the a Parish like system of mission and pastoral care.

These observations, along with various bits of reading I have been doing, cause me to think that C of E churches have a unique missionary opportunity, being both Catholic and Reformed thus, hopefully reflecting the best of both traditions and are also both national and local, having resources to draw on from outside whilst retaining touch with the community near at hand. Finally, there is permission to experiment, given that the leadership, including not least Archbishop Rowan, are encouraging a 'mixed economy' of more traditional church and 'fresh expressions'. Get in!

The final thing to say about John is that he has has the wisdom to build a team to lead TG. He has five governing elders who run the practical side of the church. He also has a growing staff which includes Gary Wiley - Fellowship & Care - with whom I also had a coffee. Gary spoke of the challenge of a new church with so great a number of young members. Many try and fail to 'live the dream' that is Manhattan, struggling to remain afloat amongst so many beautiful and successful people. Others are searching for an identity in a culture where anything goes and so all options. Still others feel they have failed outright. Even given the difference in attitude between the UK and US when it comes to counselling, it is revealing to hear that the church has upwards of 50 people receiving specific help in these and other areas.

Sorry folks, I worked on my Sabbatical

This morning, as every other - apart from Sunday when I went to church uptown - I was at St Bart's, Fourth Avenue for Morning Prayer. Only thing was the service leader failed to show up so I stepped into the breech. The two (sic)congregation members appear pleased and it did seem important that we prayed on this the most important of days.

Joy, hope, laughter, tears and an elementary mistake - the inauguration of Barack Obama

I witnessed this historic event in or, strictly, outside Trinity Church, Wall Street with a large crowd of Americans who, along with the majority of the US, seem thankful to have said "good bye" to Bush & Cheney and excited the prospect of what the 44th President can bring. The occasion was distinctly American and the better for that. Thoughtful,enthusiastic, upbeat, slightly cheesy, but with a very positive thrust.

Rick Warren, not much liked by many outside the evangelical church
here because of his views on abortion and same sex marriage offered, I thought, a very well crafted and inclusive invocation prayer with thoroughly Christian content (incidentally, he spoke yesterday at
Ebenezer Baptist, Martin Luther King Jnrs old church on MLK Day, an invitation given before the inauguration and one he said was & personally more important) Aretha Franklin sang "My country tis of thee to a tune "America" which soounds very like the British national anthem. I for one had a lump in my throat. Then came John William's piece. A groan in the crowd, "Let's hope it's not long!" I thought it lent dignity and breadth personally.

The inauguration proper was marked by a moment of humour and the elementary mistake I mentioned as the Chief Justice offered Obama far too long a sentence to repeat. Has this guy never taken an oath before or is he hung up on split infinitives? It would have been obvious to anyone who has ever conducted a wedding. Nevertheless, seasoned pro that he obviously is, Obama laughed it off.

Then the speech. Rhetorically brilliant, possibly promising too much as politicians always do, but honest, constructive and conciliatory. A good start. Then a cleverly thought out poem and an equally considered prayer - who is Rev Joseph Lowery? - and we were done.

Large amounts of applause, several people sobbing and a collective rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic accompanyed by Trinity's magnificent organ recently restored following 9/11. This followed by a peal of bells outside and 'Here we go' within as the crowds began to disperse.

Now the real work begins.

Why do liberals pray and care for the poor better than us? Part I

Of course this is a generalisation - there are honourable exceptions - but not one can dispute the overall truth of the assertion.

Liberals pray more because more, I believe, because they are committed to a structure of daily prayer and weekly Communion. Even on a public holiday - MLK Day - there was a service of morning prayer at St Barts where I am attending at 8am (led by a Reader by the way)

The consequences of my observation are twofold: first, evangelicals
should be slower to judge the faith and motives of more liberal
Christians. True lots of people pray, including those of other faiths, but this is specifically Christian prayer accompanied by bible reading (though interestingly no confession as such in the order we used) Second, we should be willing to learn from more liberal Christians. Here is the spiritual pattern and discipline we frequently lack. Even when we do pray publicly our prayers can often lack the depth and resonance of more traditional forms e.g. the intercessions at Redeemer last night, whilst thoughtful, had less power and substance than most of those I hear back home. Happy to report that there are signs that
this is happening, not least in the Emerging church, even if we have a way to go.

I was once told by a clergyman that he was refused permission by his College principal to be absent from chapel to attend the birth of his first child. Sounds crazy on our terms of reference and I'm not saying it was right, but is there not a danger that the pendulum has swung too far the other way? We fit prayer around our timetables whereas our timetables should be fitted around prayer

And still they came....

Was scheduled to help pack foodstuffs for low income families tonight with folks from Redeemer Church where I'm visiting this Sunday. The distribution point was the NY Rescue mission.

Then this afternoon got a reply by email to an enquiry of some days ago asking if I could also help out in the Mission diner serving meals. I had to hotfoot it downtown - my first subway journey - and get stuck in. Cleaning walls, moving supplies, setting up tables, preparing cups containing napkin, fork and spoon etc Naturally I had to wear a hat and apron.

And then they came... In the end 170, plus the inmates (their term). Men, women, even a five year old child. Old and young; black, white and asiatic; hungry and not so hungry. Each clutching their plate with it's turkey, veg and mash. Wondering why tonight there was no cornbread. Virtually all unfailingly polite and well ordered and yet each carrying the haunted expession of those who knew themselves to be at the bottom of the barrel. Profoundly moving.

Before we served out we prayed as a team that the food would be a sacrament of God's love. May it have been so for each one of them.

I'm back there Tuesday

Afterthought: my OT bible reading this morning included these words

...let right be done in the public place... (Amos 5.15 BBE). As Christians we can't hide from our responsibilities to others. How easy it is to do so even, or perhaps especially, in the name of religion

It's a retreat stupid!

I wasn't really sure why I'd chosen to go to New York. I needed to go somewhere different, Central Asia didn't work out and so why not. This morning everything became clear. What happens in a retreat? You get lots of time on your
own to think about things, read and pray. You leave behind day to day stuff in order to try and gain a wider perspective. You engage in regular worship. I've done all that and more today Even my small but comfy room has a retreat feel to it

OK this retreat begins in a diner and ends at Starbucks, but hey I'm not going to let that detract from it.

Very cold but very cool

Last night did the open top bus tour. Fortunately they ran one with a perspex top as temperatures were approx minus 10 without windchill. It's still minus 10 this morning by the way! Warmer than the Hudson River though - a miracle those people got out of that plane

I suppose in many ways NYC is like London - huge commercial and retail activity spread across lots of districts. However the street pattern makes it a whole lot easier to grasp as well as to move around. On that note there's not, from what I've seen, the same congestion as London and the drivers are far less aggressive which surprises me. Generally the people seem friendlier too

Just off now for morning prayer followed by breakfast.

I've been here before

Strange to say it, but I have in a thousand films and TV shows. It
looks so very familiar and yet - even on a very superficial
acquaintance as I'm still on the bus - there are very definite
cultural differences.

The only sign of religion so far - apart from looking down on a few
churches from the air on descent which had shades of Legoland due to
the gridiron street layout - was driving by a huge container lot where
three stacked units spelt 'God Bless America'

Will post again soon

Prophet versus Priest

Not fully got into the full swing of things as yet, what with funerals, planning for the trip to the States, the impending house move etc. However, one thought that that struck me forcibly the other day in connection with Clergy Sabbaticals was that the work of the Pastor is, or should be, very much a balance between that of the prophet and the priest.

The prophet is normally an outsider who comes, for a time, to speak the word of the Lord. He or she generally disturbs others. The priest, on the other hand, is an insider, one who is called to identify with the people and become one with them. He generally comforts others.

I love the life of a priest, being absorbed into the life of St Cuthbert's, it's people, it's ministry and it's context, but don't much relish the thought of being a prophet, though that is also a part of my calling. How much easier to work with the grain - like the priest - than against it - like the prophet. The danger is that one becomes so merged with - submerged by (?) - one's church and community that the Pastor is, as a result, unable to bring a fresh word.

Of course, there is no ultimate contradiction between these two ministries. Jesus Christ had both a prophetic and priestly vocation, but there is a tension and one way to maintain the balance is to withdraw for a season. Hence the Sabbatical.

Your thoughts welcome

The Light of the World

Enjoyed a quick viewing of all three originals of Holman Hunt's The Light of the World at The Manchester Art Gallery yesterday.

Here are several interesting things I did not know:

Hunt came to faith whilst painting the original (now in Keble College, Oxford). This was my preferred version (shown below)


The final picture, which now hangs in St Paul's, was paid for by an
agnostic businessman, Charles Booth, who saw the practical power of religion. He sponsored a world tour which was highly successful, particularly in the Antipodean leg. This publicity led to the picture's great popularity.

Hunt's greatest insight was to picture Christ at night thus combining the imagery of Revelation - Christ at the door - with that of John - Jesus Light of the World

Two final observations

There was an exhibit from St George's, Poynton - a Light of the World constructed from pressed flowers. The St Paul's copy has the bible text below in the AV (obviously) which contains the wonderfully expressive 'sup'

Short but sweet?

This morning I took in two services at Manchester Cathedral -Mattins at 15 mins and Holy Communion at 30! Even managed to park more or less outside as the City was dead at this time

It would be easy to be critical of the ancient, albeit at points abbreviated liturgy, and bemoan the average age of the congregation a about 70. What struck me most though was the spiritual backbone regular worship after this pattern must produce. There is a depth here which the modern church would do well to capture. There was also a surprising warmth of fellowship displayed after the service though no coffee so had to hot foot it to Cafe Nero before viewing Holman Hunt at the Manchester Gallery! After that a pastoral visit. Bye for now

The Trip to New York

When I am going?
Next Thursday, 15 January

How am I going?
Continental Airlines flight from Manchester to Newark Liberty Airport
That's 3,343 mi (5,380 km) Duration: 8hr 10min

Where will I be staying?
The Pod Hotel
http://www.thepodhotel.com/
(I might not fit in, but at least there's WiFi)












What will I be doing?

1. Visiting

Trinity Grace Church Plant, Manhattan (Sunday morning for breakfast & service)
http://trinitygracewestside.com



Redeemer Church, Manhattan (Sunday evening to hear Tim Keller, the Senior Pastor and renowned author & speaker)
http://www.redeemer.com

Various other churches yet to be chosen

2. Experiencing

Martin Luther King Day is 19 January so what better than the Harlem Gospel Choir at BB King's Bar & Grill
http://www.bbkingblues.com/schedule/moreinfo.cgi?id=1970
(check the YouTube video above right)

Here's the last speech of the man himself



Barack Obama's inaugauration is 20 January in Washington. I'll view it in Times Square, NYC

Plus the many & varied sights of New York which I've got to figure out how to fit in.

3. Serving

New York Rescue Mission - I'm planning to help here Saturday 17 January
http://www.nycrescue.org/index.php

4. Running

Central Park (6.2 miles circuit)
http://www.centralpark.com/pages/maps/runner-s-map.html













5. Eating
Can you believe it - its NYC Winter Restaurant Week
http://nycgo.com/restaurantweek

6. Connecting

Via Trinity Grace's Google Group I've already been in touch with various church members, including members of the ministry team

7. Following my nose

8. Thinking

Although originally scheduled to visit Tajekistan, I think New York will offer a different, but equally stimulating angle on mission and culture. What relevance has the Christian faith in the 21C and how may it best be communicated?

When I have worked out a full programme I'll post it. By the way, the slide show will regularly update from my mobile so that you will be able to see exactly what I've been up to

Mission Reading List (2)

Here are some additional mission reads chosen by me - yes I can have an original thought - or taken from Redcliffe College reading recommendations (their comments are italicised)

Chris Wright - The Mission of God - for biblical perspective
Chris Wright's magnum opus...is stunningly stimulating and comprehensive. From his exposition of Luke 24/45-49, to his holistic and eschatological applications it is full of wonderfully refreshing insights.

Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen - The Drama of Scripture - more biblical perspective.
In this book the unified story of God’s plan of redemption unfolds, first for Israel and by implication the nations of the world in fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant blessing Gn 12:3b. The Bible story is dramatic, hence the title. In the unfolding of that drama the reader is taken on a journey through time touching upon a nation’s history in which God’s actions are magnificently displayed and interpreted. What a joyful read for a mission minded theologian, to see the storyline of the single message of the Bible merging mission and theology! Appended is a study guide that allows a serious reader to meditate thoughtfully on the content and meaning of what was read.

Rodney Stark - Cities of God and The Rise of Christianity - for historical perspective
Cities of God (subtitle 'The Real Story of how Christianity became an urban movement and conquered Rome') by Rodney Stark builds on his earlier ''The Rise of Christianity', and rigorously (and quantitatively) tests a series of hypotheses about the growth of the Early Church. The application of the findings is very relevant in early 21st century secualr and 'post-Chrstian' Europe.

Callum Brown - The Death of Christian Britain (Christianity and Society in the Modern World)- compliments Davie (see last post)

Paul Heelas - Spiritualities of Life - for an insight into the modern world. I wonder if Costa Coffee gets a mention?
...deals with the development of non-religious spiritualities of life, which may be one of the most pervasive influences in Western popular spirituality today. This is not a Christian development at all. But if you are involved in mission in Europe, you need to know and relate to what is happening in this area.

Rob Bell - Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality - not what you might think!

John Drane - After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry, and Christian discipleship in an age of uncertainty - another thought provoking book (see last post for another of his)

Anthony Flew - There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind - for a little philosophy (hopefully)

Ruth Barton - Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry - because I need to

Other material I hope to get around to not directly related to mission

Bill Bryson - A short history of nearly everything - to try and catch up on all the stuff I missed these last years

Niall Ferguson - The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World - topical and very relevant

Michael White - Darwin: A Life in Science - it is his year and he was and is both important and controversial

Barack Obama - The audacity of hope - its his year too!

James Connor - The man who played dice with God (about Pascal)

Stuart Buchanan - Called by God? - A Handbook for those Testing Christian Vocation The many years of experience which Stuart brings together in this book make it a must-have resource for all those involved in interviewing and helping Christians to explore their calling. His honest and thorough handling of the subject recognises that the process can be complex and pain-staking but also a joy and a privilege. The combination of godly insight, real-life stories, practical tools and sometimes painful experience all reflect a heart to see God's people become the right people in the right place at the right time. Every mission agency personnel department and church mission group should have a copy.

Tomorrow I might say a bit about my forthcoming visit to New York

Mission Reading List (1)

My first post shows some books recommended by our Diocesan Mission Advisor. His comments are italicised.

Those I've already read are marked **

Donovan, V. (1982) Christianity Rediscovered, London: SCM. Classic of modern mission. If you have not yet read it then it’s your loss. **

Hull, J (2006) Mission Shaped Church – a Theological Response, London: SCM. Slim volume giving a positive critique of the Mission Shaped Church report.

MacLaren, D. (2004) Mission Implausible: Restoring Credibility to the Church, Milton Keynes: Paternoster.
Excellent account of why the church has struggled in the face of modernism. Un-missable but not an easy read.

Murray S (2004) Post-Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World Carlisle: Paternoster.
Good overview of church in Post-Christendom. In places it is a bit of an Anabaptist rant but that can be excused for the insight you gain from reading the book.

Booker, M. & Ireland, M. (2005) Evangelism – Which Way Now? London: CHP.
Good overview and critique of the methods of evangelism we use today.

Bosch, D.J (1991) Transforming Mission, New York: Orbis. Have you not read this yet? Now looks a bit dated and is a very Westernised account of world mission but lots of bits where you will say,’ well, I wish I had thought of that.’ **

Davie, G. (1994) Religion in Britain since 1945, Oxford: Blackwell. Well it had to be on the list somewhere.

Drane, J. (2005) Do Christians Know How to be Spiritual? London: DLT. Tries not to be too depressing about the views of people outside the church on how spiritual they understand the church to be today but probably fails. Still this is a good way to face the realities of mission.

Gibbs E. & Bolger R.K. (2006) Emerging Churches: Creating Community in Postmodern Cultures London: SPCK. Good introduction to the emerging church scene.

Grenz S.J. (1996) A Primer on Postmodernism, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans

Morisy, A (2004) Journeying Out, London: Chapman.
As with all her books, a good read.

Frost M. and Hirsch A. The Shaping of Things to Come Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson. 2006. How should the church recalibrate itself for mission? An Antipodean view but none the worse for that.

More suggestions to follow shortly. Bye for now....