Rob Hall

My music video for the week

2011-02-20T13:07:00.001-05:00

I spent the week with Visionledd. Following their programs through the Kabwe area. Here is a video of the sites and sounds. There are parties and dancing and a whole lot of fun.

2010-06-10T08:24:00.004-04:00

http://maps.google.com/maps/geo?q=1600+Amphitheatre+Parkway,+Mountain+View,+CA&output=json&oe=utf8\
&sensor=true&key=ABQIAAAAKxmO2UDx6jWUJtwCHBsJEBSeskw6JYiOPJTDB85aHIWpQJhyZRSh2YHvdk6IVCl9vPCJTPgaylU0Ig

Ministry 101

2010-02-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

I Am enjoying some vintage ministry time with John Wimber. Check it out.

A Missional Christian

2009-11-30T10:12:00.001-05:00

Here is a great one. Especially funny in light of our discussion at Vineyard Days.

http://bigearcreations.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-birthday-captain-kindness.html

2009-11-30T09:58:00.000-05:00

Here is the brainwave of a friend of mine. Can't tell you how much i think this speaks of being people that really dream about impacting their cities. I love it.

http://bigearcreations.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-birthday-captain-kindness.html

Positive Deviance

2009-10-07T13:29:00.001-04:00

hey here is an article from Jason Clarke of deep church. I am enjoying his look at reimaging the holy spirit and his work therin.

Here he describes positive deviance as means of seeing the HS at work.
(the original is at deepchurch.org)

There are basically 8 steps to the process of positive deviance.

Step 1: Don’t Presume You Have the Answer: Approach the change issue with a beginner’s mind, ready to listen deeply.
Step 2: Don’t Think of It as a Dinner Party: Involve only those that are a part of effecting the change locally, instead of a broad, diverse audience. This is about core momentum…
Step 3: Let Them Do It Themselves: (otherwise known as give-up-your-colonialism) Set up a situation in which people can discover, on their own, a better way to do things. Setting up sacred space is great, but don’t pre-determine where the Spirit is going. Raise questions but the let the group come up with its own answers.
Step 4: Identify Conventional Wisdom: Establish the norms and associated boundaries of activity.
Step 5: Identify and Analyze the Deviants: Allow the positive deviants to emerge as it becomes clear that they have found a better way.
Step 6: Let the Deviants Adopt Deviations On Their Own: Don’t teach new knowledge – encourage new behavior.
Step 7: Track Results and Publicize Them: Post the results, show how they are achieved and let other groups develop their own curiosity about them.
Step 8: Repeat Steps One Through Seven: Make the whole change process cyclical.

cartoon: swine flu biblical? | nakedpastor

2009-09-28T12:49:00.000-04:00

a funny postcartoon: swine flu biblical? nakedpastor

Biking is Hazardous

2009-09-09T22:33:00.003-04:00

So here is my head after a little jump i missed on my bike. Other than a couple days of oozing I healed pretty quick.

Published!!!

2009-08-20T19:32:00.003-04:00

I was very excited today to find my travel advice had been published in Outpost magazine Sept/Oct edition. It's very fun to be published...but i can't wait for the MEC giftcard.

Are you Kid Travel Ready?

""Sometimes travel with children is an overwhelming adventure for the parents. A fool proof way to make parents battle ready is the Mall Simulation Adventure. Take your kids to the mall for a shopping adventure because there is nothing like lineups, crowds, and waiting to simulate airport travel. To increase the difficulty do it over nap time. This is guaranteed to help parents problem solve, and hone their ability to distract. It is also a great way to help kids go beyond their normal limits."

A littl' fun

2009-07-28T20:15:00.001-04:00

I've had Nev volunteering this week taking tons of footage of the programs and stuff .... here is a bit of fun.

A sad Day

2009-07-28T14:01:00.002-04:00

so we have been trying to take a picture our red tailed hawk that swoops over our property here at the church. On Thursday last week it was even sitting on the balcony outside our offices. We were about to start a competition as to who could get the best shot of it. Well.....sad news we found it dead the other day, whether it died by lightning, or hit the building or has bird flu...we don't know.

I am disappointed though, it wasn't like it was ours, but it made our property cooler, our adventure here more interesting. Now... its gone. It reminds me that dealing with grief and disappointment is a part of life, every life, learning to put our trust back in God, to believe there is more is a constant journey..

Inspiration

2009-07-15T11:30:00.003-04:00

Every once in a while i come across a song that puts a well known story, or idea in an entirely new light. I love Regina Spektor's song Samson because it is a great song, and because it is a song written about the woman who cut samson's hair. Did she really love him? Was she a cold hearted snake? Was there any tenderness.....

check it out.

2009-07-07T22:13:00.005-04:00

So this is a post republished from CV NEWS....it is written by Genevieve Pylypiw. My summer youth coworker. She is telling a story about our recent discipleship time with God in nature.

It was a beautiful day, a perfect day to work outside. I was standing under what appeared to be an apple tree, though before that day I had not realized the existence of it's fruit bearing abilities -- a strand of Macintosh at that. It had been a couple of weeks since Rob had announced to me that we were going to prune the apple trees on the property. "Apple trees," I had exclaimed, unknowing that we even had one. We have four! Four (decent kinds of apple) trees in the backyard of the Cambridge Vineyard. One more new discovery since I've started working here six weeks ago.So, there I was standing under the first chosen tree to prune, apparently a first experience for both us. Rob was already fully immersed in chopping off limbs and branches at the top of the tree when I walked over.

I had a memory flash of an apple orchard and thought out loud, "Aren't apple trees supposed to be fairly sparse in branches?" Rob grinned and chuckled as he jumped out of the tree and answered me, "Yep. Apple trees are generally sparse -- we've got a lot of cutting to do," and he handed me the clippers.For the trees to bear good fruit they need partial sun and partial shade, so the branches need to be spaced in a way that allows the sun to shine through, yet at the same time provides some coverage from too much heat. This is why typically the structure of an apple tree is shaped like a pyramid/triangle. The tree we were standing under was shaped like a big sphere. It took me a little while to figure out "what branches would get to live or die," as Rob so eloquently put it.

At first I was timid and thought I was going to screw up the tree if I cut the wrong branch, but after my first few cuts I started seeing and understanding the process a bit more. As I looked up from the ground and surveyed the direction the branches were growing in, I was able to recognize what branches were good and what one's were deterring healthy growth."This is why we can be thankful that Jesus is gentle and only prunes us a little bit at a time." Rob's one sentence sermon ended as he finished sawing through a large branch with a 3.5-4" diameter. I should say it was more like the top of a limb he was cutting off. It was full of leaves and looked healthy, it had many smaller branches sprouting from its thick trunk. The limb fell to the ground with a thud. The leaves rustled and shook from the impact, then rested peacefully. "Yea, it's a good thing Jesus is gentle," I thought as I witnessed what looked like harsh treatment of a perfectly fine living structure, "..because the chopping off of a limb that size on my own body would really hurt."I think it's hard for us to recognize pruning because all it really feels like is suffering. We may have a branch that is bearing good fruit of love and joy, but because of the great abundance of goodness there begins to sprout a lot of branches. So many, in fact that the weight of the branches become overbearing and because of the coverage, the limb begins to die from lack of warm sunlight. This may look like weariness, bitterness, resentment or frustration.

This is a good branch that the Father needs to prune. Pruning may be Jesus asking you to step back from leadership for a while, or it may be needing to ask your son or daughter to choose only one sport per season. It may be making the decision to commit to only two nights out a week and the other three you stay home or it may be resolving some conflict between you and someone. Whatever it is, it is usually uncomfortable, hard and possibly hurts a little bit depending on the situation.Well,

I have now turned Rob's one sentence sermon into a six paragraph thought. I'm going to bring it to a close by saying, I'm really glad that I have Jesus to stand under me, look up and see the branches that are deterring good fruit from growing. And I'm really glad that He doesn't just walk away and leave me to grow into something that the Father did not create me to be. He only asks me to trust and obey.Over-growth and bad fruit is self produced.

slum weekend

2009-06-29T09:57:00.000-04:00

so here is a great idea, i am going to try.....

yes i am going to build a home!'

Astonishingly we can look at these pictures and think.........HOME! I don't think so. Man, places like that smell, yet millions live in houses built with nothing, garbage, scrap and bits of plastic. What always has astonished me that garbage has a different meaning in places like this.....EVERYTHING is useful.

What i would like to do is to challenge people to a weekend where on friday night they go out to build themselves a shelter out of the scrap they find around town. THEN LIVE IN IT for the weekend..

WHy? because living it helps us understand how others have to live in it! And because the people that do it could raise money, and awareness of homelessness and of poverty and actually raise some money.....to help.

slum weekend FALL 2009

Society of Vineyard Theologians

2009-06-11T16:17:00.004-04:00

So check out this cool development. A pet peeve of mine has always been that there is not enough scholarship that expresses a vineyard view of theology (my view). Just try to find a commentary that expresses a kingdom theology, or a view of the Holy Spirit is actually ngaged in the world. Here is an opportunity to expand that....

Vineyard USA is launching a new initiative, the Society of Vineyard Scholars (SVS).

THIS IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT...
We are gathering the thinkers and scholars of our movement to “think theologically” in community—both in order to address the critical questions of the moment and to put down theological and intellectual roots for the long haul. Our expectation is that doing this well involves building a diverse, interconnected community of scholars, pastors, and scholar-pastors within our movement.

Ultimately, our desire is both to deepen our theological reflection and to broaden our engagement with our culture. Towards these ends, we anticipate holding conferences and other events to provide forums for collaborating and sharing intellectual work as well as pursuing other ways of facilitating connections among current Vineyard seminarians, graduate students, and scholars.
If you are interested in receiving communication about SVS please click on the "Interested in SVS" button to the right, and fill out the information so we can get to know more about you.

A CALL FOR PAPERS
“The Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God: Justice, Power and the Cross”
All in the Vineyard who hold or who are working on a graduate degree and enjoy thinking theologically about your discipline are invited and encouraged to submit a paper for the first annual Society of Vineyard Scholars (SVS) Conference. The theme of the conference is “The Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God: Justice, Power, and the Cross.” It will be held Thursday evening through Saturday morning, October 22-24, in Columbus, OH. Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Ron Sider, Professor at Palmer Theological Seminary and President of Evangelicals for Social Action. The opening address Thursday evening will be delivered by Dr. Don Williams on “The Past, Present, and Future of the Kingdom of God in the Vineyard Movement.”

Three panel sessions on Friday will feature presentations of and responses to papers written by SVS participants, focusing on some aspect of the conference’s larger theme. Papers should be in one of the following areas, broadly defined: Bible, Theology, Ethics, and History, as they relate to the theme of the conference. For these sessions, we will select a maximum of nine papers of no more than 12 pages in length. Completed papers, including titles and abstracts, will be due August 1, 2009. Submissions should be emailed to Carol.Shelton@vineyardcolumbus.org. Those who submit will be notified of the acceptance status of their papers by August 30, 2009.

Ancient Wisdom—Anglican Futures an emerging conversation at Trinity June 4-6, 2009

2009-06-11T13:04:00.003-04:00

To all my anglican buds.

here is a conference hosted by Jason Clark

and for Anglicans, reimagining the church, for an emergent and younger generation.. There was a great host of teachers, including my very own Dr. Sumner from Wycliffe.

They set up a blog for the event here check it out to see what was said.
http://ancientwisdomanglicanfutures.blogspot.com/

cheers

passion.....is it worth it?

2009-06-11T11:03:00.002-04:00

One argument I hear about full time verses bivocational christian leadership sounds like this: 'Well, if you can't get paid to do what you do, then getting a job to support your hobby (meaning pastoral work) is great.'

I would agree doing ministry part time is way better than not doing it at all. The real question is not the money. What bivocation demands is a contentment with a modest amount of creativity, energy and passion for ministry.

For me the issue has always been.....'but i could do so much more if i could devote myself to it.' that is the rub for me.

witchraft and idolatry

2009-06-11T10:59:00.001-04:00

I was just listening to mark Driscoll sermon on Galatians. He gave a healthy reminder of what each of these are.

Idolatry- having a substitute for God, or THINKING GOD IS LESS THAN HE SAYS HE IS. (that is the thing that struck me......how many times do i do this?)

Witchcraft- incantations we make towards God to get HIM/Her to do what we want. Another way to put it is....doing something to get a good result from God. EG. praying harder, fasting for God to answer us, doing good so we are in God's good books- these are all more or less.....witchcraft.

check out more of mark at

www.marshillchurch.org

Deliver Me

2009-05-23T21:30:00.003-04:00

Here is a story I tell at the beginning of a sermon on Deliverance...enjoy.

So, Sometimes as a preacher you get what you consider a the ‘word of God’ for someone. It is as if God drops this message/scripture into your head for a group of people. I had one of these moments for my buddy Trimble’s church in Zambia.

IT WAS THE PRODICal son……for those with no dads.
Now my buddy trimble had a church in the bush in Zambia, on the edge of nowhere….Trimble, as is popular amongst young bible college students go find a place with no church and set about starting one….witch doctors first. His story about planting the church is CRAZY. I had promised to go and preach before I came home to Canada, so after a long drive we got to the church.

As I walked in the church….a side room off the Bull stadium on a large ranch, Trimble points out the witch doctor-come to check out the preacher. The amazing thing was as they start to worship-totally simple, but earnest…..i notice people start falling down….and when they fall down the ushers TIE THEM WITH ROPE and haul them out. Soon I realize that they are manifesting demons and to keep them from lashing out they tie them up. About 30 minutes later the women (in this case) come back, meekly into the church.

I started to get nervous about preaching time….but as I started the place fell silent. I thought, man I must totally be missing it. I told the story about how the younger brother went away….AND GOD WAITED FOR HIM TO COME HOME, I told about the father who GAVE EVERYTHING FOR HIS SONS. People began to cry. When it came to ministry the church was at the front. Why? Because they had seen a glimpse of a God that was not like their father’s. Africa is a fatherless place, because of HIV many grew up on their own, in families without men. Culturally men there are unnurturing and have little to do with the kids. The men that were at home often beat them….gave them nothing. Those people got delivered that day from THINKING GOD DIDN’T CARE.

Middle Age

2009-05-19T21:43:00.006-04:00

People tell me that 30 is the new 2o and that middle age is 65. Let me push back and say, ' who wants to chase kids around the playground at 5o?'- DAD or GRANDPA?- neither. There is a time of life for everything, and not all things in life can be done anytime. I have always been one who both is amazed at how much I have done in life AND how much I have missed. I am too old for the olympics, for climbing everest, for travelling without kids.....(maybe someday lord).

I know people who struggle to have kids because they have found that 40 is too old. Seniors who feel as lively as when they were 20, but can't walk or run because of health problems......

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE? .......LIVE IT!

I have been observing lately that if you want to build something, a career, a house or a church. Do it while you are young. It is amazing to see that even those ol' guys with lots of life left hit 50 and something changes. The drive to do it in your 50's is not there. In your 50's you want to enjoy the fruit of your labour, tell someone else how to do it, or better yet....consult. Building is for your 30's maybe 40's so get a move on.... OLD MAN.

Bono-Easter and Lent

2009-04-21T14:37:00.001-04:00

April 19, 2009
Op-Ed Guest Columnist
It’s 2009. Do You Know Where Your Soul Is?
By BONO
I AM in Midtown Manhattan, where drivers still play their car horns as if they were musical instruments and shouting in restaurants is sport.
I am a long way from the warm breeze of voices I heard a week ago on Easter Sunday.
"Glorify your name," the island women sang, as they swayed in a cut sandstone church. I was overwhelmed by a riot of color, an emotional swell that carried me to sea.
Christianity, it turns out, has a rhythm — and it crescendos this time of year. The rumba of Carnival gives way to the slow march of Lent, then to the staccato hymnals of the Easter parade. From revelry to reverie. After 40 days in the desert, sort of ...
Carnival — rock stars are good at that.
"Carne" is flesh; "Carne-val," its goodbye party. I’ve been to many.
Brazilians say they’ve done it longest; they certainly do it best.
You can’t help but contract the fever. You’ve got no choice but to join the ravers as they swell up the streets bursting like the banks of a river in a flood of fun set to rhythm. This is a Joy that cannot be conjured. This is life force. This is the heart full and spilling over with gratitude. The choice is yours ...
It’s Lent I’ve always had issues with. I gave it up ... self-denial is where I come a cropper. My idea of discipline is simple — hard work — but of course that’s another indulgence.
Then comes the dying and the living that is Easter.
It’s a transcendent moment for me — a rebirth I always seem to need.
Never more so than a few years ago, when my father died. I recall the embarrassment and relief of hot tears as I knelt in a chapel in a village in France and repented my prodigal nature — repented for fighting my father for so many years and wasting so many opportunities to know him better. I remember the feeling of "a peace that passes understanding" as a load lifted. Of all the Christian festivals, it is the Easter parade that demands the most faith — pushing you past reverence for creation, through bewilderment at the idea of a virgin birth, and into the far-fetched and far-reaching idea that death is not the end. The cross as crossroads. Whatever your religious or nonreligious views, the chance to begin again is a compelling idea.
•
Last Sunday, the choirmaster was jumping out of his skin ... stormy then still, playful then tender, on the most upright of pianos and melodies. He sang his invocations in a beautiful oaken tenor with a freckle-faced boy at his side playing conga and tambourine as if it was a full drum kit. The parish sang to the rafters songs of praise to a God that apparently surrendered His voice to ours.
I come to lowly church halls and lofty cathedrals for what purpose? I search the Scriptures to what end? To check my head? My heart? No, my soul. For me these meditations are like a plumb line dropped by a master builder — to see if the walls are straight or crooked. I check my emotional life with music, my intellectual life with writing, but religion is where I soul-search.
The preacher said, "What good does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Hearing this, every one of the pilgrims gathered in the room asked, "Is it me, Lord?" In America, in Europe, people are asking, "Is it us?"
Well, yes. It is us.
Carnival is over. Commerce has been overheating markets and climates ... the sooty skies of the industrial revolution have changed scale and location, but now melt ice caps and make the seas boil in the time of technological revolution. Capitalism is on trial; globalization is, once again, in the dock. We used to say that all we wanted for the rest of the world was what we had for ourselves. Then we found out that if every living soul on the planet had a fridge and a house and an S.U.V., we would choke on our own exhaust.
Lent is upon us whether we asked for it or not. And with it, we hope, comes a chance at redemption. But redemption is not just a spiritual term, it’s an economic concept. At the turn of the millennium, the debt cancellation campaign, inspired by the Jewish concept of Jubilee, aimed to give the poorest countries a fresh start. Thirty- four million more children in Africa are now in school in large part because their governments used money freed up by debt relief. This redemption was not an end to economic slavery, but it was a more hopeful beginning for many. And to the many, not the lucky few, is surely where any soul-searching must lead us.
A few weeks ago I was in Washington when news arrived of proposed cuts to the president’s aid budget. People said that it was going to be hard to fulfill promises to those who live in dire circumstances such a long way away when there is so much hardship in the United States. And there is.
But I read recently that Americans are taking up public service in greater numbers because they are short on money to give. And, following a successful bipartisan Senate vote, word is that Congress will restore the money that had been cut from the aid budget — a refusal to abandon those who would pay such a high price for a crisis not of their making. In the roughest of times, people show who they are.
Your soul.
So much of the discussion today is about value, not values. Aid well spent can be an example of both, values and value for money.
Providing AIDS medication to just under four million people, putting in place modest measures to improve maternal health, eradicating killer pests like malaria and rotoviruses — all these provide a leg up on the climb to self-sufficiency, all these can help us make friends in a world quick to enmity. It’s not alms, it’s investment.
It’s not charity, it’s justice.
•
Strangely, as we file out of the small stone church into the cruel sun, I think of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, whose now combined fortune is dedicated to the fight against extreme poverty. Agnostics both, I believe. I think of Nelson Mandela, who has spent his life upholding the rights of others. A spiritual man — no doubt.
Religious? I’m told he would not describe himself that way.
Not all soul music comes from the church.

The garden

2009-04-16T00:14:00.003-04:00

I love olive trees. They are so old and gnarly. They are a picture of something that grows well-in an orchard. An orchard is a managed space, not a wild one, or a free market to use an economic term. In fact olive trees will grow for 1000's of years. Not many things seem to grow well on their own. Most things, like you and I, need pruning (amongst other things). Pruning makes us like plants, send roots down deeper, spurs growth in healthy directions, creates opportunity for more fruit, and produces more consistent fruit production.

What happens when we are not pruned? Well, we grow in unhealthy directions, fruitless directions, we tend to be full of leaves and only have a little fruit. Ever felt like you had a lot of stuff going on and not much to show for it? Not pruning also produces one other ill effect that few consider. A garden that is left to itself, that is unmanaged usually grows to the detriment of something else. Some other plant will get squeezed out. An unchecked garden is a place only the strong survive. Ultimately we need to be pruned for the sake of others. Our ministries, our pride, our productivity left unchecked will squeeze the life out of other plants, other good things. Things that are still small, tender and undeveloped may not develop because they are not in an environment where they can thrive.

Think about our economy, our lifestyles, do we think we can grow, consume and have and not hurt, not crowd others around us? Our pruning is ultimately for the good of others, so that others can grow.

For me this revelation is hitting home as I consider my role as a pastor, and leader. In helping people live with one another. In creating a place for people to grow, pruning is one of the most important things I can encourage, because if I don't the plants in the garden will compete, fruit will decrease, and only the strong will survive.

cheers

ITS COOL TO ACT- Reject APATHY

2009-03-19T10:45:00.004-04:00

I just picked up the latest issue of my favorite youth culture mag. RELEVANT. They have a big promo for their soon to come reject apathy camaign. It occurs to me it is cool to be-an activist. It's like when all of a sudden the jocks from highschool discover that it's cool to bring books to university....chicks like a guy with brains syndrome. From what I can tell it didn't help them get better marks.....studying did.

Truth is.....character isn't formed by cool. Lots of good things happen because of cool. Live AID, Bono using fame for the poor. But the poor are still poor, the apathetic are still apathetic-cool won't cut it. We will. On the other hand we can hope for development. Donate millions in aid. I heard that a local highschool (PROPS to John F Ross) raised $50,000 for mosquito nets. Unfortunately from my experience they sit as drapes on most of my friends huts in Africa, or used as tea strainers. As my friend Thelma says, 'without Jesus there is no development.'

But if you haven't heard.....It is cool to care. Care enough to change your heart.

Best Lent Ideas- Bound to FAIL!!!

2009-02-25T09:17:00.005-05:00

K. So I am a huge lent fan. Lent is the 40 day period before easter when people are asked to choose something to give up in order to help them reflect on God 'his love and forgiveness'.

B.c. I participate also makes me a ......HUGE FAILURE.

Here are my altime worst Lent Ideas....Guaranteed to fail.

1. Coffee- fails because Lent is also roll up the rim to win time.....and you always think you may be missing a chance to win that great, new minivan.

2. Fasting- bread and water....called a prisoner fast. Leaves you on the toilet wishing you could extract that huge ball of dough from your small intestine. If you try this fast, bring a book!!

3. Exercise- if you can't get off the couch now. Lent won't help.

4. Sex- unless your wife is incompassitated, or on a long trip....40 days might seem like an eternity. On the other hand, some of us might not be giving up anything.

5. Packaging- I tried to do this one year as a way of exploring the environmental impact of packaging. This was an incredible failure, because it was so hard to eliminate. On the other hand, it was amazing to realize I how my society makes it almost impossible to live with conviction.

I have posted a link to marshill, who has a long explanation of lent for those that are interested.

cheers

SEX and money

2009-02-18T11:44:00.004-05:00

So, I have been listening to a buddies sermon at rechurch and he makes the comment that churches don't mind talking about money, but don't really ever talk about sex.
So....

I propose a new contract for churches.. If you want to talk about openly about money. Talk just as openly about Sex. AND i propose a contract.....preach them, teach them, admonish them in equal amounts.

Hmm should i come back?

2009-02-15T22:07:00.006-05:00

Well it has been a long lay off. Filled with baby preparations, broken down computers, and lots of meetings. I've been asking the age ol' question.....should I keep the blog going?

Well, if i don't let's go out with a bang.

Consider your margins.....ARE YOU LIVING?

ARE YOU SURE?

I recently challenged some folks in a pilgrimage seminar whether their life margins had actually ordered out, squeezed out, compartmentalized GOD-our creator and the author of fun, or whether we had merely given up on living. Cause sometimes i wonder if God is sitting up in heaven wondering, 'I created so much fun stuff, and amazing things...when are they going to try them, discover them, open their eyes and see them??'

THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO, to TRY.....get busy. here is some incentive.

LIVE an adventure.

Prince of Peace

2008-12-22T12:15:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I spoke about Isaiah 9.6

It says, that the Messiah would be known as a Prince of Peace. I asked the question, "if that is true, shouldn't we be able to see it?'

This video captures photos from some amazing photographers who have taken photographs in the world's darkest times, and darkest places.

CAN YOU SEE PEACE IN THEM?

A Promised Land

2008-12-15T17:38:00.004-05:00

So those that were at DEEPER know that brian heasley was asking for a farm.....THEY GOT IT. Follow the link to hear how.... for those with means (aka $$$) you may want to be a part of making a safe place for prostitutes and addicts in Ibiza. follow the link to see how...

congrat's Brian

meditations

2008-12-15T10:23:00.005-05:00

"I am too proud to ask,

too broke to eat

too weak to bow

too strong to bleed."

you hooked yet? me too.

"can you sing over me words of comfort?

can you undo me enough to heal me?"

k. so buy this album. better than that DO THIS! Sit down, put what it really means to love Jesus to words and music. Don't hold back. The worship circle cd's are raw, authentic... I haven't listened to worship cd's since changed by your glory and kevin p.'s save us oh god, because of these i might start listening again..

"you take the weight from my shoulders

my hands were clenched, now they are open,

i'll take your goodness poured from the sky

food from the ravens...water from the dry well."

like any great worship, my soul is bigger deeper, wider because of these songs. more than that the worship circle folks are generous with their copyrights, music, and everything.

advent ideas

2008-12-11T22:00:00.004-05:00

So I have been searching for creative things about advent. ADVENT- You know that strange word for the 40 days before Christmas. It means, something....

In Latin, it actually means 'the coming' or 'before the coming'...it is the time we sit in darkness before....the BABY. (A little reminiscent of my life this year).

I actually like it just about as much as lent. I think it is probably the most important thing for us as Christians to remember and celebrate. Darkness, Longing, Hope, Despair, WAITING.....

Proost....a creative uk group has several things to engage churches. Including a snazzy litl' video I want to show at church.

Marshill has their congregation doing a community blog...

My personal favorites are still posts by Jonny Baker. Jonny just finished beer and carols....(man I can't believe I haven't met this guy). Search his links for advent...worship tricks 48-51

Jonny also lists some awesome ideas from Cheryl Lawrie, 'the pregnant pause' an idea that i stole.....with love. Cheryl has some advent services that are very creative and thoughtful.

If it takes all your faith to simply survive advent,join your prayer to those

throughout timeand throughout the worldwho despair at hope’s promise.
Take a baby,hold it in your hand
make your prayer of protestor your prayer for peace.

If you are looking for a video cause that is your thing, the church of england has put together a series of meditations you can watch every day......its called why we are waiting. It is also a great explanation of advent.

My Advent Addition: Last week I bought the youth candles. We had been talking about the word 'saved'. I made the connection between knowing you need something and WAITING. I told them to remember their need as they waited for a savior....in the dark....as they studied. Burn the little, fragile light and LONG FOR, and WAIT FOR IT.

Church Planting Thought #1

2008-12-11T21:30:00.000-05:00

Now I have had a hard time distinguishing it is my pride, or my desire for progress that thinks things, especially churches should grow. I really like it when things grow. By growth I mean: numerically, in spiritual health-meaning broken people becoming healed, and in churches that plant churches. That seems healthy.

There are those that believe that what a church is-it is. If it is a church of 40 then that is it. I tend to think that there are reasons for it being a church of 40. Now let me be clear, a small church does not mean an unhealthy church. I am of the opinion the world needs more churches and different churches. BUT, the argument you often hear from small churches is.....well every church doesn't have to be a mega church. I tend to agree. Regardless, my observations would say, a church of 40 is unlikely to survive past 1 generation.

That means once the founding pastor resigns, that church will likely fold for a number of reasons. The leadership of a small church requires a greater burden on the pastor to be bivocational. A small church is not able to support a pastor. Secondly, a small church really gets built around the pastor and transitioning to a new leader is extremely difficult. Now a church closing, I have come to realize, is not the end of the world, but....

If a church wants to be around for successive generations needs to have a size of at least 100. Many say 150 is a 'critical mass'. Small churches if they are concerned about their community, about the people that depend on them, should be planning either grow, or be prepared to transition the community into a place where the long term care of the community can be provided aka. help them go elsewhere.

feel free to comment, this is about refining thoughts.

A little humour

2008-12-07T22:23:00.005-05:00

If you have never checked out Dave Hayward, he is worth it both on the web and in life. I love this, it just reminds me that God is interested in presenting me perfect. Asking for His help is asking for my life to change.

All about a bailout?

2008-12-02T10:44:00.005-05:00

Yes, more on politics...

Our politicians current move towards a coalition govenment has in part been prompted by the conservative governments..lack of stimulus package for the economy?

Jack Layton (leader of the NDP)would say we need, 'to stimulate the badly ailing auto industry.' There is no doubt that loosing the auto industry would be......DEVASTATING, but there is very little evidence that this is the current problem.

Let's see.... is a bailout a good idea?

Hardly.

It wasn't more than a couple weeks ago that the big three auto makers got turned down for a bailout. They couldn't convince congress. Many economists say, a bailout won't help. .

"I think bankruptcy may be the only viable option," said Michael E. Levine, professor at New York University School of Law, "Basically, what you'd be doing is putting the money in a failed business model..."

Republican Senator Spencer Bachus, "My constituents do not understand why their tax dollars should go to support what they consider less efficient businesses," said Bachus, adding that most of his constituents earn less money than the autoworkers whose jobs would be saved.

Not only could the conservatives, not offer a bailout without a complete North American package (ie. the US being involved). It is unclear that it would be in the long term best interest of the country....regardless of the devestation it would in the short term cause. It is clear, coalition government or not, this is not about an economic stimulus package. It is about something. The thing that amazes me is that in the blaze of media and spin, we overlook the meaning of the banter that goes on.

Look at the heart of the matter.

Everyday Smelly

2008-11-27T22:34:00.003-05:00

So I started taking the bus this week because I am now the proud owner of 1 car. Working 20 minutes away (by car) I realize my life is now happily inconvenienced for the sake of the environment, the bottom line on my budget, and the walk that takes place at both ends of my journey. I have also proudly entered my neighbourhood, and community. I am now a participating member of my community, rubbing shoulders with the other happy bus travellers. I love it the people i meet, the things i hear.....BUT...

Wouldn't you know there are those inconviences, the kind of thing that make you second guess your decisions. Something happened that reminded me of why the convience of my own car seems much more like necessity. You see, there was a time when I remember being proud of sharing public computers in the library...I quickly outgrew this when I realized that most of my neighbours were simply playing online games, or looking at porn. So my first commute was in all respects interupted by the person next to me, who to my nose, quite simply smelled.

Having worked with numerous junior highs, I have to tell you smelling badly to them happens when you are an adult. It often shocks them that no it is actually something that happens and they need to try their best to coat themselves with any or all perfumes necessary prior to public meetings. As I overcame the discomfort of burying my nose in my jacket I realized something.....This person probably did not wake up thinking, I know, I am going to get on the bus smelly so that other people know that I am there.

Most people I realize don't know that they smell, they don't mean too. Then there are those who find their feet stink when they take off their shoes and it is awkwardly, and unfortunately too late to do something about it (i regularly fall into this category) . This also happens to me quite uncontrolably after eating chili. Very rarely are there people who just are dirty because there is nothing they can do about it. Smelling badly is a habit. After a while you get used to it, and you don't notice.

I remember a girl telling me that it was entirely possible to give up bathing with soap. The first few days without shampoo, she said were bad, but then your 'natural oils' take over and your hair is no longer greasy. In fact it doesn't smell at all,' she said. :) .......dare ya to try it.

Truth is if we give up bathing the only indication we stink is in people's reactions to us!! Smelling badly has simply become a habit that we are used to.

Now here is the point. This person beside me taught me something very valuable. I asked the question, Have I gotten used to my own smell? Do I realize I stink? Caught a little unaware by this thought, I realized how dependent upon the holy spirit I am to show me the things I cannot see, and smell. Like this woman, I go out in public not realizing my attitude, my spiritual life, the way I treat people....STINKS....and worst of all usually I didn't mean too, it is just a habit I have grown used to.

Deep Wisdom

2008-10-30T10:50:00.003-04:00

So Kate and I had a quote competition. The synthesis of all the deep thinking what we have been having.

Rob, "Fear is the long shadow of a small enemy."

Kate, "Any donut shop that doesn't have toasted coconut donuts should not call itself a donut shop."

I as usual lose.....I should write about the time she brought up Veggie Tales in the middle of a theological debate at school and actually ended up with a higher mark than me.

She has a gift.

Preaching- a dying art? or just dying?

2008-10-21T20:57:00.006-04:00

Remarkable preaching is something that should be common place. Not something that eventually squeaks out from an all too tight sphincter at Easter and Christmas. I remember a preaching prof saying to me, boring preaching is a sin. I tend to agree.

I went too a preaching seminar yesterday led by Haddon Robinson. Man he is an ooolllldddd goat. Going was like putting a notch on my belt. When my kids ask, 'did you ever see billy graham?' I can say 'yes.' and likewise Haddon was worth seeing just for novelty. The guy has written almost an encyclopedia on preaching.....but BOY can he preach. (Funny thing is...i always end up at a urinal with these guys at big conferences I don't know why, but that is another story.)

Haddon had a room full of pastors (and very few women) riveted to their seats for 1.5 hr. And the amazing thing is you would think that if you had to preach to practitioners you should have something amazing to say....some great and deep insight. Apparently not. What I found was a guy who was simply content, and completely believed all you needed was to tell a well timed joke in the midst of a simple story. Sermons don't have to contain deep mysteries, or be overly wise and in Haddon's case...they don't have to be overly fast. Sermons need to deliver a story.

Preaching has taken a hugely bad rap for being something that will go out with the modern era. In many charismatic services something that is simply a preamble to ministry time, or a hinderance to worship. But whether you need a flashy title, a video, or like Geez magazine put it 10 sermons you won't hear in church to help keep you awake-when a sermon is done well no one complains! I suspect as long as people read the bible (which could be the real problem with crappy preaching) people will want to talk about it and hear it explained. Uncle John would say, 'anyone with half a prayer life can preach'. Preaching is simply an audible prayer life about real people, real issues.

Haddon made the point that if you as a preacher have to tell theological truths in every sermon, drill home the message.....you may be one of those unfortunate people who never heard Jesus preach. Because Jesus only told stories. Many of which he never gave an answer too.

He who has ears let him hear.

24-7 Prayer

2008-10-03T12:31:00.005-04:00

So i am spreading good words....here is brian heasley. Can't wait to meet him. He is part of a simple prayer movement called 24-7 and brian is one who is proving even clubbers pray. Maybe your friends do too.

Happy Chaos

2008-09-30T04:15:00.005-04:00

So my wife is back working, my kids are kids, there are still renos, I can't sell my cars, I need cash, I'm supposed to be sleeping now so that i can do tomorrow's work, but I''m not, I'm writing, working now-why? Because I have chaos....Too much to do. The ends are everywhere the means....somewhere. There are so many things that are simply uncontrollable, things that can crush, and things that can have no answers and.....I am happy.

I of course know that I am not the only one who has been in this place. Reading Todd's blog I get comfort from the fact that minutes to opening an national political debate there was no audience.....stress! I read in Ken's blog that the the local church now has global pastors and I ponder the death of the local church. Hmmmmm. It makes me happy. why?

Because i have just been asked to follow. That is it. Even in my failures I know that God salvages things. I am constantly believing that out of ashes God can raise things to life.

So in the chaos, the stress, the total insanity.....Can you still hear His words......

Put it on God's Tab

2008-09-21T21:54:00.004-04:00

So, don't you think living beyond your means is irresponsible? At what point to finances dictate the will of God? I am so far from a prosperity gospel having lived for so many years 'doing' ministry. Reality is you need money to survive and you need to feed your family. Or do you?

I have been contemplating this as i have been trying to sell either or both of my vehicles. Crazy thing is I have been spiritualizing my prayers to God saying....'well you know I need to so help me!' You would think that I having lived now for many years exceeding my income for the sake of ministry would teach me. Every year being a miraculous endevour. A few years ago we literally had cheques dropped by our door every day for 2 weeks. Should I at this point doubt that God can provide?.......k i'm slow.

I recently filled out a survey for one of 'those' financial advisors. One of the questions was, 'how long can you feel comfortable with a negative income? one day, one week, one month......' I realized suddenly that I had an entirely different perspective on the subject than most people. In fact I was happy when i realized that I might actually be one of those crazy's who would sell everything.

BUT HERE IS THE THING:

If there is no money.......shouldn't i get the hint?

If we have exhausted all our options, maybe God is interested in a life change!!

So often we spiritualize when times are good about 'what would you do for god.' Happy to go home to our big screen TV's and our....microwave ovens (give me a break it just came to me). WE also FEEL like we throw out our faith when times are lean- because we gotta get a job, gotta feed our family. I think feeding our families might be spiritual.

Trouble is where do how can we tell when we are being spiritual and when we are just concerned about our cash?

cheers

OVV

2008-09-16T14:13:00.003-04:00

Sunday we are off to Ottawa Valley Vineyard. Should be great. It is a reunion in so many ways. It is great to preach in your hometown, it is great to share with family, it is also cool because churches gather people. People who love Jesus. Join the reunion.

http://www.ovv.ca/

I have ONE life to live....

2008-09-02T11:32:00.006-04:00

Okay now here is a great organization. Adventure Junkies beware, all your playing around on a skateboard, fishing, cycling, kayaking could actually give purpose to your life. Here is an organization that takes adventure travel and uses your brawn, and adrenaline to raise money for charity.

http://www.ventureexpeditions.org/

I love that they have an online community that helps people join in, and share their story. This is the very heart of pilgrimage. Becoming Human! Creating avenues for anyone to join in the mystery of life through journeys.

One blogger quotes Jimmy Carter saying.....

"have one life and one chance to make it count for something . . . I'm free to choose what that something is, and the something I've chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands -- this is not optional -- my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.- Jimmy Carter

So, what are you planning....how do you want to impact the world.....JOIN IN! Last summer one of my favorite authors Donald Miller took the challenge to raise money for drinking water. He biked across the US to do it. read about it here...

Ventures motto is "Benefit the world....Discover your soul."

So....if you had one life to live, seemingly no extraordinary gifts to offer world poverty, just a bike, and a love of riding.....what would you do? How could you change the world.....

Awesome

Value Added

2008-09-02T11:27:00.003-04:00

well I am back. and catching up with stuff....like blogging.

I have noticed something about blogs. The great ones have information you just can't track down. They are the genius behind the genius. A catalogue of thoughts and ideas. Some pimp their own products, books, thoughts....and why not!

Have you heard about the conference of the century? DEEPERYC.COM check it out! Oct. 10,11

But I am loving the blogs that also add something more. FREEBIES! BLING! and the great thing of VALUE ADDED!

Keep a look out for some awesome freebies....once i figure out how to add them.

School

2008-09-02T11:21:00.002-04:00

Well it is now officially fall. Leaves have been turning colour, but as we all know the first sign of fall is children with backpacks. This year my own child has her backpack on. This is tragic! I can't believe my baby is going to school.

It has me thinking about influence. How am I to be an influence to her at school? How do I help her navigate the new things she is going to experience, the first bullies that she meets? Well I can't directly. I have now given up some of the parenting to others. A position I am not entirely happy with. I think some aspects of growing up are equally difficult for the parents as they are for the children.

So I am left, watching the packpack disappear into the school hoping,

and praying.

Bella

2008-07-15T14:03:00.005-04:00

So last week I was having lunch in our storehouse. We feed about 100+ there are week. I was talking at one of the tables and a guy comes up and says, "Did you say abortion? I hate abortion!" I was actually talking about something very different. So I said, 'no I didn't.' He walked on.

It was strange and sometimes it occurs to me that this might be a God moment. A possibility if you think life might not be random. So, after lunch i walked up to the guy and i said, 'hey why do you hate abortion?'

He says to me, 'It's not right, I don't think mom's should be able to kill babies. You know they are babies!' Not a popular position especially amongst some of our street workers I am quite sure.

It occured to me that he like myself might have a problem with abortion because we have a deep, unconscious understanding that we were made to live and give life, to protect and nurture it. I was reminded of Bella perhaps the most redemptive movie I have ever seen. It helped me see my need to be a dad. You see it is about what happens when there aren't dads in the picture. The desperate aloneness that women have to face.

I said to the guy, 'I think God might have given you the gift to be a great dad and that is why you hate abortion.'

I wish there were more dads. Perhaps if there were more great dads there wouldn't be a need for abortions.

Stunned he simply said, 'thanks.'

my inspiration

2008-07-08T13:53:00.003-04:00

This is my wife Kate, and her future CD cover. She is a writer, and a musician, and a great mom. She is through her second draft of her first novel-but she doesn't want me to talk about it. I love her.

DEEPER COMMETH

2008-07-02T22:33:00.004-04:00

Well, I suppose it is great to know what life will bring. No need to have time travel, or a diviner for the future. All you really need is a daytimer and a seemingly endless supply of things to put in it.

I am very excited though about my future. We have successfully stolen Deeper. A conference from the East Coast Vineyards. It was so great we travelled 19 hrs to get there. Now....its here in Ontario.

October 10-12, youth and young adults from the four corners of the world, maybe just cambridge will come to worship and participate in this first time event.

look for it....watch for it.....pray for it.....cause i am already crappin my pants.

I'm stoked.

Ted.com

2008-06-24T22:06:00.003-04:00

While I am at it, I might as well pass along another great link my friend told me about last week. Most of you will already know about it, since I am usually the most technologically backward.

It is a sight called TED.COM

this site brings interviews, short films and the worlds greatest minds together to share ideas. My buddy uses it as a launch pad for creative devotional discussions with his teenagers. Maybe it will work for you too.

cheers

Adding a new blog jonny baker

2008-06-24T21:49:00.005-04:00

This guy is worth the link. I have been checking out his blog, and as every blog should it has not just an interesting person, but lots of freebies. Yes, I see the shortfall in my own blog- mental note add freebies.

JonnyBaker (UK) speaks a lot about emergent church....a lot. He must be obsessive, but fortunately he really thinks too. (I can't wait to meet him). Anyways, his freebies are great like series of worship 'tricks'. Here is his idea number 10.

worship tricks [first series]
no 10: pentecost flame throwing

pentecost madness. mark pierson from nz is always coming up with wonderfully creative ideas. he seems to have a particular penchant for crazy pentecost services that involve as much fire as possible! this is his latest (don't run it past the health and safety people first though or it will never happen)..... "Pentecost is my favourite festival. So many great images. We took the Spirit of God as Fire this year. 2 services with the themes The fire of God's Spirit enables... and reveals.... I set up the space with a campfire of tvs 2 high running fire vid loops, lots of red flood lights, mirror ball etc so the place was awash with red. After our usual (a tradition now) popping of the popcorn all over the floor while I talked about the potential God sees in each of us and how the Spirit enables that potential to be realised in a relationship with Christ, I moved to the centre piece. I had a large steel bowl (wok ) on top of a metre high black plinth, with candle burning beside it. In the wok was a pile of meths soaked pumice rocks (very porous). At the appropriate moment I pulled out an aerosol can of cooking oil and sprayed it across the top of the candle. It ignited like a flame thrower and lit the bowl of pumice beside it. Very cool effect! We also used a cross covered in magicians flash paper to ignite in the dark. Now next year...!"

FLAME THOWERS IN CHURCH>>>WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!

Black Fridays

2008-04-22T13:24:00.004-04:00

Well, if the government can find the balls to bann urban pesticides, I suppose it might be time for me to make a small contribution to the environment. It actually isn't that I haven't, I really am not that extravagant a foot printer, although I do drive a Jeep.

In any case, I have decided to start a movement called black fridays, why black, because that is what my house will be on fridays. No lights, no electricity, nothing, hopefully no transportation either-total blackout!

It is funny because I can't tell if it is an environmental move or a financial one. I would love to have 1/7 less in expenses. So.....why not!

dare ya..

Mine and Yours and the Open Source Threat

2008-04-08T13:48:00.004-04:00

'Dang, where is that spatula?'

'Hon, Hon, Can you print me off another spatuala? I can't find any.'

Need a soother, or some other often misplaced object.....Print it. This is the next generation of 3D opportunity. I was listening to an interview on Spark the other day that rattled my brain.

I have been a huge fan (as much as a technofobe can be) of open source and things like wikipedia. Why? because they go against the grain of consumerism, materialism, privacy and ultimately of our deep sense of individualism because they share, colaborate, and freely give what most of us would naturally like to bottle, contain, protect....

So here is a product, a 3D printer that a professor (Adrian Boyer) has put on line all open source so.....in theory even his printer could be printed off, piece by piece. The entire technology that would allow you to create any household plastic object entirely free. Need a ball? a souther? a bottle? a tupperware? The entire plastic manufacturing industy could become obselete.

Now why hasn't he patented it, so that he can make mega money?....Because he is motivated to see how far this idea will go. He comments saying, "Protecting an idea is for people who want to make money to hire lawyers to fight patent laws...." Ultimately it is a way to have people with resources pay for something and keep it from the hands of the people who could often benefit from it the most.

WOW! Could it be that community (something we often spiritualize as a Christian idea) is actually something that is so human. That those that can see past the shallowness, of 'mine' and 'yours' actually long for something....shared, useful, accessible.

Check out the 3D printer interview from Spark.

Dreaming about Neverland

2008-03-18T13:34:00.006-04:00

Reading through the book of John, I have been realizing how devoted to escapism I am. I pray to get results, I serve to build something, I work for a reward, I love hoping it is reciprocated. Yet, when I look at Jesus I realize his reward was being forgotten by the crowds, deserted by his friends, and allowing his own life to be consumed for the sake of obedience.

Whether we call it obedience, or worship laying our life down is so central and yet such an easy thing to overlook, to ignore. This makes Jesus such a great hero and huge challenge to me. It has gotten me thinking about my expectations of friends and community. Having grown up in a deliberate 'community', I am fully aware of the idealism we have associated with that word as Christians:

i want to be with friends, I deserve friends, God wants me to have friends
i need to love people I dislike because Jesus tells me to and it is good for me
i need a mentor and if i don't have one something must be broken in my church

This is neverland. Always wanting to be kids, never adults. Always wanting play, never work. Always needing the thing I don't have. This is fantasy and unfortunately so consumes us because we are human and at some level don't believe that God can look after us in the midst of a broken and selfish world. I am so stoked about the sermon series that we are working on at Cambridge. We are taking Bonhoeffer's book life together to discuss REAL community, not what we fantasize about.

"You can love the dream, more than the community and therefore ignore and kill it."

Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Lent

2008-02-20T17:42:00.003-05:00

Every year i lent (doing lent sounds so conquering) . anyways I came across some great resources I thought I would share.

http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/lent/index.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10438551@N00/sets/72157594508507299/

http://blog.beliefnet.com/thedivinehoursoflent/

http://relevantmagazine.com/releblog/deeperwalk/lent-and-the-frogs-will-sing-again/

http://www.proost.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=35&category_id=4&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26

Heroes

2008-02-19T12:24:00.004-05:00

Heroes, sure I got heroes. People who have influenced me, who have said, done and been things that made my jaw drop, my herometer soar. If there were real hero cards I would hunt for these guys and brag about them on the school yard. Trade them.....very unlikely.

who are they, well typically regular joes like you and me. living amongst us, doing ordinary things....for the most part.

why am i reminded of them? why do i write this blog now? Well because one just died, another is undergoing chemo treatment. These people have enriched me, fed my dreams, changed me without even realizing it. Let me give you a glimpse at some of them.

David Brett- an evangelist, a new zealander, the guy who bought a castle because God said so, the guy who shows up unannounced here and there, the guy who taught me to clean windows to make money for missions, and to sell a car to buy plane tickets, the guy who let's light shine in China- who travels there still today even though he is undergoing cancer treatment. If ever you have a friend that met jesus on a plane...ask if they met David.

John Hutchison- who recently passed away. The first Brit I ever met and the first minister I ever knew who loved to see people healed, a mentor of Benny Hinn, and as i remember one of the best, deepest laughs of any who've I have had dinner with.

Telma Cajas- a courageous woman who leads the underpriveleged women of Guatemala, by loving them, helping them, hugging them one person at a time. Her words linger with me forever, ' without Jesus, there is no development.'

I have some new heroes too......

They are friends who take crazy risks for Jesus and sometimes succeed and sometimes don't.

Check out Todd Cantelon- a risk taker, producer, film maker, a fantastic preacher and he a makes a mean breakfast

Check out Rick Bergen- an amazon loving, church planting fanatic who is the real! DEAL! Currently he is developing a new church, mission, and ministry just upriver somewhere from where he was.

When in Zambia listen for Barry and Frida Ilunga- the most sincere, humble, church planters I ever met. Where will you find them? on some bus, on the back of a truck or walking through some village planting a church, usually with one of their 10 kids.

Is it idol worship to participate in such praise of men? No, this is simply sharing the news of God's greatness. Like it says in the bible 'i have heard of your fame.' Great things are worth talking about. Men are just men, but their pursuit of God inspires me, fuels me, causes my mere mortality to shake for fear and my dreams to become large--Large enough to even suppose and even believe that God could use EVEN little ol' me.

city lights at night

2008-01-09T20:55:00.000-05:00

I was reminded last night as I watched 'the Hour' on CBC of something I have been thinking about for a while. George ST., the host, was telling a story about how he was driving through the desert and about to run out of gas. He had no clue of where he was. His only choice was to follow the road ahead of him. The fear and sense of impending doom of being stranded in a desert with no gas became overwhelming and suddenly....he saw lights-dim lights in the distance . Having grown up in a Christian home he thought, perhaps it is a dream, perhaps I am going 'home'. He continued to head toward the light, but instead of finding Jesus as the source of the light-he found Las Vegas.

How long has it been since your last authentic, bonified spiritual experience? An experience so clear, and definitely the almighty that it stands out to you like a light along, your darkened desert path. If it has been a while you may be thinking, what have i done wrong, where did God go? I think as Christians we think that such experiences should be the norm. In fact, we talk candidly about God speaking to us, and say things like 'God told me.' We can string a line of great moments in life, together in such a way that we sound like we should be on a mega tour as an amazing spiritual giant, but in reality they probably have occur over years and years. There is for me always space, sometimes long spaces between experiences.

I need to remember that although God may speak and I may even see angels-the Christian life is not like heaven on earth. Christians do not have 24-7 Moses in the cloud experiences. The pursuit of such super spirituality may even be counter to God's purposes.

More often, I like George find myself on a road, running out of gas, in the dark with only the road ahead and a light in the distance. Just as cities in Europe have a lot of road between pilgrimage destinations and holy places, our lives may have a lot of space between definable spiritual experiences. The great thing is, no matter how long the interval between us and our next spiritual experience, there is both a light in the distance and an assurance that the road we are on will get us there.

6 Degrees of Separation

2007-12-06T14:20:00.001-05:00

The idea of 6 degrees of separation has become a popular past time. The idea of course is that no 2 people are more than 6 degrees separate from each other. This means that you are only 6 relationships removed from anybody else on earth.

In preparing a talk on relationships for our youth group I discovered we are 4 degrees from the spiritual advisor to the president of the United States, we are 3 degrees from the keys to the garden tomb, we are related to famous bands, musicians etc..

Statistically it could be true. If you want to join the human experiment you can join related games like.....facebook- a social network that allows members to compare friends. Facebook also has a 6 degrees application where you can join a social experiment linking all humankind. One of my favorites is the Kevin Bacon Experiment which seeks to link all actors to Kevin.

HERE is the crazy thing! Despite being so close to such huge fame, to massive influencer's, to have such imaginative tools like facebook- we are still miles and miles apart. Where does being 6 degrees from each other really get us??

Despite only being 6 relationships from an orphan dying of aids, 5 from the dollars that could save them, 4 from people who could minister justice, 3 from local injustice, 2 from local politicians, 1 from myself the first source of the problem. I realize I am a barrier creating separation. Campaigns like make poverty history, and others make me realize despite being so close, we are so disconnected. Our actions still so impact the world through the things we buy, the way we live.

The potential to make such a huge difference. The power of becoming influencer's so near our finger tips.....How do we turn this around? How do we use our 6 degrees to influence the world?? It could be that the whole 6 degrees of separation, discussions of small world concepts, the movement towards carbon neutral living, may all just highlight one thing- the weight of sin and selfishness and it's ability to thwart justice.

organic matter

2007-11-19T16:04:00.001-05:00

"Organic Matter is dead! Leaf litter and junk. I don't want to be part of an organic church, I want to be part of something that is alive."

s.c.

Today

2007-11-15T10:36:00.001-05:00

Go ahead and make plans for tomorrow,
but have no plan for this moment more than what is,
For eternity stands on this razor's edge.

today's meditation

The Vineyard and the Rose

2007-11-12T12:28:00.003-05:00

Last year at this time I had a revelation of some things that had been lurking in the back of my mind. At a prayer conference no less!! Phylis Tickle, gave a lecture called the Rose in which she details the history of the church as it relates to the 'emergent church' movement. History evolved like a spiralling mass, heading toward a blurry center, where all the lines got mixed up, all the traditions began to blend, all the theologies mixed. I am a vineyard pastor, I have been part of the movement for years and suddenly I realized why!

Now this is going to sound entirely optimistic, and overzealous, but the Vineyard I believe is strategically placed to be able to give input into this new 'emerging' church movement. Today we have 1000's of people leaving the church to experiment, to do their own thing, house church, community. The regular Sunday church just doesn't cut it for them. Post modern thought, main stream media, technology, cultural shifts have battered the traditional church, shifting its very foundation. Here I believe is where the vineyard fits and needs to speak loudly:

1. TRADITIONALLY non-TRADITIONAL- the vineyard was a hippie movement from California, but it went much deeper than simply wearing jeans and preaching from a stool. The Vineyard is about seeking to be culturally relevant. This is not about catering to a culture, but using culture as a platform to incarnate the gospel. It is not about giving up on the church, but on forms.

2. GIVING IT AWAY- Over and over I have heard how a Vineyard pastor or person has befriended someone, given something that was over the top great. This is a fundamental attitude. John Wimber traveled the world doing conferences for the greater global church. He wanted to gift the whole church with his understanding, and ministry. We need to understand that we still play a role here. Let's 'give it away.'

3. APPRENTICESHIP- It has never been about a leader doing it. It has always been about....you do it. Let me show you, now your turn, once you get the hang of it then you do it. This is the heart of discipleship. It is beautiful when it works. I have seen the most insecure leaders, walk in confidence because they didn't walk alone. An old vineyard addage has been 'if someone wants to learn, ask them to come and be with you. Don't give them a title. Train them by life.. I believe the Vineyard plays a key role in helping a new generation of leaders learn to do the stuff. Community living and local living makes this type of close life modelling possible, and probable again.

4.Kingdom- what can we say....god is at work now. Let's join in. Let's wait on the Holy Spirit, let's call on the Holy Spirit. 'Come Holy Spirit', is not simply a mantra, something that makes ministry times 'work.' It is an invitation, to show us where to go. We were never supposed to wait, to wonder, 'where is God?' We were supposed to walk into the things He was about.

Am I hopeful about the Vineyard? Hmmmmm, I really love it, I love what God is offering to me as part of it. How deep is the Love of God, How rich His mercy on us all. I am probably happiest that he hasn't just left us.

LOST! The me version.

2007-10-24T10:54:00.001-04:00

This is me lost in San Jose, Costa Rica. Do I look tense? My wife decided she needed to become a photojournalist, as we tried to find our way after loosing our guides who mysteriously turned left and disappeared. The kids were in the back, the sky was getting dark, it was rush hour, I hadn't spoken spanish in 10 years and we had no map, or idea where we were going. Tense, heck ya!

In retrospect things went very well. We eventually got on the road we were supposed to be on and hooked up several hours later with the car we were to follow. The in between time was spent relying on strangers. I realize that some directions are good and some are bad, but if a Costa Rican says the road to Cartago is straight ahead....it doesn't mean the road you are on will take you directly to Cartago. It actually means, turn left at the soccer stadium, left at the church and when it dead ends-turn left.

What was more interesting than the situation was what it taught me.I realize that I have a fear of the unknown. My immediate reaction to Costa Rica was I didn't like it. I was likely to be lost, robbed, it was a dirty, confusing place etc. Costa Rica has since become best and safest Latin American experience-WHAT a country! The bottom line was I hated being lost. It taught me that I had assumed that people would not be helpful, that I would not be able to communicate, that it was terrible to be out of control. In reality, we found our friends because a very kind guy with is daughter stopped and lent us his cell phone to make a call to our friends. Repeatedly people gave us directions, suffered through our broken spanish and helped. Even Burger King let us call on their phone.

Now, I pride myself on being someone who is willing to take risks, who has traveled extensively and is able to converse in spanish. Realizing these fears was a big shock! Traveling with my family I realized I don't always like taking risks, that I do isolate myself from the help of strangers. I am so glad I got lost! It is amazing that when we don't have these experiences how routine and controlled our life gets. It leads us to a false sense of our ability, our life direction, our safety. Getting lost allows us to see that God will look after us any time any where. No wonder pilgrimage was meant to be a spiritual practice, that gave followers of Jesus a consistent glimpse of his constant leading. Those people that stopped helped me not only get to my destination, but helped me to see God leads me, and looks after me. What a great reminder!

HE LEADETH ME by Joseph Gilmore

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!

O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Refrain

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
Refrain

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Refrain

Life at the Margins

2007-10-03T14:15:00.000-04:00

There are very few churches I could work at for one simple reason....I like beer. I love to try new beers, old beers, and very old beers- especially Irish. I don't really drink cheap beers. I have drunk beer from the fount of all beers at St. James' Gate Dublin, at the factory of Guiness.

This might seem odd to you if you come from a church in which drinking is permissable. My grandparents who were members of the temperance movement until the day they died would roll in their graves with my beer loving confession. Faith and alcohol were diametrically opposed to them. My father, who is a well respected pastor theologically asserts drinking is not forbidden by scripture, is also astounded at my enthusiastic response to the drink that imperils so many- because he doesn't prefer it and it was never part of his social culture. Growing up in this environment meant I always was suspect of pubs, of alcohol and of people who enjoyed them. It was a great baptist friend and man of God who eventually saved me from my safe life.

See here is the thing......Having a beer is a the way I thank people for helping me, pubs provide a place for my neighbours to meet me, it is an excuse to go to the place people hang out. Beer and coffee are the universal communicators of hospitality. 'Come for coffee! We'll hang out.' It is part of the social reality of our culture. This means to not engage in it potentially alienates me from my neighbours, community and culture.

I really don't care what the issue is. A love of sports cars, dancing, music- these are part of life and need to be enjoyed. Imagine a life and a faith that is lived away from things that people find fun, enjoyable. Life would be pretty dull without chocolate, sailing, beautiful art, expensive watches etc. In fact, besides having a pickle up their backside, we would say people who avoided pleasure were dull, out of touch. Heaven forbid that this ever be the world's impression of the church. This is life in the middle. It is safe it is clean. This is the goal of many youth groups. Keep kids from trouble, provides an alternative and positive but safe example from the real world.

The reason I advocate life at the margins, and encourage people to drink and smoke, dance and have a pleasure filled life is this.....That by doing this you will set an example of life. Life free of addictions, a life with safe margins, but a life that also demonstrates your freedom in Christ. It also is a life that accurately depicts my theology. Theology means that I believe God says something I model. Is it dangerous-no it's freedom. Life at the margins is good for my soul. By living there I create common ground with people who need to discover authentic people of faith. Jesus was a smart partier. Living life in the middle may actually be teaching people to avoid their humanity, and enforce the ghetto subculture of people who are disconnected from their community, their mission and their own lives.

More Churches, Different Churches

2007-10-03T10:12:00.000-04:00

Ask someone why they go to their church and every time you would get a different answer. I love the worship, the preaching, the programs. Regardless of how great we view our churches, and how perfect they are for our personal spiritual growth, if we stepped back and took an objective look, we would have to admit, firstly that our church isn't perfect and that it won't work for everyone. In fact for as many reasons as we like our church there are an equal number of people who don't.

"Some people prefer to go to churches that preach heresy, or the

theology of the month..."

In being part of a vineyard church I recognize that our worship just really doesn't connect with a everyone. It is too loud, too repetative etc.. , but i love it (apart from being a little too country). At the same time vineyard worship has led a revolution in the way churches universally understand and express worship. And brought countless people to the church who loved the refreshing sound of rock music. Does this make vineyard worship critics insane? Not at all! Everyone has their preferences. Some people prefer to go to churches that preach heresy or the latest theology of the month, or places where the preaching is so boring-not me but others love it. I say this to highlight the fact that most people go to churches not because of quality, not because of calling, or high religious ideologies, but because of habit and preference. Whether we like to admit it or not the number of people in our churches bent on, changing, improving, making things more inclusive, complaining about 'the why don't we....'s?', are evidence we don't fit everybody.

One approach pastors take is to ignore unpopular comments like, 'why isn't your church.....' or 'your church doesn't.....'. They defend their style and programs by saying that it is about God and not your personal preference- often this is taken as a defence of irrelevance. Church goers also gloss over the churches rough edges by pumping up their churches good points, making excuses for their shortcomings.

" I think the heart of Paul's words were about reaching everyone,

not about bringing everyone in."

I wonder though if we need to admit something different. Paul takes about becoming all things to all people in order to reach people. Perhaps our emphasis on church improvement is not the answer at all. Perhaps rather we need to create more churches, and different churches so that everyone can have a place to worship that expresses their heart, their motivations, their needs. What we don't need are places that make everyone comfortable, but churches that communicate differently- we need more rave churches, churches for bikers, churches that speak different languages. We need churches for every nationality, every neighbourhood. The bane of the church today may be its commitment to all people, and it's sacrifice of creating worship communities that are unique, and missional to peculiar communities. I think the heart of Paul's words were about reaching everyone, not about bringing everyone in.

In having several church planters as close friends I realize that despite their best efforts the people they think would be great for their church won't come. But in every case I know of people that come to their churches who you would never expect. Why? God only knows. I recently switched to a church not far from my old church. My new church in many ways has tons going for it that the other didn't yet, not one of the people from my old church followed me. This highlights to me that what we need is not fewer, bigger, or better churches what we need is more churches and different churches that we might be able to help everyone understand who God is, to encourage them to worship and to grow in their relationship with God. Perhaps the next time I as a pastor here someone complain about a church need to here the words as an opportunity to help form a new community and not as criticism. Now is a great time to plant a church.

Faith- the Hidden Journey

2007-09-13T14:18:00.000-04:00

We often view faith as something we seek, but is it something we actually seek to control? Faith it says in the bible is a gift from God, from mustard seeds to mountains it seems the opiate of the Christian faith. If you got it you are the lucky one-Anything is possible! This might be a nice way of saying faith is a means of getting my way, of my plans working out. But faith it seems to me is beyond this definition. Our faith is in God, not in circumstances, or the outcomes we desire, it isn't even the companion to the plans that we have made. It has really nothing to do with our particular journeys as we see it. It has to do with where He is leading us. This we cannot see, we cannot guess even. This could be bad news for control freaks, people who need to know everything in advance. And for success oriented individuals. HOLD everything lightly. This means we could actually fail at something, be sick, have blah days. The peace comes in knowing that God is our lead not just a companion in suffering, disappointment and failure. His interest is in us. Our faith response to Him is to say, 'yes lord I will follow-wherever.'

God is more interested in our response to Him, than in what we think He wants us to do. This means that if suddenly our life takes a major corner, we loose a job, we go through a family crisis, it isn't that God isn't there, that we heard wrong etc.. Faith says, 'He is my rock, I will go where He leads.'

The lord is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want,

He leads me beside still waters,

He restores my soul,

He leads me in paths of righteousness for

HIS name sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil.

His rod and staff they comfort me

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of

my life. And I will dwell in his presence

FOREVER.

psalm 23

TRUE COMMUNITY

2007-09-13T14:07:00.000-04:00

I came across a great program the CBC ran this summer. It was called 'Hidden City'. Its premise was that within every city is a hidden city. Groups of people who gather for different reasons:faith, tai chi, mexican food, or say football. These groups all have a social structure, its own rules etc. The goal of this show was identifying and penetrating these subcultures.

What facinated me was that they began by creating their own subculture by looking total strangers in downtown toronto straight, square in the eye. Whoever looked back they invited into their inner society. What amazed me is an unspoken understanding that people who look each other in the eye humanize their community. Community was built through eye contact.

Having lived in downtown toronto it is evident to me that people do not talk to one another, they don't get in each others way. How they do this initially is by avoiding eye contact. One person was interviewed and they said not only was eye contact a primary way of greeting and getting to know people, but that it was also a basic means of building trust. If you want safe community, if you want to get people's hearts- look them in the eye.

What a fantastic starting point to beginning to talking about spiritualizing/humanizing people. Take the time to look them in the eye. What a fantastic program. Cudos CBC.

Childhood Influence

2007-06-25T15:25:00.000-04:00

At 12 years old I moved. Moved to what would be the most formative place, the country. Raising sheep and weeding vegetables taught me perseverance, but it was the neighbours the friends that meant the most. My family moved to the county to a farm we called Patmos, after the rock of Peter's desolation and revelation. We moved with 5 other families from the city, and from our church. We were to live in a community, built around a prophetic dream that has yet to be realized.

Despite our parents religious idealism something was caught by us kids who played hide and go seek most summer nights till it was well past our bedtimes. The thing we caught was friendship, sharing, living with blurred lines of family. Today I share nephews and nieces with my best highschool friends, because of the strength of these friendships. The strength of that group of people has been what has launched the majority of us into ministry. Most importantly it has influenced the way we think of the place we live, the people we meet, those we call our friends.

When I read Bonnehoeffer's book LIFE TOGETHER, I realized that we were meant for something much different than our typical work/neighbourhood communities offer. Community is only realized as we life for, with and to God. Everything else falls short. For me friendship is not about proximity, but about the ongoing attitude of my heart to bless and desire the best for the people God allows me to bump into. I suppose this may be the fulfilment of my parents idealism, maybe it is the beginning of my own.

Resume

2007-06-25T14:31:00.000-04:00

Education

Masters of Theology Studies
Wycliffe College, University of Toronto,
Thesis: An in depth analysis of the theology and practice of the Short Term Mission
Movement and its importance in the scheme of the Global Christian Mission

Honours B.Sc (Agr) in Environmental Biology
University of Guelph

Thesis: A scientific study to determine the ability of Galerucella sp to
complete it's life cycle on Purple Loosestrife (an invasive foreign plant) in flooded conditions.

Work Experience

Development
I have spent much of my adult life working on projects for sustainable development. Networking needs with resources and taking an active role in creating positive change. This desire to make a difference has led me to live amongst the poorest peoples of the world. I have also been involved locally in advocating and marketing fairly traded products like Equator FairTrade Coffee, and in organizing life changing opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Agriculture Development and Training Parntership of VisionLedd and PAOC
In 2002 I moved to Kitwe Zambia to help develop 50 Ha around the Tran Africa Theological College and Village of Hope. Part of the task was developing a farm plan and education program to train pastors in basic agriculture principals and techniques. 2002

World Vision Intern World Vision Canada, Guatemala
El Tule, Chicimula, Guatemala is a center for agriculture training for all of Guatemala. There I learned organic agricultural techniques, and acted as a program developer and liaison with World Vision Canada building strategic funding partnerships. 1998

Computer Teacher Yonge Street Mission
Fall/Winter 2002 I worked as a computer skills teacher helping disadvantaged and immigrant children computer skills and web building. 2003

Business and Agriculture
I enjoy the thrill of creating, whether it is in business, or Christian ministry and have been involved in several entrepreneurial projects. Applying my agricultural background has led me to initiate agricultural businesses in Canada and Zambia. I have also had a variety of agricultural learning and business environments both inside and outside of Canada.

Organic Market Gardening Patmos Farm Organic Vegetables and Produce
I operated a 5 acre market garden, established a weekly customer base and CSA, was responsible for planning and implementation of all aspects of the business: market research, planting, sales, marketing, insect control. 1995-6

Farm Plan Development. TransAfrica Theological College, Kitwe Zambia.
I developed a plan to allow the college to produce its own food stores. This project included everything from research of products and markets to implementation, advanced problem solving. 2002

Pest Management Scout Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
I monitored orchards and berry farms in Eastern Ontario for Provincial Pest monitoring program. This involved answering homeowner's questions regarding horticultural related problems and diagnosis of pest related problems. I also participated in Bt. Corn trials 1996

Vegetation Management Ontario Ministry of Transportation,
I Participated in Biological Control programs for Purple Loosestrife and Cyprus Spurge. This included insect releases, writing of public fact sheets and republication of pesticide and MSDS manual. 1995

Education and Leadership Development

Lead Pastor Vineyard Community Church Kitchener, ON
Consistent teaching, creative outreach and a simply lived theology were a part of my 3 years as lead pastor at Vineyard Community Church. 2003-2006

Bible College Instructor. Trans-Africa Theological College, Kitwe Zambia.
Teaching bible college students in Kitwe. I taught a course in Apologetics, Missions, and designed a course in Agriculture. 2002

Youth Pastor, Guelph Vineyard Church.
At Guelph, I worked extensively at mentoring young leaders and developing student leadership programs. I also focused on interdenominational and outreach opportunities. A highlight was organizing a cross-cultural trip to Zambia. Duties included, planning activities, counseling, mentoring, and public speaking. 1998-2002

Substitute Teacher
I frequently substitute taught 2001-2005 a variety of courses at Woodland Christian High School and Laurentian Christian School.

Outdoor Education, Ontario Pioneer Camp
As an Education Facilitator my outdoor and agriculture experience provided a platform to facilitate groups of up to 150 students aged 10-18. I taught programs in: mountain biking, low ropes, wetlands studies, skiing, winter survival and many other outdoor programs. 1995-1996

Acquired Skills

Facilitation- Facilitation of Groups Large and Small is perhaps one of my best-formed skills. I have also been a part of formal training through Eagle’s Flight programs and several seminars. Facilitation was a key component all my Christian leadership and Teaching experiences.

Proposal/program Development- At World Vision Guatemala I wrote development proposals for implementation of Canadian Funded programs, many of which where successfully completed. In Guatemala I also wrote a submission to the Dubai International Practices Awards of behalf of World Vision Canada. I consider proposal development as the foundation for the businesses I have started. In Guelph I worked closely with a group that lobbied the community and Government in order to develop a Youth Drop in Center. At Eagle’s Flight I saw how they developed new training material, and participated in both alpha and beta program tests.

Extra-Curricular Activities And Interests

Outdoor Recreation extensive canoe trip experience including: Missinabi River, Temagami. Hiking experience includes the West Coast Trail (B.C.) and Grand Bend National Park (Texas) other interests: sailing, white water rafting.

Travel- My wife and I love to see the world. She grew up in Israel and together we have traveled to Africa, England, Ireland, and in 2002 we took the local bus to see Zimbabwe. We have both spent significant time living overseas. My most significant experience was living in a small Guatemalan village for 5 months. I have done extensive research in the travel and adventure travel industry. A life goal is to do an eco-adventure.

Health and Fitness I am personally committed to remaining healthy and fit enjoy activities such as cross country skiing, swimming and other outdoor activities like canoeing and camping. In 2000 Kate and I ran the Toronto International Marathon and in 2001 the Niagara Falls relay marathon.