Colourful Dreamer

I have to say I agree absolutely with this. But it is so hard to convince a parish on the brink that this is what we need to do. Even when we think of ways to living out the whole love your neighbour thing, it is amazing how quicly it gets colonised by "this will bring people into church", which fo course mostly it won't. And that is ok.

This is a great day both for Wellington and for the whole church in this land. Two big questions were answered, would Justin wear shoes, and would a mitre fit. The answer to the first was no, and the answer to the second was yes.  I am looking forward to all that Justin brings. He is a smart cookie, has spent his whole ministry among the poorest "giving his best for the least" and working for a society where everyone can contribute and benefit, and has brought a high degree of innovation to that ministry. He has walked the talk. He will challenge us, but not as an angry young man, as I am accused of being, but of a motivator and cajoler. I look forward to all that the next few years will bring.

Yesterday I visited the parishioners at Hodgson House, and Anglican Care facility for the elderly. I also visited a great story telling couple in the village, which was a lot of fun.  Today has been spent dealing with pre-school music, and then trying to get organised for this Sunday, and to get pretty organised for Pentecost Sunday, which I am not feeling at all good about. The issue is that I am on retreat next week from Tuesday to Thursday, so the pressure is on the get it all sussed this week. Epic fail on my behalf. One of the things I have noticed about this job, apart from it being full time, is that sometimes I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing. Some friends of mine suggested the three headings for a vicar are preside (at the services, i.e. make sure they are well organised and run) manage (all that people management stuff) and pastor . I suspect that mission needs to fit in here somewhere. But they are good starters. What I need now is to fill that out a bi...

At the farewell dinner So, today we said goodbye to my big girl who has gone to Connecticut for a year (although she will be back for a week in November for a wedding). She really drives me nuts, and yet I really enjoy having her around. So we are down to one person at home, which is a little scarey. I feel like I am getting old. Blah!! I have decided that I need to use this to do two things. One is to record what i am up to so that I have a record somewhere for reports and such. The other is to have a place I can reflect on life as a vicar. What it is like for me, and how I am making sense of it all. I hope to also put up poetry when I write any. So, here is a posting. One of the things that i have come face to face with over the last two months is my mortality. Visiting people who have just turned 70, and thinking that that is only 16 years away. Well, that seemed close until I wrote it. Actually, that is still quite a way away. But not the far distant future it once...

These thoughts will be slightly shaped by the Tikanga Pakeha presentation which suggests our theological college offers a school, formation and bicultural site in three Tikanga context. So here are my random thoughts for this morning. I see the theological college as a place that offers training for key people who will help our church engage with our missional task, and discern god’s ongoing mission in our society. So this is two groups, those who will work within the structure primarily to help it focus more outward, and those who will be the point persons for our developing missional work beyond the traditional edges of church, who will be much less interested in keeping the church going, and more interested in living out God’s infinite love for all people in a way that brings them into that love, and allows them to develop worshipping communities that honour their cultural context as well as the gospel. (Ok, this is very wishy washy and pie in the sky, but hey, it is morning)  P...

So the next question is: What kind of leadership for 2020? Here are some initial thoughts: I guess first of all , a younger leadership that is less moulded by church as it was and is A leadership that if focussed on mission, and who understanding Anglicanism as what undergirds that mission. Not working to preserve Anglicanism per se Steeped in the Anglican tradition as something that gives life and through which God works to give life and to change the world Lives out of a profoundly prayerful place Willing to take risks and to fail Is innovative Is filled with God’s love for all people including those we often struggle to love Is more interested in living the gospel than preaching the gospel Is willing to question and not take for granted Loves people can take a community of people with them rather than being a lone ranger Works with teams Helps groups of people develop a vision and ways of working that out Resources people in their ministry Works hard to engage all ages...

What will mission look like? In the coming weeks there is a very important meeting happening about the future shape of our theological college. Our three Tikanga Youth Commission has been asked to contribute. To help us prepare we are thinking about different questions, contributing ideas, and then skype calling on a Thursday. Last week the question was w hat will mission look like? This is my answer. Any thoughts? To be honest I do not know. But I hope: it will be much more natural than it is now. we will do it instinctively rather than have to think about how to do it. we will remember it is God’s mission not ours it will be much less about telling people about God and God’s love, and much more about living God’s love (preach the gospel at all times, use words when necessary) as we offer our best for the least people will see God at work. – are we willing to embrace and kiss the leper? rather than have to go out and try to offer God’s love we will recognise the risen Christ ...