London today. We just got Elizabeth’s new passport which expired this month. Both Debbie and I had to be present so this is one of the reasons we are down here. All went well. The kids are now at Hamley’s and Samuel and I are here at the Apple Store. Which is how i am…
Read MoreCambridge
We arrived last night at Phouc-Tan and Mags house. Great time. They are well and are in the right place. Mags was a girl in my youth group at North Beach Baptist Church in Australia when i was a youth pastor there 1991-1993. They were married last year in London- all the bridesmaids wore Doc…
Read MoreMac, blog and photos
CC, Oklahoma: Andrew, Do you have any advice for a Mac user that wants to blog. I had problems trying to blog because the software was not Mac compatable to post pics and such. Blessings in carrying the Faith, CC TSK: That’s easy. If you go with blogger, use flickr.com as your photo uploader and…
Read MoreJones family On the road
We leave tonight on the ferry. Yes, the whole family. Our van is at the mechanics, waiting for parts but we will be borrowing a Land Rover (thanks Miriam!) Shannon Hopkins is also coming with us. We are working on a tour for the autumn of an art exhibition based on the life of Jesus…
Read MoreNew Book: Wanting More
My good friend Joel Vestal of ServLife was one of the original guys connected with Young Leaders (pre-EmergentVillage) His book called Wanting More is great. I wrote up some thoughts for it a few months ago and look forward to seeing the whole thing. If you are interested in how missions is looking and feeling…
Read MoreCrowded House drummer dead
Paul Hester found dead in Melbourne. Very tragic news. Crowded House was one of my favorite bands. I have followed the Finn Brothers from their incredible Split Enz days in New Zealand (True Colours was a total classic album) through Crowded House and up to the present. I am sure they will be grieved beyond…
Read MoreDeja Vu: The 5 year loop
March 24, 2000 is when our family left California and flew to London on British Airways. We transferred to a smaller plane at Heathrow and flew up to Aberdeen where we lived for 4 months. Fast forward 5 years. Exactly 5 years. To the day. March 24, 2005, And I fly to London on British…
Read MoreEaster at the Ring of Brodgar
Easter service this morning, held at the ancient Ring of Brodgar. At 8:30am, the weather was sunny and fantastic. Highly unusual. A small band led us in some hymns. “People were gathering here at the time of Abraham” [intro comments] The guy on the radio was hilarious. He commented, tongue-in-cheek, that the believers were celebrating…
Read MoreHome Again
I just made it back home. I missed the ferry yesterday, after a 7 hour drive through Scotland. The youth hostel was closed and so I found an Inn that i stayed at last night. I HATE paying out for that, but I had slept in my car in Scotland last week and it was…
Read MoreAre We A Threat to the Gospel? (Restored)
UPDATE: This is getting a little unwieldy. Can we keep in mind that this is not a matter of baptist church VS emerging church but rather Mohler VS McLaren. And remember that Mohler does not speak for all Baptists, just as McLaren does not speak for all in the emerging church. See a really good…
Read MoreGoodwill Hunting
I leave today – in a few hours – and i only have one mission to fulfil before i leave: to go to the Goodwill shop across the road and check out the vintage clothes.
Read MoreThe Briefing
Last night I spoke at the 2nd Annual Foundation Briefing on International Missions. Very nice people – and a good spirit. Some of the foundations here are VERY conservative and I was a little nervous that they would freak out when i showed them some images and video of how the emerging church is looking…
Read MoreBack in the USA
Billy Hoffman took me out for a great BBQ sandwich in his red Le Baron. How does it feel to be back in USA? It feels strange, which is unusual because i have spent 12 years of my life in USA. It has been over a year since I have been here and i have…
Read MoreEmergant.:3 Postmodern Sensibility
The emerging church is a response to a culture sometimes characterized as 'post-modern'. I hesitate to use the word, again, since so much fruitless discussion has happened in the church as a result of hyper-academic interpretations of the word. Although there is value in looking at post-modern literary theory (start with Ferdinand de Saussure, the…
Read MoreSi Johnston moving on
Si Johnston, who has Tony Blair hanging around his church today (don’t call security !!!! – the PM is giving a Faithworks lecture today from the building), has announced his departure from the Oasis Trust and Church.co.uk. Big bummer for Si and somewhat of a shock. Si started the emerging church HeadSpace 2 years ago,…
Read MoreIn Richmond, Virginia
I arrived in Richmond, Virginia last night. Very tired after a long trip. Thanks to Shannon and Bea for the coffee in London yesterday at Heathrow and for coming out to pray for me – much appreciated!!! Things went really smoothly. This is my third time in Virginia. The first time I came here on…
Read MoreEmerging Church in News x2
1. Mike Morrel gets mentioned today in this article on the Atlantic Journal Constitution, which is only available without registration today. I could tell you that you should read this because its about emerging church, in particular, Australians who are starting their churches in USA (Christian City Church, Atlanta) but the real reason for me…
Read MoreHacking the ISPD
Nothing else compares to it. The very sound of its name inspires awe and wonder. In layman’s terms, (if indeed laymen were ALLOWED to access it) it is referred to as the Integrated Strategic Planning Database – the most sophisicated, comprehensive missions database on the planet, located in Richmond, Virginia, US of A. There are…
Read MoreCoffee in London or BBQ in USA?
Hey- I will be Heathrow airport in London on Monday (21st) if anyone wants to join me for a coffee. Let me know. (I will not be at Scooterworks as I said yesterday) I could be at Heathrow’s Costa coffee shop at 9am I will also be in Richmond, Virginia (USA) from Tuesday to Thursday,…
Read MoreProv. 11:11 – The Upright
I am reposting this verse to memorize. I think we will see a revival of simple Bible memorization in the new future - since we value code over construct. I know I do anyway. I like the idea of public uprightness that is acknowledged in the city, over personal (individual) “righteousness” that is subjective and… Read More