My friend and mentor John Finkelde preached a great message at Inglewood on Sunday.

Of course I was not there to hear it, but did download it and listen when I was walking up and down some lovely Tasmanian slopes…on the way to the bakery.

John is a engaging, humorous and thoughtful preacher. I was challenged and enjoyed listening to this message.

You can listen here

Life with John Finkelde

Fridays in the office at Inglewood Church are normally a hive of activity.

I have just finished Toddler Jam, done some banking and other administration.

The staff are getting things ready for Sunday….media, practice, music.

Youth Pastor getting things ready for youth group tonight, the new childrens guy working on activities. Associate and present Childrens Pastor working on music for Kids Band tonight…

Lots of noise, laughter and passion…as we all work on similar goals.

What a great Church and a great bunch. We have come a long way…and have a long way to go. Buildings to build, land to buy. Grants to get. Money to be raised. But who would want it any other way? Who would want a church without challenge, risk and big stakes? Not me. Who would want things easy? Not me. Because easy is boring. Easy means you are not trying.

But it is time for a rest. 3 months ought to do it.

Something I used for my sermon Sunday.

We are about to head across the country…and we are concerned about the kids.
Now we have a heap of Kids DVD’s but don’t wont to worry about carrying them across the country.
So I bought a inverter and have ripped a heap of movies to the external hard drive of the Mac.

The best ripper I have found is Macx DVD Ripper Pro.
The company have a free giveaway at the moment on its companion software, MacX Video Converter Pro, which converts videos. Use this code (AY-TNTHTHYY-QMSFEQ)
They also have a discounted price on DVD Ripper Pro.
Go here for details.

(I was not paid for this, but I have previously received a free copy of some software)

Its no secret that I ‘hit the wall’ a few months back, and so put in place the need for an extended break from ministry. Fortunately I have my long service leave due, so will be handing responsibility for leading Inglewood Community Church to my associate for 3 months.

Strange as this is, now…I feel invigorated. I think its because I know the holiday is coming. I have not had a day off in 3 weeks, even Mondays have been busy with meetings. Because there is so much going on at Church, with property and development issues, and because I am going on break, I have needed to push through.
Which is not to say I have not been planning my holiday/sabbatical….I have.

I have asked some good friends to give me a book that they have read which has really impacted them, or that they think I should read. I asked the lads from my peer group for this…and a couple of them have come through.

While I am away, there is a lot going on at Inglewood Community Church. I even have my friend and mentor coming to preach one Sunday! (November 20th).

Suffice to say, there will be some posts on this blog over the next few months, but I have not yet decided what I will post…whether it will be about the break, or other things. Stay tuned.