Prolific blogger and Church planter Gary Lamb has gone and got a tatt of his church logo stuck on his leg…and limbs of his various associates. Lets hope the logo can stay relevant!!
Its hard to stomach an honourable loss when you are 1 win, four losses start to the season.
Unless we go on a 9 game winning streak like we did in 2005….Freo’s season is gonski…already.
There were some encouraging signs against the Crows….but our starts are killing us.
When a team locks up the Pav…as they did yesterday…we need another reliable avenue to goal….Tarrant…come back…all is forgiven. Just lead hard and kick straight, thats all we ask.
Defence is starting to look better, and Sandilands played really well…..but our half forward line and midfield were just not intense or skillful enough.
Palmer…..29 possessions from a 4 game player….a gun player.
This topic is close to home for me…and will be for the next few development years.
“People who don’t go to church may be turned off by a recent trend toward more utilitarian church buildings. By a nearly 2-to-1 ratio over any other option, unchurched Americans prefer churches that look more like a medieval cathedral than what most think of as a more contemporary church building”
(Article)
Now what interests me about this article is that they are making the assumption that non churched people will go to a medieval style cathedral because that is what they prefer…
That is simply not borne out by the facts.
In fact the article seems to contradict itself when it says this..
“Stetzer noted that despite these survey results, most of the churches that look like a cathedral are in decline. Just because someone has a preference for the aesthetically pleasing, Gothic churches doesn’t mean they’ll visit the church”
I think plenty of non churched people have sentimental reasons for wanting to retain old church buildings…but they sure are not going to become part of the church communities struggling within the 4 walls. They might however become part of a relevant thriving community, inside useable facilities….
However…I do like this quote…””I don’t like modern churches, they seem cold,” said one survey respondent who chose the Gothic design. “I like the smell of candles burning, stained-glass windows, [and] an intimacy that’s transcendent.”
I would like our new facilties to be modern, useable, contemporary. But I also want them to reveal something of the transcedant…to take us on a journey…to invite intimacy, but also a sense of awe.
There is a show on TV sometimes called “Live at the Chapel” where they get guest musicians to play to a smaller audience. This is the “feel” I would like.
My days are far from typical…..Today…..
Head off to Officeworks for some things for the office. Then to Bunnings to get some silastic (tell you what for in a moment)
First coffee of the day, then into a Toddler Jam meeting. Great people, great conversation. Reminded of the vision, to reach and make real relationships with the literally hundreds of people using our program. Encouraged to not focus on the hundreds, but one or two. We break off into our daily groups and pray for those (by name) who come on our day. I man the welcome desk on Friday.
Then into the office to print off some Anzac Day Postcard size invitation leaflets. We have a Vietnam Vet coming (not a believer). I want us as a church to thank him for his service to his country. They got very little thanks when they returned. In fact he told me a harrowing story of having buckets of blood (literal) thrown over him at the ‘coming home’ parade in Sydney. RSL rejected them, told him he was not a real soldier.
Made some more phone calls about the property we are looking to purchase. Its a real possibility, but there are some issues. Researched the possibilities of changing the zoning, and the cost of siteworks, which with the block we are considering buying, is going to be expensive and possibly time consuming.
Then I did some preparation for the 2gether conference. I am responsible for the sound, multi media, sponsorship, delegate bags. I got a whole heap of pens from Christian Funeral Company (one of our sponsors) and prepared some more of the 200 delegate bags.
Finally I got up on my ladder, ripped down part of the ceiling in our foyer to repair a leak in the tin roof. Not entirely succesful, but hopefully its better.
Wheh!! Time to go home for roast chicken, yorkshire puddings and a cold Tooheys New…..And a cuddle with my family.
I am helping organse this years Annual Baptist and Church of Christ Pastors conference/retreat.
We have good number of pastors and their spouses coming. Tim Hanna, formerly of Gateway Baptist Church, and now heading up Compassion, is our guest speaker.
We are also doing little ‘nuggets’ which are mini topics given by a variety of speakers for discussion. One of our intentions is to make this an interactive time. To help with this, we are also doing reflective times when we will have various stations set up, for prayer and reflection.
If you have not heard, or have not registered…and are a Baptist or Church of Christ Pastor…I encourage you to come along, it is a unique and valuable time of community, networking, support, prayer and healing.
I have started uploading my messages to the net again…due to popular demand 🙂
Here is the link to the latest one where I spoke about Moses…how Godly anger and passion got some great things done…..an alternative title might be.. “So you wanna go back to Egypt?”
Pretty gutless mate….brain fade….all I can say is that he looked pretty remorseful in the change rooms at half time…but who knows….
Ironically..if he gets 6 weeks, which many are saying he is…his first game back will be against the weegirls at Subi…round 7. Reckon they might boo him???