Stanley Grenz

I have recently enjoyed a couple of articles by Stanley Grenz. “Community and Relationships: A Theological Take” and “Nurturing the Soul, Informing the Mind“. Gotta be honest the second is only for the brave amongst you!! The first, however, is an interview and great read! Might even make up for what Aled would have shared had he been healthy!!

So for a quote from the first:

“Actually, today the chief rival to ministering from a theological base is engaging in the practice of “church” by means of a pragmatic outlook, that makes decisions largely if not solely on the basis of a consideration of what “works”. In the long run, however, the pragmatic approach is self-defeating, simply because it transforms the community of faith into an institution whose chief end is not the glory of God and the fulfillment of a divinely-given mandate, but survival. The long-term health and viability of the church demands that its leaders and people return again and again to the forming and informing vision of what the community of Christ is called, mandated, and empowered to be by the Lord of the church. Above all, I would add, we are called to be a people who embody in our life together and in our relationships to all humans and even to all creation the great narrative of the biblical God, the one who has come to us in Christ and now empowers us through the Holy Spirit poured out in our hearts and in our fellowship”

Stanley Grenz

I have recently enjoyed a couple of articles by Stanley Grenz. “Community and Relationships: A Theological Take” and “Nurturing the Soul, Informing the Mind“. Gotta be honest the second is only for the brave amongst you!! The first, however, is an interview and great read! Might even make up for what Aled would have shared had he been healthy!!

So for a quote from the first:

“Actually, today the chief rival to ministering from a theological base is engaging in the practice of “church” by means of a pragmatic outlook, that makes decisions largely if not solely on the basis of a consideration of what “works”. In the long run, however, the pragmatic approach is self-defeating, simply because it transforms the community of faith into an institution whose chief end is not the glory of God and the fulfillment of a divinely-given mandate, but survival. The long-term health and viability of the church demands that its leaders and people return again and again to the forming and informing vision of what the community of Christ is called, mandated, and empowered to be by the Lord of the church. Above all, I would add, we are called to be a people who embody in our life together and in our relationships to all humans and even to all creation the great narrative of the biblical God, the one who has come to us in Christ and now empowers us through the Holy Spirit poured out in our hearts and in our fellowship”

Stanley Grenz

I have recently enjoyed a couple of articles by Stanley Grenz. “Community and Relationships: A Theological Take” and “Nurturing the Soul, Informing the Mind“. Gotta be honest the second is only for the brave amongst you!! The first, however, is an interview and great read! Might even make up for what Aled would have shared had he been healthy!!

So for a quote from the first:

“Actually, today the chief rival to ministering from a theological base is engaging in the practice of “church” by means of a pragmatic outlook, that makes decisions largely if not solely on the basis of a consideration of what “works”. In the long run, however, the pragmatic approach is self-defeating, simply because it transforms the community of faith into an institution whose chief end is not the glory of God and the fulfillment of a divinely-given mandate, but survival. The long-term health and viability of the church demands that its leaders and people return again and again to the forming and informing vision of what the community of Christ is called, mandated, and empowered to be by the Lord of the church. Above all, I would add, we are called to be a people who embody in our life together and in our relationships to all humans and even to all creation the great narrative of the biblical God, the one who has come to us in Christ and now empowers us through the Holy Spirit poured out in our hearts and in our fellowship”

Reflections on cricket…

I thought you might enjoy/laugh at this from LICC!!

“The Bible remains resolutely quiet about cricket’s googlies and gullies, but in a fast-forward consumerist culture, the game might just help to reflect something of an alternative perspective.

In its purest form, whether playing or watching, it slows us right down. It does not always demand a result, but frequently produces an honourable draw - reinforcing the idea (at a local level, at least) that it’s not always the winning, but the taking part that counts. And it reminds us to play with a straight bat through life itself.

We can sometimes underestimate the true value of sport. This particular one helps us to remember what it’s all about. It’s only a game, of course; but somehow, it’s not just cricket.”

Reflections on cricket…

I thought you might enjoy/laugh at this from LICC!!

“The Bible remains resolutely quiet about cricket’s googlies and gullies, but in a fast-forward consumerist culture, the game might just help to reflect something of an alternative perspective.

In its purest form, whether playing or watching, it slows us right down. It does not always demand a result, but frequently produces an honourable draw - reinforcing the idea (at a local level, at least) that it’s not always the winning, but the taking part that counts. And it reminds us to play with a straight bat through life itself.

We can sometimes underestimate the true value of sport. This particular one helps us to remember what it’s all about. It’s only a game, of course; but somehow, it’s not just cricket.”