A mural featuring former Australian Catholic Archbishop George Pell in handcuffs and prison clothes, praying with a demonic figure leaning in over his shoulder, was removed this week because of complaints that it was ‘offensive’. Really?! That’s what people find offensive? What I find offensive are the crimes George Pell was convicted of: child sexualContinue reading “George Pell mural removed as deemed ‘offensive’”
Tag Archives: leadership
The art of washing feet
Washing of Feet by Sieger Köder Sieger Köder (1925-2015) was a German priest-painter. He was a prisoner of war during World War II and also participated in the Catholic Neudeutschland movement. Köder’s work shows the artistic influence of Chagall and is distinctive for its strong colours and robust, chunky figures.
Bucking the herd mentality
Some days I wonder if our society is too individualistic. Other days I wonder if it’s not individualistic enough. That’s on the days when the herd mentality seems a little too pervasive. People not thinking for themselves but just accepting what authority figures say, even when said authority figures are completely unqualified in the subjectContinue reading “Bucking the herd mentality”
Nursing Mothers as Leadership Models
In his first letter to the Thesselonians, Paul uses breast feeding mothers as a model for leadership (1 Thes 2:7). Imagine if more leaders took this seriously!
Christian Haiku on Servanthood
The true leader is Exceptional in his Downward ambition
Priesthood as an outward orientation
What is your understanding of priesthood? The other day I was reading “Did the First Christians Worship Jesus?” by James D.G. Dunn when I was stuck by this simple yet profound statement: “Paul describes his own ministry in characteristically priestly terms (Rom. 15.16), but by doing so he probably was not thinking of himself as partContinue reading “Priesthood as an outward orientation”
Shamans, Sages, Priests and Prophets
Some of you may be interested in downloading and reading “Shaman, Sage, Priest, Prophet and Magi: Exploring the Architecture of the Religious Wise Man” by Dominique Beth Wilson, a Grad Student from Sydney University. I came across it earlier this week. I found it had a lot of resonance with some reflections I’ve previously postedContinue reading “Shamans, Sages, Priests and Prophets”
When a leader leaves
This week my wife is organising the farewell dinner for our pastor, Jamie Long, in her capacity as church secretary and lay leader of last resort. While she’s been taming the whirlwind I’ve been observing people’s reactions. There’s been lots of business, lots of conversation, lots of prayer, and overall I think things have beenContinue reading “When a leader leaves”
Cultural differences on Church Leadership
One of the challenges facing us as a multicultural church is how to deal with cultural differences on church leadership. For instance, I find asian Australians are much more deferential to church leaders than anglo Australians, with the consequence that they are much less likely to ask questions of our leadership, much less likely toContinue reading “Cultural differences on Church Leadership”
Converting Leadership
What sort of leadership leads communities into genuine transformation? One book which got me thinking this month was “A New And Right Spirit: Creating An Authentic Church In A Consumer Culture” by Rick Barger. In the book Rick has a lot to say about adaptive leadership, which he contrasts with technical leadership. Today I wouldContinue reading “Converting Leadership”
Curious Christian 