emergent
kiwi
In Liquid Church, Pete Ward takes a deep swim in postmodern waters. While many are just trying to dog paddle, Ward explores ways for the church to incarnationally flourish in our contemporary culture. At times the theologian in me wonders if Ward’s theology is so liquid he ignores Divine person, and thus the importance of gathering. At times the practitioner in me wonders who will fund Pete’s dreams. But the insights around spiritual desire and the creative and missional possibilities around shopping for meaning are worth the price alone. It is a provocative book in which the missionary heartbeat is undeniable. The book is well written. It is concise. It handles well. If you’re serious about being church in the postmodern world, it is worth taking the plunge.
liquid church
Coming:
Olive Drane, creativity and the image of God
Christchurch, January 04
Going:
Taylor's to Chch, Jan04
Church and Society, Auckland, Feb04
Stuff I've written:
Celebrating a Postmodern Pentecost
Sketching a postmodern missiology
Romeo/Juliet/altworship
DJing salvation
Piglet reads the Bible in a postmodern world
Coupland/community
cultural
wildflowers
1 Peter:mysogynist
or feminist
New generation/new
millenium
Church
in a global world
My further reading
art and spirituality
church ministry
postmodernity
Generation X
popular culture
gospel and culture
faith in aotearoa new zealand
Conversations that enhance me:
andrew jones up close
small ritual
douglas rushkoff
jonny baker
God-n-
club culture
paul fromont
darren rowse
Christian greenie
God-n-club culture-2
human in london
intellectually gritty
rachel cunliffe
jordon cooper (mentioned my blog 3x)
mark barkaway
Interview with:
Archives:
June 2002
July 2002
August 2002
September 2002
October 2002
November 2002
December 2002
January 2003
February 2003
March 2003
April 2003
May 2003
June 2003
July 2003
August 2003
September 2003
October 2003
November 2003
December 2003
January 2004
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Holiday
It's summer down~under. To celebrate, I am on holiday for a while. Colin Wood will be guest blogging for me while I'm gone, giving you a down~under perspective on the flower and heat of the Christmas rush.
Yeeh Colin.
posted by spirit2go team at 3:07 AM
[grid :: brand]
Context: grid blogging>{and probably the 1st grid blog in the world due to the wonders of timezones}
sweat shop
tattoo
high on left thigh
nike
swooshed on left ankle
hot tin roof
10 hours later
pay
so you display
stitch in nike time
makes nine
cents for me
bucks for you
enjoy your holiday home
on my tropical beach
mr brand
mr brand
posted by spirit2go team at 3:04 AM
New conversations
Readers of my blog have noted that I am on the move. I've left Graceway, the church I planted. I've left Carey Baptist College, the place that trains Baptist pastors in New Zealand. I've left Auckland, the city in which I've spent the last 11 years.
I and the family are moving to Christchurch.
One: I am moving to Bible College of New Zealand, with a specific aim of developing training in emerging church.
Two: I will be (in February) the Senior Pastor at Opawa Baptist church. Two images of Opawa - their signboard and their attendance figures - might give you some idea of what this means.
Alongside these images are some real innovation and some really neat people who are prepared to trust a 35 year old with 3 earrings.
I have moved because I like a challenge and God is calling us onward. One of our family core values is to risk, and we need to keep doing that.
I have moved because I want to start some new conversations - what does mission mean in a new setting; what does it mean to help existing churches transition into a new millenium; what does it mean to do postmodern leadership training.
posted by spirit2go team at 2:02 AM
Saturday, November 29, 2003
The task of mission in a new millennium
Spent time with about 50 people from Opawa Baptist Church today; The task of mission in a new millennium. I used video: Romeo and Juliet in 2 versions, Lord Of the Rings, What Dreams May Come - to explore pilgrimage, imagination and community.
A good time. Lots of thinking, lots of interacting ... what I hope is the start of a long conversation about mission.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:14 AM
Watermarked PhD
So I posted my Phd. Via Fastway Couriers.
And it arrived - wet! 100 pages water damaged. Thanks Fastway.
But it is drying. And the text isn't compromised. And the Research Office are still happy for me to submit a watermarked PhD.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:11 AM
Thursday, November 27, 2003
We brought a house in Christchurch
97 year old villa, modernised, 3 bedrooms, magically electric colour scheme, conservatory. It is better than we ever dreamed. We can't believe. Lynne grins every 5 minutes and I keep pinching ourselves.
posted by spirit2go team at 6:37 PM
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Weekend workshop - Our stories, Bible stories, God’s story: Creativity and the image of God
We all have a range of life experiences. Being human and being spiritual invites us to integrate these with God’s story. We are made with eyes and ears, touch and taste. Being made in the image of God involves all of us to integrate with all that God is. This weekend workshop will deepen our awareness of our own stories. It will enhance our ability to be fully present to the God. It will explore the place of creativity in helping us meet God.
Spirituality
Story
Creativity
transcendence
Ritual
Everyday life
Olive Drane is a clown and storyteller. She teaches Creativity and the Bible at Fuller Theological Seminary and has a Masters in Mission (Aberdeen). She has authored books on family, creativity and the arts, ritual and everyday life. She speaks widely throughout UK and USA. This is the only opportunity to hear her in New Zealand.
Friday evening (6:45-9:30 pm), Saturday (9:30 am - 4:30 pm), January 16 & 17, 2004.
Cost $20/person. (Friday will start with a shared meal).
Bible College of New Zealand.
Condell Ave, Papanui.
Organiser: Steve Taylor, Lecturer BCNZ, Pastor Opawa Baptist Church
RSVP by January 10 to steve@emergentkiwi.org.nz
Supported by e~merge, Bible College of New Zealand, Opawa Baptist, Angel Wings.
posted by spirit2go team at 5:21 PM
Spotlighting: Who shots who?
Here’s another take (my retelling, from memory, of a James K Baxter story I heard told once).
There was once a story of a man who wanted to hide from the world. He stored a lifetime of provisions and locked himself inside a corrugated iron tank. All was well and the man was happy. No problems, no poverty, no pain.
Suddenly one day a volley of bullets hit his tank. The man ducked. Furious the man yelled, and silence returned. Shaken, relieved, the man resumed his self-imposed hermitage.
The next day, the volley of bullets returned. Again the man ducked, and yelled, and the silence returned.
Everyday the pattern was repeated. A volley of bullets; the man enraged, then silence.
Over time, the man began to gain a certain sense of satisfaction from the habit of the daily routine. He began to notice the sunlight that clinted through the holes. Peering out, he could see kids playing and the blue sky.
The bullets continued to strike. The tank grew more and more holey. The self-imposed hermit grew more and more fond of life around him. One day the volley of bullets brought the tank crashing down around the hermit. He emerged, arms up.
“Shoot me,” he yelled to the man with the gun. “But first, tell me why, why did you shoot at me every day.”
Silently, the man dropped his gun and extended his hands. Sunlight glinted through his nail scarred hands.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:56 AM
Spotlighting possums: who shots who?
I got quite passionate about my post about strategy for reaching postmoderns. It became a rant on radio.
I was being interviewed for a Christian magazine in America over the weekend. It was a bit of buzz really, an overseas magazine interested in little wee New Zealand.
Their parting question really got me thinking. They asked “what is your strategy for reaching postmoderns.”
To be honest, the first thing that came to mind was the practice of spotlighting. For more go here
posted by spirit2go team at 12:53 AM
Monday, November 24, 2003
The art of Ahi kaa: creativity and the home fires
Found this neat article on the relationship between creativity, community and ahi kaa. There is an art and design course that teaches how Mäori (the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) are now using pit-fired clay to express beliefs, history and values.
Woodshavings are used, which produce temperatures high enough to give the clay pots a ceramic glaze. Tutor, Mr Taepa noted, it is was a low-tech process, just as valid as the high-tech and computer mediums. “Through the pit-firing component of the workshops, students and staff are rekindling the home fires that link people to the land.”
posted by spirit2go team at 10:15 AM
Ahi kaa: keep the home fires burning
Context: It's been a weekend of farewell's as I've said goodbye to the church I've planted and pastored for the last 9 years. Rachel blogs about it here, and so does Pakaso here. And thanks to greenflame and jonny baker for best wishes to the moving pilgrims.
Shopping list for last sermon:
glow sticks
cellophane paper
wood
lots of tears
Groove Armada, Remember
I used a Maori saying: Ahi kaa = "to keep the home fires burning and talked about what I'd learnt about relationships, space and spirituality, linked to Colossians 1.
The last sermon:
Permit me to reminisce, to gaze longingly back into time and “say I remember when”
It was 10 years ago this month that Lynne and I drove through Ellerslie looking for a place to plant a church. We were looking for a suburb with a community feeling,
looking for a suburb with lots of 20-35 year olds.
Ellerslie looked a good place to plant a church for our age group and a church that loved its community. New Age looking shops, few cafes, lots of 20-35 year olds.
So Lynne and I started to light a fire. For more click here
posted by spirit2go team at 2:04 AM
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Press Control P
Just printed 4 copies of my thesis; to be sent to the examiners via the University bindery.
posted by spirit2go team at 5:46 PM
And for bablyon 5 groupies
"It was the year of fire. The year of destruction. The year we took back
what was ours. It was the year of rebirth. The year of great sadness. The
year of pain. And a year of joy. It was a new age. It was the end of
history. It was the year everything changed..." via
posted by spirit2go team at 3:16 AM
content analysis
they said goodbye to a
spindoctor
who enjoyed a beer or 3
and forgot his bible
posted by spirit2go team at 3:06 AM
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Marketing postmodern
Context: David Hopkins reacts strongly to reaching postmoderns. Dan Hughes spews over postmodern marketing.
In rural New Zealand people go out “spotlighting”. They take a spotlight and a rifle and go out hunting the local pest, a possum (a small, brown, furry animal that is decimating forests). Possums freeze when they see a bright light. So you turn the spotlight on a possum and it freezes, and you take your shot.
The language of “a strategy to reach postmoderns” sounds a bit similar. There is a danger that we reduce mission to postmoderns to methods to “freeze” those outside the church long enough to let loose our gospel volleys.
To be honest, sometimes I catch more glimpses of God among postmoderns than in the church. I see more community, more search for spirituality, more creativity, more respect for God’s creation in cafes than in churches.
My “strategy” is to seek for what the Spirit of God is doing in our world. Where are the “Athenian” poets? What can I learn from those around me?
I wonder if God might need to reach me first, before I am able to be part of seeing postmoderns "reached".
posted by spirit2go team at 6:09 PM
Last nite
was very special. i felt very loved. thanks to everyone who came, who told a story, who set up, and set down
pakaso tells more.
posted by spirit2go team at 6:01 PM
Friday, November 21, 2003
The upside of the hardside
So many pastors are glad to leave their churches. There’s been conflict, mismatched expectations, pain, hard things said.
I’m not glad, but gutted about God moving me on from Graceway. So I guess that says something about love and health and deeply shared lives, something about the Kingdom and community.
posted by spirit2go team at 2:32 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2003
End~of~year
This Sunday marks the end of the [church] year. Then the move into Advent, 4 Sunday's, preparing for brith of Jesus.
At Graceway, we use the end of the year to ... think back on the year. (rocket science ah!). We ask people linked to the church:
=What I have liked about Graceway this year
= Ways Graceway has helped me stay and grow as a follower of Jesus
= Ways Graceway has helped me live as a follower of Jesus in this new millenium
= What I think we need to work at (hassles)
= What I'd like to see us get into (dreams)
These get collated and become our Annual Report.
posted by spirit2go team at 7:29 PM
I'll say goodbye ...
I am working (although its hard to see the screen when one has tears in one's eyes) on a parting liturgy for Sunday, our last service at Graceway. It’s a slight adaptation from an Ecumenical service book. I am struggling with one specific part.
The liturgy starts:
Steve and Lynne: In 1994 we began ministry here at Graceway. We have, with God's help and to the best of our ability, worked with you. After prayer and careful consideration, it now seems to us that we should leave this ministry and so our time as pastor of this church ends today.
The (Ecumenical) liturgy then asks the people: Do you, the people of God, recognize and accept the conclusion of this ministry?
and the response is: We do.
Traditionally their are strong boundaries raised between previous ministry and pastors moving on. It's a shut door. It’s part of saying goodbye and of me not interfering back, and of congregations being able to welcome new leadership.
Yet I am nagged by the Biblical example of Paul, who did keep links with the churches he was part of. It was a relational linkage, never formal, through which love flowed.
I said to the leadership at our final meeting that Lynne and I were very happy to keep resourcing/networking with Graceway. It was over to Graceway to respond.
This suggests a 2nd option: We do, and hope you might be friends and resource partners for our future.
In my sermon I am wanting to build a "fire" around what I've learnt about ministry - the "red coals" of relationships, space, spirituality - sort of linked to the Maori phrase "ahi kaa" - keep the home fires burning. Then it would be really nice if Graceway could "give" us some of these "coals" to take with us.
Third option: We do. Take the fire of our love and learning with you. We hope you might be friends and resource partners for our future.
This is all new territory for Graceway and for us. How does the “emerging church” farewell its planters? What wisdom do we take from the past (full and final goodbyes), and what relational wisdom do we try and nurture?
posted by spirit2go team at 4:29 PM
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Mike Riddell
poet, prophet
my phd supervisor
has his own domain name and re:mixed www.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:24 PM
from this I wrote this:
Jesus is the rupture that separates diverse now from diverse then. The body was en-scribed by diverse scribes. The body is gone. Our embodied message today, always in the local community, is an expression of absence.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:21 PM
Postmodern monasteries
A few weeks ago I delivered a paper on re-framing the monastery for postmodernity: a mix of mission, creativity and spirituality. Andrew Jones has blogged similarly today. (And there's a link to the artistary). My paper is still bubbling away for Stephen Garner, who found a gorgeous link to monastery of Christ in the desert, complete with a wonderful monastic art image.
Thanks to those who have requested the paper (including Andrew from the world, Scott from Taiwan and David from Ohio). The paper is being PDFed, and then I will put it up on the www. So watch this space [ie. weblog].
Question: will re:framed monasteries exist for community or for mission? I'm not interested unless it's the later. Escapism from a consumer age is inconsistent with the overflow of Trinitarian love.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:22 AM
Monday, November 17, 2003
Redemptive video
I am after short, stand alone video segments that illustrate the following;
: the redemptive value of creative play :: of finding meaning in the fragments of life (I have thought of Robin Williams What dreams may come - when heaven is literal paint, bursting with colour)
: the redemptive value of community :: of finding meaning through relationships (I have thought of the end of Coupland's Generation X - but that's not in video)
: the redemptive value of pilgrimage :: (various LOTR scenes spring to mind)
: the redemptive value of DJing :: of finding meaning through sampling from various sources in the midst of community (I have thought of Matrix Reloaded)
If any of you supply "new material" I will send you a free copy of a book that includes some of my published work; either Mission Beyond Christendom (includes a chapter I wrote on mission in Madonna's world) or Talking Theology (includes a chapter I wrote on church in Douglas Coupland's world). Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
PS. Thanks for all your responses. I will put them up on the blog in a day or so.
posted by spirit2go team at 11:39 PM
A real house~husband
Since I finished lecturing at Carey Baptist College, I have looked after the kids a lot more. This has allowed Lynne, my partner, to work more, to do some [paid] stuff around Graceway and to do lots of moving preparation stuff. It has allowed me to have some "mental" health days - much needed after the doctoral stresses of this year.
Today a man arrived to do a rental assessment of our property. I told him Lynne was at work. He looked at me, looked at the house, then left announcing he would ring Lynne.
I returned to my playing with our 3 year old. Such are the stresses of a house~husband.
posted by spirit2go team at 7:27 PM
So can art save?
Enjoy!
PS. For more of Koder, including a Stations of the Cross, click ...
posted by spirit2go team at 3:32 PM
Can art save?
Sieger Koder is a German priest. He’s also a very fine contemporary painter. I first met Sieger Koder’s work last year when I saw a print of his painting of the Last Supper.
The disciples are gathered. The bread is broken their midst and the shadow of a cross lies across the long, white, wooden table.
The most striking thing is the cup. It’s centre stage and it’s held by two hands. And in the cup is a reflection, of a face, outlined in the wine. The face looks back at you. And of course, you immediately ask, whose face is it? Whose face is reflected back at me?
The cup is raised too high for the face to be that of any of the disciples. Could the face be that of the server, Jesus? But again, the cup is positioned too high. So, whose face is it? Well it only leaves you, the viewer.
So this art piece suddenly asks you a whole lot of questions. Where are you, the viewer, in relation to Jesus? Are you the viewer, willing to be part of this picture, part of the Last Supper, part of the community gathered around Jesus?
And this is the power of art. It asks us questions. It invites us to consider meaning. It invites us to consider our saving relationship with God.
Research done by Robert Wuthnow, a leading sociologist of religion, has found that there is a link between art and spirituality.
Anyone with the slightest interest in Christian mission or evangelism should take note. People who appreciate art are more likely to be pursuing a spiritual journey.
Or the flipside; Would the people who value art and are pursuing a spiritual journey be helped by your church architecture, by your church building, by your church’s use of art?
Christianity down through history has been a bit leary of art. What about the 10 commandments. What does no graven images really mean? And what about the worship of Golden calf? And the classic. This is the comment I get mainly from preachers. But won’t people make up their own interpretation of the art?
Yet every preacher has also stood amazed at the door, - Oh pastor, thankyou for that sermon. It really gave me guidance about that decision. And the preacher shakes their head, knowing their sermon about the loving the poor had absolutely nothing to with guidance. So all of us interpret; whether it is words or art images.
Alongside this suspicion of art, many Christians have celebrated art. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, icons have been a major way to teach people theology and enhance individual worship. Icons tap a very deep reservoir of spirituality. Every icon has to be blessed by the priest before it can displayed in a person’s home. Every icon has to be hung on the East side of the house – to honour the rising Son.
Church tradition honours Luke as an icon painter. Many tourists to Rome admire early Christian art in the catacombs. And there is a delightful story, told by William Barclay, of the woman healed by Jesus after years of continous bleeding (thanks to Andrew Jones for this fragment). According to Christian tradition, she returned home and made a statue of Jesus to help her following of Jesus.
Can art save? No. No more than words can save.
But art does ask new questions of the viewer.
Art can teach us about theology and link us with church tradition.
And people who appreciate art are often spiritually seeking.
Art can’t save, but our salvation message is limited and impoverished without it.
posted by spirit2go team at 2:28 PM
Sunday, November 16, 2003
have really been enjoying
Flock, Best of the Mutton birds
posted by spirit2go team at 3:20 AM
Saying it with flowers
"I wanted you to have something to brighten your last Graceway week. I know how hard it is to pack up precious memories"
Thanks L. for the flowers. It was really special.
posted by spirit2go team at 3:07 AM
Friday, November 14, 2003
Just to clarify
I've added a Creative Commons license.
If you like anything on this blog, help yourself. You are free:
to copy, distribute, display, anything from this blog Under the following conditions:
Attribution. You must give the original author credit.
Noncommercial. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
Share Alike. If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under a license identical to this one.
posted by spirit2go team at 8:27 PM
9 years back
This Sunday is my 2nd to last Sunday as planter and pastor at Graceway. A huge range of emotions swirl for me as I think about leaving a group that I love very much. I am reflecting this week and next about the last 9 years; what I've learnt about life, what I've learnt about ministry. A few months ago I used colour to express myself.
On Sunday I will use 3 art images I've brought in the last 9 years;
a Derek Link, a Charles Rennie MackIntosh, and a Josh Peters - to reflect upon birth, life and colour.
posted by spirit2go team at 6:32 PM
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Refresh
I have been dipping my toe in the theological waters of baptism recently. Regular blog readers will have seen the tell-tale drips. I have been wondering about those baptised in their teens. I have been pondering how faith bumps and wanders, deepens and grows; and how to mark those changes ritually.
I have composed a "Refresh your baptism" liturgy. I have sampled from the Anglican tradition and added some more poetic words around the bigness of the gospel. I have layered in contemporary music and video art. I have sourced sensual elements; rose petals, participation, oil, and sparking wine. It might be enacted this Sunday at Graceway, depending on how various community members "connect" with my liturgical flailings.
Remember your baptism :: Sunday, November 16 :: Feast of Christ in All Creation
Video art: Bill Viola, The Crossing
Introduction: words about water
We thank you, Gracious God for the gift of water. Through the waters of the Red Sea, you led the children of Israel, out of the bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In the waters of the Jordan, your Son was baptised by John and anointed with the Spirit. Water refreshes, renews, restores.
Community blessing of water :: Everyone place rose petals into water. Music: Just add water by Dave Dobbyn
Now sanctify this water as refreshing, renewing, restoring for us, we pray by your Spirit, present in the gathered community. May we who have been cleansed from sin and born again by water and the Spirit, participate forever in the risen life of Christ, loving our neighbour, tending creation, working for peace justice. Amen
Through resurrection, we are buried with Christ and raised to new life. I call upon you to renew your solemn promises and vows by which you renounced evil and promised to serve God.
Do you affirm that you follow Christ? I follow Christ
Do you affirm that you repent of your sins? I repent of my sins
Do you affirm that you renounce evil? I renounce evil
Those who are baptised are called to worship and serve God. From the beginning, believers have continued in to serve all of creation, following in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
Reply :: With God’s grace and help I will forgive others as I am forgiven; I will seek to love my neighbour as myself, I will strive for peace and justice, I will accept the cost of following Jesus Christ, in my daily life and work. With the whole church, I will proclaim by word and action the Good News of God in Christ.
Breathing space :: Pass bowl around: dip fingers in water. Music: 1 Giant leap Racing Away
Those who want come forward: anointed with oil
Christ embraces you: receive the sign of his cross. Always remember that you are beautiful in the sight of God; the mark of Christ is upon you: walk free and open your heart to life, for the Spirit journeys with you into each new day.
Remember your baptism :: Green leaves dipped in water, splashed on people. Waiter follow behind offering 1st fruits of the Kingdom – “Enjoy the first fruits of the Kingdom”
posted by spirit2go team at 7:52 PM
My saddest plate of mussels
For the last 6 years I have been part of a group. We met every 2nd Thursday. We are all male. Males like to do things - projects, tasks etc. Males like to talk about sport and work, but are not always so hot on emotions and feelings. Generalisations sure but bear with me.
So this group set out to have no project. To do nothing - no studies or set questions. To just meet with a commitment to be honest.
For six years we've drunk and shared. It's been a constant thread for my life, a heartbeat that has grounded and sustained my existence, a journey that has enriched me, my relationships, my perspectives on masculinity and sexuality.
Sunday, November 23 is my last Sunday at Graceway. Then my family and I are moving to Christchurch. So last night was the last Thursday night I would meet with this group.
We went to the Occidental. We drank Belgium beer. We ordered mussels. I then drowned my sorrow with a whiskey.
I feel like part of my soul is being torn. Goodbye's are bloody hard.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:31 PM
Grid blogging
I like ashley's idea of grid blogging - of a whole lot of perspectives on the same issue. Her suggestion is 1 December = Brand and I will be part of that.
I was struck by the possibilities of linking this to the spirituality of Church Year. In the midst of the craziness of Christmas, could those who blog from a Christ-seeking perspective, grid blog. So I am suggesting that in the season of Advent;
December 7 :: Seek
December 14 :: Stretch
December 21 :: Source
December 25 :: Union
The danger is that this gets tacky, or over-grids Ashley's great idea. That's not my intention.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:22 PM
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Spirituality and film
I've seen Christians use film in a number of ways.
Making the point - a well-oiled art in "sermonic" churches, where a quick video clip makes the point. The video clip is, of course, always surrounded by words, words, words.
Watching the plot - a gathering of people to view a film. This relies on cultivating an ability to read culture, a sidestep around copyright rules, and an extended time frame, as most movies take time to watch, let alone discuss.
Creative exploration - This is just brilliant, the Damah film festival. An annual film festival, offering prizes for exploring the spirituality of film. No voice to control or moderate discussion. Genuine dialogue. Creativity and participation priviliged. I'd love to see this develop in my move to Christchurch.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR // As a film festival dedicated to expressing and exploring spiritual themes, Damah places special value on the exploration of the power of story and experience; themes that explore the transcendent, the struggle, and/or the awe of the spiritual journey.
SUBMISSION LENGTHS // Submit your film in one of 4 time categories:
:: Up to 60 seconds :: Up to 5 minutes :: Up to 15 minutes :: Up to 30 minutes
GENRES // Documentary, comedy, experimental, web-cinema, drama, dance ...
FORMATS // Any ... mini-DV, 16mm, 35mm, Flash, etc.
CASH PRIZES // Cash prizes totaling $15,000
WORKSHOPS // If your film is accepted, you may be asked to participate in a "making of" workshop.
posted by spirit2go team at 9:25 PM
The task of mission in a new millennium:
open session, Saturday November 29, 11:30-12:30, at Opawa Baptist Church.
Steve will use video clips to explore the task of mission in the 21st century. This is not a vision casting exercise or a “This is the way walk ye in it Opawa” but a chance to “peek” inside Steve’s head. Time for discussion. Open to all. Followed by a shared lunch - 12:30-1:30.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:16 AM
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Thanks Alistair
my [US] review copy of Where's God on Monday also arrived personally signed.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:22 PM
Thanks Spence
my review copy of Making Sense of Church by Father Burke arrived today. Looking forward to giving it the road test.
posted by spirit2go team at 12:21 PM
Global encouragements:
Had some neat emails roll in while I was away last week and this deep sense that the Spirit of God is having fun in our world.
From UK - Just wanted to say thankyou for all your inspiring stuff
then and on the net - and also to say that my wife and I appear to be
close to getting backing from the Diocese here to begin a new alt.church
communty. We'll let you know progress - and hopefully speak soon!
From US - I would like to learn more about your group and maybe be able to start something similar in my community and church. Could you send me any information you have that might help me to do so? I would greatly appreciate it. Being an artistic person , this really appeals to me.
From Aussie - I've been heaps enjoying your blog as I've started reading it regularly over the last few months ... it's been interesting and so often intersected on some journeys the communities that I'm a part of are journey ... was particularly interested in your neutral space blog ... are you happy for me to put it on our community discussion board (obviously saying it's from your blog etc)?
posted by spirit2go team at 12:19 PM
Monday, November 10, 2003
Wellington shopping
Saint Germain's Tourist (on special)
Groove Armada's, Toy Box
1 Giant Leap, DVD
Bonus :: free Groove Armada t-shirt
posted by spirit2go team at 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 09, 2003
Postmodern Communication Seminar Baptist Assembly 2003
9-10.30am Sunday
Concept:
Print up 25 cards with potential topics or questions on them and draw them randomly and respond. We could even have random prizes for selected (prime numbers) questions! I like a shotgun approach that is reasonably quick fire and a lot of short stuff rather than one long thing. Taster/sampler stuff. We could use an eggtimer for each response. Cut it off when the timer runs out. We could share time slots, do them individually or take one timer full each on some topics.
Introduction:
1. Who we are
2. Role of preaching - we both preach - and preaching is not under attack - and that we're here to explore other ways to communicate in a pomo world.
Cards/Topics List:
1. Ambient Spaces - moving out of church buildings, your war thing in park
2. Godly Play
3. Emerging Church versus Alternative Worship - move from worship to church
4. Can art save? - using art/images in worship ie to tell a biblical story
5. What can we learn from the Ashram cat? -story re traditions that aren't helpful
6. Stations can be more than train parks. - using stations in worship
7. Honk if You Love Jesus -a great humorous story re reframing the culture
8. What Truth can you preach?
9. What you do speaks louder than what you say - curating worship
10. Where do you get your inspiration from? USA v art installations, Hybels v Eno ie looking to the art and contemporary culture for inspiration re structures and practices rather than the church world
11. Is content more important than context? - how openended can you be?
12. Virtual Church - a contradiction in terms? - resourcing spirituality outside of the building
13. AncientFuture - what does it mean in practice? - drawing on and reframing the tradition
14. Storytelling
15. Web blogs
16. Festivals (Enliven)
17. Funding spiritual product (postcards, bach packs, easter buns)
18. Communal texts
19. Sermonars
20. Taking a breather -Microretreats and contemplation
21. Liquid Church -My Cup Runneth Over, or does it?
22. Play it Again Sam - using the church year
posted by spirit2go team at 12:50 AM
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Urban theatre
The group of teens were gathered. The one holding the video camera crouched below a 10 feet concrete drop. Three friends walked across the street, calling out for incoming cars. The "star" waited, waited. "All clear" was the call and the skater pushed off. Ripped down the hill, pushed the board across the gap and jumped down the drop.
Loud whoops as friends picked up the board, stopping it from hitting nearby parked cars and high-5ing the successful home video shoot.
It reminded me again of the democratisation of technology. Film used to be the preserve of the elite. Now any group of friends can create - video, music, web-pages.
Sure its still not fully democratised - its still not the easily the preserve of the poor. But current technologies open up the potential for a much more democratic existence than at any other time in our history.
posted by spirit2go team at 1:48 AM
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Matrix reloaded - themes
how does "salvation" occur?
What is the place of sacrifice?
How can the love of one be redemptive of the many?
What is the relationship between human and machine?
What is the relationship between good and bad, ying and yang, balancing opposites?
posted by spirit2go team at 8:17 PM
Matrix Reloaded
Great visual experience. A bit over-techno-loaded at times.
Some Christian possible connections. Equally some yin-yang/buddhist connections.
Strong takehome message for human :: a world of machines is a bleak future. Technology needs incarnation, needs humanity.
posted by spirit2go team at 1:37 AM
My book contract
came through. I've got a publisher.
posted by spirit2go team at 1:34 AM
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Road music
Hit the Highway, The Proclaimers :: On the Road again, Willie Nelson :: Drive, Bic Runga :: Drive, Rem :: Wiggles, Toot toot big red car :: Salmonella Dub, Ez on :: Nitin Sawhny, Breathing Light :: Lost Dogs, Scenic Route :: U2, Walk On :: Wiggles, Look both ways :: Proclaimers, I will walk (500 miles) :: Alt, Halfway round the world :: Dominion Road :: Sweet home Alabama
I am on the road again; flying to Wellington. Back Sunday. Will blog if I can. It is the gathering, annual Baptist Assembly, so there might not be much to blog about.
Mark Pierson and I are doing a seminar on postmodern communication on the Sunday morning.
posted by spirit2go team at 2:18 PM
"With your foodbasket and with my foodbasket,
the guest will have enough" Maori proverb.
This Sunday (9th)@Graceway is a Foodbasket service. Bread (lots of bread) is provided. Bread and wine (communion) is provided.
The rest is over to us:
bring to share from your physical foodbasket (dips, juice, wine, fruit, salads)
bring to share from your spiritual foodbasket (readings, songs, poems, images, thoughts, disciplines) - whatever is sustaining/challenging/passioning you.
posted by spirit2go team at 2:14 PM
Interactive architecture
I sat in the brand spanking new South Christchurch library on Monday. It opened in August and it is a remarkable architectural feat.
It’s beautifully designed and immensely attractive to the eye.
It’s got a café right inside the library. So once you’ve chosen your books, you can grab a coffee, tuck up on your favourite couch and start reading.
It includes a Learning Centre: complete with computers, wireless internet connection and video conferencing. All you need to interface your life with contemporary communication. The learning centre, again right inside the library, is designed to be used by pupils, by community groups and to upskill local teachers.
The library is themed around sustainability. In response to community consultation it is environmentally designed. So it has passive solar heating. And it has a moat that cools the air circulating through the windows.
This moat is not only an ecological winner. It is a visual highlight. The light makes sparkles and shadows dance liquidly across the walls and ceiling. It’s something else to admire as you drink your latte in the café.
So this is the best in contemporary design, a library that interacts with the community and the café, with the environment and with contemporary technology. An attractive place that sparkles and dances.
On the flight down to Christchurch I was reading a book by Edwin Schlossberg called Interactive Excellence.
Edwin is a public designer. He creates parks and kids museums and technology centers. And his passion is designing public spaces that interact with passers by. He wants to turn audiences into communities.
He finds that most buildings encourage lecturing, one person talking to an audience. This encourages passivity. And passive people don’t learn.
He also finds buildings that encourage entertainment, lots of fast moving images, lots of noise and Disney-like extravaganza. These buildings take you into another world. But it’s not the real world. It’s not the world back on the street. So entertainment spaces merely invite you to avoid reality.
Instead, Edwin dreams of interactive spaces. He recognizes that generally people today are less historically aware. Rather than moan about the good old days, Edwin designs interactive spaces; parks so people can learn about nature, museums so people learn through interactive play. He is constantly looking for ways to educate people, using buildings and architecture to build interactive communities.
All of this was just a theory in a book until I sat drinking coffee in the South Christchurch library.
Libraries used to be like lectures – you went for information.
Suddenly I was faced with an interactive library – a space to learn, a space to read, a space that asked me questions about how I treat the environment, a space to build community.
Which got me thinking about church. I suspect that most churches are caught in an architectural time warp. Most church spaces are built for the lecture mode, a stage to speak from. Which, warns Edwin, my designer friend, might pass on information, but actually makes people passive.
Other church spaces are built for the entertainment mode, lots of energy and noise and excitement. Step inside the door and forget your week. Which, warns Edwin, my designer friend, actually helps people avoid reality.
The task of the church is to educate people about the gospel. The task of the church is to build community. So why do we persist with lecture places and entertainment spaces? Can we create interactive spaces, where people interact with each other, where people learn experientially?
Nice theory. Heady ideas. Until I sat in the brand spanking new South Christchurch library.
Watched the sunlight dance on the roof, and asked the Spirit of God to help me create interactive spaces that educate and build God’s community.
posted by spirit2go team at 1:46 PM
Monday, November 03, 2003
Sexy
Great article by Paul Fromont here. The "Kama Sutra" of an Emerging Church: Positioning Ourselves to Engage the Senses.
I particularly liked Paul's theological positioning and the awareness of the multiple spaces churches inhabit; from hall to hallowed cathedral.
posted by spirit2go team at 7:47 PM
Sunday, November 02, 2003
Flying to meet a great gift
I have met a great gift. She is a thesis editor and offered to edit my thesis for me. She knows things. She knows lots of things - like whether punctuation should be inside or outside quotes and how Kiwi males write. (Apparently I write like a typical male!)
I am flying to Christchurch to meet her this evening. She has an Oxford dictionary and together she will polish my thesis, my punctuation and my (male) writing style.
I am back Tuesday.
posted by spirit2go team at 1:25 PM
Postmodern monastery??
posted by spirit2go team at 2:25 AM
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Evangelistic fashion
This takes marketing spiritual product to a whole new level.
posted by spirit2go team at 6:03 PM
I hate marking
Lecturing is great.
Students are fun.
Marking is hell.
posted by spirit2go team at 6:00 PM
Late Night Choreographers
Six independent choreographers - using dance, acting, animation, video projection, light suits. 13-15 November :: TAPAC :: Auckland :: 10 pm.
I am keen to go to this. Anyone keen to come with me?
posted by spirit2go team at 5:59 PM
Pastoral care
"You get a lot more done sneaking off to the corner of a coffee bar than you do in formal meetings. And I also just like drinking coffee."
Mike Chun, musician.
posted by spirit2go team at 2:10 AM