Children and Theology

I can't remember who said it at college but one of the spirituality sessions in the first term talked of some of the poor theology we teach our children. He (it was a he) remembered reading a chidren's story of creation and the conclusion for creation was "God was lonely".

In our house we have two children's bibles, and a plethora of books (I think I will review some later). One thing I have noticed is that the devotional stuff for kids is often all about behaviour:

http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/

It is all very neat and tidy no lose ends etc. One thing I found when growing up was I always given black and white statements, don't do this, do this etc. As I read the Bible from cover to cover I found it gave rise to questions which I was also asking: Why does evil prosper and why do innocent people suffer...Particularly the Psalms.

I think though my little girl has provided a helpful guide at this time, Jesus grows up with her. He starts as a child as he came to her at Christmas and as she grows and she reads and experiences Jesus in other ways he will grow with her.

Yes I feel challenged to get rid of the naff from her collection, and to find good material which translates into her language but ultimately I trust God that by his grace he will call her and lead her as she grows and that Cath and I provide a safe place to ask questions. On the amusing side we had pictures of Jesus on the screen on Monday at college and when I said that was Jesus, our daughter said "no daddy,  Jesus is a baby", she then said "that's daddy" (I have a beard too). God has a sense of humour...

A creative way of looking at Church too?

I had a look at prezzi which is an alternative to powerpoint, in reality I realise I need some further skill updating. But...I saw this and thought maybe this would be a great way to look at my placement church, what is our "corporate story"...

Take a look:

http://prezi.com/7okmswx_ex40/power-of-storytelling/

Invictus

I have just finished watching Invictus it brought back a whole host of memories it was the first rugby world cup I remember and I also remember hearing about Nelson Mandela and his release. The rainbow nation, doesn't it sound a bit like how the church should be, black and white, young and old joining together?

Watching the film was an inspiring reminder of what happened and what could have happened, I don't normally listen to audio books but when it is read by Desmond Tutu then it is always worth a look in the book was God has a dream. If you bring them together it paints a picture that hope can win through and that forgiveness is a potent weapon. What is the greater victory, annihilating your enemy or your enemy becoming your friend?

I like Clint Eastwood films, Million Dollar Baby, Grand Torino, and Flags of our Fathers/Letters from IwoJima he allows the characters to talk.

Finally here is the poem:

Invictus-

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

By William Ernest Henley (1849- 1903)

Evaluating Worship

 The following link is a helpful tool for evaluating worship:

http://www.clayfirecurator.org/2011/05/how-do-you-decide-if-worship-is-good-or-a-success-mark-pierson/

If you have not come across Mark's book "The art of curating worship"(once my assignment is back I will add my reflection on this book) then you are missing a treat, he and several others (Jonny Baker etc) have written several books looking at this concept. As a future Anglican Priest, I realise that "Common Worship" is not a 'ready meal' instead leading worship is bringing different resources together in a prayerful way and led by the Holy Spirit into bringing disparate components together that we might be encouraged to worship in spirit and truth.

Below I have listed his method for evaluating worship:

Giving it my best involves measuring myself against a number of elements:

1. Staying true to my working definition of worship.
2. Analysing the category of worship required (community, transitional, guerilla[see his chapter on it for an explanation and no it is spelt correctly])
3. Carefully answering the question, “What do I want to say?”
4. Collaborating with people I trust to reflect back to me criticism and affirmation.
5. Being still long enough and often enough to hear what God is saying to me about what I am doing as I do it.
6. Constantly imagining the “congregation” responding and how they will know what is expected of them at any point. This helps me remember the range of “ages and stages” present and to clarify my instructions.
7. Praying and imagining through the whole event on paper. This helps me see segues and transitions that are needed, as well as how the elements flow or not.
8. Doing the work of exegesis and understanding well any biblical text involved.

(Pierson, 04th May 2011)

Please read his article, as it is not an arrogant attempt to pat himself on his back for what he thinks is good as he says it needs to be God breathed.

I am adding this to my SALT tool (see post), as I attempt to come to a way to discern and reflect on my life and service to God. Though I want to hold on to "When two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them" (Matt. 18.20).

Often in theology we are faced with paradox's  leading worship is one of these (the Holy Spirit is the worship leader etc). To my mind anyway I cannot be slap dash and have an 'any old thing will do' attitude and rely on God to multiply the loaves and fish (though I do rely on him in his grace to do just this) each time we meet but neither can I script the life out of our gathered times together. It is both, I need to prepare in prayer listening for his leading but also learning to bring together what he has already given.

College dress?

 

 

St John's College creating clergy since 1863

I know this is a pretty poor attempt but Andii sparked an idea for a new hoodie at college. Please add an alternate strapline or better art!

Some names of God

 

This is the wordle I used to think about some of the names of God as a follow on to a morning prayer I led, though it is not exhaustive!

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus...

I have pretty much finished reading this book, I have a couple of chapters to go but I thought I would add a quote I have been ruminating on Spangler & Trevsberg quote a rabbinic parable:

There are four types among those who sit in the presence of the rabbis: the sponge, the funnel, the strainer and the sieve. 'The sponge', which soaks up everything. 'The funnel', which takes it in at this end and lets out at the other. 'The strainer', which lets out the wine and retains the dregs. 'The sieve', which removes the chaff and retains the fine flour.
(Spangler & Trevberg, 2009, 31)

I will  get round the book review when I get the book back (I thought it was good, so I lent it to a friend!).