I still hear people (all the way to bishops) use the word “vocation” as shorthand for a call to priesthood (or possibly “Religious Life”). Marriage is a vocation. [For some, singleness is a vocation; for some celibacy; for many, I hope that their job is a vocation…] How much energy does the church put into
Marriage – a Vocation Read More »
Once again Ben Myers hits the nail on the head. The liturgy, when celebrated well, is the matrix in which all are welcome – including all ages and stages. He talks about how we too-often encounter churches approaching children and church; and then how it might be done, and in many places is: …The best-loved
Children in the Liturgy Read More »
[Update 10 October 2014: The Judicial Committee of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has been asked to clarify aspects of ‘Motion 30’, the General Synod resolution on same-gender relationships: • Is any form of recognition of same-gender relationships in public worship unconstitutional? • Is any form of blessing of same-gender relationships
Blessing Committed Same-Sex Couples Read More »
I’ve been very taken by two images from the same diocese, at the same time. Above, is the ordination to the diaconate at a laundromat where ‘Laundry Love’ is a regular programme in which homeless people or anyone in need may drop by to do their laundry for free with money, soap and machines provided.
High Street to High Church Read More »
Habit 7 – Preaching that connects OK, the sermon is not the be-all and end-all of a service. But preaching that connects is still a habit of a highly effective church. Each sermon should have something to think about something to feel something to do How often do you sit through a sermon and it
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Churches 7 Read More »
One day, when I have (make?) more time, I will sort the links to this site, and the sites I recommend. Currently these are: Worship and Lectionary Links Diocese, cathedrals, parishes, churches Spirituality sites Blog links General links The usual applies: just because this site link to a site doesn’t mean I agree with everything
More than two years ago the architects for the Christchurch Anglican diocese encouraged me to put a series online on church architecture. For some people, these posts may be difficult to find on this site. So this particular post collects many architecture ideas together in such a way that a group of people can more
Worship Environment Read More »
I was asked to write a proper preface for the bicentenary of the first Christian service in Aotearoa New Zealand. That service was on 25 December 1814 and is described by Samuel Marsden here. Ruatara, the Maori, Nga Puhi, chief in partnership with Samuel Marsden, Anglican priest, brought the Gospel. This was followed by the
Marsden Ruatara Proper Preface Read More »
