In a classic 1997 episode of Seinfeld, George Costanza receives a card at Christmas time from his father which says “Happy Festivus”. Jerry and Elaine force him to explain that his father invented a holiday for their family called “Festivus”. As a secular Jewish man he wanted to experience all the main features of Christmas, … Read more…
So hang on, a Greens candidate is taking the Catholic Bishops to court for explaining to Catholics what Catholics believe about marriage. Well this just got interesting. Tasmanian Greens candidate Martine Delaney has complained to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner about the Catholic Bishops writing a booklet supporting traditional marriage (titled “Don’t Mess With Marriage” – bam! … Read more…
Many of us will be heading home over the summer uni break. Some of us will be staying to work in the city; some will be travelling overseas or interstate to spend Christmas or Chinese New Year with relatives. Whatever our plans, this is a precious and potentially fruitful opportunity for our growth as a … Read more…
Today in Sydney the Daily Telegraph reported that the ‘merciless’ response promised by President Francois Hollande of France had begun with revenge bombings of cities in Syria. There should be no doubt that non-combatants will suffer in these attacks. I write this with a profound sense of anxiety and personal misgiving. But I feel like … Read more…
Churches are full of people who disagree with us. And that’s definitely the way it should be. Come to think of it, it’s hard to imagine a way of making everyone agree with us that doesn’t involve an entrance exam and a pitchfork. So how do we disagree in style? For Sydney Anglicans, one of … Read more…
Guest author Nick Utber of Open Box Technology is convinced the latest technology will create Robo-Pastors. In Part 1 of our series on the Robo-Pastor I discussed what it looks like to include technology in the life of the ministry staff. It is evident that technology is advancing at a rate that significantly changes workplaces and what … Read more…
The latest leadership spill has left me with mixed emotions. I was disappointed and frustrated when Tony was elected, and have absolutely hated most of his policies since. I’m skeptical that Malcolm will be much different, though it’s easy to imagine that almost anything would be an improvement. But this whole thing has got me … Read more…
In 1973 Australian singer Helen Reddy won a Grammy Award for her feminist anthem ‘I Am Woman’. The song launched Reddy to international stardom, becoming the symbolic mantra of the women’s liberation movement and official theme of International Women’s Year. It was her controversial acceptance speech however, that would go on to make both headlines … Read more…
It’s leadership recruitment season for many ministries. Whether you’re lining up growth group leaders or a treasurer for 2016, no doubt you have given some thought to finding men and women with the three (or four, or five) “Cs” – character, conviction and competency (and maybe commitment and chemistry if you’re picky). Here’s a thought … Read more…
I want to begin with an observation: we want community as much as ever, but we are finding it increasingly hard to know where to get it. Young Australians report that family and friends are the most important thing to them – more important even than personal independence. And yet they are much less likely … Read more…