just the rev

completed week 5 of the marriage course on Tuesday was not actually about smootching (the one on sex is week 6!) but about in-laws and parents and how they can negatively and positively shape our marriages.

why o why doesn't the church put all married ordinands through this excellent course? Your own marriage let alone anyone elses just doesn't seem to feature during training.

went to Cribbs with L today to mooch about the shops. went into HMV to the ipod sections. Luckily they were fresh out so I didn't have to argue with L over whether to buy one there and then! Before leaving heard them put on Sonicflood's "Famous one'. was quite cool being in HMV with a (decent) worship track on!

Fountain was good last night. Just the six of us! Good discussion esp. about baptism renewal.

Feeling tempted to go to Greenbelt with a little fountain group....hope Mr. Baker's ivite still stands!

did a funeral yesterday. the church had over 250 people in it. We are now a one car family again so i needed a lift from the church to the crem. Sat next to the coffin in the hearse!! it was a very comfy ride...so I checked out ebay. There is a hearse for sale at the moment on ebay and its the grey beauty pictured on this entry. only 750 dollars (plus shipping!) its a 1987 Buick Estate Wagon Hearse and although the interior is burgundy and although we are looking to trade our car in for a bigger vehicle I have not put a bid in ......yet.

"A leader is best when people barely know that he exists. Not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Much worse when they despise him. Fail to honour people and they fail to honour you. Of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aimfulfilled, they will all say "We did this ourselves."

all this means is being secure enough in ourselves. Being confident in who Jesus is and who we are in him.

Insecurity leads to the cloning of mini me s. Secure church leaders allows the emerging of a new kind of leader. All the talk is about emerging churches what about emerging leaders to go with them?!

have just got back with L from a curates weekend residentail in Woolacombe. Very relaxing and v. inspiring. focus was on alt.worship and sessions and worship were led by Mr Jonny Baker - the yoda/jedi master of the alt. worship scene. really enjoyed myself.

last night' session was a movie watch - the whale rider. triggered loads in mind about leaders and visionaries. May need another viewing i think.

was worried that the average age of curates in glos diocese is on the steady rise....where is the new blood/next generation. Why does knowledge/experience seem to count for everything in Anglican leadership? why is a sense of adventure, spirit and risk not recognised as vital leadership traits?!!

where are the next generation of jedis?

got my band - like to think its more than a fashion accessory!

saw two wedding couples yesterday. Gutted that the second couple choose Jerusalem and Lord of the dance as their two hymns - but i'll get over it!

just off with L to a curates bash in Devon. Joel and Skye are moving in to look after the kids.....me thinks we owe them big time.

some kind of fresh expression jobs in the Church Times this week. might have a sniff at them....

being a leader of any sort is a tough business and doing what you think is the right thing usually makes you unpopular with someone. I wonder whether we should be praying more for our leaders rather than ridiculing them?

thanks to GB for this somewhat harsh but fairly amusing contribution

The 23rd Sigh


Bush is my shepherd
I dwell in want

He maketh logs
To be cut down
In national forests

He leadeth trucks
Into the still wilderness
He restoreth my fears

He leadeth me in the paths
Of international disgrace
For his ego s sake

Yea though I walk
Through the valley
Of pollution and war
I will find no exit
For thou art in office

Thy tax cuts
For the rich
And Thy media control
Discomfort me

Thou preparest
An agenda of deception
In the presence
Of thy religion

Thou anointest
My head with
Foreign oil

My health insurance
Runneth out

Surely megalomania and
False patriotism
Shall follow me
All the days
Of thy term

And my jobless child
Shall dwell in my
Basement
FOREVER

Amen

went to the 3rd session of the marriage course last night and thought about resolving conflict....this is a top course and I was glad to be there even tho I missed Chelsea's win!

first of all apologies for my absence. Last week was bloomin busy and was slighty thrown by the filling out of an application form....(maybe some more details about this over the next few weeks.)

the picture of me snogging my wife was taken on our wedding day back in '93! I posted it cos we have been doing the (HTB) marriage course and have been finding it wonderful! (session three tonight)Lucy rarely looks at my blog so I think I cang et away with the photo and with saying that it is her inspiration, friendship, support, love and commitment that has kept me sane, esp. in the last twelve months.

sad how church life can sometimes screw marriages up rather than nurture them - worringly true amongst church leaders. wherever we end up in the future we want our ministry to be part of the answer and not part of the problem - for ourselves and for others too!