backyardmissionary

Here is the text of a talk given by Professor Scot Mcknight to a group of Westminster Presbyterians. (HT TSK)
In light of our recent discussions with Don Carson this is well worth reading. (He does critique Carson’s book in here)
I like Scot’s insights and balance in what he has to say.

Little Jonny is throwing money around again and this time he has $90 million to give to state schools to employ chaplains. It was reported on last night’s news that every school could access $20K if it wanted to employ a chaplain.
The Australian reports on it here
Judith Bessant, writing for the Age seems to think […]

We have just got back from our annual Upstream team retreat in the small cray-fishing town of Lancelin. (If you aren’t sure what Lancelin is like then just read Dirt Music by Tim Winton and you’ll get it!)
It was a great weekend with the guys and really valuable to hang out, chat and remember […]

On Friday as I was on the way home from Leederville on the train my phone rang and I finished up in a conversation with Gaz and Stu about how we should behave towards those we disagree with or believe to be in error in some way.
The question that often gets raised is ‘to what […]

A simple word of advice.
Don’t.
I bought my still non-existent Sony Vaio for a very good price way back on September 19th, paid for it that night and asked if it may be able to be shipped a little faster because we were going on holidays on Oct 4th.
The seller agreed to ‘do their best’.
It is […]

‘BJ’ a youth pastor from one of our local Baptist churches picked up the free WCA ticket and here is his review of the event:
The conference was held at CCC Hepburn Heights which is a good facility and there was a large projection screen which was good for the DVD’s of the speakers. The morning […]

I was sitting at Greens cafe with Scott and Tim today just chatting when we noticed the cover of Tim’s Marketing magazine (Oct 2006 edition) where one of the feature articles was ‘How to reach the Christian Market’.
I only had time to skim the article but if Tim remembers to scan it and send it […]

There are certain ‘brands’ of theology that insist that the key to a godly life is good BIBLE teaching, MORE good BIBLE teaching… and… yes you guessed it EVEN MORE BIBLE TEACHING!
I caught up with a good friend recently (who shall remain nameless), but who is a great Bible teacher and would fit theologically into […]

Kevin Miller at Out of Ur asks a very helpful question: Who is more spiritual? Emergents or Traditionalists?
I have offered my comments over there so I won’t repeat them here.
On second thoughts I will have to because apparently my comment was too lomg for the Ur fellas. So here it is:
Well of course the emergents […]

Ah - about time…
Finally a revised Bible for those who don’t like all the icky bits about dying to self, trusting God, forsaking wealth etc in the original Bibles. This’ll fly much better in suburbia!
Here is a quote from the developer:

“According to Chairman Mr. De Rijke the foundation has reacted to a growing wish […]

In the last day or so Alan Hirsch, Forge National Director has started a website and blog to discuss the thoughts of his latest book The Forgotten Ways. (You can pre-order the book from his home page)
There isn’t much content up at the moment, but just drop him a line and tell him to […]

This makes for an interesting read!
Good to see Newbigin there at 38 with The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society although how the Left Behind series snuck in ahead of him is beyond me!
The highest ranking book that I have read was Mere Christianity at no. 3 by CS Lewis.
Of the 50 listed I have read:
49.Knowledge […]

I have just added two new audio sessions to the forgewa website.

On Sunday we had Darryn Altclass the director of Forge Tas and leader of ThirdPlace Communities blow in for a short time and I managed to get him to do a brief 30 minute presentation on their work in the pubs and clubs of […]

If you are getting married then keep the wedding party SIMPLE.
Tomorrow I do a wedding for two of Danelle’s friends who are havin 5 bridesmaids & groomsmen, 2 ‘junior bridesmaids, 2 flower girls and 2 page boys…
The practice was last night. The wedding is tomorrow.
Scary stuff…

One of the interesting things about using a cafe for an office is you never know who will also be there.
The last two days I have shared it with the mafia. The two biggest names in organised crime around Perth seem to have warmed to my little place.
Maybe I can find a solution to the […]

I have re/read a few beauties lately. I find reading a good book twice is a valuable practice as you see so much more the second time around.

While on holidays I re-read HughMackay’s Winter Close, the story of a street in Sydney and how the neighbours interact, as told thru the eyes of Tom one […]

You may have notice that I have had very little to say these past few weeks.
I seem to ‘think better’ on a laptop.
I also think better in my study than I do in the kid’s playroom. Well I have solved the location issue. Thanks to a monitor from Grendel and a desktop from another Brighton […]

If you were interested in what was said in the conversation between Geoff Westlake, myself and Don Carson regarding the emerging church then head over to our new Forge website where I have uploaded the whole 2 hours of interaction.

I have been an angry man the last two weeks because I developed a website for Forge WA but couldn’t get it online.
For some reason the mob I was hosting with wouldn’t send me a password to login with and no one would respond to emails or support tickets. After two weeks of trying […]

Tonight is our first Forge session with the inimitable Darryl Gardiner, now blogging here.
7.30pm at the Warehouse Cafe in Onslow Rd Shenton park
Join us!