This is doing the rounds on Facebook, fantastic. If you've ever sent one of those shoeboxes, this is what happens when it gets to the other end. It almost doesn't matter what's inside it! (though I guess a mouldy half-eaten bap might be a bit of a let-down).
According to their Facebook page, Operation Christmas Child sent 1.2 million shoeboxes last year. Brilliant.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friends, Followers, Comments, and Community
Taking a straw poll among my Facebook 'friends', I gave them the following options:
who are your Facebook 'friends'?
a) People you've actually met
b) 'a', plus people you've had a lot of online interaction with
c) anyone who asks you
d) other?
'a' seems to be the overwhelming favourite, with a few b's thrown in. I tend strongly towards a, plus a bit of b. I've had a number of 'friend' requests from people who I've not met, but had some online correspondence & exchanges with, and it's sometimes hard to know which side of the line we're on. Is an e-friend the same as a pen friend?
The Twitter notion of 'followers' is much more straightforward: block pornographers and people who want to sell you stuff, and everyone else can join the party.
In both mediums, it seems to be more personal stuff which moves people to respond. Tweet about cricket, and nobody cares. Mention a suspected hernia, and suddenly several people have offered encouragement and prayer. I even had a go at planning a school assembly via Twitter this morning, and it worked quite well!
On the blogosphere, the same thing seems to happen. Two blogs I regularly visit have had posts about personal suffering in the last few weeks. The comments threads are bursting with good wishes, and shared humanity seems to transcend whether the commenters normally agree with the blogger or not.
In one case, the blogger posts under an assumed name, and blogs 'in character'. Working out how to pray for them has been a bit weird, and though the commenters have rallied round in scores, there's a real sense of powerlessness. If this was someone in the 'real world' who we knew, then there would be phone calls, and concrete offers of support. As it's a virtual persona, all we can do is leave comments, and hope that someone, somewhere, knows the guy for real and knows what he's going through.
I'm not even sure on the etiquette of linking to them, whether that will promote 'grief tourism', or promote some heartening examples of support and grace on the blogosphere. It's an area where the 'rules of engagement' are still evolving: in face to face encounters, we've been honing our sense of etiquette and what's acceptable for centuries, online we're starting from scratch, with the added problem that words aren't anything like so effective as communication in person.
who are your Facebook 'friends'?
a) People you've actually met
b) 'a', plus people you've had a lot of online interaction with
c) anyone who asks you
d) other?
'a' seems to be the overwhelming favourite, with a few b's thrown in. I tend strongly towards a, plus a bit of b. I've had a number of 'friend' requests from people who I've not met, but had some online correspondence & exchanges with, and it's sometimes hard to know which side of the line we're on. Is an e-friend the same as a pen friend?
The Twitter notion of 'followers' is much more straightforward: block pornographers and people who want to sell you stuff, and everyone else can join the party.
In both mediums, it seems to be more personal stuff which moves people to respond. Tweet about cricket, and nobody cares. Mention a suspected hernia, and suddenly several people have offered encouragement and prayer. I even had a go at planning a school assembly via Twitter this morning, and it worked quite well!
On the blogosphere, the same thing seems to happen. Two blogs I regularly visit have had posts about personal suffering in the last few weeks. The comments threads are bursting with good wishes, and shared humanity seems to transcend whether the commenters normally agree with the blogger or not.
In one case, the blogger posts under an assumed name, and blogs 'in character'. Working out how to pray for them has been a bit weird, and though the commenters have rallied round in scores, there's a real sense of powerlessness. If this was someone in the 'real world' who we knew, then there would be phone calls, and concrete offers of support. As it's a virtual persona, all we can do is leave comments, and hope that someone, somewhere, knows the guy for real and knows what he's going through.
I'm not even sure on the etiquette of linking to them, whether that will promote 'grief tourism', or promote some heartening examples of support and grace on the blogosphere. It's an area where the 'rules of engagement' are still evolving: in face to face encounters, we've been honing our sense of etiquette and what's acceptable for centuries, online we're starting from scratch, with the added problem that words aren't anything like so effective as communication in person.
The Power of Fun
These viral ads are doing the rounds
and illustrate the power of fun to change behaviour. If you can make the right thing the fun thing, people will do it. Not because it's the right thing, but because it's more enjoyable. I'm sure some people followed Jesus because it was more fun with him than without him. Of course it was.
Having stumbled across these (Ht Holy Heteroclite, where you can find another great example, more thoughts here), it then struck me that I've been blogging about this already. Marcus Brigstocke made thinking about God fun in his 'God Collar' routine, and our Cafe Service made raising money fun by giving people some cash up front, and a challenge people could rise to. (I heard of someone the other day who made a special donation to the fund, and then found an unexpected extra on their pay slip a couple of days later. God is nobody's debtor).
Of course, discipleship isn't entertainment. But it can be play, as well as work and rest.
and illustrate the power of fun to change behaviour. If you can make the right thing the fun thing, people will do it. Not because it's the right thing, but because it's more enjoyable. I'm sure some people followed Jesus because it was more fun with him than without him. Of course it was.
Having stumbled across these (Ht Holy Heteroclite, where you can find another great example, more thoughts here), it then struck me that I've been blogging about this already. Marcus Brigstocke made thinking about God fun in his 'God Collar' routine, and our Cafe Service made raising money fun by giving people some cash up front, and a challenge people could rise to. (I heard of someone the other day who made a special donation to the fund, and then found an unexpected extra on their pay slip a couple of days later. God is nobody's debtor).
Of course, discipleship isn't entertainment. But it can be play, as well as work and rest.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Boost for 'Ethical' Stem Cells
BBC report today on a new advance in adult stem cell research:
US researchers have found a way to dramatically increase the harvest of stem cells from adult tissue.
It is a practical step forward in techniques to produce large numbers of stem cells without using embryos.
Using three drug-like chemicals, the team made the procedure 200 times more efficient and twice as fast, the Nature Methods journal reported. It is hoped stem cells could one day be widely used to repair damaged tissue in diseases and after injuries.
The more can be done with adult stem cells, the better. The creation of embryos primarily to use them as bit parts for treatment of others is a major ethical problem, and from what I gather, despite it being approved by Parliament last year, there isn't that much funding for embryo stem cell research. If the same therapies can be found through using adult stem cells instead, then that seems to be a win-win.
US researchers have found a way to dramatically increase the harvest of stem cells from adult tissue.
It is a practical step forward in techniques to produce large numbers of stem cells without using embryos.
Using three drug-like chemicals, the team made the procedure 200 times more efficient and twice as fast, the Nature Methods journal reported. It is hoped stem cells could one day be widely used to repair damaged tissue in diseases and after injuries.
The more can be done with adult stem cells, the better. The creation of embryos primarily to use them as bit parts for treatment of others is a major ethical problem, and from what I gather, despite it being approved by Parliament last year, there isn't that much funding for embryo stem cell research. If the same therapies can be found through using adult stem cells instead, then that seems to be a win-win.
How to Worship
Thanks to Jase on Facebook for this one.
"employ the half-mast method, and spare your friend the agony"
"you can't communicate with the Lord with your eyes open, that's a rule."
We've only one session left of our Confirmation group, so there's just enough time to show them this. It would be wrong not to. Perhaps this is a leak from the revamped Alpha course?
"employ the half-mast method, and spare your friend the agony"
"you can't communicate with the Lord with your eyes open, that's a rule."
We've only one session left of our Confirmation group, so there's just enough time to show them this. It would be wrong not to. Perhaps this is a leak from the revamped Alpha course?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Events: Christian Vision for Men in Yeovil, Transform Work UK
Christian Vision for Men (CVM) are having an event in Yeovil next month, here's some blurb:
Saturday 14th November 2009
9.30am - 4.30pm
Venue: The Gateway, Yeovil Community Church, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil BA20 1QN
Men's Conference in Somerset & Dorset
Carl Beech a Baptist Minister, became a follower of Jesus at the age of 18. Having had a burning ambition to join the armed forces, he distinctly heard God call him to fight a different sort of battle. After studying a degree in engineering he worked variously as a financial consultant, church planter, youth worker, and senior pastor of a large multi-congregational church. He now heads up CVM, a national movement focused on introducing men to Jesus and equipping the church for the task.
Andy Drake was born and raised in Australia and has worked as a dustman, labourer, computer programmer, airstrip builder, evangelist and Baptist Minister. He planted a youth congregation at the age of 18 and has helped lead three churches over the last 15 years. Married to Sophie, who is training as a Clinical Psychologist, Andy now works for CVM as their Director of Evangelism.
Seminars on:
Gearing Church up for Men
Winning Men
Living it out
On the same day Transform Work UK hold their national 1-day conference in Brum
Has the 21st century workplace become a no-God area, populated by cynics, with Christians often feeling under siege? Or are you passionate about your work and feel you can make a difference?
Whatever your experience, we promise that this Conference will help to envision, encourage and energise you. Speakers and workshops will give you practical tools and tips, drawing on real success stories. This event is a must for anyone wanting to be more effective and fulfilled at work.
Keynote Addresses:
● Chan Abraham, Chief Executive Luminus Group and Founder of Leadership International
● David L’Herroux, Executive Director UCB
● Caroline Spelman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Workshop choices include: Alpha for your Workplace, Chaplaincy, Work / Life Balance, The Effective Christian Workplace Group, The multi-faith workplace, Diversity & Equality, Christian Spirituality, Leadership & Mentoring, Recruitment & Retention for Professional Groups, Christian Groups – The Law, and Redundancy.
For Church of England Types there's a morning in Wells the same day (14th Nov) with Paul Bayes, national Mission and Evangelism Adviser, looking at Fresh Expressions and ecumenical mission. Details not on the website yet, but just ring 01749 670777 if you're interested, or drop me a comment.
And finally, there are still spaces on the Mission 21 church planting conference the following week in Bath. November is clearly a good time to have conferences: grim weather, too early to Christmas shop, all the best TV being saved for the Christmas schedules. Anyone planning to go to any of these?
Saturday 14th November 2009
9.30am - 4.30pm
Venue: The Gateway, Yeovil Community Church, Addlewell Lane, Yeovil BA20 1QN
Men's Conference in Somerset & Dorset
Carl Beech a Baptist Minister, became a follower of Jesus at the age of 18. Having had a burning ambition to join the armed forces, he distinctly heard God call him to fight a different sort of battle. After studying a degree in engineering he worked variously as a financial consultant, church planter, youth worker, and senior pastor of a large multi-congregational church. He now heads up CVM, a national movement focused on introducing men to Jesus and equipping the church for the task.
Andy Drake was born and raised in Australia and has worked as a dustman, labourer, computer programmer, airstrip builder, evangelist and Baptist Minister. He planted a youth congregation at the age of 18 and has helped lead three churches over the last 15 years. Married to Sophie, who is training as a Clinical Psychologist, Andy now works for CVM as their Director of Evangelism.
Seminars on:
Gearing Church up for Men
Winning Men
Living it out
On the same day Transform Work UK hold their national 1-day conference in Brum
Has the 21st century workplace become a no-God area, populated by cynics, with Christians often feeling under siege? Or are you passionate about your work and feel you can make a difference?
Whatever your experience, we promise that this Conference will help to envision, encourage and energise you. Speakers and workshops will give you practical tools and tips, drawing on real success stories. This event is a must for anyone wanting to be more effective and fulfilled at work.
Keynote Addresses:
● Chan Abraham, Chief Executive Luminus Group and Founder of Leadership International
● David L’Herroux, Executive Director UCB
● Caroline Spelman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Workshop choices include: Alpha for your Workplace, Chaplaincy, Work / Life Balance, The Effective Christian Workplace Group, The multi-faith workplace, Diversity & Equality, Christian Spirituality, Leadership & Mentoring, Recruitment & Retention for Professional Groups, Christian Groups – The Law, and Redundancy.
For Church of England Types there's a morning in Wells the same day (14th Nov) with Paul Bayes, national Mission and Evangelism Adviser, looking at Fresh Expressions and ecumenical mission. Details not on the website yet, but just ring 01749 670777 if you're interested, or drop me a comment.
And finally, there are still spaces on the Mission 21 church planting conference the following week in Bath. November is clearly a good time to have conferences: grim weather, too early to Christmas shop, all the best TV being saved for the Christmas schedules. Anyone planning to go to any of these?
The Volunteer Dilemma
Beyond Relevance picks up on a scenario which may be familiar to anyone working with volunteers, whether in church or not:
Standards are the greatest tool for training your team and they are, for the most part, missing in the church today.
Why? I think we feel so grateful for Bob (the guy who volunteers to do the PowerPoint), that on his first day, we do our best to make sure we do not upset him. After all, what if he stops coming? Then what are we going to do? No, what we will do is give him the least amount of information about his duty we can (as we do not have time to really train him) and then we will put up with him not doing it perfectly since he is so faithful (of course he has no real idea what perfection to us is), until one day we get fed up and fire him from his post and crush his spirit by telling how he "never" does it right, when we never trained him what right is.
Helpful piece, on how you raise the standard of what happens with your volunteers without imposing lots of rules, or everyone getting really frustrated.
Standards are the greatest tool for training your team and they are, for the most part, missing in the church today.
Why? I think we feel so grateful for Bob (the guy who volunteers to do the PowerPoint), that on his first day, we do our best to make sure we do not upset him. After all, what if he stops coming? Then what are we going to do? No, what we will do is give him the least amount of information about his duty we can (as we do not have time to really train him) and then we will put up with him not doing it perfectly since he is so faithful (of course he has no real idea what perfection to us is), until one day we get fed up and fire him from his post and crush his spirit by telling how he "never" does it right, when we never trained him what right is.
Helpful piece, on how you raise the standard of what happens with your volunteers without imposing lots of rules, or everyone getting really frustrated.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Prayer for a Community
Love this prayer, composed by Jonny Baker.
may the god who is community
be with us as we seek to be a community
may god bless our dreams
and may god shatter our dreams
may god help us to be real
and to find depth in weakness and brokenness
may god help us to face and grow through conflict
rather than pretend by being nice
may we look at each other through soft eyes
and truly respect each other as human beings
may god help us let go of control
and the need to fix one another
may god help us discover we are needy in our own souls
and give attention to our own hearts
may god grant us the gift of an extraordinary love
that flows from the heart of god
that covers a multitude of wrongs
may the god who is community
be with us as we seek to be a community
may god bless our dreams
and may god shatter our dreams
may god help us to be real
and to find depth in weakness and brokenness
may god help us to face and grow through conflict
rather than pretend by being nice
may we look at each other through soft eyes
and truly respect each other as human beings
may god help us let go of control
and the need to fix one another
may god help us discover we are needy in our own souls
and give attention to our own hearts
may god grant us the gift of an extraordinary love
that flows from the heart of god
that covers a multitude of wrongs
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