Well, tonight Paris Hilton will appear at the much talked about New Year Eve party in Sydney. I'm not sure what disturbs me the most, the amount she is being paid to appear at the party, or the shallow entertainment news reports of her visit, anticipating how the night will unfold.
But the news item that seems to have caught the public eye this past 24 hours is Paris' $5000 spending spree on clothes in Melbourne yesterday. It was significant enough to attract comment from Tim Costello on how else that money could be spent. Many people say 'get over it, it's her money let her do what she likes'. Yet it's that attitude exactly that keeps the world stuck in this impoverished cycle of the rich who continue to be out of touch and acknowledge no real responsibility towards the poor whose choices are limited to basic survival.
You might say, 'well it's all relative', $5000 is nothing to a rich girl like Paris, but for someone whose income is less than $5000 a year and has to feed and look after a family, it's everything. So Paris' excuse is, she already does her fair share of charity work, but I say it's obviously not enough while people are still homeless, starving and dying preventable deaths from disease.
This is where community living back in the days of the newly established nation of Israel had great benefit for all. Those who earned more gave more and in theory, no-one was in need. It's called the equal distribution of wealth. Call me an idealist, but I don't think we are going to see poverty become history in our lifetime while we continue to idolize selfish brats with too much money than they know what to do with.
I heard Tim Costello comment on the world financial crisis recently and he said it's not a financial crisis, it's an ethical crisis. I agree. The greed of the greedy reached tipping point and this is the result of too many people trying to make an easy buck. Seriously we need to ask ourselves, whether we are investors, consumers, developers, whatever...are the financial choices I make ethical choices. For the everyday consumer go to www.ethical.org and test it out. When you invest or make a purchase are you asking yourself the right questions like, how does my choice affect the person at the other end of the line? The producer, the grower, the maker. My wife Verity has written a song in response to this ethical consumerism dilemma. Visit her website www.verityskye.com and if the song isn't already added, ask her to add it. It's powerful.
In response to Paris Hilton's spending spree Tim Costello reminded people that $5000 would be enough to help sustain an entire village! Verity and I support a slum community in Bangkok through UNOH. In the new year we are extending our financial focus to supporting communities in Africa. For the past few of years we've been making conscious ethical and fairtrade choices about every product we buy. We don't earn millions of dollars but we know we reside comfortably in within the richest 10% of people in the world. Our wealth can be distributed and help so many if only we are willing. It's all relative I guess.
It's not about 'doing our bit for charity', so I can sneak through life without a guilty conscience. it's about having a heart for the suffering people of our world and believing against all the odds and negativity that I too can contribute what I can to make a difference so that all the people of the world may enjoy life, not just me. Verity and I and both our families got a real buzz out of giving all kinds of gifts to each other from TEAR, Wolrd Vision, Oxfam and COCOA this year knowing that our gift was a life changing gift for someone in an impoverished community. I bought my Nana a card from Oxfam that had this title on the front, 'More power to granny'. My gift helps financially resource a group of indigenous Australian women elders provide support, education and encouragement to the indigenous youth so they might learn their customs and language and become future leaders in Australia.
This new year forget the self indulgent new years resolutions, make a commitment to change the world. You'll feel so much better for it and make a difference at the same time.
Shalom
Mark
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
A weary traveller
Hi everyone, miss me? I can't believe it's been 3 months since I posted a blog. I did spend a couple of months travelling around Europe so that explains my absence. It's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things. I ended up posting my Europe updates on Facebook but now I thought I'd reflect on the journey through Italy, France, Ireland and UK here on my blog. I'll be including photos and maybe some video to keep it interesting. So if you're interested, that's mainly what I'll be posting for the rest of the year. I'll also post on some current events here and there as well, like the 'Walk against Slavery' I'll be participating in tomorrow.
Stay tuned
Mark
Stay tuned
Mark
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Nooma - a just voice for the feminine
I love the Nooma DVD presentations featuring Rob Bell. Since I've been on Facebook I have signed up to be a 'fan' of Nooma which means I am invited to watch the premieres of each new video they release. They usually have them available to watch for free for 2 days then they take it off and the only way you can see it is to buy the DVD.
The latest Nooma DVD is called 'She'. It's hard to say which is my favorite Nooma but this one certainly grabbed my attention. I think it actually gives a welcome and liberating voice to the women of this world who have suffered marginalization and oppression at the hands of the church (dominated by men in leadership). I am grateful for Rob's voice of justice and I know many women (and men) who would welcome this message. Sadly I know many women and men who would not welcome this and i hope they would be open to dialogue and teaching on this issue.
Rob Bell speaks of a number of feminine images and metaphors use in the bible to describe God that may come as welcome relief to those who feel alienated by the dominant masculine images we have of God. Is that attributed to the male dominated leadership we have had over the centuries? We have only been taught a half truth about who God is and now our language and our songs refer to God in the masculine where in fact much reference to God in scripture is gender neutral language or as Rob says, 'God transcends and yet includes what we know as male and female'. He talks about how in the Genesis 'poem' created man in the image of God and female in the image of God. There is a masculine dimension to God and there is a feminine dimension to God.
I think it's a shame due to the constant oppression of women in all levels of church leadership that we have in a sense being robbed of much teaching and pastoral ministry expressing the fullness of the nature of God. What's worse is that the bible in which we find so much Good News about the equality of gender and the diversity of the gifts, has been used against women to shut them down and hold them in a lower class when it comes to authority on scripture, teaching and expressions of ministry as gifted by the Spirit of God.
And what about women in leadership? If you get a chance in the next 12 hours to view the screening of this presentation 'She', have a look at how Rob describes women as integral to the leadership of the early Christ movement. And if you think the Apostle Paul is against women in leadership i encourage you to not only read your bibles again but take some time to learn about the context into which he is speaking and the culture. We do great injustice to scripture when we can't be bothered even with a little exegetical work. Rob Bell even argues that Paul was the first person in history to argue for the equality of the sexes when he writes to the Galatian Church stating that 'in Christ there is neither male or female.'
Rob says, 'if you don't have her perspective, if you don't have her wisdom, if you don't have her leadership, you're not just missing her, you're missing out of something central to who God is'. He goes on to apologize to women who have been made to feel second class by the church. Good on ya Rob, we need more voices like yours.
If you are female and reading this and can relate, I want to encourage you. We desperately need more women taking up ministry with the church. We need more women preachers, teachers and pastors. I look forward to experiencing something more of the fullness of the expression of who God is through God's people.
Shalom
Mark
The latest Nooma DVD is called 'She'. It's hard to say which is my favorite Nooma but this one certainly grabbed my attention. I think it actually gives a welcome and liberating voice to the women of this world who have suffered marginalization and oppression at the hands of the church (dominated by men in leadership). I am grateful for Rob's voice of justice and I know many women (and men) who would welcome this message. Sadly I know many women and men who would not welcome this and i hope they would be open to dialogue and teaching on this issue.
Rob Bell speaks of a number of feminine images and metaphors use in the bible to describe God that may come as welcome relief to those who feel alienated by the dominant masculine images we have of God. Is that attributed to the male dominated leadership we have had over the centuries? We have only been taught a half truth about who God is and now our language and our songs refer to God in the masculine where in fact much reference to God in scripture is gender neutral language or as Rob says, 'God transcends and yet includes what we know as male and female'. He talks about how in the Genesis 'poem' created man in the image of God and female in the image of God. There is a masculine dimension to God and there is a feminine dimension to God.
I think it's a shame due to the constant oppression of women in all levels of church leadership that we have in a sense being robbed of much teaching and pastoral ministry expressing the fullness of the nature of God. What's worse is that the bible in which we find so much Good News about the equality of gender and the diversity of the gifts, has been used against women to shut them down and hold them in a lower class when it comes to authority on scripture, teaching and expressions of ministry as gifted by the Spirit of God.
And what about women in leadership? If you get a chance in the next 12 hours to view the screening of this presentation 'She', have a look at how Rob describes women as integral to the leadership of the early Christ movement. And if you think the Apostle Paul is against women in leadership i encourage you to not only read your bibles again but take some time to learn about the context into which he is speaking and the culture. We do great injustice to scripture when we can't be bothered even with a little exegetical work. Rob Bell even argues that Paul was the first person in history to argue for the equality of the sexes when he writes to the Galatian Church stating that 'in Christ there is neither male or female.'
Rob says, 'if you don't have her perspective, if you don't have her wisdom, if you don't have her leadership, you're not just missing her, you're missing out of something central to who God is'. He goes on to apologize to women who have been made to feel second class by the church. Good on ya Rob, we need more voices like yours.
If you are female and reading this and can relate, I want to encourage you. We desperately need more women taking up ministry with the church. We need more women preachers, teachers and pastors. I look forward to experiencing something more of the fullness of the expression of who God is through God's people.
Shalom
Mark
Healer - exposed or misunderstood?
I don't normally buy into scandalous stories that come out of failure's of the Christian church, but this one has caused quite a stir not only in the media but among my friends and colleagues. I've even had a friend from new york email me wondering if i can confirm the rumors they are hearing in the USA about Michael Guglielmucci.
In responding to this story I am aware that I have as much trust in the integrity of the media to report a true story as much as I do trust in the integrity of the mega church culture in Australia. I am suspicious of both and their practises concern me.
For the story and the video Hillsong apparently don't want you to see, click on this link
So is the story true? (this was the question posed by my friend in USA). I can only assume at this stage that it is given the stir among my friends. It's interesting that when you go to YouTube to take a look at this infamous video of Michael Guglielmucci singing the song 'Healer' at Hillsong Church in Sydney, with an oxygen tube strapped under his nose, you get this message:
"This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Hillsong Publishing"
I have friends and acquaintances who like to bag Hillsong at every opportunity but I don't think they need any help this time. So why have they taken it off air? What don't Hillsong want you to see? Are they trying to protect their faithful believers from being misled or hurt? Most will have seen the video already so why rip it off? Why is it so hard for the Christian church (in general) to let their 'dirty laundry' air, show that yes we too can have egg on our face, we're prepared to be held accountable for it and yes we will journey with the untidiness, uncomfortable exposure and hurt together. It's all just a bit much to ask I guess. As the story allegedly exposes, we Christians like to create our own alter realities that we can control. We don't really want to deal with the cold hard facts. It becomes a political game of avoiding truth and we construct our own version of it.
Even tough I don't live far from Edge South Church and I have friends who attend the church so deeply affected by this controversy I really don't know much about the whole situation. All i knew was that Danny's son Micheal was very sick and it was hard on the family and now this story comes out in today's paper. I guess more truth will be shed on the issue when Michael himself gives a statement to the media tomorrow.
However here is my reflection regardless of the outcome. The damage is done. not only does this story damage the reputation of the church, and it's ability to operate with integrity and transparency, but Michael's family must really be struggling right now as is his church. I agree with the spokesperson, Michael and the church really need our prayers. But I would broaden that out to the Church in general. It will take so much longer to restore trust in those who have been hurt by misleading claims and even harder for all christian communities to gain the trust of those who sit on the fringes a criticise. Yes it's easy to criticise the Church particularly those who have built themselves up on a culturally acceptable model of raising pastors and musicians into celebrities and making promises about the impossible them seemingly making it happen. And the critics will show no mercy now that the media has exposed one as (allegedly) lacking in integrity and falling from the pedestal on which one has constructed and the church around them has allowed them to construct.
My sadness extends far beyond this single story and towards the greater issue of the belief among some Christian Churches that they must build their own kingdoms and draw hordes of people towards it by any means possible. I've heard stories from friends who have been involved in some of the more well known mega churches that make me shiver and my skin crawl. Stories about method and theological reason behind some bizarre practises that seem to be counter Gospel.
The Jesus movement to me seems to be counter cultural as I read in my bible, yet there are Christian communities who seem to be confused and in doing everything to be 'relevant' and attract the crowds, they lose integrity in the message.
Last I checked, when a couple of disciples said to Jesus they wanted to have celebrity status and power he shut them down and said that if they want to be great they must be humble, they must be transparent in their motives, they must serve as a servant not be served, because the first will be last and the last will be first.
We have a lot to learn still about getting it right. It's not about making up dramatic stories to attract the sympathy of the masses, it's not even about getting people to come to 'church' (I have a whole other reflection about the church so stay tuned). And the foolishness of the Gospel is this; that we have integrity in presence and relationship with others, that our lives be transparent so that those who look at us with judgemental and criticising eyes will see ordinary broken people just like them, struggling along but at least struggling honestly, together. It's to not conform to the ways of the world but to live counter culturally as a transformed expression of the Spirit of God.
Shalom
Mark
In responding to this story I am aware that I have as much trust in the integrity of the media to report a true story as much as I do trust in the integrity of the mega church culture in Australia. I am suspicious of both and their practises concern me.
For the story and the video Hillsong apparently don't want you to see, click on this link
So is the story true? (this was the question posed by my friend in USA). I can only assume at this stage that it is given the stir among my friends. It's interesting that when you go to YouTube to take a look at this infamous video of Michael Guglielmucci singing the song 'Healer' at Hillsong Church in Sydney, with an oxygen tube strapped under his nose, you get this message:
"This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Hillsong Publishing"
I have friends and acquaintances who like to bag Hillsong at every opportunity but I don't think they need any help this time. So why have they taken it off air? What don't Hillsong want you to see? Are they trying to protect their faithful believers from being misled or hurt? Most will have seen the video already so why rip it off? Why is it so hard for the Christian church (in general) to let their 'dirty laundry' air, show that yes we too can have egg on our face, we're prepared to be held accountable for it and yes we will journey with the untidiness, uncomfortable exposure and hurt together. It's all just a bit much to ask I guess. As the story allegedly exposes, we Christians like to create our own alter realities that we can control. We don't really want to deal with the cold hard facts. It becomes a political game of avoiding truth and we construct our own version of it.
Even tough I don't live far from Edge South Church and I have friends who attend the church so deeply affected by this controversy I really don't know much about the whole situation. All i knew was that Danny's son Micheal was very sick and it was hard on the family and now this story comes out in today's paper. I guess more truth will be shed on the issue when Michael himself gives a statement to the media tomorrow.
However here is my reflection regardless of the outcome. The damage is done. not only does this story damage the reputation of the church, and it's ability to operate with integrity and transparency, but Michael's family must really be struggling right now as is his church. I agree with the spokesperson, Michael and the church really need our prayers. But I would broaden that out to the Church in general. It will take so much longer to restore trust in those who have been hurt by misleading claims and even harder for all christian communities to gain the trust of those who sit on the fringes a criticise. Yes it's easy to criticise the Church particularly those who have built themselves up on a culturally acceptable model of raising pastors and musicians into celebrities and making promises about the impossible them seemingly making it happen. And the critics will show no mercy now that the media has exposed one as (allegedly) lacking in integrity and falling from the pedestal on which one has constructed and the church around them has allowed them to construct.
My sadness extends far beyond this single story and towards the greater issue of the belief among some Christian Churches that they must build their own kingdoms and draw hordes of people towards it by any means possible. I've heard stories from friends who have been involved in some of the more well known mega churches that make me shiver and my skin crawl. Stories about method and theological reason behind some bizarre practises that seem to be counter Gospel.
The Jesus movement to me seems to be counter cultural as I read in my bible, yet there are Christian communities who seem to be confused and in doing everything to be 'relevant' and attract the crowds, they lose integrity in the message.
Last I checked, when a couple of disciples said to Jesus they wanted to have celebrity status and power he shut them down and said that if they want to be great they must be humble, they must be transparent in their motives, they must serve as a servant not be served, because the first will be last and the last will be first.
We have a lot to learn still about getting it right. It's not about making up dramatic stories to attract the sympathy of the masses, it's not even about getting people to come to 'church' (I have a whole other reflection about the church so stay tuned). And the foolishness of the Gospel is this; that we have integrity in presence and relationship with others, that our lives be transparent so that those who look at us with judgemental and criticising eyes will see ordinary broken people just like them, struggling along but at least struggling honestly, together. It's to not conform to the ways of the world but to live counter culturally as a transformed expression of the Spirit of God.
Shalom
Mark
Life is crazy
Hi all,
Did you miss me? Well I certainly missed blogging. Life just got crazy and I neglected my blog. Well I'm back! I've got so many blog posts just waiting to burst out of me so I'll attempt to throw some out now and wait for some responses to interact with.
Some of the extra curricula things that have kept me really busy lately have been the UNOH conference which was held last month. That rocked and I have a few reflections about that I wouldn't mind getting down. The other is the campaign I've been driving to get residency for my two friends Etienne & Adolphe (from the band Vox Congo). i have some updates on that I will blog as well.
But first I have some more pressing reflections bursting to come out so here goes...
Hope you enjoy my blogging and I look forward to your feedback. Oh and I just realized this is my 100th blog since I started blogging, woohoo is there some kind of prize for that like when an AFL player plays 100 games?
Mark
Did you miss me? Well I certainly missed blogging. Life just got crazy and I neglected my blog. Well I'm back! I've got so many blog posts just waiting to burst out of me so I'll attempt to throw some out now and wait for some responses to interact with.
Some of the extra curricula things that have kept me really busy lately have been the UNOH conference which was held last month. That rocked and I have a few reflections about that I wouldn't mind getting down. The other is the campaign I've been driving to get residency for my two friends Etienne & Adolphe (from the band Vox Congo). i have some updates on that I will blog as well.
But first I have some more pressing reflections bursting to come out so here goes...
Hope you enjoy my blogging and I look forward to your feedback. Oh and I just realized this is my 100th blog since I started blogging, woohoo is there some kind of prize for that like when an AFL player plays 100 games?
Mark
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