Last week I had a great conversation about conflict resolution with some friends, in particular on the differences between collaboration and compromise. We talked about the differences between the two and how collaboration is the most desirable solution to conflict, although not necessarily always possible. Dave has blogged through our thoughts from his point of view.
Here are some of my own opinions on compromise and collaboration:
Some of you may know that I’m in the process of writing my undergraduate dissertation. I’ve been working my way through research, reading material and planning since September. Now I have my research approach fully sorted, it means I can begin to share a bit more of what it’s about. I’d also like to begin to blog through some of the reading material I’ve been looking at and some of the key issues and concepts I’ve been working through.
My dissertation is about how consumerism affects the way young adults understand and live out their Christian faith.
I’ve been following with interest Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed blog, where he’s recently begun working through the rather contentious book: The Evangelical Universalist. Since it’s such a controversial theological issue, but also one which often sparks huge interest, I thought I’d draw your attention to Scot’s discussion of the book’s main arguments.
I really enjoyed reading Julie Clawson’s reflections on the Missional Church and Worship, posted on her blog last week.
I think she’s spot on that there has to be something deeper to our worship than just the “cultural habits” of whatever style of worship music happens to be cool or whatever methods of prayer or devotion are currently in fashion.
Thought it was time for a quick recap and to begin a new look at the link between engaging in mission and experiential learning.
![we are safe here 430x384 The Reflective Cycle [Mission & Learning 1]](/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/we-are-safe-here.gif "We are safe here - by Dave Walker")
A while ago, I wrote a post on mission and learning, which explored the link between engaging in mission (or perhaps with culture) and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle. This is a version of Kolb’s cycle (also known as the reflective cycle):
Last Wednesday was an awesome Snow Day – schools were closed and there were loads of young people out and about to play and hang out with. Here’s some photos and reflections on spending time in the snow – and pictures of our Igloo!
Three friends – Matt, Stef and Tom – have been hard at work launching their design business: The House That Love Built.
These guys are seriously three of the most talented people that I’ve ever met, each in their own media/design fields. Check out their growing portfolio of work on the THTLB website.
How does the image of mission as healing affect the way we understand the mission of God?
So, after a long sabbatical it’s time to resume our Missional Viewpoints series. I almost let this series go, but I still think it’s something worth continuing so it’s time to revisit it and press on further. Just to jog your memory, here’s what I wrote as the brief for this series last Summer:
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
So, we’ve reached the last day of Christmas and the last day of this little series. If you haven’t been following so far, we’ve been studying the underlying religious symbolism behind the song, the Twelve Days of Christmas, looking at the Christian/Catholic folklore surrounding the song. Within this tradition the song can be used as a way to teach the Christian faith, with each day representing a different aspect of faith.
Today, the song culminates with the twelve drummers representing the twelve phrases in the Apostles’ Creed.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Today is the eleventh day of Christmas, and the penultimate day of our brief series where we’ve been using the popular folksong to explore some of the building blocks – or launching pads – for the Christian faith. Today, the eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.
Welcome to the blog of James Henley. I'm a young church leader / youth worker and student based in Newport, South Wales.
Read more about me.
