Some random stuff for thought

Outgoing Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page had a sobering message for his fellow Southern Baptists: change or die. Page said that unless the church changes its methodology more than half of the Southern Baptist churches will disappear in the near future. “If we don't start paying attention to the realities … by the year 2030, we will be proud to have 20,000 rather than 44,000 Southern Baptist churches.” In order to avoid a decline Page recommends that the church reach out to ethnic minorities and young people. Page described the convention as consisting largely of “older white people holding on till they die.” [Tennessean, 6/1/08]

QUOTE: “We find little ways of making people's evening better—even if it's just having a chat. When there is a fracas, we don't intervene, but we stand back and pray or call the police if it is really serious. Then we help calm the fears of the people around us who are frightened by the fight.”—Nick Boddy, “street pastor” describing his ministry approach. Boddy is part of a movement of concerned Christians who wait outside London bars and clubs to take care of drunken revelers and guide them home safely. London Mayor Boris Johnson has called the movement “extraordinary and inspiring.” [telegraph.co.uk, 6/1/08] How cool is this ministry? I could see myself doing this. :-)


The world is overcome not through destruction, but through reconciliation. Not ideals, nor programs, nor conscience, nor duty, nor responsibility, nor virtue, but only God's perfect love can encounter reality and overcome it. Nor is it some universal idea of love, but rather the love of God in Jesus Christ, a love genuinely lived, that does this.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Meditations on the Cross


Power understood as the ability to accomplish desired ends is present in human relationships no matter how particular communities or societies are organized. Nevertheless, Christian communities recognize that the source of power in their life is the love of Christ which inspires and directs them. This is a style of power not of coercion but of empowerment of others.... It also connects to those at the margins of society who search for word of God’s love and justice.
- Letty M. Russell
Church in the Round


I sense that a new spirituality is being born in the church today, flowing from the wounded hearts of the weak and broken who are crying out for friendship. This friendship is also a source of healing for those who answer their cry.
- Jean Vanier
Spiritual Journeys