Consultation on Christian Advocacy Poverty and Corruption

Today I have the joy of speaking at the CANOPI gathering here in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The Consultation on Christian Advocacy Poverty and Corruption is being hosted by Malaysian Care, a Christian aid and advocacy agency in Malaysia - see http://www.malaysiancare.org/

They have a great model of Christian care through development - as I have met with their staff and listened to their programs I am left with a sense that they care about what the Gospel of Christ looks like (and feels like) in society. Jesus own 'mission statement' in Luke 4 comes to mind - feeding the hungry, developing the poor, working for the liberation of the oppressed.

What is equally encouraging is that their work is ecumenical. They are wise enough to know that the solution to many social challenges doesn't lie with only one Church grouping. Rather, the whole of the community needs to be involved in working for God's loving Kingdom to be established.

Please could I encourage you to visit their website and also to pray for and support their wonderful work? If you live or work in Malaysia please join CANOPI. I am pleased to say that they are a partner of our 'EXPOSED - Shining a light on corruption' campaign - see http://www.exposed2013.com

God does something with me

I'm certain that it is a combination of factors, missing my family, the opportunity to be silent and reflect on the flight, and the anticipation of the week of wonderful meetings, speaking and teaching engagements and the opportunities for the Gospel of Christ to take shape... In fact there are probably a whole lot more factors such a memories, aspirations, sights, sounds and many things I am not aware of!

Here's the point... God does something within me on these trips. I grow closer to Him. I begin to slow down and experience His heart for this beautiful world, for all it's people, for the animals and plants, the landscapes. God helps me to feel love, compassion, joy and sadness.

In my doctoral research I came to discover that identity is formed through a complex set of interactions that take place within the individual and the community. It is a bit like the triune God - the identity of the individual persons comes to the fore in their relationships with others.

As you empty yourself (what is known in traditional theology as 'kenosis') you grow to become who God desires you to be, a bearer of the loving, serving, courageous image of Jesus Christ (this concept is known in Eastern and Patristics theology as 'Theosis' - growing in the likeness and mind of Christ). Paul writes about kenosis and Theosis in Phil 2.2-6, culminating around verse 11 if I am not mistaken.

So, as I sit alone in Singapore airport, enjoying a cup of coffee, God is doing something within me. I pray that it is good, that I may be less like me and more like Christ.

Look at the beautiful orchids in this picture. A real highlight each time I fly via Singapore. Indeed, the earth is the Lord's and everything in it (Psalm 24)!

Please pray with me!

Malaysia and Singapore - Samsung Galaxy Note

On Thursday morning I shall be flying from Cape Town to Kuala Lumpur (via Johannesburg and Singapore) to spend some time with wonderful friends who are doing advocacy work on poverty alleviation and addressing corruption in Malaysia. I am excited to hear how Christians are being mobilized to respond to God's call to be agents of healing and transformation in society.

I will also have the chance to speak at some Churches, some Christian business gatherings (about my book 'Transform your work life: turn your ordinary day into an extraordinary calling', and of course reconnect with many longstanding friends.

Malaysia occupies a very special place in my heart. I have visited this nation more than any other in the last decade. I love the people and the place - God has deposited something special there!

One of the complexities of traveling as much as I need to in order to manage the EXPOSED campaign is that I have to maintain my regular work rhythm while moving across time zones (EXPOSED and Unashamedly Ethical have people in more than 100 countries. I have to stay connected to these individuals and teams vie the phone, Skype and email to keep our work on track). Having the right tools for the job is critical.

I normally travel with my iPhone on these trips. However, this time I will be taking a Samsung Galaxy Note. Since getting this phone as my contract upgrade some months ago I have grown to appreciate how powerful it is. I can go for days without needing to have access to my laptop.

It is such a versatile and powerful tool for communication. I particularly love the S Pen that allows me to make written notes in meetings. The camera is also superb, as is the processor for things such as Skype. It allows me to stay up to date with my family, keep in touch with my office and email, and also capture the experience of the trip while I am away. Android has truly matured and the list of available applications is wonderful. I count on google maps and turn by turn navigation (and the public transport guidelines) to get around.

Above are two screen shots of some of the more common apps that I use from day to day.

Please can I ask you to pray for my family who remain at home while I am away. Please also pray for the people I shall meet, and also for me and the work I shall be doing for 'EXPOSED - Shining a light on corruption' and the 'Unashamedly Ethical' project.

God bless,

Dion

The cost of global corruption - be informed!

Global Corruption is a huge concern.  It is the largest cause of suffering and conflict across the world.  Billions of persons are denied access to the most basic of needs, such as clean water, basic health care, food, and security.

We can make a difference - it starts with educating yourself on the issue, and then moves into action!

Join @EXPOSED2013 and @UnashamedlyEth and shine a light on corruption!

Please watch the video below on the Corruption Perceptions Index (by TransparencyIntl)

Please sign up to sign a light on corruption at http://www.exposed2013.com

Dr Frank Chikane speaking at the Ekklesia Stellenbosch University Winter school - a reminder to live justly

Today Dr Frank Chikane spoke at the Stellenbosch University winter school today - it was inspiring, challenging and a wonderful reminder of the task of the Christian leader in the world. Dr Chikane is a former cadre who fought for justice and faced great personal threat in undoing the evil of apartheid in South Africa through his ministry and life. He was frequently detained by the security police, jailed, banned, threatened, and even poisoned (almost dying as a result). He was expelled from his denomination, yet he remained a faithful Christ follower seeking justice for all because of his faith. He was not a politician, rather he entered the political arena for the sake of seeing the will and ways of Jesus established in society. The will of God superseded all else in his life, his politics, his church, and his own safety and comfort. Today as Dr Bruce Theron introduced him he reminded us that while Dr Chikane was in solitary confinement, and was frequently jailed over more than a decade, he read the Bible more than 900 times and always remained prayerful to know what God wanted him to do with his energy, influence, relationships and ability in the world. It was discernment and deep faith that informed his courageous Christian witness and action. I was deeply encouraged and moved by his story.

Bigger stories - Are you creating bigger stories that transform communities?

This is a beautiful video by The Work of the People - it asks a few critical theological and missional questions.

What did Jesus come to do? If we know what Jesus came to do, and we are called to be the 'body of Christ, then what is the work of the Church?

I'll be using this, and a few other videos, as part of my lectures to a group of Master of Theology students in Missional Leadership next week.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this video, and particularly what you think about the mission of the Church.

A few photographs from the World Prayer Assembly stadium event in Jakarta Indonesia

There are about 100 thousand people gathered in the Jakarta Stadium tonight for the World Prayer Assembly stadium prayer gathering- amazingly there are another 373 stadium gatherings throughout Indonesia at the same time. It is estimated that about 9 million people have gathered for prayer tonight across this nation. It is always a wonderful experience to pray together with so many people from all over the world!

Our broadcast will be seen by a few more million people across the world tonight and another 400 million people when we rebroadcast this event on Pentecost Sunday, 27 May 2012 (which is also the Global Day of Prayer).

We set up a studio to do interviews with parter ear organizations in prayer, ethics, justice and mission work across the world. Here are a few pictures of some friends doing their interviews among them Jason Mandryk from Operation World, Pete Greig from 24-7 prayer, and a host of others.

It is so great to share in this event with so many great friends! I will have the joy of highlighting the work of our Ethics campaign (Unashamedly Ethical - http://www.unashamedlyethical.com), and our corruption and poverty campaign (EXPOSED - Shining a light on corruption - http://www.exposed2013.com) in a 10 minute interview at the end of our broadcast this evening.

A reminder to live as a servant

I struggle to serve. I frequently pray that I would serve others with much more grace and intensity - I seldom get it right! Yet, I know this is the way of Jesus - kenosis leads to theosis (self emptying love is an aspect of the character of Christ).

This quote encouraged me in my quiet time this morning:

To weep with those who weep, to accept the role of a servant, to give up anger when we have a right to be angry — to do these things is to acquire the character of a person who fits in with Jesus Christ.

- Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. (via mshedden)

At the World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta this year I experienced that great inner dichotomy between love of self and love of others. I am far too quick to want to 'get things done', to be involved in organizing and orchestrating events and situations. I am far too slow to listen, to wait, to be unseen, and to truly serve.

Today I pray that God would continue to transform my character and make me more like Jesus.

Staying in touch from the World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta

Day 1 of the World Prayer Assembly was great. I was so deeply moved by the rich diversity of cultures and nations represented at the conference. There are quite a few South Africans here which is a joy!

This evening I managed to Skype home to Courtney and Megan. I am always amazed at how accessible communication has become in the last few years. It is wonderful to be able to talk to them at home and not be watching the cost - free wifi = free call! I miss them so much and this helps me to stay in touch.

Our talk during the marketplace track with Ed Silvoso went well today. He is a passionate and energetic speaker whose passion is matched by his intellect! I'm sure there were about 2500 people in the hall. I only had 10 minutes to talk about ethics, corruption and the role of Christians in standing for justice (mainly focusing on the Unashamedly Ethical movemeng). I think it went well.

Tomorrow I am sharing a session with my friend and mentor Joel Edwards. We will be talking on the role the Church in the Millennium Development Goals, and addressing poverty. I am looking forward to that session (this one will focus on the work of Michael Challenge and the EXPOSED campaign). Joel is a real gift!

On the 17th we will be at the Jakarta stadium where a prayer gathering will take place with about 120 000 people! We will have a studio there and do a live television broadcast as well as pre-recorded interviews for our broadcast on the 27th of May. Please spare a prayer for all of these events!

God bless bless,

Dion

World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta Indonesia

I leave for Jakarta (via Dubai) in a few minutes.

This time I will be at the World Prayer Assembly - a very special global gathering of Christians from across the planet (about 6000 or so). See http://www.wpa2012.org for details

I have the privilege of having 3 speaking slots at the conference (all around poverty and corruption / ethics), and a slot on the Global Day of Prayer studio broadcast on the 17th of May on GodTV.

At this conference I'll representing the work of our 'EXPOSED - Shining a light on corruption' campaign (see http://www.exposed2013.com for more), and the Unashamedly Ethical movement (see http://www.unashamedlyethical.com for details).

Please could I ask for your prayers for this journey and work? My desire is to activate many more Christians and Christian movements for God's work of justice and mercy.

Please also pray for Megie, Courtney and Liam at home. I miss them already!

The mission of the Church and the world.

I have been rediscovering Leslie Newbigin - this quote from him is wonderful! He captures the evangelical responsibility of Christians and the Church beautifully. The person and ways, and will, of Christ brings healing, wholeness and blessing to every sphere of life.

We have to call all people to come this way with us, for we shall not know the full glory of Jesus until the day when every tongue shall confess him. And we do not know the fullness of what the service of Jesus means until we have struggled to bring all the manifold works of learning and industry and politics and the arts into obedience to him. So mission is not a one-way promotion but a two-way encounter in which we learn more of what the gospel means. We are learning as we go. This is the only way we affirm that the gospel is not just “true for us” but true for all. The missionary action of the Church is the exegesis of the Gospel.

- Lesslie Newbigin, Truth to Tell: The Gospel as Public Truth pp34-35.

When God speaks what do you do?

This week I have been at a very significant conference of influential global business leaders. It was a wonderfully inspiring time to listen to now many of these persons prevailed against significant odds to achieve what it they believed they had heard God calling them to do. Some took risks to start new enterprises and ventures, some gave up power, prestige and wealth to take up a life of service, others took a stand against an issue of corruption or abuse.

There was a fairly common narrative - God has a will for the world. God graciously invites us into His wonderful will and work in the world. However, it takes faith, courage, and obedience (and perseverance!) to faithfully achieve what God wants to do.

I am is servant - that is my calling. I am called to serve God. In doing so I have discovered that it most often means that I am called to serve God's people. This is blessed and rewarding work.

During this week I heard God speaking to me. It was very clear! Some may ask how I know that God was speaking to me - all I can say is that God spoke, I perceived it clearly and convincingly. I can only assume that this is similar to how someone like Wilberforce was encountered by God in order to give his life to fighting slavery. It takes courage to go against reason and seek to be obedient - I am trying to do that in my life.

So, I shall be spending time praying, thinking, reading, listening, engaging in community, watching the world, reading the scriptures and figuring out what it means to be obedient to God's gracious call to enter into God's loving, gracious, and just will for me and world.

I'd love to hear from you whether you have ever heard God speaking to you? If so, what did you do in response to that encounter?