I guess it depends on your perspective...

As many of you would know I am not exactly a supporter of George W Bush. Well, that may be a little understated if I have to be honest. I would be a much happier man, and the world would be a much safer place, if he were not the President of the United States of America!

However, you just have to feel sorry for the guy. It must be tough going through life constantly messing up! Even more so when you know the world is watching and waiting for your next bungle, and you just can't stop meeting that insatiable appetite to ridicule you!

Hey GW, I feel sorry for you! I'm not feeling well today. I hope to be better tomorrow! I hope that soon you too will be free from having to torture yourself, and entertain us, with your constant mistakes. Perhaps America will come to its senses and vote someone else into your office in the next round of elections? I think that will be better for all of us.

The video below is George W's latest embarrassing mistake. Here's what John Dvorak had to say about the incident:

"Bush makes fun of a reporter who wore sun glasses as he asked a question. The reporter was gracious enough to not point out that he was blind."

Did you get that? The reporter is blind! That's why he is wearing sun glasses! In South Africa we would say "How blind for George W Bush!"

But there may just be some deeper universal message coming through here.... Wait for it....

Perhaps the blindest one there was not the person wearing the sunglasses, but the one making fun of him! Check out the Video below (it is in Apple Quicktime format). Simply click on the picture and it will load.

John C Dvorak is a columnist with a biting wit! You can check out his great Blog here: http://www.dvorak.org/blog

Fermat's last theorem and Springfield Theory...

And you thought the Simpsons was nothing but a stupid cartoon! Well, maybe Homer got his job at the Springfield Nuclear Power plant because he has a PhD in Mathematics!? He sure seems to be doing a better job than our Eskom employees!

Do yourself a favour, get out that old Texas Instruments scientific calculator and work out the following equation 1782(to the power of 12) + 1841 (to the power of 12)... And, so what is your answer? Yup, 1922 to the power of 12. So what? Well, this equation - which featured in the 1995 Halloween Episode of the Simpsons seems to have disproved Fermat's last theorem! The answer is mathematically impossible, since the left hand side is an even number, while the right hand side is an odd number! It must be a paradox!

For the mathematically uninitiated, Fermat's last theorem says

for any exponent n bigger than 2, there are no nonzero whole numbers a, b, and c for which an + bn = cn.

Would it surprise you to discover that two of the writers on the Simpsons have PhD's? Ken Keeler has a PhD in applied Maths, and Jeff Westbrook has a PhD in Computer science.

So, perhaps I could get a job drawing cartoons for the 'New Dimension'!?

If you're interested to read the whole story you can find it here.

Vespa papapapa

They just don't make them like they used to (this statement applies to both classic adverts and classic scooters)!

There is no other bike on the road that can compare to this style icon!

I am so gruntled by this!

When Angus prayed "God gruntle me!" He never imagined that his fame would grow so quickly!

In one month he appeared on the front page of the Dimension - the newspaper of the MCSA (and in the Lingerie section on page 6 with two other hot numbers).

And NOW, the esteemed scholar Rev Dr Richardson has made mention of him in his latest 'publication' (Neville I trust that you will be putting this on your publications list for at least a little bit of research funding!?)

This was published on page 28 of the Mail and Guardian newspaper (9-15 June 2006) in Helen Yardley's column "Questions and Answers".

Wow Gus, now you CAN retire!!!

Blessings,

D

Check out Angus' great blog here: http://www.gruntle.co.za

It feels right...

The wisdom literature in the Bible is very aptly categorised as such... It contains wisdom!

The writer of Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) offers the following wise comment:

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

I thank God for this truth! If you can read Binary, you should be able to decipher the message below. If not, check back in a while. All shall be revealed!

01010111 01100101 00100000 01101000 01100001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01100100 01100101 01100011 01101001 01100100 01100101 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01110011 01110100 01100001 01111001

In this day and age everyone should be able to speak Chinese and read Binary for goodness sake! Or at least use Google to find a Binary translator! It's fun!

It is in! I feel like the guy in this strange gown!

Today, the day after Pentecost 2006, I handed in the three bound copies of my Doctorate at the University!

I give glory to God for helping me to get it done! There were many times where I thought of packing it in.... But by the grace of God, here am I! Praise God that it is done! So, from now on Dr. D! Or, Dr. Forster went to Glouchester in a shower of rain (and all that....)! Ha ha! Just kidding!

So, here are the Abstract and more importantly the acknowledgements (and thanks)!

Abstract:

The notion of identity has always been central to the human person's understanding of self. The question 'who am I'? is fundamental to human being. Answers to this question have come from a wide range of academic disciplines. Philosophers, theologians, scientists, sociologists and anthropologists have all sought to offer some insight.

The question of individual identity has traditionally been answered from two broad perspectives. The objectivist approach has sought to answer the question through empirical observation - you are a mammal, you are a homo-sapien, you are male, you are African etc. The subjectivist approach has sought to answer the question through phenomenological exploration - I understand myself to be sentient, I remember my past, I feel love etc.

A recent development in the field of computer science has however shown a shortcoming in both of these approaches. Ray Kurzweil, a theorist in strong artificial intelligence, suggests the possibility of an interesting identity crisis. He suggests that if a machine could be programmed and built to accurately and effectively emulate a person's conscious experience of being 'self' it could lead to a crisis of identity. In an instance where the machine and the person it is emulating cannot be either objectively distinguished (i.e., both display the same characteristics of the person in question), or subjectively distinguish themselves (i.e., both believe themselves to be the 'person in question' since both have an experience of being that person. This experience could be based on memory, emotion, understanding and other subjective realities) how is the true identity of the individual validated? What approach can be employed in order to distinguish which of the two truly is the 'person in question' and which is the 'emulation of that person'?

This research investigates this problem and presents a suggested solution to it. The research begins with an investigation of the claims of strong artificial intelligence and discusses Ray Kurzweil's hypothetical identity crisis. It also discusses various approaches to consciousness and identity, showing both their value and shortfall within the scope of this identity conundrum. In laying the groundwork for the solution offered in this thesis, the integrative theory of Ken Wilber is presented as a model that draws on the strengths of the objectivist and subjectivist approaches to consciousness, yet also emphasises the need for an approach which is not only based on individual data (i.e., the objectivist - you are, or subjectivist - I am). Rather, it requires an intersubjective knowing of self in relation to others.

The outcome of this research project is an African Theological approach to self-validating consciousness in strong artificial intelligence. This takes the form of an African Theology of relational ontology. The contribution falls within the ambit of Christian anthropology and Trinitarian theology - stressing the Christian belief that true identity is both shaped by, and discovered in, relationship with others. The clearest expression of this reality is to be found in the African saying Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (A person is a person through other persons).

Key words:

Identity, artificial intelligence, strong artificial intelligence, Moore's law, Turing test, the law of accelerating returns, consciousness, objective, subjective, neuro-theology, integral theory, holon, Holarchy, quadrant, non-dual, perennial philosophy, ubuntu, African, intersubjective, relational ontology, Trinity, anthropology, Soteriology, perichoresis

Acknowledgements: Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu - We are, therefore I am.

I am deeply indebted to Professor Cornel W du Toit who has patiently listened to me, carefully and critically read my work, and wisely directed my discoveries in this research project. He is a highly regarded scholar and a deeply valued mentor.

I also gratefully acknowledge the input of my colleagues in the Education for Ministry and Mission Unit of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa - the Reverends Victor Tshangela, Charmaine Morgan, Sidwell Mokgothu, Madika Sibeko, Phidian Matsepe, Ruth Jonas, and Neville Richardson. I am thankful for the time and freedom I have been given over the last three years to complete this research project. I thank the Reverends Peter Grassow and Peter Woods for challenging me to think outside of the box, yet remain true to the Christian faith. My close friends George Marchinkowski and Christopher Judelsohn, are a constant source of inspiration - always reminding me that theology is the servant of the Church. In the process of the research I have learned a great deal from my students at John Wesley College and the University of South Africa, many of who have a far better understanding of the concept of community and ubuntu than I will ever have. I am thankful for the prayers and support of the members of the Bryanston Methodist Church. You minister to me so much more than I could ever minister to you. I want to thank the following friends and colleagues for their guidance, encouragement, and practical advice: Doctors Kevin Snyman, Derek Verrier, Neville Richardson, Jennifer Slater, Wessel Bentley and Professor Louise Kretzschmar. I also wish to acknowledge the input Professors Dirkie Smit (Stellenbosch), Ernst Conradie (UWC), Wentzel van Huyssteen (Princeton), and Fraser Watts (Cambridge) who helped to shape and form the initial thoughts that lead to this research. They invested time and energy in me. They gracefully listened to my fledgling attempts at articulating what I felt but could not yet express.

The expression of theological concepts is a complex task, and even more so when one struggles with a poor grasp of English grammar! I am eternally grateful to Mrs Joan Hartshorne, my aunt, for her masterful skill in framing my thoughts and sharpening my use of the English language.

I need to pay tribute to my family who have shaped my identity and constantly bless me with the gift of life. I deeply value my parents Ian and Margaret Forster, who encouraged me to follow my calling in ministry. Brian and Brenda Seviour for accepting me into their family, for their prayers and interest in my work. To my wife Megan, and daughter Courtney, whose loving care and sincere Christian faith are the closest things to ubuntu I have ever experienced. Without you I am not.

And then to my great ancestor, the firstborn of creation, Jesus Christ - to him I owe not just my gratitude; I owe him my whole life.

PS. I have no idea whose picture this is. I got it from the Birchs website (those who studied at Rhodes should remember Birchs').... God bless him! He looks happy, like me! I hope I get a gown just like his!

Do you still remember?

Today I had the privilege of taking 7 friends from the Duke Divinity school to Constitutional Hill and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

I have done this trip many times. Each time I do it, it brings back painful memories.... It is worthwhile, it helps me to remember.

Do you remember the services for the 'young lions' in Soweto? Do you remember Paul Verryn putting you between two rival factions, or in the home of an 'impimpi' to ensure that no one will try to harm him? Do you remember tear-gas and pepper spray on the WITS library lawns? Do you remember being a peace monitor with nothing but a blue flag and a blue bib to put yourself between the people and the police - both equaly charged with emotion. I remember...

While it is always sad to remember the need for those events, there is some way in which I remember them with fondness. We had a sense of purpose, a real sense of doing something worthwhile. In Service Training meetings were spent making a real difference in some strife torn community or another. We knew that we were a part of something BIG! Our SYNODS were not spent debating how we will keep gay people out of the Church, or what kind of clerical colar an Ordained Deacon can wear. It seems that the Church has lost something of that energy and vigor in recent years.

Today, however, as I was leaving the Apartheid Museum I was brought to tears again. I have been there 8 times, it never fails to happen. Partly because the reality of our atrocious past is so real (and in many ways very little has changed), and partly because I cry at the drop of a hat. This time they were tears of joy though! As I was leaving I encountered a group of Jubilant school Children. Their visit to the Museum was an exciting day out! They do not remember this past - they only know the future. They had come here to discover their past, so that the future will never be the same!

There is still a lot of work to be done. Let us never forget where we come from. Let us never forget where God is taking us.

There is much left to do, for their sake, and ours.

Visit the Apartheid Museum online.

The same Gospel in an ever changing world...

UPDATE

Please find a 'semi' final version of the Bible Study here (nothing that I write is ever final):

The first file is a copy of the Bible study in MS Word Format. SYNOD Bible study 2006.doc

The second file is a copy of the Powerpoint slides that accompany it. SYNOD Bible study 2006.ppt

It was wonderful to see the spirited response to the message at SYNOD! I felt the stirings of a revival!

ha ha!

Blessings,

D

The same Gospel in an ever-changing world.

Some thoughts I put together for a Bible study for the Limpopo District SYNOD (it is not yet complete....)

INTRODUCTION.

Firstly, let me bring you the greetings and best wishes from the students and staff of the greatest Theological Seminary in the world. As my students have taught me, Bishop Taylor, the vice Chair of the District, Colleagues, sisters and brothers in Christ (all protocol observed), I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

I am extremely grateful to Bishop Taylor for asking me to share with you today on the theme of The Church's mission in the world.

A few weeks ago the MCSA's Connexional Secretary addressed the 40 odd graduates at John Wesley College. In his address he made reference to a quote which left me thinking, and has shaped this Bible study today. The quote is from Bishop Graham Gray (Bishop of York) who said: "The gospel must be constantly forwarded to a new address because the recipient is always changing his place of residence."

And so today, I have chosen the theme of "The same Gospel in an ever-changing world".

In investigating this them we will look at a Mission Cameo from the Bible that faced this same challenge, we will look at the account of the Mission of the Early Church as it is recorded in the book of the Acts of the Apostles.

1. A few facts about the book of Acts.

This may be old news to some of you here, but let?s just remind ourselves about the purpose, nature and content of this wonderful book so that we can better grapple with the subject of ?the same Gospel in a ever-changing world?.

- The Book of Acts, as we know, was written by Luke, the author of the Gospel that bears his name. Whereas Luke's Gospel was intended to tell the story of the life and miraculous works of Jesus that lead to salvation, the Acts of the Apostles is written by the same author, to the same person, to tell of the wonderful that God has done through the power of the Spirit in the early Church. In fact William Barclay goes as far as saying the Acts of the Apostles is the most important book in the New Testament since it tells of the kick start of mission and the transfer of God's power from God?s son, to God?s chosen in the Church!

- What is of interest is that much of Acts is written from Luke?s own travel diary (as such he may have accompanied Paul on some of his missionary work). There are three particular sections where Luke employs the first person plural (we) to describe events - Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-21:18, and 27:1-28:16.

- The book is written to a believer, which is what makes it so useful for us. Luke addresses the book to a man called 'Theophilus' (Luke 1:3, and Acts 1:1). Theophilus is unlikely to be a name (since it is not common in those times), rather it is a combination of two Greek words, theos meaning God, and philein which means to love or have deep familial affection for (brotherly love). As such we can see that it was likely to have been written by Luke for someone who was a "lover of God".

- I have already briefly touched on the reason why Luke wrote this Chronicle called Acts, but let?s just flesh out a few suggestions:

o He wrote the book to commend the Christian faith, and the good and honourable work of Christians, to the Roman government (in fact some have suggested that 'Theophilus' was a high ranking Roman official who may have had some say in the trial of Paul ? before is execution in Rome, and that Luke?s intent was to write to this 'lover of God' to convince him that Christians are not subversive of the Roman Empire. This could certainly account for the reason why the account of Paul's life ends with him jailed in Rome.

o HOWEVER, the clearest indication of Luke?s intent in writing this chronicle can be found in one particular verse near the beginning of the book, Acts 1:8.

2. God's Missiological purpose for the SAME church in an EVER-CHANGING world, based on Acts 1:8 ? a hermeneutic key.

The verse reads as follows:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

In Biblical scholarship we would call a verse such as this a 'hermeneutic key'. Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation. This verse is thus a key that unlocks the interpretation of the whole book. Many books in the Bible have such verses (see as another clear example of a 'hermeneutic key' John 20:30-31 as verses that unlock the interpretive purpose of the whole of that Gospel).

This interpretive key gives us two significant insights:

a. It shows us where the power comes from for true mission as a lasting, living and powerful change of lives and communities. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you

b. The second part of this verse and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, gives a very clear outline of how the Gospel message spread from it's early start among a band of about 30 Jewish men and women, to a world changing faith that transformed the whole of the world and history as we know it today. However, Luke had to make a record of how the SAME GOSPEL had been forwarded to DIFFERENT locations. In other words, how God's mission had lead the early Church to break out of its complacency, out of its comfort zone, to become bold, non-conformist and engage society for the sake of it?s salvation and the love of God. We can chart this growth and expansion of the Gospel from Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-7:60) which ends with the martyrdom of Stephen and the scattering of the Saints through Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1-40), then the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-43) and the subsequent spread of the Gospel throughout the whole known world (even to the very end?. Rome).

Let's deal with the first aspect of the hermeneutic key -

2.1. Mission in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I believe it was L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Christian Scientology, who said that If your religion doesn?t change you, then its time to change your religion. Well friends, let me tell you, that what we read about in the book of Acts is nothing short of an explosive world changing encounter with Almighty God!

Luke uses the voice of Christ himself to say: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.

Power. The first thing that we learn about this life-changing mission is that it was a power based faith! Just this week I read an internet article written by a friend who was lamenting the state of the Church, he writes of his personal despair at having to go to SYNOD and sit through hours of meaningless business and boring debate. He writes:

This Church Synod will discuss the dwindling congregational numerical returns, the financial struggle to pay salaries, how to keep gay people out of the church, and the jockeying for position of various clergy intent on becoming the next Bishop!

He ended his article by asking the question whether anything of substance or change would come out of the SYNODS this year? I was challenged by these thoughts. When last did we leave a SYNOD full of the power of the Holy Spirit? The interesting thing about this passage that we read today it foretells of the pitfall that the institutionalised Church would find itself in some 2000 years later. This statement of Jesus about God pouring out God?s spirit in power is as a result of a question asked by the disciples:

v.6. Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?

This is a very telling statement. It shows two very clear misunderstandings of the Power that the Gospel has to change society and human lives.

Firstly, it is a passive faith. It asks "are you going to restore", and "... the Kingdom TO Israel...". I see this attitude reflected in many Churches across the world. We have become passive, expecting God to act FOR us. At very least we expect the SYNOD, the Conference, the Bishop, the Superintendent, the Minster, the Local Preacher... to set the Missional agenda FOR us. This is not where to Power of God comes in to change. The Power of God acts within you, when you love Christ. You have to love his world! You have to love the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the gay and straight. Don?t look to someone else to love the world for you. Jesus uses the word you humas (Greek, it is the accusative object of the verb, second person singular). Jesus does not say 'they', or 'them'. It is not in the third person. It is YOU! Change and power starts with you! When last did YOU take responsibility for mission? When last did you ask God what God's will is for your community? Friends, it is time to stop looking elsewhere. We will have to give an account of how we lead and pastored our churches.

Secondly, they show a clear misunderstanding of where the power comes from. The Greek word, for power, used here is dunamin, from which we get our English word 'dynamite'! Jesus points out to them that when they wait upon God, and follow God's agenda for their lives they will receive a power which is far greater than any political or organisational power could ever be! Jesus promises a NEW POWER, the POWER of God himself. The word dunamin comes from the Greek root dunamai which means 'to be able', or to be enabled or empowered.

So, Jesus tells the religious, the holy, the followers, of his day... the kind of power that you need to truly transform society is not status, it is not wealth, it is not political. You don?t need to be a Bishop to change the world, what you need to be is connected to God by the power of the Holy Spirit!

True change and transformation in ministry can only come from a true connection with God in the Holy Spirit. Let's be honest, many of our members, in fact many of our ministers, need nothing more than to be saved! Our ministry is ineffective and powerless because we no longer know God!

So, when I wrote to my friend and responded to his dismay about the SYNOD I said:

My hope for the Church lies not in the SYNOD, not in those of us who think that we have known God for a long time? My hope lies in the Sunday school! It lies with those who are discovering and falling in love with Christ for the first time!

True power in the Spirit, dynamite power, the power of Acts that changes the whole world, comes not from prestige, or position, it comes from passion! Passion for God in Christ.

How is your passion doing? If you have forgotten God, then today make yourself right with him!

The Holy Spirit.

Jesus said: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

The interesting thing about the structure of this sentence (epelthontos tou hagiou pneumatos eph humas) is that it is in the Genitive absolute and is simultaneous in time with the preceding verb 'shall receive' (lempsesthe). What does that mean!?

It means simply that the only time that you receive power is in the moment that the Holy Spirit descends upon you. The same structure is employed in Jesus' sentence in John 15:4 concerning Christians bearing true fruit for Christ, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me".

It is essential that we receive this POWER to be Christ's witnesses, why? Because the witness is costly, it is difficult, it takes more than just commitment, it takes personal sacrifice!

My witnesses.

and you will be my witnesses (mou martures). The Greek word witness is the word martures from which we derive the English word 'Martyr'. A Martyr is someone who give up their very life for the Christian faith.

I wonder if Jesus knew how his disciples would die for their faith when he said these words? Of the twelve disciples, 11 would be killed for their faith. And the witness of the Power of God would be strong within them, that Peter (the one who was so afraid that he denied Christ three times, even denying him to a slave girl) asks to be crucified upside down because he believed he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord.

Perhaps our witness is not costly enough. Perhaps it is too cheap. Maybe that is why we no longer offer our lives for the faith. Even clergy are afraid to sacrifice their lives for the cause of Christ. When last did you witness to Christ, I mean actually suck up your courage and go over to a person and say "I want to tell you about someone who loves you". Let me say, our laity will never do it until we are prepared to do it.

The saddest thing about the modern Church is that it has become a FORT instead of a PORT. We have closed ourselves in from the world, we retreat here to escape race (in society our Children school together, our spouses work side by side with people of all races. Yet on Sunday we worship separately. In society people who are differently abled are catered for. There are ramps for their wheelchairs and sign linguists for their communication. In the Church we have stairs, spoken sermons and uniforms.

I recently found this incredible video. It speaks volumes about the modern Church.

http://www.stillspeaking.com/media/ - SEE THE EJECTOR PEW! I wish more Churches were accepting rather than rejecting!

Friends, witnessing for the Gospel of Christ demands more than our time. It demands our lives. It demands that we place ourselves in the hands of God and say "spend me, spend me generously, for your sake and for the world". We should be a PORT that sends forth change and renewal, not a FORT that cuts us off from the change in the world.

Remember the words of Bishop Gray who said:

"The gospel must be constantly forwarded to a new address because the recipient is always changing his place of residence."

So, how and where does this mission birthed in the Power of God's Spirit, constantly connected and costly take place?

2.2. The location of God's Mission through the Church.

2.2.1. I MUST SHARE WITH THOSE IN MY WORLD - JERUSALEM.

2.2.2. I MUST DARE TO REACH BEYOND MY WORLD - ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA.

2.2.3. I MUST CARE ABOUT THE WHOLE WORLD - TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

CONCLUSION.

Happy Birthday Megie!

Hello Megie,

By the time you read this it will be your birthday! Have a wonderful day! I love you lots.

Sorry I couldn't be there today. I'll see you tomorrow (Saturday).

Love,

D

PS. Click on the link below to see a little video I made especially for you! Isn't the Apple Mac a wonderful thing!?

PPS. For those who read the blog from time to time, this was posted today (17 May) for Megie's birthday on 19 May. I will be at SYNOD in Barberton.

Megie Birthday wish 2006.mov

Post hoc ergo propter hoc....

Acts and consequences...

It would seem that in some circles the two are not connected.

I despair for a nation in which persons can rejoice in the presence of someone who clearly believes herself to have been a victim of abuse. I wonder what the future will hold for Mr Zuma? Even more so, I wonder what the future will hold for his accusser?

I guess this just proves that not everything lawful is moral....

The most stylish ride in the world....

There are many motorcycles in the world. But, there is only one on which you can ride in a suit (without damaging your shoes) and arrive at your meeting in style! Not that I ever wear a suit... But still, the idea is great!

Of course, the motorcycle I am referring to is a Vespa! I have owned quite a few over the years. My first one was a 1972 - 125 Primavera, I also had a brand new 2003 model Vespa Originale, a 1978 PX200E, and my current Vespa is this Orange (yup, that is orange!) 1980 Vespa PX200E. It is an amazing bike that truly turns heads! The orange is to make sure that I get seen wherever I drive!

I found this VERY COOL Vespa video on Youtube. I won't be trying this on my Vespa anytime soon!

New nets in different waters

It is not easy to do something differently from the way one has always done it. Change takes courage, but most often reaps great rewards!

At times, simply changing the method can be mistaken for changing the task.

I will soon be making a major methodological change in my life and ministry. Many have mistaken that for changing the task.

This is a change that is bathed in much prayer and consideration. It is undertaken with excitement, hope, and a sincere desire to continue to faithfully serve God. At the end of it all, I have always believed this simple promise from the book of Ecclesiastes "... it is God's gift to humanity that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil" (Eccl 3:13).

There has been a great sense of excitement about the new prospects and anticipated opportunities, but of course there is also some sense of sadness at what is to be left behind. I find comfort in the thought that I am not leaving the task, but merely changing the method.

I have lived my adult life seeking to obediently respond to God's call regardless of the cost. At first I naively believed that the call of God and the expectation of God's church were one and the same. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes God's call is to cast one's net on the other side of the boat.

I love the Church, and I will be sad to move out of the mainstream of her life (as local Church minister that is). Whilst I will still be working parallel to the Church, I will miss the joy of obedience that comes from submitting to her authority, yet I will revel in the freedom of knowing that Christian ministry is intended for the world.

It is into largely uncharted waters that I go... Still to fish, but in a different location, still to cast a net, but perhaps with a different technique. I approach the task with the passion, commitment and intent. I pray that those who don't understand will come to see what I see, and that I will have the grace to continue to love those who will never understand.

John 21:5-6 Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish.

PS. My Doctorate is done! I handed it in on the 12th of April! Thanks be to God!!