Thursday, July 23, 2009

Age, Hierarchy, White and Western



OK. Sally Army blogpost warning:

The always insightful Joe Noland offers some thoughts on next 2010’s Raised Up Salvation Army World Youth Convention in Stockholm, Sweden.

Joe - now retired - has been a very senior Salvation Army officer in the US for years now, and one of very few who have any kind of web presence through his blogs Slightly Irrevevant and Slightly Irregular.

(Another notable who has embraced the web to some effect is Australia South’s Jim Knaggs)


Here are some observations from Joe about the Convention:

Four things immediately jump out at me: Age, Hierarchy, White and Western. This is not a criticism, rather an observation. No question each presenter being extremely qualified in his or her particular subject matter, and the conference will have an impact, no matter.

I can’t help but wonder, however, why there are no youth presenting. And where is the young Senior Soldiery voice in all of this? What about the ethnic and cultural diversity? Some of our strongest, committed young voices are ministry-minded, non-officer, Soldier employees. It just seems to me that we should be asking and listening, not telling. Leadership needs to understand and grasp the wants, needs, desires and cultural differences of this emerging generation if we want to reach them quantitatively and qualitatively that is.

Again, let me emphasize that this should not be construed as a criticism, only an opinion and observation, placed out in cyberspace for some stimulating mulling over, hopefully. Whatever, you can count on my prayer for the success of this conference, and for a Spirit-filled blessing upon each presenter, whoever they are.


Having bounced around the curiously old school website myself, I have to say I concur with Joe’s thoughts.

You have to wonder if there are signs here of a disconnect between the leadership & the grassroots?

Should we also consider the possibility that we are once again falling into the trap of cocooning in our Salvationist culture, whilst at the same time being far removed from the world our kids inhabit?


Any comments?

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Happy Anniversary!


Happy Anniversary to my brother-in-law & sister in law!

You are both an inspiration and I'm glad to have been wholly embraced by your family.

Twenty years is some achievement.

Mahalo for all the special times, and here's to the next 20!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Aloha!



Revolution Hawaii have updated their site, and it’s a looker!

It’s not the first time I’ve given this great ministry a mention on my blog, but it’s definitely worth giving them another shout out.

Follow them @revhawaii

I can dream…




There are days when I dream of living in a beautiful beach side house with my wonderful family. I think I may have found the people I’d go to if I wanted to build that dream house.

HT to the fabulous Dwell mag for pointing me in the direction of this New Zealand based architectural practice, Crossan Clarke Carnachan. Their buildings are spectacular, yet simple; beautifully integrated into their environment.

I can dream…

For an extra bonus check out this unrelated project on Hawaii’s North Shore

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Nooma: Shells



This Rob Bell vid was used at Church on Sunday.

I wasn’t there.

I missed it

I’d like to have been there

…but I wasn’t

Check it!

It takes about 10 minutes

Take the time

Grace & peace

J

Salvos Out There



Great new vid from The Salvation Army Australia Southern Territory

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

My wonderfully brave & faithful friends

On The Move from BlueDoorMinistries on Vimeo.


Check out the vid from Dana Byers, as she tells something about the amazing adventure her husband, Chris and the kids are about to embark on.

More details here