hutchblog

The Presbyterian Church sponsored some research in 1911 and “two clear conclusions were drawn: 1) community social life is necessary to healthy religious life and (2) if the church is going to succeed it must recognize the social needs of the community and assume its share of leadership in social activities.“

I found this in the book “The Great Good Place” by Ray Oldenburg……which is a sociological book rather than a religious one.  It stirred my thinking somewhat as it relates well to the work in which I am currently engaged.

“It really doesn’t matter whether someone comes to me with an MBE, an OBE, a KFC or a YMCA….“

Alan Sugar

Well was convinced to spend some money after reading this Lewis post and spent some time reading the almost legendary Shack.  Like Lewis I did not want to like it and have come away thinking that it was not as bad as feared.  Would I recommend it…..probably not.  Would I condemn it….NO.

The book started so much better than most Christian novels, which kept me engaged but it kept losing me as it progressed with its attempts at clever little turns and theological “accuracies” (or inaccuracies depending on your own theology!) and lost its full potential to challenge my thinking through the story telling process.  It is a novel, but falls in the realm of being a novel that tries too hard to teach me something……think that is an error.  the ending was very clever…..a big plus.

All in all, glad to have read it, but not as impressed as others.  Think it works for me on a holiday reading list.

Originally uploaded by thehutch

friendship is a strange thing. My son is nine years and does not always find it easy to make friends, yet appears well loved by most of his class in school. When he does begin to develop a deeper friendship those friends end up leaving the area…..not because of him but due to change in family circumstance.
Yesterday he came home from school and his best buddy had announced that his family was emigrating. My son looked at me and asked whether he should stop making friends because they all leave!
Growing up is a tough thing to do but it strikes me that we are often like this in youthwork settings. Thankfully things are changing but there are not many youthworkers/pastors etc. who manage to stay in a place for 8 years or more. This time setting would enable you to work with just one age group through all their teen years…..I wonder how many young people choose not to build trust in their youth worker/leader or pastor because they do not know if they will leave too soon? One for me to ponder.

these were the first 5 songs on my travels this morning:

1) The Boys are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy

2) Angel of Harlem – U2

3) Don’t Think of Me – Dido

4) Never Lose the Wonder – Tim Hughes

5) No Questions asked – Fleetwood Mac

Was quite a mix and felt like a journey back in time.  Wonder what songs will pop up later?

just over 10 years ago when applying for a raft of youthworker roles, in the Eastern seacoast of America, one of the questions that stood out to me in the rather large application was a request for a detailed summary of my personal finances and a particular highlight on any debts.  More recently I have become aware of a number of people that have struggled silently with a personal debt load.  I am fortunate as with a good dose of God’s grace and some good planning I have never been in debt.  Times are sometimes tough and often frustrating but there has, so far at least, been no extra burden to carry.  In supporting others, there have not been too many stories of christian people who have struggled through the debt mountain and come out the other end that I have been able to use for reflection. However, Tim Schmoyer and his wife, Dana, have written with their journey and have succeeded in becoming debt free.  well done to them and a thanks for sharing their story so openly.