Powerpoint Pitfalls

The above is a genuine powerpoint slide produced by the US military. It is being widely seen as an extreme example of the pitfalls of such management tools. US Brig. Gen McMaster notes that such use of Powerpoint is 'dangerous because it can create the illusuion of understanding and the illusion of control'. Other commanders noted that PPt discourages decision making and keeps officers preoccuppied making up slides. Perhaps some food for thought for church leaders too!

Metro Newspaper, p3 (29/4/10)

Who to vote for...

Some sage advice from my four year old son as he observed me watching yet another TV programme on the election....

Peter: (Looking at TV) Is that the election?
Me: Yes, who do think I should vote for?
Peter: Jesus!

Allan McKinnon Blog

Allan McKinnon is a church leader, Missionary, Swahili speaker, writer, academic, Bible college builder & teacher - in short, an all round ministry dynamo!

So check out his blog: THE WORD IS NEAR YOU

You gotta love 'em...

Dara O'Briain meets Gordon Ramsay and reflects on Alpha males...

Ramsay was charming and friendly and buzzed around in that way 'alpha males' characteristically do: dictating the pace, talking non-stop and telling you stuff you already knew about your own job... I call it the 'Let me tell you about that' opening.

You meet an alpha male and they'll say hello and ask what you do. You'll say 'Nurse' or 'Air Traffic Controller' or 'Pope'. And then the alpha male will immediately go, 'Let me tell you about nursing/aeroplanes/delivering Mass in the Vatican....'

Tickling the English, p187

The Bible in '60 Minutes' (NT)

Parts 5 to 9 of the Bible in 60 Minutes (covering the New Testament)

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

A LIFE & DEATH LESS ORDINARY

A NEW DAWN

A GREAT COMMISSION

THE RETURN OF THE KING

The Bible in '60 minutes' (OT)

Recently at Greenview myself & Allan McKinnon attempted to cover the entire Bible over two evenings (it was, to be honest, a bit over 60mins but 'The Bible in 115mins' didn't sound quite as catchy). Anyway below are the links to the first 4 parts covering the Old Testament...

PERFECT DAY (CREATION)

PARADISE LOST (THE FALL)

PICKING UP THE PIECES (ISRAEL)

GLIMMERS OF HOPE (THE PROPHETS)

You can also just click on them on the audio player above.
Note if you click the above links you may need to refresh the Podcast page if it says 'error').

The New Testament sections will follow soon.

Death to Performance

A great talk by Scott Thomas (Director of Acts 29) - on the danger of 'success' driving our ministries. At the end he notes this contrast between a 'Performance Driven Church' (PDC) and a 'Gospel Driven Church' (GDC)...

PDC = leaders appear to have it all together
GDC = leaders are vulnerable, honest about failures

PDC = reputation and respectability paramount
GDC = unashamedly messy

PDC = services are polished performances
GDC = services are just one aspect of church life

PDC = failure is devastating / identity is ministry
GDC = failure disappointing but not devastating / identity is in Jesus

PDC = action is driven by duty
GDC = action is driven by joy

PDC = conflict surpressed or ignored
GDC = conflict addressed openly

PDC = focus is on appearing / looking good
GDC = focus is on goodness & grace of God

The talk starts a bit slow (our American brothers do love their extended anecdotes!) but is well worth the time to listen through. DEATH TO PERFORMANCE - SCOTT THOMAS

See what a morning...