Shaping The Space » change

The Church can change the culture of cities

David — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:31:22 +0000

We live in a time of unprecedented change. The sci-fi writer and futurist Arthur C. Clark noted that, “Only a century ago the poles were utterly unknown, much of Africa was still as mysterious as in the time of King Solomon, and no human being had descended 100 feet into the sea or risen more than a mile into the air.” Today, the knowledge in the world is doubling every two years — and the rate is itself increasing. Amazing new and emerging technologies, such as nanorobotics, biotech and gene technologies, offer unprecedented opportunities for progress on many fronts.

Of course, every technology has a potential down-side, and we must be wary of how far we travel down the road of hi-tech, and how fast. On the whole, though, we live in exciting – if sometimes worrying – times. Yet the future of human communities, cities and nations is not determined simply by technological advance. Neither will it be simply the product of what risk analysts call ‘low probability – high consequence’ events (such as earthquakes or tsunamis). The future of cities and communities is determined by human responses to events.

Human choices will shape the future, deciding among other things how technologies should be utilized and how we should interface with our natural environment. However, human choices don’t appear in a vacuum; they are products of our values, aspirations and fears. Because we are social beings, our values are heavily influenced by the cultures – the norms of behaviour and worldviews – of the various groups to which we belong. These cultures are shaped to a significant degree by the actions (or, inaction) of leaders.

Whether in the spheres of business, politics, economics, media, academia, religion or community organizations, leaders don’t just build structures, they are architects of culture. It’s the strength of a community’s culture that determines how that community will respond to the major challenges and questions it will face. Leaders can reshape the future of entire communities and cities, by creating positive, proactive cultures within their spheres of influence. In fact, this is the core of the leadership call: to move organisations – and through them entire communities – forward in a positive direction.

The major role of leadership is to equip people to shape the future proactively – for themselves and for the world.

If the next decade, with its fast moving technological advances and natural and ethical challenges, is to see the world become a better place for most, if not all, of its inhabitants, leaders of all stripes will need to take that role seriously and engage the future with hope and courage. If its leaders think and act in the right way, the church has the opportunity to become a landmark for communities in constant change.

We have the opportunity – indeed, the responsibility – to develop strategies that will move entire communities forward in a positive and godly direction. By building strategic, future-engaging cultures of hope in our churches, we can shape the direction of communities and entire cities.

The author of this article, Mal Fletcher, heads up Next Wave International, a communications group which is training companies, major community organizations, charities and churches to engage the future and move society forward in a positive direction.

Source: Derek Brown – rediscoveringthekingdom.info via Australian Prayer Network

Posted via web from Shaping The (Posterous) Space

Breakthrough in Belfast

David — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:10:28 +0000

Most of you probably know my wife Diane is from a town around 10 miles from Belfast, so it’s extra exciting for me to read things like the following article. God is so much bigger than all the political turmoil that has ripped apart the island of Ireland for centuries, but especially during the 20th century. Let’s pray the legacy of the 21st century is a return to Christ in an awesome revival. They’ve experienced revival before, with some amazing testimony, but like all these revivals, it ended. I’m praying that next time, it lasts.

Jack McKee, pastor of New Life City Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has shared an exciting testimony of salvation on the streets of his city. The pastor describes a providential encounter one night when five young men from”across the wall” had an altercation with the police in the street where McKee had been playing Scrabble with some friends. McKee had the opportunity to intervene in the situation and ultimately invited the young men into the home where he and his friends proceeded to witness to them.

“They came in,” said McKee, “sat down and with the greatest respect they listened as we prayed and explained who we were and where we were from, and as Boneyard (an ex-prisoner and ex-gangster) shared his story.” The following Sunday 15 youth from “across the wall” came to McKee’s church. “At the end of the service two of the young men from the Falls, who had come into the home on Friday night, committed their lives to Christ., Several people came to the front and knelt in the presence of God as they worshipped and received prayer.”

“I was amazed to see that one of the young men who had just given his life to Christ was the person we had identified on the Friday night as the leader of the group. He had seemed agitated at times as he got up three times and went out before coming back in again. It seemed he was wanting his mates to leave with him, but none did.” Concluded McKee, “If God could do it for Nicky Cruz, he could do it for that young man. There he was on his knees with his hands raised in worship and with tears running down his face. You cannot put a price on this, although Jesus did!”

Source: Inspire Magazine via Australian Prayer Network

Posted via web from Shaping The (Posterous) Space

Transition Pt 3

David — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:00:23 +0000

…at least, I think this is the third transition post…

Time gets away – I’d intended to do these a bit more often. But then again, that would be terribly boring, and we’ve managed to get in much more ‘us’ time than we’d expected, so I’ve been posting about that. As always, God is good good good.

All is going smoothly on the practical front of selling our little corner of the world, while emotions ride varying size rollercoasters at various times…

The apartment/unit/flat/home is generating a lot of interest which is great for the auction coming up on the 6th of June…not long ! Take a look and make us an offer we can’t refuse

And we don’t yet know where we’ll be living after that. In reality, since we’ll be renting for a period of time, we’ll have a month to find somewhere after the auction before the sale settles – and that’s the time we’ll be finding out where we’re going to live (along with the packing…ugh)

It’s this not knowing malarkey that’s a little bit uncomfortable, but keeping all things in perspective, it’s a doddle really. And we are constantly reminded (in hindsight) that God really does make all things work together for our good. And while this isn’t about comparisons, if anyone has a right to complain at all about how hard transition can be, it’s this guy. He’s a great example, and friend.

Transition Update

David — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:47:33 +0000

Just gotta say, a week goes really REALLY quickly…

I’m having trouble putting the week’s events into stages…but suffice to say it’s all moving along quickly, with emotions riding the gamut of possibilities.

God is the great stabiliser in all of this, and we thank Him ALL the time.

I do want to let you all know that I’m not ignoring you, and haven’t suddenly stopped reading your blogs, but I am not likely to be commenting as much as I was as the qty of leisure time decreases over the next few weeks.

I am still reading though via my reader, just not clicking on through to express my appreciation for all the amazingness your blogs hold. From big huge revelation to simple thanks, from frivolous to serious…I love being part of this bloggy twittering community.

And regarding Twitter…yeah, I’m not on there quite as much either…miss you guys :/

Your Clothes

David — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:44:32 +0000

Firstly : Transition Phase Update
Stage one : completed at 7.34pm Thursday EST (Aust) ;
Emotions : primarily excitement…at the moment…

So, continuing my posts on stuff that has influenced and helped me, here’s a recent “stuff”…

When I was unemployed last year, I came across Worship The Rock (WTR). I posted about that back here.

I met a bunch of great worshippers, and eventually found my way onto (into?) Twitter, where I’ve subsequently met the vast majority of you guys, o wonderous blog readers.

One of the first WTR friends I met is a multi-talented guy, and just about the time I joined WTR, he posted a new song there as well as on his blog. It’s a rough, 4AM kind of demo, but the lyrics really resonated with me and what I was going through during that period.

For a few days, I listened to it over and over. I’d be lying if I said it was my style musically, but the imagery of the lyric and especially the chorus, the passages of Bible that it led me to, made me want to take this further than passive listening. So I asked Nate if he had the chords written down. He didn’t, but I sat down and worked them out which is not something I would usually consider doing.

Then I recorded it myself – my first cover. Ha! And the second thing I ever did in GarageBand.

So now, here it is for you…both the original demo, and my – uh – somewhat “altered” rearrangement. I’m also including this as my April song for Our Creative Community – with other things going, I’ve not finished anything new, though I might have something relatively early in May for you. Yes, I know I didn’t write this song, but … oh … whatever …

Lyrics and some Biblical inspiration are here too…and thanks to Nate for allowing me to post his demo. You’ve been a huge blessing to me Nate, and to many others as well

Ephesians 4:22-24:
Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires (the ‘mud’), to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self (His ‘clothes’), created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Your Clothes

I’ve walked away from those awful things
I’ve closed the door on all that before
I’ve poured the shame and poison down the drain
I have repented – how many times will I hurt You?

Father I just want to make you proud
Every time I stand I fall down
These are Your clothes, no one would know
I have covered them in mud
Holy Father wrap me in your arms
Tell me how to be more like you are
These are Your clothes, no one would know
Lord please wash away the mud

Lord I have turned to you
I have learned what is right
Guided by Your light
I’ve found my way, so Lord if I stray
I will repent – how many times will i hurt You?

CHORUS

You’ve called me to be more like You
Lord help me be what you want from me ‘cos
I just want to please You
I just want to please You
I just want to please You Lord

CHORUS

Your Clothes – David Goodwin

Transitional Phase

David — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:47:02 +0000

I’m not going to say much, but just to let you know that this space might be a teeny bit quieter than it has been since it burst forth like a supernova in January.

Maybe. I’m undecided.

It might get noisier as I suddenly start sharing even more. But it’s way more likely to get quieter.

Or stay the same.

Anyway…

Diane and I have been in a weird part of life for the past year or so, and we’re about to enter a transitional phase with considerable change afoot in the Goodwin household.

There’ll be :

tears
laughter
excited nervousness
nervous excitement
sadness
happiness
grief
joy

and a whole host of other emotions and stuff surrounding the changes that are coming.

Tonight our Connect Group will be praying with us. Accountability partners are great.

We’re sure this is right (and I say we like this is a joint blog I know, but…it kinda is…at least until Diane’s actually starts), but are equally sure that some of what we have to do isn’t the way we want it to be. The end result will be the same, but the path is not our preference. God has made this clear, even though I (we) didn’t (don’t) want to listen. But it’s not about me.

Could I be any more cryptic? #Prorably – I’m known for my crypticosity (ha! take that!)

So while we’re dealing with “stuff”, I want to hear from you something that is the exact opposite – light, fluffy, celebratory, joyous. Preferably something that will help with the laughter bit I noted above.

Fire away, make me laugh

Hint: I’m an easy laugher. Even if I end up rolling my eyes, I’ll still laugh.

Theme Stuff, Part 2

David — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:00:02 +0000

Yes, I know this isn’t quite there yet…but I’ll keep working on it.

What are you doing reading blogs on the weekend anyway??

Finally…

David — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:14:51 +0000

…the transfer project is complete. Or not.

See, there’s actually still heaps of tweaking to do (like getting the recent posts onto the front page, and removing the bits of German that are still on here

But, it’s usable, kinda – it’s a test of your ingenuity anyway.
Let me know if you disagree, and tell me if you like it, or hate it (srsly).

Then again, if you come here via a reader, none of this will matter really I guess