The Bible In Digital Space July 15, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Web.Tags: Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Digital Bible, Internet bible, Mark Brown, The Bible In Digital Space
add a comment
In an intruiging essay. Mark Brown, digital evangelist, priest and CEO of The Bible Society in New Zealand explores the ramifications of the internet for the Bible. Mark passionately believes that:
“Like the printing press, the web has the potential to become an extraordinary tool for the church in fulfilling its mission.”
In his essay he asks:
“So how might the Bible be present in this digital space? I want to present three provocative predictions of how the web might influence the production, understanding and appreciation of the Bible.”
Download his latest essay here.
How To Give Your Daughter Away July 15, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Books.Tags: Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Robert Wolgemuth, She Still Calss Me Daddy
2 comments
In January this year I found myself in new territory. After conducting countless weddings I found myself on the front row watching on as my daughter pledged her allegiance to a new man in her life. When my colleague asked who was giving her away I rose and in a trembling voice said, “I do”. At that moment everything changed. ‘She Still Calls Me Daddy’ explores what happens next: (more…)
How To Explain To Friends & Family What A Blog Is July 14, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Web.Tags: Baptist blog. Baptist blogger, Blog, Blogs explained, Web 2.0
1 comment so far
Baptist Pacifists Disrupt War Games July 14, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Media.Tags: B4, Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Bonhoeffer Four, Simon Moyle
22 comments
It’s not often you hear about a Baptist minister trespassing on military property, especially when it is about to be invaded by the Americans.
Simon Moyle is this rare beast, and along with some fellow pacifists is seeking to take direct action to disrupt the forthcoming war games between the Yanks and the Aussies at Shoalwater Bay military training area near Rockhampton. (more…)
New Australian Baptist Logo Released July 11, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Baptist issues.Tags: Australian Baptist Ministries, Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Baptist logo, Baptist Union, Baptist Union of Australia
17 comments
After a false start, the much vaunted release of Australian Baptists new name and logo has finally happened. Here is the logo in all its glory.
Markedly was first off the mark (pun intended). He was agent provacateur behind a petition asking that we update our logo. Congratulations to the people involved in BUA who were persuasive enough to get a change happening. My expanded opinion can be read here. In short, great to have a modern logo, pity it had to be so nebulous – but I’d have it over the old one anyday.
Read the press release below which sheds light on the choice of doughnuts: (more…)
Forge Pendulum Swings Back July 9, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Leadership, Missional.Tags: Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Forge, Forge Australia, Forge Missional Training Network, missional makeover
9 comments
It’s difficult to dialogue with someone who thinks you shouldn’t exist.
That’s what it felt like in the early days for someone who was still in ministry within an established church to dialogue with a Forge Australia member. A cursory read of some of the most celebrated books of recent times that Australian Forgites have written will show that the typical suburban expression of church is regarded as anachronistic, illegitimate and in need of total deconstruction.
I have sensed in recent times that the pendulum is swinging back, and more Forge thinkers are prepared to accept the legitimacy of the many suburban expressions of church, and are open to the possibility that transformation within existing structures can happen. This openness was further confirmed after a constructive discussion I had yesterday with a Forge identity. (more…)
The Pervasive Reach Of New Age Bestsellers July 7, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Missional.Tags: Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, evangelist, Missional, missional conversations
37 comments
I spent most of this weekend in the company of what could be one of the most brilliant evangelists I’ve ever encountered. The only problem is that he is a ‘not-yet believer’. That’s a euphemism really, he’s a bad boy, a real bad boy. He runs a small direct sales empire and I’ve never seen people skills like this in operation. Wherever we went we ‘met’ virtually everyone we stood near or interacted with (especially women). More about the evangelist in him later.
We talked at length about matters of belief and spirituality (and lots about his escapades). He is into the same New Age lies that the last not-yet believer I spoke at length with a few weeks back is about similar issues. I am finding increasingly that the basic philosophies emerging from the self help section of the book store is becoming the default spirituality of our day. The two most commonly referred to books are ‘The Power Of Now’ by Eckhardt Tolle and ‘The Secret’. (more…)
Great Worship Lyrics July 6, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Worship.Tags: Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, great worship, The Highest & The Greatest, Tim Hughes, worship lyrics
4 comments
Seen as I often lament on this blog about the Me-focussed mush that blights our church worship music repertoire, from time to time its good to be able to balance that out.
We had a young worship leader last night put together a range of songs that had no Me-ism in them at all. The stand out was the Tim Hughes song ‘The Highest & The Greatest”. So, let me start Monday off on a positive note:
Wake every heart and every tongue
To sing the new eternal song
And crown Him King of Glory now
Confess Him, Lord of all
You are the highest
You are the greatest
You are the Lord of all
Angels will worship
Nations will bow down
To the Lord of all
A day will come when all will sing
And glorify our matchless King
Your name unrivalled stands alone
You are the Lord of all
Let every heart
Let every tongue
Sing of Your name
Sing of Your name
Let every heart
Let every tongue
Sing, sing, sing
Lifting You higher, higher and higher
Visit Tim Hughes website, and purchase this magnificent song for yourself. He also has a MySpace page but I would NEVER to link to one of those on here…
New Baptist Logos Leaked July 1, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Baptist issues.Tags: Australian Baptist Ministries, Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Baptist Union, Baptist Union of Australia
6 comments
Whilst for legal reasons we can’t release the official new logo of the Baptist church in Australia: Australian Baptist Ministries, our sources have leaked the logos and advertising campaign drafts that nearly made it but were passed over in favour of the new Doughnuts for Jesus logo. Here are the runners up: (more…)
Australian Baptists Choose Doughnuts For Their New Logo July 1, 2009
Posted by Gordon in Baptist issues.Tags: Australian Baptist Ministries, Baptist blog, Baptist blogger, Baptist Union, Baptist Union of Australia, new Baptist logo, new Baptist name
29 comments
After retreating to my shed, and spending the last two days in sack-cloth and ashes, wailing and gnashing my teeth at the lamentable failed exercise in contemporisation that The Baptist Union of Australia (or now to be known as Australian Baptist Ministries) has embarked on, I am ready to emerge once again and resume normal life. After the breathless press statement promising the launch of a new name and logo this Monday – silence has followed. I am in possession of the new logo but I’m not game to publish it because I understand that there are still some legal issues to do with registrations that have not been completed yet.
However, summoning all my powers of florid language I will describe to you what your new logo looks like. Lets just say that doughnut lovers of the world will be pleased: (more…)

