Bože! A Grace Catholic Project
Archive for January, 2009
Hopping & Zapping: The Numbers Don’t Add Up
We’ve talked about the “numbers game” in relation to notions of “success” in ministry (here). There is however, another branch of this “game” which we often bemoan, and joke about behind the closed doors in OC/IC circles; but rarely, constructively, in the open. For lack of a better term I’ll call this “High-speed Zapping”. High-speed [...]
Flux & Stability
Stability within our communities is and has always been a challenge, created in part by small group dynamics. The vast majority of OC/IC projects have 20 people or less. This means that unless a higher proportion of the assembly is “committed” to the project – any minor fluctuation in say membership or even attendance can [...]
Flash Of Inspiration
This is one of my quick “sketches” in preparation for something more patiently done, or as in this case, exploring a new technique or tool. Sometimes, words are . . . . not quite right – I’m all for images! Tweet
Now The Tricky Part: Getting Them Talking
There is definitely something working within our OC/IC context that inhibits engagement generally, and sustained engagement particularly. I am not entirely certain what this “something” is, I have some working theories and would very much like to read yours. However, I find it disheartening to compare our sites (or lack thereof) with, for example, Episcopal, [...]
This Is How We Practice – But How Do We Talk About It?
Making my morning rounds recently I’ve been struck by the number of essays, news items, and “other” that in one way or another touch on the idea of why religion matters to us, to the world around us. This morning, for example I read a discussion guide of Krista Tippet’s book Speaking of Faith: Why [...]
The Numbers Game
Last week Lyngine observed: “. . . the focus isn’t on numbers, but on living out one’s faith in a particular way and then inviting others to share in that if it fits them.” It made me think of how certain trends and even established ideas in the wider Christian community can be a trap [...]
Update! Update! Update! Theoblogging Requires Frequency
A regular posting schedule gives readers the confidence to keep checking in, and to keep contributing with their ideas and responses. It keeps the conversation fresh, and the momentum going. It builds “community”. Without a regular flow of new posts, new ideas to explore, readers stop visiting (or visit less often), conversation stops, and before [...]
Theo-Tweets
You may have noticed I’ve added a new page to the site? I’ve been seeing a number of ministry sources encouraging the use of social networking – especially Twitter. I’m not entirely convinced yet but I’m more than willing to give it a go: though I’m still reading to see if I can fully understand [...]
Know Who You Are: Confident Identity As A Resource
Lyngine posted an interesting comment today which not only deserves to be highlighted but which has inspired in me at least 4 additional post topics (way to go Lyngine!). In her comment Lyngine points to a very important issue in our communities – using a clear sense of identity as a valued resource. We have [...]
Stay! Find A Niche And Stay There.
One tip I see over and over again is be consistent. That is to say restrain the themes of your blog to a particular set. You may have noticed that I never write about the politics and issues of other sacramental traditions here – it is a conscious decision one that keeps this site focussed [...]
Sit With It: The Zen of Quality
Some of the reading I’ve been doing suggests you abandon blogging altogether because it is becoming too professionalized, to commercial, it is no longer the “indie” “underground” fraternal activity it once was. Instead these authors are encouraging the greater use of social networking like Facebook and Twitter (I’ll post on these later). Other articles, far [...]
Ad Campaigns – Do They Change People’s Minds?
I’ve been watching the “wires” (religious news sources) and have seen an interesting effect of the London/DC Atheist bus campaign; a debate, within the wider Christian community about how to reach out and inspire others with the message of the Gospel. What I’m seeing is both a conversation about the benefit of getting people talking [...]
Re-Envisioning Our Models of Community
I stumbled into this essay a few minutes ago. It made me think of Fr. Chris Tessone’s recent post, as well as considering models of community that might work better in our OC/IC context other than attempting to repeat the familiar models of “parish” and “diocese”. I am also reminded of the recently deceased Cardinal [...]
3 Min. / 300 Words
People have a very short attention span and, if recent studies are accurate it is even shorter when viewing things on line. One article I read recently (sorry can’t find the link again) said that a recent experiment shows that the majority of visitors will not watch an online video beyond the three minute mark. [...]
Making Our Voices Heard – OC/IC Blogging 101
I regularly rummage around the net looking for tips on better blogging. My thinking is, if this site is going to be a useful resource for the OC/IC community then I need to invest in making it as attractive and user friendly as possible. Most of the articles and sites I’ve read are designed for [...]
Week of Christian Unity 2009
Over the next week (18-25 Jan), Christians across the globe are praying for reconciliation and unity among believers. As I stumbled across this article (and this one) and the prayer specifically written for this year’s event (see below) – it made me think of Paul’s admonition to Timothy that a necessary quality of a leader/minister [...]
Real Protest Or . . . .
I’ve been thinking about this bus driver who, last week (I think it was) refused to drive one of London’s new “Athiest busses” because he’s an Evangelical Christian. The story has been reported now on both sides of the Great Pond, but here are two references (A and B) for you to look at and [...]
Cell Theory
Not entirely un-related to yesterday’s post from Emergent Village – I offer you this from the Guardian Belief section: It can’t be claimed that the tendency to break into regional or temperamental units has entirely vanished from contemporary Christianity, but it is easy to forget what a strange phenomenon the Christian church is in crossing [...]
The Liturgy Bat, Swing & Miss & Swing Again
This is a follow-up post to Lyngine’s great comment (19 Dec) in the Shifting Sands thread another is on the way of a slightly different bent: Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when I was living in DC, before I was ordained, our parish “edited” the liturgy to suit the various protest issues [...]
Did You Pass? Do I? Whose “In” & Whose “Out” . . .
Making my rounds this morning I found this over at Emergent Village. Not only very timely, but in our OC/IC context I think it is also rather relevant. Once you’ve read it – be sure to come back here and post your thoughts. I’ll just sit here and listen for a while. Tweet
Theophany 2009
For God had to manifest himself in a new way – this is how one of the Fathers describes the incarnation. Theophany has come – the manifestation of the Trinity, and of Christ’s purpose in the World. God has come to us in a new way a physical way, one that demonstrates his inexorable solidarity [...]