Gareth Bezett

So I've been thinking about doing a series on posts of people that I like. I was going to start with my wife, but after some recent angst, I decided to give the honour to young Sam.

For those of you who don't know Sam, he's one of these enthusiastic yoof types who takes his walk with God rather seriously. Fortunately, this enables, rather than prevents, lots of good times. I highly recommend a beer with Sam.

In the short time I've known Sam, he's been active in this thing we call Youth Ministry. I couldn't think of a worse calling and I thank God constantly that I am being put to use elsewhere. Youth ministry seems to be one of the few places where "pastoring" goes on these day. I think the rest of us could learn a lot about how we are supposed to be working with people, rather than just delivering programmes.

Sam is one of the best ambassadors for God that I know. He just oozes the sort of stuff that people want: something to live for. What I've really appreciated is our mutual dissatisfaction with the status quo in the church. I'm not sure that our various conversations actually ever produced any answers, but that doesn't mean that they weren't fruitful.

God bless you Sam.

and take away accountability and reason. This is the formula for writing a good female character, according to Jack Nicholson's character in As Good as it Gets.

So where are the men exhibiting accountability and/or reason? Are these two traits present anywhere today? The leadership of nations don't appear to exercise either. Our own politicians are very good at blame and justification, but not accountability. Where is the reason in the Global Order?

There is a small depression/hole at the front of our lawn. I've been trying to fill it up with lawns clippings and things. Right now there is a small grey cat sitting in the depression/hole sheltering from the wind. I like cats.

This is completely innapropriate. Do not watch it if you have any sensibilities.

So You Tube have removed it due to copyright issues. Here's the Google Video version while it lasts.

I'd like to take a test that would tell me how evangelical, charismatic, etc, etc I am. Maybe someone knows of an Interet-based one. These labels are completely useless except for talking to people who care about these things. A Generous Orthodoxy is a good book to throw some light on this area.

So what sort of theology should we have? I wonder if there is or could be any consensus on this.

One smart idea might be to align our beliefs and practices with a group or individual who we think has got it right. Some options might include:

• A local leader/personal mentor
• The Pope
• The primitive church (Acts 2 maybe?)
• The church fathers/sub-apostolic church/pre-300AD
• Jesus

For me there are some non-negotiables (does this make me fundamentalist?). The resurrection and the Trinity would make it into my list. I think a non-negotiable list sould be as short as you can make it. I'm unsure about what to do with the sacrements (baptism and communion) as for me they are very important, but the Salvation Army's non-use of them doesn't make them any less of a church in my book.

I'd like to be considered fairly orthodox, but even the meaning of that word probably depends on your theology.

Labels: theology

For some reason, things seem to be looking good. I've done a bit of prayerful planning, goal setting and stuff. I'm really looking forward to this year. I have a rough shape for things and some specific ideas for my ministry and business.

Looks like I will be focussed on four areas of ministry:

• Prison Fellowship
• Children's Ministry
• Outreach
• Church service stuff (preaching, service leading)

With regard to business, I'm hoping to get some income from a relatively passive source, moving from the self-employed to the business-owner quadrant in Robert Kiyosaki language. It's only a small frist deal, but I'm hoping it might be the start of something.

So, there seems to be some light at the end of tunnel.

I've just looked at the results for my first four Otago Theology papers which I have completed over the last two years. My average mark is equivalent to a B. How average.