Jodie McNeill lives in Sydney, Australia,
and is a member of the team at Anglican Youthworks.
Level 1, St Andrew's House, 464 Kent St, Sydney
PO Box A287, Sydney South NSW 1235 Australia
jodie@jodiemcneill.com
Phone: +61 425 222 338
I’ve just written an article for Fervr.net called ‘Is it right to see One Direction in concert?’
The aim was to help youth think about how they use their time and money.
It would be great to share it with any teenagers you might know (or just ‘Like’ it on Facebook), as you help them think through these big issues.
This latest ‘leak’ of a blooper video showing Kevin Rudd swearing repeatedly is interesting on a few levels.
On the one hand, it’s remarkable to think that this kind of internal intellectual property could be so brazenly released. If I was Julia Gillard, I would immediately call upon the Federal Police to investigate the leak. This lapse in security is just not tolerable.
On the other hand, it’s an exercise in cultural analysis to try and work out whether the leak will damage Rudd’s reputation, or in fact, improve his image. Us Aussies seem to like the image of a swearing, drinking, sports-loving larrikin, and in many ways, this video helps show the humanity of a man who has a greater natural affinity with the chess club than the footy club.
Maybe the answer comes in the reality of the inevitable leadership spill. It will be the sitting ALP politicians who decide on this ballot, not the happy little Vegemites who make up the voting public. Perhaps the real aim of the leak was to remind the caucus of the true, behind-the-scenes Rudd, so that they remember the past and don’t repeat history.
But this is nothing new to them. Most ALP politicians seem to hate Rudd, but because they love their job more than anything, they might be happy to swallow this bitter pill.
Interesting times ahead in Australia Federal politics.
If you’ve been going to a Sydney Anglican church, or maybe been influenced by someone who studied at Moore College, then it’s likely you’ve been impacted by a view of church known as ‘Knox Robinson’, after two key figures at Moore.
My training and lecturing in youth ministry has been strongly influenced by this understanding of the church, especially in terms of what we ‘do’ when we gather.
The latest edition of ‘The Briefing’ has an excellent summary of this doctrine, and I think it’s an important read for anyone who is responsible for shaping the content and context of a Christian gathering.
Read the article in full here at The Briefing online.
Ever heard of Nature Deficit Disorder? It’s a term coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book ‘Last Child in the Woods’.
For a powerful explanation of the effects of this disorder on our society, check out this great Youtube video:
All the more reason to get outdoors!
Last week I posted a blog on sydneyanglicans.net where I lamented the fact that most people now say “thinking of you” instead of “praying for you”. Here’s the link: http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/ministry/modernministry/when_thinking_of_you_is_not_enough/
The reason I share this with you is that I’ve just heard Prime Minister Julia Gillard speak about the terrifying threat of Cyclone Yasi, where she not only spoke of “thinking” of the people of Far North Queensland, but said that the Australian people were “united in spirit”, another example of a an attempt to rebirth and recommission a typically Christian expression in this time of pain.
I really want my friends in Townsville, my family in Port Douglas, and everyone in Cairns and FNQ to know that God truly answers the prayers of those who speak to him, and that I am speaking to God on their behalf, that he might reduce the power of the storm, protect human life, and through this, show his glory in the way he intends.
In this time of trial for Queensland and Australia there is no better time to seek the mercy of God for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.
Australia, get down on your knees!
Recent sydneyanglicans.net blogs on youth and music ministry