There’s a saying in corporate life that goes “change will only happen if the perceived benefit is greater than the perceived cost”. Like most sayings, it makes sense; you’ll only do something new if you think the effort is worth it. (more…)
Archives: peter-sholl
Book review: Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor
It’s mid-January, and already I have read what could be my best book for 2009—although I have a suspicion it might not be for everyone. However, before you stop reading this, thinking you might be one of those it’s not for, if you are involved in any sort of pastoral work (from church leadership to running a small group to one-to-one personal follow-up), this is the book for you.
Distance education and a fruitful walk
‘Any student, anywhere, anytime’ is the unofficial slogan of the theological education by distance ‘movement’. Flexibility, quality and the potential for local adaptation by locals have seen exciting growth in the provision of theological education throughout the world, made possible largely in the 21st century by widespread internet access. (The previous technology of photocopier and mail service has been, and is still, effective in many parts of the world.)
Excuse me, but what’s ‘mission’?
As a new missionary visiting a church recently, this was a question asked by one keen enquirer. He explained that he was a new Christian, he had just joined this church and he knew that it was a church that supported mission, prayed for people overseas and encouraged local mission. But he was a little embarrassed to ask what mission actually was.