Selling Jesus or Church
March 31, 2006
There are a couple of ad campaigns running around our world one by the United Church of Christ - God is still speaking, Watch their ads and smile.
Another currently on in Canberra - Jesus all about Life. Watch their ads and wriggle uncomfortably.
Tim in Canberra has a reflection on these ads called All About Honesty
"Here are three phrases that caught my attention:
- "I’m not into religion, but I reckon - a lot of what Jesus taught …."
- "It’s about broadening your horizons … but religion? … nah …"
- "for your free information pack about what Jesus had to say about life, call …"
Way to talk it up, ‘all about life’ dudes.
But first a disclaimer from me: I’m not a christian, I’m no longer into religion, but I really do appreciate a lot of what Jesus taught.
The problem that I have with this ad campaign, is that it’s dishonest. They can’t just say that this isn’t about religion, when it so obviously is.
The nature of the real agenda is more apparent when you move through their website(s), to the “connections” page. Here’s an excerpt:
"When the time comes, someone who’s decided to accept Jesus for themselves will want to find a faith community (a church) - a safe, encouraging place …"
Call a spade a spade. This is religion, there is no other term for it. These guys are talking about religion (and trying to boost their numbers) - but more to the point, they’re too embarrassed to admit it. Even to themselves!"
The comparison between these ads and their perspective’s on life and faith is scary to say the least.
I wonder if we could have a bit of a group think about other possible ways to sell Jesus ?
Maybe a spoof campaign?
Jesus all about middle class consumer mentality????
Jesus all about stuff we don’t like to talk about???
Jesus all about loving people we would cross the street to avoid???
Jesus all about justice and love?
on and on it goes…..
Age
Jim Wallis – Micah Challenge - April 9
March 29, 2006
“The two greatest hungers in the world today are for spiritual integrity and social justice – and the connection between the two is what the world is waiting for.”
US-based author, activist and international commentator Jim Wallis will be speaking on the need to connect the central message of Jesus to the moral issues of our time.
Including questions and responses from World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello, the event will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday, 9th April, at 2pm.
Jim will be launching and signing the Australian edition of his most recent book,
God’s Politics: How the right gets it wrong and the left don’t get it.
Micah Challenge Australia has a new CD
What can one church do? to help individuals and churches be a voice for the poor which will also be available on the day.
Age
The Amazing Race Against Poverty
March 28, 2006
Make Poverty History Treasurer Hunt
Be part of the nation-wide Treasurer Hunt (Amazing Race Against Poverty), calling on the Treasurer to lift the aid budget to 0.5% GNI and target more aid to basic services for the poor.
In 2005, the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign engaged hundreds of thousands of Australians in the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. Over 800,000 people now wear White Bands and thousands took part in the international White Band Days.
In 2006, we must build on this momentum.
The first big event for 2006 is the National Day of Action on April 2 in the lead-up to the Federal budget. We want the government to show how they will spend the promised aid increase. We also want them to commit to a timetable for increasing aid to 0.5% of Gross National Income by 2010 (which is our fair share to achieve the MDGs) and 0.7% GNI by 2015.
If you can’t make it to one of the April 2 events listed below, please consider running your own event in public, or with work, community or church groups. This can be done any time in the lead up to the Budget on May 9. A complete and easy-to-use kit (1.8MB PDF) with everything you need to run your own event is available for download from TEAR’s advocacy resources
Decipher clues
Collect aid dollars
Fill the ‘aidometer’ and give the treasurer our dream aid package
You can do all this when you take part in Make Poverty History’s Treasurer Hunt on April 2.
Details for each capital city as comments
Ben & Age
Word & Art Exhibition - David White
March 27, 2006
There is a very interesting Word and Art exhibition currently on in three City Churches, Collins Baptist, St Johns Southbank and Swanston St Churchof Christ, by an Artist, David White.
David is an ex COC Pastor whose mission is to minister to people with broken relationships. He is is passionate about the clarity of scripture and making the rich texts of the wisdom literature and the "excortations of Jesus who pleads on behalf of the poor" confronting. He does this with his unique visual art style trying to say that the whole business of life is about shalom and healthy and wholistic relationships with each other.
I recommend a look.
Incidently David offers this Ministry to all churches who want to show his work in their locality or in local shopping centres.
Shalom John U,Ren
(post by Age)
Faith, Doubt and Hope
March 23, 2006
I would describe my time in the Philippines as a period of exile. Like the Israelites who were sent into exile after the fall of Jerusalem, I was far away from my homeland, culture, family and history. I was forced to re-examine who I was, I was confronted with many situations in the Philippines which created questions.
Families I knew had been separated for twelve years due to economic necessity. Friends of mine could only afford to eat twice a day. They had dreams for their lives which we both knew would never come true.
People I met were killed because of their work for human rights. I lived with communities that lost children to measles. This was the reality of life in the Philippines.
But I knew another life. A life with health care, education and decent wages. Where people do not live in fear. How could I make sense of the contrast?
In facing these questions I needed God. I searched for God. I looked, searched and called, but I found nothing. Nothing but darkness.
What was going wrong? I had been taught in my middle class Australian church that God would never leave me. That when things are at their worst and all seems lost, God would be there to comfort me.
I searched and found nothing. No answers, no meaning, no comfort.
I was forced to re-examine my understanding of God. Like the Israelites who found themselves in exile and asked why. Was their God no longer all powerful?
The God I used to believe in does not exist for me any more. I am coming to a new understanding of God. A God who can exist in the world I now see. A world where there is suffering, injustice, and inequality; where reason and goodwill are often overshadowed by greed and violence; where the faithful go hungry, the innocent are killed and some never experience justice, no matter how long they pray.
Miranda Mallett
Uniting Church Intern in Mission – Philippines
Listen to the Voices (1994)
Question: How do we (you and me) cope when our worldview is smashed open by the realities of our world?
Age
JustAction 4 March
March 22, 2006
Background -
Do you know where your clothes are made and by whom?
It is easy to think that all clothes made in Australia are made under fair working conditions and that sweatshops are only an issue in countries such as China. However within Australia there are around 300,000 homeworkers (outworkers) who are mostly women that make clothes at home for as little as $2 to $3 an hour. They often work up to 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Homeworkers make clothes for our major retailers, designers and even supply schools and sporting uniforms.
Add your voice to the FairWear campaign that is working to end exploitation of homeworkers in the Australian clothing industry!
Our challenge to you is to make the next item of clothing you buy one that does not carry exploitation by buying a piece of clothing that was made in Australia by one of the companies who are fully accredited to the Homeworkers Code of Practise. This ensurees that the clothes you buy were made under fair conditions
Kerryn
Community and Unions Solidarity Picnic - April 2
March 22, 2006
Community and Unions Solidarity Picnic @ Yarraville Gardens, Footscray. Sunday 2 April, 1pm:
Organised by the Western Suburbs Community and Unions Coalition.
Main speakers:
Sharan Burrows (ACTU President),
Anglican Bishop Phillip Huggins,
Cath Smith (CEO, Victorian Council of Social Services),
Kevin Bracken (MUA State Secretary).
Brief presentations also from representatives of local community, welfare, ethnic and religious organisations, unions and rank and file workers and community members. Trade union and community information stalls, entertainment (details to follow), food stalls, children’s amusements.
Age
Tsunami - Then and Now
March 21, 2006
Have a look at this gallery.
http://www.warshooter.com.nyud.net:8090/blog/admin/thailand-tsunami-then-and-now-gallery-zoriah
Rus
BubbleSpace
March 19, 2006
Age
Cafe Praxis gallery
March 16, 2006
Check this out:
The Cafe Praxis Photo Gallery is online.
More like this inside:
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