Before coming to Malawi, we were warned not to be too disappointed if our efforts yielded little to no change. People often think that the kind of move we did, selling most of what we owned and heading to a country 15,000 km away from where we lived, could only be motivated by the belief … Continue reading Holy Saturday: Where Missional-ary Dreams Go To Die
(photo by: Albin Hillert/WCC) Too Long This day was too long. I was exhausted by the end. It has been a push to get through all the days and participate fully. I really zoned out after “passing” the Call to Arusha. I get that organizers want to maximize the time together and that people have … Continue reading Reflections on day six #CWME #WCC
(photo by Albin Hillert/WCC) Heading to the hotel early because I have some things to get done before the conference wraps up tomorrow. Had a chance to whip down some reflections: This morning we had a plenary on formation. I found the “round table” to have spark and something to wrestle with. The written “responses” … Continue reading Reflections on day five #CWME #WCC
Some internet issues so slow in getting this up. Saturday followed the same pattern as the other days. Finished my workshop on Prophetism and am greatly encouraged by those interactions. (this conference is not free from the “in my church we do this” phenomena that I experience at youth ministry conferences. Oh vey, I wish … Continue reading Quick Reflections on day three and four #CWME #WCC
(photo credit – Albin Hillert) It Might Get Loud II One of the key characteristics of the conference is that it is “an African conference.” Well, they nailed the volume part of Africa. As in, it is way too loud for me. This morning the Bible study presentation made me feel like I was being … Continue reading Quick Thoughts on Day 2 #CWMW #WCC
As much for me as for the folks who have been messaging me asking how the conference is going, I’ll do my best to offer some quick fire reflections at the end of the day. Curbing the Critical I have been trained to be critical. I’d like to believe that I’m a generous person but … Continue reading Quick Thoughts on Day 1 #CWME
I’m currently sitting in an airport lounge in Lilongwe, waiting for a flight to Nairobi before catching another to Arusha. As much as it is inconvenient to have to ping pong around central and east Africa, it is nothing compared to the travails of travel by other means. I investigated driving but given road conditions … Continue reading Mission in Space and Time: Arusha CWME Reflection #1
The other day John Carr made a comment on the Presbyterian Church in Canada Facebook page regarding a post from missional-aries.com . He correctly pointed out that we do not so much bring hope someplace as we are hopeful in a place. Both Vivian and I had been uncomfortable with the end of the original … Continue reading It Used To Be Better Part 2
People here in Malawi want to know, “Where do you stay?” They mean where do I live. I tell them the Blantyre Synod mission grounds near St. Michael and All Angels (the church pictured). Often their response is, “Ah, so you are a missionary.” I smile and nod while my internal response is, “Sort of. … Continue reading The Problem With Missionary
Missional-aries 