I wonder about the history before Rhodes, but this is a history almost destroyed by the era of colonisation and post-inpendence. I'm concerned that only looking back to the days when Zimbabwe was apparently known as the breadbasket of Africa will not bring the answers Zimbabwe needs.
The Broken Church
The Long Drive
Onwards we travelled for a further 2 hours. More time to close my eyes and rest. As I became more accustomed to my seat I think I did manage to doze off on this occasion for a few moments. I would wake as we stopped for the usual road blocks of cattle, goats and police or occasionally as our driver braked behind a vehicle, unable to overtake because of the traffic (usually a truck) heading in the opposite direction.
Education, Training and Employment
He also left me with the question, “what is the face of the church?” At the moment I am unsure. I am not sure that the Church is a positive reflection of Jesus. It may well be a body that is broken and beaten but not necessarily from the doing of others but of self harm and self abuse.
Mapfupa Angu Achapfuka
Zimbabwe has a rich and complicated history, but as Chigumadzi writes, there is an opportunity to listen to the ancestors, that these bones will rise again. There is hope for Zimbabwe, it nearly died, it has been close to death, but my hope and prayer is that a day is coming when its health will return and a resurrected Zimbabwe will emerge.
Zimbabwe
I am off to Zimbabwe. I will be with a team travelling around visiting churches, a university and meeting various folk. I don't know what to expect. I meet the team I travel with a few hours before we fly and I have to trust we'll get on, that all the plans are made and … Continue reading Zimbabwe
Just Voices
I am a white, university educated, male. I like to think I am empathetic and understanding. I thought I knew about gender equity but until I stopped to listen I realised I had no idea. #justvoicesconference, #ideashaveconsequences, #genderequity
Keep on Marching
On Sunday I stood and watched as thousands of women marched through the streets of London as part of Processions 2018 and I was inspired. But, there is a problem. It requires that we keep on marching, keep on processing, keep on telling the story.
Looking for a Fight
Jesus preached that we should love God and love our neighbours. This week I heard a preacher subtly preach condemnation, encouraging the congregation to boldly stand up for rights, to be ready to fight. It was a sermon that misused scripture and encouraged hatred for anything that is other. It was a sermon that subtly made space for racism, sexism and homophobia. The church is broken because it’s forgotten to love her neighbours and is choosing to fight them instead.
I am an Evangelical
I am an evangelical, an inclusive, justice seeking, hope filled, passionate, rebellious, faithful evangelical.
Open the eyes of your Church, Lord
In the days following the resurrection of Jesus his disciples had their eyes and minds opened to things they had not seen or understood previously. I pray that the church today would have its eyes opened and be a place; a people; a community of hope for the world. Open the eyes of your Church, Lord.
The Broken Church 