burrabadine mission community

the dean

Russell Hodge

I recently wrote a paper required for my own on-going studies concerning the need for the Christian Church to embrace a “missional imagination” if it is going to match the efforts of the early Christians in mission and evangelistic endeavours.The following is an exerpt:

Imagination is the power to envisage things that should or could be. It is a mysterious human faculty that has to do with the “forming of new ideas, images or concepts that are not present to the senses.” Purposeful, deliberate and directed use of imagination, according to Walter Brueggemann, enables us to live inside “God's imagination”. It is key to transformation and change.

Missional imagination engages with and responds to God's imagination for his creation. It utilises the God given creative potential gifted to each believer to envisage what God could do with those who are available. It dreams passionately about God's heart and vision for this world.

A missional imagination is a mind set that does not simply embrace the status quo or give unthinking allegiance to traditions. Rather, when co-operating with the Holy Spirit, the missional imagination is motivated to action, explores opportunities and takes risks in missional endeavours with the God of mission.”

I argued that developing missional communities is an extremely effective way of developing and applying missional imagination in today's postmodern consumer society – but it takes time. Imagine: small subversive Christian communities infiltrating towns and suburbs right across the country, creatively breathing the fresh hope of the Kingdom of God all around those with whom they mix. How could something like this happen? Missional Imagination.

Cornerstone Community has been imagining these possibilities. We have put our “shoulders to the plough” and continue to do so. What we really want and need is for others to join us. There is a need to train the next wave of missional leaders, thinkers and players to continue building missional communities.

The Burrabadine Mission Community at Dubbo provides advanced training in missional life and leadership for those who want to apply their missional imagination within the ministry and mission of Cornerstone or elsewhere. There is much to consider for the task, mind and soul work to be done: training in community life, training in missional living, training in worship and disciplines, training in business and teaching, thinking, celebration, hospitality, work and leadership – all-of-life spirituality is vital for those who want to live in a missional community. We are by no means 'experts' but we do take the call of Jesus seriously. We have a vision for seeing effective missional communities infiltrate society at the grassroots level. We are committed to preparing people for a life of sustainable mission in community. Does this resonate with you? Then why not throw your lot in with us, and join Cornerstone Community for the long haul!

Monday

Jan302012

My Experiences of God in the Scriptures

Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:27AM

Read this first: Disclaimer

These are my personal reflections and thoughts from my meditations on the scriptures.

They are not intended to be theological dissertations or essays. I would like to think they are free from terrible and misleading heresy but make no promise of this. I share them with others only that you might be encouraged to reflect and meditate on the scripture as well. They will reveal things about how my mind and heart works as well some of the deeper issues I struggle with – perhaps incriminating me from time to time. There is always the danger that this will be used against me. I am willing to risk that if you, in reading these reflections will risk opening your own heart and soul up to others as well.

Some people will be frustrated by my literary style. I switch from first person to third person without warning. I write at times like I am speaking to another person – but am speaking to myself. I do not aim to be politically correct. If any of this is an issue for you, I suggest you give my reflections a miss. If you would like to comment or discuss anything contained in my reflections you can email me at: russell@cornerstone.edu.au

My aim is to add one every few days or so.

Russ.

Update on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:30AM by

Russell Hodge

17/1/2012

Ps 51:15 “Open my lips & my mouth

will declare your praise”

Last night we had some friends over for dinner. I was reminded of the aussie habit I have of sarcasm, cynicism and stirring throughout the evening. The justifying voice this morning says “oh, forget it. It was all a joke. Don't take it all so seriously – you have a guilt complex.” Upon deep and thorough reflection, what was really going on? For some reason I was enjoying playing this dangerous game. Its like living on the edge, seeing how far I could push toward the edge of the chasm of hurt, pain and brokenness. It seems to offer a reward of self glorification, a mild adrenalin hit, a heightened sense of my own cleverness and superiority. It provides laughter and cheeky grins. But there is a twisted pleasure here. The aim is to be funny, clever, daring, while the dig is happening. When things go terribly wrong and the one on the receiving end begins to feel the hurt, embarrassment and crush there is always the defensive protective barrier of “what? Where's your sense of humour???” The sad thing is this game is always played at the expense of those I love the most and who have made themselves vulnerable to me over the years. This vulnerability provides the ammunition.

So I go to bed and sleep. I rise early to spend time preparing myself for the day ahead. I open my bible and read Ps 51. Yep read this before. Check – I'm good. But then this verse, for some reason requires more attention. “Open my lips & my mouth will declare your praise”, the question begins to form - “what comes out of my mouth when my lips are open?” I am undone, exposed. Like Sherlock Holmes, my mind begins to calculate all the possibilities and their outcomes. Look for distraction, let the dog jump up on my lap and pat it – affectionately. Grab a book and read – Yes! Picked up William Barclay: Jesus as They Saw Him”. Woops . . . exposed again. Jesus is fully man in total harmony. I am rolling around – a wheel out of balance.

Ok, I get it. I know, I've blown it again. I've used this incredible gift of life, not to love others but to love myself. Back to Ps 51. “Have mercy on me O God . . . wash away all my iniquity . . . I know my transgressions . . . against you . . . I have sinned . . . you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge . . . create in my a pure heart . . . restore to me the joy of your salvation . . . THEN I will teach transgressors your ways . . . O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise . . . a broken and contrite spirit you will not despise.”

Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit – open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.

Update on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:29AM by

Russell Hodge

18/1/2012

Psalm 52:7 “Here now is the man who

did not make God his stronghold . . .”

What does it look like when a person does not make God their stronghold? The Context for the Psalm: David is fleeing from the wrath of King Saul. He looks to the priest Ahmilelech for assistance. Doeg the Edomite identifies David and informs Saul. Ahmilelech, all the priests, and the entire town of Nob are wiped out by Saul – Doeg takes the role of head assassin . The Psalm concerns this betrayal of Doeg and David's indignation. David's Psalm is a judgement on Doeg and compares Doeg to himself. The difference between the man who does not make God his stronghold and the man who does – one is motivated by prestige, power, status and greed. They constantly look opportunities to advance themselves with little regard for the consequences. Deceit and lies are their weapons. The other man is compared to a flourishing olive tree. A branch of the olive tree has been, for centuries, waved as a sign of peace. Could it have been so in David's day? This could have been something of the image he had in mind – The man who makes God his stronghold is a man who has an inner peace, a confidence in God despite turmoil. This person will respond by praising God for his goodness.

What about the more subtle forms of not making God our stronghold? A stronghold is a place of strength and safety. It holds out the enemies. Is my soul God's stronghold? Or am I likely to desert and bankrupt myself looking for ways to advance my own agendas and priorities? Perhaps my tools of the trade are also deception – the habit of pretending I am spiritual when in fact I am carnal. The rouse can only be temporary. God will not put up with this kind of living for long. And even a lifetime is not long.

A stronghold is like a chain – only as strong as the weakest link. The walls of a stronghold may be fortified, make of stone, but if the gates are open when the enemy is about then everything is compromised.

What am I doing to ensure that God is my stronghold? A stronghold is not built through imagination – it may begin there as God puts before us what we can become – but foundations must be dug, stones laid. Hard work and toil. The end goal in mind – training the soul within to trust the stronghold.

Is God your stronghold?

Update on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 6:36AM by

Russell Hodge

Psalm 53

What is the story behind this Psalm? What has David seen and observed? What conversations, even arguments and debate had there been? Was there a particular historical event that prompted the poem or is it just general life observations? Read Psalm 14 and you get the idea that this is a “rewrite” or version 2 of an earlier poem. It seems that this Psalm is something of a response to life encounters with people who live life without consideration for the God factor. When people live with out God, whether or not they are religious, corruption, a serious lack of goodness and superstitious fear of the unknown future results. It seems that God plays with them like a cat plays with a mouse.

Vs 4-6

History repeats – they never learn – the habit of life is well ingrain. Fools will be fools – those without scruples, no conscience. They live life with the philosophy that it is only wrong when you get caught. They are totally unaware that God sees all.

Irrational fears strike into their hearts – Even when there is no danger, there is a deep paranoia that they will be ripped off. Fight for all you can get, look after number one, pull others down who might be a threat – your own national security becomes top priority – pour millions into the defence budget – after all, even Jesus said the poor will always be with us – be number one, be top dog.

In the end they met a terrible fate – The cat eats the mouse. For all their efforts they amount to nothing because God is God – he will save His chosen.

So, who is the fool? Am I? But I believe there is a God! The old Greek vs Hebrew thinking comes to the fore on this one. Its not what I say I believe or even think I believe that is important here. Rather it is how I live – what my inner being is saying and expressing through my behaviours and life patterns. My worldview – it will be my actions and activities that reveal the truth. If I live day to day without being God focused – then I am a fool.

But I'm not evil or corrupt? Get into the habit and pattern of ignoring God and when opportunity knocks see what choices you make. Remember, it was David who wrote this one. An adulterer and murderer – Never!

Russell Hodge | Comments Off |

Reflections In the Scriptures