i-me observations in culture
10 July 2008
I’ve been noticing a cultural trend. People seem to have moved to a more individualistic lifestyle. Life is now customizable. ipods are a good example of this, you can one that plays your music wherever you are whenever you want and in a fashion color to suit you.
I’ve noticed this particularly at University my old stomping ground. University as an Institution is marketed as “about me” or as the slogan says “it’s my choice” rather than an opportunity to participate in a thinking community.
I’ve also noticed the University Campus has got more trendy and mainstream. It has a brand name and slogans (“Utas it’s your choice”). This has meant there is less room for extreme views they are either cleaned up or censored out. Example of this include rules about postering (which has to be done in the right places) and the banning of "A-boards".
More thoughts soon.
tags christian, focus, thinking
Uni Ministry sucks...
17 April 2008
Mikey wrote a intersting post about why University Ministry can suck including;
You spend a lot of time doubling up - training and pastoring people who are already being trained and pastored by local churches. If the local churches aren't doing their job, perhaps it'd be better to tell people to move churches, rather than picking up the slack in parachurch.
Uni ministries work best when they are supported by a church with a strong uni-ministry. So why not just have the local church?
I think this is a fair point. I've always argued that Uni ministry in my experience has worked best when supported by one particular strong local church. Then the advantage of being part of a parachurch movement allows the advantage of exposing other University students to solid Christian teaching and training... but this brings with it a problem...
More time ends up be spent in training than in evangelism. An evangelistically-driven uni ministry may look very different to current AFES-style ministries.This is also a fair point. As pointed out in the discussion over on Mikey's blog often an AFES style ministry ends up teaching and correcting mistakes of other churches instead of getting on with the business of evangelism. Having said all that I still believe very strongly in University ministry. Now what about some reasons why University ministry is awesome?
tags christian, focus, ministry, thinking
Know your University 101
04 April 2008
If you're a student and want to engage meaningfully with non Christian friends, get know (and love) your Uni. What makes it tick? What do people read? What do people talk about? Listen to? Here's a selection of things I found lying around today.
Looks interesting
I'm wondering what exactly this looks like...
Crazy looking hand... and I'm not talking about mine
Local Music rag
...And again
*EDIT* I forgot to upload this one yesterday. Brought to you by 'Mercy Ministries' who have been in the News recently for all the wrong reasons.
tags christian, focus, ministry tips, thinking
supportMIKE news VI
02 March 2008
Dear Supporters
The big news is that after much consideration I have resigned my position at FOCUSutas as an MTS apprentice. I’ll be transferring the remainder of my apprenticeship over to Crossroads Presbyterian Church. My employment as part of the FOCUSutas team finished at the end of Feburary 2008
I decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign for a number of reasons. Firstly I’m a complex person who needs support in what I do. Sam by his admission wasn’t able to provide the level of support I needed in order to continue.
I have and will always have a great deal of respect for Sam and his learning knowledge and ministry. However being on the same page theologically sometimes just isn’t always enough and I’ve learned that my personality isn’t cut out for working with everyone.
Secondly, even though I was able to do a great deal of good at FOCUS it wasn’t good for my and Christine’s long term health and marital stability. I’m tired and worn out. I’d taken on to much responsibility working as a “co-worker” rather than an “apprentice”. (This was a mistake I made in my thinking as I went into MTS). I have much to learn and have made many mistakes. Please know that I’ve thought and prayed long and hard spent many nights lying awake thinking about this.
I’d like to thank you very much for all the support you’ve given me. You have enabled me to do a great work at FOCUSutas. As I discussed leaving FOCUSutas I was amazed my work has affected so many people. For this I owe thanks to God but also to you, the people who have supported me with prayer and finances for the last 12 months.
Financially AFES will finish paying me at the end of February 2008. From this date financial contributions on my behalf to AFES should be end. If you’d like to continue to financially support me please transfer your support over to Crossroads Presbyterian Church. (Crossroads Presbyterian Church BSB: 067 100, Account number: 10209867).
If you have any questions or queries or just like an ear to listen please feel free to drop me a line anytime.
Cheers and God Bless
Mike and Christine Jolly
Goodbye peeps
25 February 2008
I've found making the decision to leave FOCUS behind this year one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made. I have a great love for the ministry and especially the students. So I thought I'd take some time thanking them for the encouragement they've been over the last year. I'm greatful to (in no particular order)...
Aaron and Evan for working though studies last year and teaching me patience. Thanks to Michael for hanging out and learning all of Collosians and being prepared to tackle the big topics. Also to Nathan, Tommy, Isaac and Ed for their enthusiasm and support. To Nathaniel, Nick and Alan and all the work they've put into the Con group. To the ladies of FOCUS Erica and Lizzie particualrly. To Shaun for being a honest and helpful critic. Also to Geo for his ideas and prayerfulness. A big thankyou to Tim our FOCUS president he's one of the best we've had. And to the all the other FOCUS people out there a big thankyou for all you've done to support me and help me out.
tags christian, focus, friends
Tough decisions
24 February 2008
In the last week or so I’ve considering resigning my position at FOCUS. I decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign from FOCUS and transfer my apprenticeship to Crossroads. This decision may come as a surprise or even a disappointment and you’re probably wondering why.
Firstly I’m a complex person who needs a certain level of support in what I do. Sam by his admission wasn’t able to provide the level of support I needed in order to continue. Sam and I are also very different personalities and it’s always been hard to work together. I have and will always have a great deal of respect for Sam and his learning knowledge and ministry. However being on the same page theologically sometimes just isn’t quite enough and I’ve learned that Mike Jolly’s personality isn’t cut out for working with everyone.
Secondly, even though I was able to do a great deal of good at FOCUS it wasn’t good for my and Christine’s long term health and stability. I’m tired and worn out I’d taken on to much responsibility working as a “co-worker” rather than an “apprentice”. (This is a mistake I made in my thinking as I went into to MTS)
I have much to learn and have made many mistakes. Please know that I’ve thought and prayed long and hard spent many nights lying awake thinking about this. If you’d like to know more please feel free to email me. If you are one of my wonderful financial supporters please be patient I’ll be getting in touch with you very soon.
Musos who I respect
08 February 2008
During MTS I’ve realised just how much I enjoy spending time with people. This is particularly so with some of the blokes I meet up with. This was especially the case the other night when I met up with Nick, Nathaniel and Alan to organize the Conservatorium Christian Group for the year.
Helping lead the Con Group during 2007 was a real learning experience for me. I joined the group as an outsider in only it’s second year of existence. Over the year I grew to know the people there and by the end of the year we finished as a good bunch of mates.
The other night as we discussed the history of the group and planned for 08 I was tremendously encouraged by their keenness to serve Christ but most of all by their openness to admit faults and bear with mine.
We planned out what will be an awesome year for the group. It’s great to have a bunch of guys who I know and trust will make this group God willing one of the best successes of 08. All three of you are truly Christians who I respect.
tags christian, christians i respect, focus, ministry
Presbytery Report
05 February 2008
Luke and I keep Presbytery (Presbyterian leader duders) informed of the goings on down at FOCUS. Below is our latest update. To read more about FOCUS you can also check our new look site.
Greetings in the Lord,
We hope and pray you are all well.
The FOCUS leadership team are really excited about the year that lies ahead. This is for a number of reasons.
Firstly, we can now happily say that we have an enthusiastic and committed student leadership team who come from a variety of churches around Hobart. We hope the team will serve create considerable ownership to the students who are a part of FOCUS, and will also take some of the responsibility off the shoulders of the senior staff worker Sam Green. They have already had a few meetings over the summer and each member has been given various responsibilities, such as fund raising, evangelism, publicity and the like.
Secondly, we are joined by Luke Hansard who will hopefully see that the FOCUS’ International student work is given its due emphasis. In addition he will relieve Sam of some responsibilities as he preaches 1/3 of the sermons and takes on certain areas of oversight and decision making. January 2008 has also seen Damon step back in his role as an (MTS) Apprentice. Michael Jolly will be continuing on for another 12 months and has recently gained an additional job as a Residential Fellow at Jane Franklin Hall. This is an important and strategic move in the University FOCUS ministry.
Thirdly, we recognise afresh the ‘bottle-neck’ that is campus ministry. As study at the university becomes increasingly significant for future employment prospects of all Tasmanians we see that our ministry on campus is vital. We must seize the opportunity to speak into the lives of students while they are easiest to reach not only ideologically but also simply spatially as they gather on our campus.
Finally, we are excited that we are not alone in this weighty task. We know that we have God’s blessing as well as the blessing of his churches all around Hobart and beyond. As such we urge that you continue to support this ministry by seeing that it has a high profile in your churches. In addition please be generous with your prayers and any other resources you are able to provide us with.
Thanks again for your support and interest.
Yours in our glorious Gospel,
Luke Hansard and Mike Jolly
(On behalf of the FOCUS team)
tags christian, focus, ministry, update
The Berean Spirit
03 January 2008
Acts 17:11I want the men and women at FOCUS in 2008 to have eagerness about the Bible and a healthy degree of skepticism.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
tags christian, focus, ministry tips
Meetings that rock...
31 December 2007
I hate dead meetings... and unsurprsingly so do students. Very often in the past they have been long and boring but we're out to change all that. In the latter part of the the year the FOCUS Committee has had a blast. I blogged about our last meeting in the hot-tub.
Our most recent meeting accoured a few weeks ago (haven't been able to blog because of my computer issues). For this one we went down to Damon's father-in-laws house at beautiful Kettering. Below is a picture of the catamaran he is building.
At the meeting we covered some new material on the job descriptions for various roles on the Committee. We also covered general responsiblities and requirements of committee members.
Judging from my the photo above of morning tea you'll see there was food and lots of it. Then followed by a BBQ lunch. I'm ready to declare 2008 the year of meetings that rock at FOCUS.
All the work that Damo and I have put into the FOCUS is begining to pay off. The students seem to be 100% behind the new look Committee which has been a great encouragement. It's great to have a bunch of students who can't wait to get stuck into FOCUS for 2008. This has definately been one of the highlights of the year.
tags christian, focus, friends, ministry, pictures, update
Finally a day off
08 December 2007
With National Training Event (NTE) and half of our mission out of the way I'm well due for a break. So here I am sitting blogging, catching up on the internet and listening to some bad emo music.
You may be wondering what this NTE thing is? Well NTE gathers students from all around Australia who attend Christian groups similar to FOCUS... sounds like it would be big? It was...
big...
real big!
If you watched my videos at all you'll notice that (having never been before) I was pretty skeptical even cynical about NTE. By around the second day it had won me over. The sermons (talks) from Greg Lee and Peter Adam were really good. For a slightly cynical old man Peter Adam was very very funny. I found myself powerfully challenged by God's word.
Of course there was music, and while it wasn't my cup of tea, it was of a very high standard and lyrically I had no problem.
I also got to meet famous* people... Below is pocket rocket Richard Chin about to be dropped on the ground. I called him Uncle Richard... maybe he'll come to little ol' Tassie some time next year.
I also got to meet some of the hard working AEFS staff including Rebbeca (whose pictures I stole). I also really enjoyed leading one of the strands with a group of fellas. They all worked really hard and wrote sermons on Micah 5 and did me proud.
As usual I'm already looking forward to next year when we'll have more students up. I'm going to drag people by eyeballs if I have to**. I think NTE should be a compulsory one off for all students at FOCUS. But more about that another time.
I'll sign off with a word about Peter Adam (Principal of Ridely College) who not only did the sermons on "God's Word" but wrote a rap which he presented during one of his talks... complete with sunglasses. Craziness that shouldn't be missed.*Perhaps only in my mind
**Naturally this is a joke
tags christian, focus, linkage, ministry, pictures
NTE Day 5
06 December 2007
And of course Day 5. I forgot to mention that I did have a video planned for Day 4 but it didn't eventuate.
I think it's time to give up video blogging when I'm so tired. I seem quite hazy in this one.
Please keep all of us up here in your prayers as we truck out the rest of Mission here back in Sydney.
tags christian, focus, ministry, shameless self promotion, video
NTE Day 4
I getting more and more tired in these videos... sheesh I look wrecked.
tags christian, focus, ministry, shameless self promotion, video
NTE Day 2
05 December 2007
I should add NTE began on Saturday morning and finished this morning... Oh and I've obviously been without the internet while there. More to come...
tags christian, focus, ministry, shameless self promotion, video
NTE Day 1
A Video Blog...
tags christian, focus, ministry, shameless self promotion, video
I miss my wife...
she's coming with me to sprte next year... along with ALL the other students at focus.
That is all.
tags christine, focus, ministry
Hot Tub*
12 November 2007
Part of the new look FOCUS will be having Committee meetings that rock. Today was no exception as you can see from the photos. We spent time looking over 2007 student year, learned the history of Christian student groups, examined the new Mission and Strategy document, and looked at some very exciting plans for 2008 and of course there was the...
There are more shocking photos on facebook as well.
We also looked at a video to introduces us to our new associate staff worker Luke Hansard... it's worth a look for Shem's guest appearance.
*Thanks to the Denholms for use of their house and hot tub.
tags christian, focus, ministry tips, pictures, video
Mission and Strategy 5.0
08 November 2007
Over to the students...
Community (Students)
Community is a vitally important part of FOCUS’ ministry, expressing that we are a loving spiritual family united to Christ. While staff led events will contribute to this, it remains the primarily the responsibility of the members of FOCUS with particular emphasis on the Student Committee. The Committee, in consultation with the staff, is responsible for formally organising community activities over each semester. These events serve to unite the many varied groups and people within FOCUS. Individual members are also encouraged to informally organise regular social events.
Prayer (Students)
FOCUS looks to prayer as vitally important, not just as a devotional activity but as the cornerstone to all that we do. The student committee accepts leadership and the primary responsibility for this aspect of the ministry. The Staff have the responsibility to model this. Regular member-led prayer meetings are held throughout the semester with a focus on encouraging students to work hard at personal prayer as a discipline.
Discipleship (Students)
FOCUS values discipleship. Our discipleship is chiefly done on an informal basis relying on the strength of a functional efficient student committee. At the same time individuals are expected to take responsibility for their personal Christian growth seeking out the staff when needed. When called upon, the staff are responsible for encouraging and empowering the students for this task. Student Committee members are particularly encouraged to take part in this process through establishing mentoring relationships with new students as well as working in peer-to-peer relationships.
*Edit added AFES Doctrinal Basis
tags christian, focus, ministry, ministry tips
Mission and Strategy 4.0
07 November 2007
The shared strategy...
Evangelism (Shared)
Our evangelism is concerned with the clear, truthful and loving proclamation of the Bible as the Word of God to all students, both local and international. In doing so we seek to evangelise the lost and present a rigorous, consistent and coherent Christian worldview. This functions in also building students’ confidence in their faith and in the Bible as the word of God. This is achieved as staff lovingly, but boldly defend Christianity from the attacks of the secular world. Individual FOCUS members are encouraged in friendship and one-to-one evangelism, with the staff taking responsibility to lead by example.
Support (Shared)
It is vital that FOCUS is properly supported through prayer, finance, administration, and local church commitment to the FOCUS vision. Staff and the Area Committee accept the primary responsible for the administration of FOCUS mission as well fundraising. Students are expected to participate when called upon and where possible seek opportunities to promote the FOCUS’ mission and strategy both formally and informally in their local church context.
tags christian, focus, ministry
Mission and Strategy 3.0
06 November 2007
Following on from here and here I'm going to gradually post up all of the detail from the FOCUS Mission and Strategy Document.
Bible teaching (Staff)
Bible Teaching is primarily the responsibility of the staff at FOCUS. We desire to see our mission achieved through systematic, faithful, preaching and teaching of the Bible to all people. This comes about through staff exposition of the Bible on a weekly basis with an emphasis on working through whole books, allowing the Bible to set the agenda, and modelling confidence in the word of God. The culmination of this goal is a weeklong conference in the middle of each University year (MYC) and the National Training Event (NTE) at the end of the University year. In addition individuals are encouraged to be regularly reading the Bible and attending church.
Training (Staff)
FOCUS values training as vitally important to Christian growth at University. We encourage students to cultivate a tertiary understanding of the Bible and Christian doctrine. To facilitate this, the FOCUS staff form groups of members for the purpose of training in different aspects of the Christian life. There is an emphasis on the staff equipping members with the skills to be faithful to their local church, as well as becoming discerning citizens who live in the world.
tags christian, focus, ministry, update
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