I am going to miss the voice of Desmond Tutu. He retired from public life last month on his 79th birthday.
He always struck me as the Christian equivalent of the Dalai Lama. They both have the ability to chuckle in such a disarmingly human way and in the next moment to startle you with their spiritual insight.
I was a commissioner to General Council in London Ontario when Archbishop Tutu captivated the court with his stories and his presence.
His voice was authentic because unlike many of us Canadians who have enjoyed the best of all possible worlds, Tutu’s faith put him in real danger.
Tutu once said, “God is not even-handed. God is biased, horribly in favour of the weak. The minute an injustice is perpetrated, God is going to be on the sid of the one who is being clobbered.”
He could say things like this and still reach out to those who occupied a contrary view and he could do so with a smile and an open hand. That’s a special gift, to not demonize your enemies. We will miss him.
Peter
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A treasure of a small group
Those that study the characteristics of vital churches tend to agree that one of the commonalities of such churches, is their small group ministry. These small groups make a huge difference. If you can find a welcome and a place in a small group then you are much more likely to make that church. your home
Emmanuel United has managed to nurture the growth and development of a number of small groups. I drop in on some of these groups from time to time and marvel at how different they are and how well they work.
This week I joined the group that for many years has been described as “Larry’s Bible Study.” Larry never calls it that but others do.
The group just finished up a several week study of Martin Buber’s theological classic, I and Thou. This book is the theological equivalent of War and Peace, begun by many and finished by few. And although the members take turns in presenting, when the discussion begins to stumble, Larry offers a question or an interpretation and the conversation is up and running once more. It doesn’t hurt that Larry taught a course on this particular text decades ago or that in his 90s he still can skilfully disentangle a concept which baffles the rest of us.
This small group along with its sagacious leader, is one of the many hidden treasures of the Emmanuel community.
Peter
Emmanuel United has managed to nurture the growth and development of a number of small groups. I drop in on some of these groups from time to time and marvel at how different they are and how well they work.
This week I joined the group that for many years has been described as “Larry’s Bible Study.” Larry never calls it that but others do.
The group just finished up a several week study of Martin Buber’s theological classic, I and Thou. This book is the theological equivalent of War and Peace, begun by many and finished by few. And although the members take turns in presenting, when the discussion begins to stumble, Larry offers a question or an interpretation and the conversation is up and running once more. It doesn’t hurt that Larry taught a course on this particular text decades ago or that in his 90s he still can skilfully disentangle a concept which baffles the rest of us.
This small group along with its sagacious leader, is one of the many hidden treasures of the Emmanuel community.
Peter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
