My blog has moved to www.dionforster.com

To get to my NEW blog please visit:

http://www.dionforster.com

Please could you update your links accordingly?  Particularly if you have a link to this page from your site. I would appreciate that very much!  

The RSS feed for the new blog is:   http://www.dionforster.com/blog/rss.xml

I have finally decided to move away from blogger.com after they announced that they will stop supporting FTP uploads.  For some time I have been struggling to update simple things, like tags, links to files, and even to post regular posts with formatting.  So, I took the plunge and opened a Squarespace account and moved my blog to my own domain http://www.dionforster.com

I have already imported all of my posts from here to that site - it was quick and seamless!  It copied everything, including comments and tags, onto squarespace.  The interface for blogging is very user friendly (you simply drag widgets where you want them and they work!)  Plus, there is an iPhone client that lets me post directly from my iPhone, track user statistics and edit previous posts on the fly.

I hope you'll continue to visit my blog in its new home!  

Please do take a look and send me some feedback, suggestions, and any input to make the site better, more user-friendly, and a blessing to others.

Thanks so much!

Dion

Dion Forster has shared a Qik video with you

This is a short video from the Mighty Men of God 2010 conference

To view this video and leave a comment for Dion Forster click http://www.qik.com/6131627/068dbe65

Dion Forster has shared a Qik video with you

This is a short video from the Mighty Men of God 2010 conference

To view this video and leave a comment for Dion Forster click http://www.qik.com/6107582/d8522c86

Dion Forster has shared a Qik video with you

This is a short video from the Mighty Men of God 2010 conference

To view this video and leave a comment for Dion Forster click http://www.qik.com/6106508/58816c0d

A blessing for today... May God bless you with discomfort...

I came across this wonderful Franciscan blessing earlier today.  It reminded me that I so quickly become comfortable in my life.  I very quickly forget that I am saved by Christ to serve others, and in order to do that I need to be able to experience the pain and struggle of those amongst whom God is sending me.

There is a great Church in Pretoria that has the slogan (in Afrikaans) 'Leef iemand raak'  The best translation I can give is something along the lines of 'live your life into the lives of others', or 'in your living, make sure you encounter others'.

I too easily get busy, distracted, selfish and when this happens I forget what it means to truly live - to live one's life for others.  Here's the blessing - I would love to hear how you remain mindful of the needs, cares, and struggles of others.  Please do share some insights that help you to remain connected and intentional about living your life as a gift from God, intended to be given generously for others.

May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator,
Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide,
be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.

AMEN

Qik - Dealing with critical people by Dion Forster

Be intentional about finding joy in life!

I recently read a single line that has left an impression upon me - 'At work, on purpose'!  I think that sometimes we forget that where we are, what we can do, and who is around us are all very important in God's plan for our lives and the lives of those among whom we live and work.

I have met far too many people that live for a different reality - heck I have even fallen prey to escapism myself.

I recently read Gretchen Rubbin's fantastic book The happiness project.  In it she discusses the discipline of cultivating thankfulness and joy for what you already have.  She calls the discipline 'mindfulness' - I have often spoken of 'living with intention'.

It is important to build such simple little disciplines into our lives so that we can make the most of what we have, instead of wishing our lives away!

So, tomorrow I shall return to work, and I pray that I will be there 'on purpose', i.e., fulfilling the purpose for which God has placed me there.  I will have chances to transform both people and systems with Christ's love.  I can model the including love of Christ, make a stand for justice, and gently do my best to make the lives of those around me better.

But, this requires intention!  Here's a sneak preview of my next radio broadcast from my program 'The Ministry and Me' from http://www.radiopulpit.co.za - as always I would love to hear your ideas and feedback!  You can download the MP3 file here (6MB)

Stretching my legs in preparation for the Argus Cycle tour

This morning I woke up and hit the road LLLOOOONGGG before the sun rose!  At a few minutes to 5am (at around 4.50am) I got onto my road bike for a long ride!  It ended up at 83km's with a lot of climbing (Hellshoogte, Klapmuts and then back up to Somerset West).  It was awesome. Although I can't walk all that well this evening!  Ha ha!

Seriously though, as I approach 40 I am finding myself feeling fitter than I have been in more than 20 years.  My weight is at a level that I last weighed when I was in my 20's.  Also, the cycling helps to keep my stress under check.  As I ride I find that the dendrites fire at double speed - not only do I think more clearly, but I often find that the added energy allows me to get more done during the day.   I am also particularly grateful that it has been exceptional therapy to bring back the strength in my leg after a serious motorcycle accident in early 2008.  So, all in all it is a good thing.

Cycling can be time consuming.  So, as a result I make the sacrifice of leaving long before my family are up and about so that I can get back home without 'stealing' family time.

This morning's ride took around 3 hours (not a great time for the distance, but great for me).  At this pace I should be able to do the Argus in about 3 1/2 hours (if the weather is good!)  I managed to get out and be back by 8.30 so that I was ready to help Megie get the kids ready for Church.

Anyway, I'm not sure why anyone would be interested, but just in case you are, here's a picture of the ride route (from Somerset West to Klapmuts, then up Hellshoogte and back to Somerset West).  You can also view it in Google Earth here.  This is a standard KML file.  If it doesn't open google earth automatically when you download it simply right click on the file, save it and then open it from your hard drive.

What do you do for fun?  I know that we're not all 'wired' for activity!  Perhaps it is reading, or maybe cooking?  I'd love to hear what helps you relax and enjoy life!

Are you facing a financial crisis? A resource to help you - Dr Wessel Bentley

Last year (2009) was my second year labouring as a minister in the corporate environment.  It has been an extremely interesting and challenging experience! In many ways I have rediscovered my passion for Jesus and his ways (particularly for encountering people and systems with God's transforming love so that God's justice and mercy may transform individuals and society).

I remember many years ago there was a huge thrust to mobilize prayer and missionaries to go to the 10/40 window to engage in mission and evangelism efforts among some of the 'unreached people groups' of the world (i.e., those regions where the Gospel had not yet been shared in a meaningful manner).

Since then I have come to discover that there is a massive 'unreached people group' right under my nose!  These are the people in the 9 to 5 window!  It has been an incredible awakening to discover just how little intentional ministry there is to support and care for persons during their workday!

I am writing the last two chapters for a book on this subject for Struik Christian Media this week.  So, keep an eye on this space for more!

Well, 2009 was a year where this kind of ministry was more necessary than most other years!  2009 was an incredibly tough year for businesses!

My two primary orientations as a minister in the marketplace are 1) to help persons to understand God's loving purpose for their abilities, their time, and their location, and 2) to ensure that they find creative and practical ways of utilizing these gifts in order to see God's Kingdom established (a Kingdom in which God's loving will is experienced - not just preached!)  I frequently ask my Christian friends - 'when Jesus said that he came to bring "Good News to the Poor", what did he mean?  What IS truly good news to the poor?'  I can tell you, it is not a sermon!  It is work, dignity, security, justice, health care, food, shelter etc.  People need to taste the goodness of God before they will believe propositional statements about His nature, love, and intention.

Last year was a challenging year to get alongside business people.  The recession in the USA spread throughout the world, and it impacted many people in a very negative way.  At times such as these we need encouragement, wisdom, guidance, hope and care.

One of the resources that I found most helpful in my ministry in the marketplace is Wessel Bentley's book 28 Days of Prayer during financial crisis.  Wessel is an incredible pastor and theologian in a large Church in Pretoria.  His devotional book is filled with practical insights that come from personal experience (read his book to find out more about that).

What I liked a lot is that Wessel's theology is so sound - he avoids the temptation to trivialize the struggle that a lack of money can bring by offering 'inspirational quips' or 'quick fixes'.  Moreover, he does not present a 'prosperity' teaching approach to getting through financial crisis (I am yet to see sustainable and lasting results from prosperity teachings - more often than not the only person who benefits is the preacher!  Truly sad! This is not the way of Jesus - it is heresy).  Rather, Wessel's book grapples with the issues of financial need, and offers real, practical, sustainable perspectives that can help a person in financial crisis and carry them through it.

So, Wessel's book has my endorsement!  You can find out more about the book here.

In this regard I want to make you aware of an important event.  If you live in the Gauteng Area please consider visiting the Northfield Methodist Church on the 7th of February.  Wessel will be sharing at the services on this topic.  I am certain that it will be an incredibly meaningful time!  For more information please visit the Northfield website here.

Love and marriage!

1994 was a very important year for South Africans - it was the year in which we voted to end apartheid and establish a free and fair multiparty democracy.

I remember 1994 for another very special reason though!  On the 29th of January 1994 Megan and I were married in the Trinity Methodist Church in Sunward Park.  What a wonderful day that was!  I was so in love with Megan!  Man, oh man!  She is so beautiful, and she has such a bubbly personality and so much energy and love.

I'm pleased to say that none of those qualities have disappeared in the last 16 years.  Rather, they have matched by many other wonderful virtues.  Megan and I were just 21 years of age (well, I was 22 by two weeks) when we got married!  In truth we have grown up together.  We've been through so many joys together (the birth of our children, our first home, our first camping trip, holidays, graduations... the list goes on and on!)  And, we've shared in a fair share of struggle and sorrow (we've been very poor, and quite rich - each one has its own challenges!  As a minister, in the early days, there were many times we went without.  We survived our little Liam's traumatic entry into life, and the joy of journeying with him ever since.  Megan has helped me to survive motorcycle accidents, changes in career - from minister, to academic, to marketplace minister.  She has celebrated my achievements, and I have celebrated hers.  She has survived cancer and a few other health concerns).  All of this has bonded our lives together.

I can truly say that I have been blessed!  Megan remains patient, attentive and caring.  She is extremely capable in her work.  A graduate in Human Resource management, a formidable business woman, a mother and a wife.  She loves Christ - and I am thankful that she loves me.

Please join us in thanking God for the 16 years of marriage we have shared, and for the many blessed years that lie ahead.

Your work as an act of worship

If you read my blog, and if you follow my twitter feed - see http://www.twitter.com/digitaldion - you will know that I am a proponent of the notion that work can be an act of worship.  According to Col 3:23 we can choose to do our work for Christ (both honouring His will for our labour, energy, creativity and time; but also achieving his desired will to encounter people in love and transform systems to reflect the pattern of God's loving Kingdom).

The following quote inspired me today:

Inspiration is not the exclusive privilege of poets or artists generally. There is, has been, and will always be a certain group of people whom inspiration visits. It's made up of all those who've consciously chosen their calling and do their job with love and imagination. It may include doctors, teachers, gardeners -- and I could list a hundred more professions ... A swarm of new questions emerges from every problem they solve. Whatever inspiration is, it's born from a continuous "I don't know." - Wislawa Szymborska,from her lecture upon winning the Nobel Prize for literature in 1996

I would like to encourage you to read the quote above, and the scripture reading below a few times.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. - Proverbs 22:1-2

What is God's intention for your worklife?  If Jesus were 'doing your job' how would he deal with the people and systems you encounter each day?  What commitment can you make in order to use your work as an act of declaring Christ's worth?

May you be richly blessed this week!

In support of a friend - Bishop Paul Verryn

I returned home last night from 3 days of 'media isolation' -  I was on a farm about 70km from Beufort West with our team doing some strategic planning for 2010.

When I got home I noticed scores of emails and messages on facebook and twitter about Paul Verryn.  I fired up my broswer and found that Paul had been suspended by our denomination, the (MCSA) Methodist Church of Southern Africa.  It is a matter of grave concern for me - I worry deeply for Paul and also for the MCSA.

You can read about the suspension in this Sowetan article (the image of Paul at the top of this post comes from the same link).

I have been party to numerous disciplinary hearings in my years as a Methodist Minister - I served on disciplinary committees and have had two occasions to appear before them.  I am not certain of the reasons for the disciplinary action.  I was not able to reach Paul on his cell phone.  Regardless, even if I knew the reasons I would not post them publicly at this stage.

However, from what I have heard from mutual friends and read in the media I have come to understand that Paul is being charged either for approaching the High Court of Johannesburg to have a curator appointed over the refugee children who have sought sanctuary in his Church.  Our Church's polity (the law that regulates the Church) states that only the Presiding Bishop or the General Secretary may initiate any legal action on behalf of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.  As such regardless of whether the action is valid, necessary, or otherwise, any person who acts on behalf of the Church as a whole without sanction is subject to disciplinary action.  If this is the reason for the disciplinary action by the MCSA then I would ask why the Church had not take the action in the first place?

The second 'strand' of rumors also relate to the underage refugees in the Central Methodist church.  What is clear is that the Church has far too many people living there.  This is a problem of inadequate intervention by the national and provincial government!  The state has the primary responsibility to deal with such matters, and since they have not adequately acknowledged the problem in Zimbabwe, they are not willing to deal decisively with the Zimbabwean refugee crisis!  Paul and the central Methodist Church did what any Christian should do - they offered shelter and care to persons who were living on the streets of Johannesburg.  The overcrowding that has since resulted would never have happened if the local government had responded to Paul's calls for just treatment of the refugees, adequate temporary housing, schooling and care.  The Xenophobic attacks of 2008 accentuated the crisis and these seems to have been very little respite in the struggle and controversy at the Central Methodist Church.  Some have suggested that Paul is facing charges (from whom I don't know) that he has not cared properly for the persons living in the Church (and in particular the many unaccompanied minors who have sought refuge there).

The reason for his High Court appeal was precisely to have a curator appointed for the children.

Regardless of the reasons for the disciplinary case (it may be something completely different), I would ask you to please pray for Paul and for the MCSA.  This is not necessarily a combative relationship.  For example, if any person brings charges against any other the Church is duty bound to suspend the minister in question until the matter is resolved.  The disciplinary committee may find that the person is not guilty of any contravention of Church polity.  However, they have a responsibility to investigate the charges in defense of justice.

So, please can I encourage you not to get caught up in rumors and the divise game of blame?  Please do support Paul with your prayers.  I know him to have done his very best for those who are in need!

Let's wait to see what the facts are and then we can offer informed and helpful comment and directed prayer.

I am afraid that I am running at an incredible pace for the next few weeks with lots of travel (national and international), so please do update any information you find in the comments on this page.  If you would like to leave messages of support for Paul here you are also welcome.  I'll make sure that they reach him.

You can find some of my other posts about Paul Verryn here.

God's patience with my 'becoming'

I found the following quote inspiring.  God is indeed patient and gracious in allowing us to become what we think we ought to, while God knows full well what would best suit our gifts, abilities and temperament.

The God who made us what we are knows what we desire to be and waits with infinite patience while we become what we can. We, on the other hand, know that whatever we need to become all that we can be, this same great and loving God will supply. For all of that, we are thankful. From that gratitude grow love and commitment, faith and trust, wonder and worship.  - Joan Chittister, from her book The Liturgical Year.

How do you cope with stress and pressure? (and remain productive)

Like many others I returned to work early in January after a break over Christmas and the new year.  It was great to get back into the swing of things.  I love what I do, and I like being engaged in multiple tasks; I even enjoy working with a bit of pressure!

However, 2010 is a massive year for me!  First, we have a large stadium prayer gathering in Cape Town (in the new Cape Town stadium on the 22nd of March 2010 - see http://www.gdop-sa.com for more details).

Next, we have an international conference for the Global Day of Prayer from the 17th - 23rd of May at the Cape Town international Convention Centre.  I am responsible for handling the programme at this conference, but I also play a central role in most of the other committees for the events.  You can see more about this conference at http://www.gdop2010.com - it is actually two events, a conference from the 18th to the 20th and then a stadium event at the Newlands Rugby stadium with a global television broadcast on the 23rd of May).  There is more work to be done for this conference than I have hours in my day!

Next, there is the Lausanne Congress on World evangelization which is taking place here in Cape Town in October this year.  I am a member of the arrangements team, as well as serving on the Theological working group, heading up the social media strategy, and I am also one of the officially invited delegates to participate in the congress (there are 50 persons from South Africa who were invited to participate in the congress, so it is a great honour to be among that number.  I am fairly certain that I must be among the most junior of the group, and that my practical involvement in the congress is what got me the spot!  There are certainly far more gifted theologians and leaders in our context!  However, I shall do my best). You can read more about the Lausanne Congress at http://www.capetown2010.com and follow Lausanne on Facebook and on Twitter.

Together with these big responsibilities I also have two new books coming out in 2010.  I had a very tight deadline to write a book on workplace spirituality and faith at work for Struik publishers (this book will be launched at our Global Day of Prayer conference in May - so, the content must be finished in the next week in order for it to be edited, proofed and sent to India or China for printing (I'm not sure where it is printed, but it is in the East, and then it is shipped back to South African in bulk).  Please do pray for me!  I have been waking VERY early and going to bed VERY late to try and finish the 12 chapters for the book!  I need both strength and inspiration to meet the deadline (I have done 7 chapters and have 5 more to go).

The other book that I am working on is a reworking of my doctoral research which Cambridge Scholars Press is publishing entitled 'Why you may not be who you think you are! Adventures in neuroscience, artificial intelligence and theology'.  I'm afraid that is on the back, back burner for a little while (until May at least).

Apart from these big projects I have my regular work to contend with.  I am a chaplain in a company that has 2000 employees, I am a chaplain to the Global Day of Prayer, serving on the regular working team of various ministries and boards, and then also still doing a bit of teaching and some post-graduate supervision at the University of Pretoria and the University of Stellenbosch where I hold academic posts.

Most importantly I have to take time for my family and my faith, and of course there is my health....

When I consider all of this I do get a little stressed at times!!!

SO, here's the question... What do you do to remain productive and cope with stress?  Please not that emphasis on remaining productive while coping with stress.  I love my work, and I like to be busy, but I want to find some tools to keep a 'handle' on it.

Here's a little video that explains what I am currently doing.



However, I'd love to hear your wisdom please!

It is HOT in Cape Town!! 42 degrees C! Yikes!

--
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by Pinpoint, and is
believed to be clean.