jonnybaker

the jesuit guide to almost everything

i have lots of books that i have read that i always intend to say something about on the blog but never quite find the time. life will probably take over but before a new intake of students start i'll try and at least mention a few i have read this year...

i picked up james martin's the jesuit's guide to almost everything when i was at st beunos on silent retreat. i found bumping into the jesuits a reminder of the extraordinary freedom there is in christ. it's ironic to feel this as the assumption lots of us make is that those who commit to particular ways of life would be constrained rather than free but perhaps those of us who just choose to do what the hell we like are less free than we imagine - are we are tied to consumerism and think we're free?! the jesuits were founded by ignatius and ignatian spirituality is the term for the charism or shape or gift of what is at the heart of the way of life of the jesuits that has helped thousands of people without having to be a jesuit! remarkably this book is a new york times bestseller. i can see why because it is so clear, well written, inspiring and practical.

spirituality is a way of living in relationship with god. and in the book martin lays out four things at the heart of ignatian spirituality - finding god in all things, incarnational spirituality, contemplative action, and freedom and detachment. he is wonderfully honest about his own life. it's extremely practical and down to earth. 

desire is a big theme - paying attention to your own longings as a means of discerning where god is at work in your life. prayer is conceived of as friendship with god with some very helpful ways to pray. some such as the examen, imagining a scene in the gospels, silence are well known but i found it inspiring around prayer. and discernment is a big theme.

the thing i sensed when i was in silence was that i needed to 'be me' more fully - and there is a whole section in the book on what it means to be you which strongly connects with the theme of desire.

after reading it i couldn't help thinking how closely i share these four things at the heart of ignatian spirituality and how much it is like what cms is trying to be by way of a mission community. there is so much wisdom and so much treasure in these communities. and since reading it and encountering the jesuits i have found myself on several occasions remembering the freedom and joy that comes with following christ. i think too that i am particularly drawn to spirituality of communities that are spread out in mission to live in the world rather than spiritualities (e.g. benedictine) that are for communities who live in community in the same place.

it's a surprising recommendation no doubt - it took me by surprise too...

a wonderful summer

well today i am heading in to cms in oxford post a wonderful summer in england and post greenbelt... before i do i wanted to remind myself as much as anyone of the view of putsborough beach in north devon where we stayed this summer. i have added a few holiday snaps here.

being married to jen rather than just chilling out on holiday there's always some exercise to be done! so before we got to north devon we cycled the coast to coast from plymouth to ilfracombe - by the time we had added in various other bits and pieces we did over 150 miles. if jen says to you that the ride is along a disused railway - i.e. nice and flat - don't believe her - that's the bits between the hills! she has added a photo set here. it's a lovely route.

emergent church is up there with islam and communism as an enemy of the religious right in the US

i have to say i was surprised to see a tweet from brian maclaren linking to this, but it seems at least to some degree that the emergent church is up there with islam and communism as the bad guys as far as the religious right in the US is concerned. i want to issue a massive congratulations to all concerned! though it is frankly absurd...

my usual approach to these kind of things is to completely ignoe them because america is so different and to respond adds fuel to a fire which i'd rather no do so don't expect much from me on it!

waiting for a train that no longer arrives

pioneer youth ministry

i have written three articles on pioneering for youthwork magazine. the first is in the current (sept) issue and the next two will be in the following two months. i decided to write for youthwork because a lot of pioneers begin in youth ministry, i learned about mission and pioneering while doing youth ministry and youth ministry is the back door to renewing the church - what happens there happens in the church about 10 or 15 years later! i'd love to know what anyone thinks if you see the articles. give me a shout. at cms pioneer mission leadership training we have a few people who have done training with cym over the years who are joining us for modules or to do an MA. so if you are in youth ministry and excited about the notion of pioneering give me a shout. in oxford we actually have a great combination going on because oxford cym and cms pioneer training are in the same building so there is lots of opportunity for collaborating. the articles are not online - you have to get the magazine...

there is also a grove book on pioneer youth ministry out written by richard passmore and jo dolby which is excellent.

greenbelt conversations about pioneering and mission - and a party invite

just back from two weeks holiday which was wonderful including cycling from the south to north coast of devon, visiting friends en route and then staying in n devon which is an amazing part of the world. i took a few photos which i'll add at some point. but it's back into work and getting ready for greenbelt. hope to see a load of you there!

cms are hosting the kitchen venue this year. this is a space deisgned for conversation rather than long presentations or talks. cms began with the clapham sect gathered around a teapot in clapham planning the abolition of slavery and the founding of cms amongst other things. so we hope in the same way that conversation around a teapot today can be equally as catalytic and infused. 

saturday, sunday and monday are themed on community, pioneering and justice - this all ties in with greenbelt's theme of new beginnings. i am hosting the sunday on pioneering with andrea campanale. the overall programme for the kitchen is here and sunday's programme is below. it's deliberately not named full of high profile people to draw crowds - the idea is that it is converstion about practice of mission. do come and join in.

for those of you who are pioneers - sunday is the day though i think you'll like the rest. sunday evening we are having a party/gatrhering for pioneers at 9pm - drinks and nibbles will be provided so do come to that - we want to pack the place and catch up with pioneers far and near. you can download a flyer here which doubles up as a driinks voucher.

if you are interested in pioneer training with cms i will be around all weekend - head to the cms tent or stand and they can arrange a time if i am not there. believe it or not, it's not too late to sign up for the year ahead.

looking forward to it...

light at the end of the tunnel

this is one of the two tunnels in bath that have been recently opened up under combe down

weekends for this coming year for ReSource look fab!

there is no better way than wrapping your head round mission in today's culture(s) than attending ReSource. you get to visit four different places in britain, hear from the people involved, and experience what they are up to. you can also pick individual weekends but the best is to do the lot. if you are interested in pioneer training this is a great way in. there are details on the weekends here, you can download a flyer here and you can book here

greenbelt 40 trailer