1. Human beings have an intelligence, a capacity to reason and even to evaluate and be self-critical.2. Human beings have a conscience, a capacity to recognize moral values and make moral choices.3. Human beings have a society, a capacity to love and be loved in personal, social relationships.4. Human beings have dominion, a capacity to exercise lordship over creation, to subdue the earth and to be creative.5. Human beings have a soul, a capacity to worship, to pray, and to live in communion with God.These capacities (mental, moral, social, creative, and spiritual) constitute the divine image, because of which human beings are unique (246).
To discover, in those early years, that I can be one who speaks brought confidence to my calling (with God’s words). To discover, in those middle years, that I can be one who creates brought renewal to my journey (in God’s world). To discover, in these latter years, that I can be one who initiates and relates brings transformation to my leadership (among God’s people) … and all made possible, by God’s grace and under his hand.
About Me

the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
Recent Posts
Just when I thought that it could not be possible to have another first-hand account of the impact of John Stott’s life (d. 2011), along comes this book by his close friend, John Wyatt. I am always ready to learn more about John Stott, but also about friendship. It fascinates me. It keeps coming up…
Reading stories to grandchildren over Christmas reminded me again of how powerful they can be. They are so compact and simple in presentation, and yet so clever in construction. There are just so many features at work in an effective story. It is some years since I taught narrative preaching, but when I did I’d…
Apart from the eight years in which we were based overseas, Barby has been working at the Refugee Resettlement Center in Auckland since 2002. This year she is a ‘release teacher’, spending one day each week in three different classrooms, with three different age groups. Impressive—and demanding. One day is spent with 11-13 year olds—from…