Featured Posts
Recent Posts
I had some great laughs while in Pakistan: on the biblical basis for drinking chai (tea)…“Comfort my people, says your God” (Is 40:1)becomes“Come for tea my people, says your God” on how to make major rupees as a taxi-driver…on pastors remaining students…“Just look at a pastor’s bookshelf and discover when they died intellectually (- or…
READ MOREThat previous post prompted an observation that I had meant to post last month – but forgot. When I was in Thailand a couple of Cambodian pastors at the seminar really wanted to go out for ice cream. A bit of a novelty for them. So we did. We took the ice cream cones and…
READ MOREI am sitting in the departure lounge at Hong Kong airport reflecting on the privilege that is mine over these days. I’ve just had two days of listening to East Asian Christian leaders advise Langham’s international staff team on our work with them. [The bishop who habitually and quietly wipes the tables after each meal…
READ MOREThis year of 2009 has had some sad and unique features for me. I do not remember a year when I have known so many people struggling with cancer nor a year when I have known so many marriages under stress to the point of breaking apart. On the cancer front, my wife Barby attended…
READ MOREIt remains the most helpful mission concept I have encountered in the past twenty years. “WOW – that’s a big call, Paul.” But it is true … and it is so simple. Devised by the late Harold Turner (the Kiwi Newbigin), the suggestion is that for mission to be effective (under God’s gracious hand, of…
READ MOREI came into my little study this morning to find my “Jesus is homeless” bag in the rubbish basket. What?! Who has done this?! Further investigation is made and I discover that my wife is responsible. Gulp?! ‘Please tell me why’. ‘It is theologically incorrect.’ Hmmm… So methinks about it for awhile. I believe Barby…
READ MOREThis week I have been in Chiangmai at the OMF base for the Mekong Region. It is my first venture in my job with Langham Preaching, working to help pastors with their biblical preaching. As I have moved around this Mekong Center I have encountered plaques and pictures (under photos of heavily whiskered men, it…
READ MOREAn Indian politician was on BBC yesterday speaking about the ongoing tragedy in Sri Lanka and the loss of life that is occuring. However whereas we would speak of “men, women and children”, she spoke of “men, women, elders and children”. How interesting methinks to myself. Is this a reflection of their greater respect for…
READ MOREIn Disciples of All Nations (OUP, 2008), Lamin Sanneh refers to the “flagging fortunes of a post-Christian West” and the “robust potential of a post-Western Christianity.” (51) I like that contrast – but I need to read it carefully! For 25 years I’ve read the books, attended the seminars and even taught the courses on…
READ MOREEvery now and then my frustration with the media builds and builds until it bursts into a post. Today is such a day. (a) Television in NZ has joined the global craze for “breaking news” flashes across the screen. While this creates an immediacy and an intensity designed to hold viewers, none of this should…
READ MOREAbout 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.