change or die

The Stern report on global warming has been top of the news over the last couple of days. Finally, it seems, someone is being taking seriously- interestingly and probably quite predictably, it's an economist that's finally got the great, the good, and the not-so-good's attention. (It's uncanny how money can concentrate the mind.)
As a group of people with lots, some and no faith - I wonder what our reaction to the report is. Personally, I think it doesn't matter a toss what my reaction is if it doesn't make a blind bit of difference to what I do - in fifty years time my grandchildren won't care if I thought carbon emissions were worrying - they'll be wanting to know what I did about it. It seems to me it's all about the thinking and the talking being translated into action. That's where it can all get a bit 'difficult' and quietly, I'd like to cling to the idea that it's just not as bad as the experts make out and things will all be sorted out somehow. That's when I'm grateful for friends who shift up a gear and put the talk into action - they have a good effect on me and stop me getting too comfy. I'd like to be part of a community that seeks to do that for one another - not through a sense of superiority, or through pressure, but through example, encouragement and accountability. What d'you think?
And, as I drove back from work tonight, listening to the radio, I couldn't help but draw some comparisons with my reaction to the Stern report and with what we have said about the Church.(see saturday's post) The thinking and the talking is absolutely necessary and good - but at what point does it need to become action? We've had many a talk about our concerns about the need for the church to change - but maybe now is the time to take some action, take some risks and get a little bit uncomfortable before it's too late.
"The task is urgent. Delaying action, even by a decade or two, will take us into dangerous territory. We must not let this window of opportunity pass.' Sir Nicholas Stern

What is “church in the pub”? I don’t know. What is church? I’ve been going a wee while and I’m not at all sure I know that either. It does seem somewhat bizarre that at a time when many people report that they are more open to spirituality than ever before, attendance at traditional churches continues to decline (perhaps terminally?). The Church has for centuries maintained its faith in the reality of an unseen but nevertheless utterly real spiritual dimension. Faith in materialist answers to life’s problems is on the wane; many instinctively know that all that glistens does not satisfy, that men and women shall not live, truly happily, on bread alone. People seek more. There is some existential yearning for meaning….relationship….hope, which the latest stuff cannot fulfil. So why isn’t the Church cashing in?
Perhaps it is just the image. Would a repackaging of the product result in people flocking into the churches once more. Trendy vicars in leathers playing electric guitars? I suspect not….though it is undoubtedly true that much of the Church is as connected to contemporary culture as a cod piece. Long live Father Ted. Maybe it’s not the job of the Church to respond to changing culture anyway; it stands fast to eternal truth and the faithful remnant worship. If we pass through a cultural and spiritual “Dark Ages” every once in a millennium or so, the task of the faithful is to keep the light burning in uncomfortable times.
However what if the Church has been caught in a modernist time warp and that the claim to have “Truth” all sown up and neatly packaged in pew sized bites now appears not only arrogant but also unbelievable? What if the Church is seen by some to be the very last place to come to for a sense of spiritual connection? What if the “institutional-ness” of the Church is the barrier? What if the language of Church is no longer culturally passed on and we enter the brave new world of Post Christendom?
Too many questions. It’s time for a pint of real cider. See you there.

what's in a name?

Names are important aren't they? - You've only got to talk to teachers and watch their faces when you mention certain names- (for me it's Daniel - angelic looking but had the ability to destroy in a matter of seconds any thoughts or plans to teach him anything...)
So I thought I'd better explain where the name 'Third Space' comes from - hopefully no one out there is feeling queasy at the mention of it because it has triggered some hideous bad memory (doc: "dear, dear this means we'll have to very painfully and very slowly remove your third space.")
Like all the best names, it's stolen - from michael frost - who has written a book called "exiles - living missionally in a post christian culture." (when I've upped my blogging skills I'll be able to link you to his book but that's a bit beyond me at the moment) He suggests that christians need to get out of their churches, and out of their homes into 'third places'- places where people meet, relax, relate - the pub, cafe, gym etc and this seems exactly what we're trying to do with our group.
So there you have it - Third Space - hope you like it - at least it's not Daniel or Shane or Listeria...

Always quite tricky things introductions.
Do we shake hands? (very British) kiss? (far too familiar) kiss on both cheeks? (far too 'luvey') -ask, 'what do you do?' - (so predictable) ...it's all a bit of a dilemma. And then, once we've got past the introductions, there's the worry of 'what do we actually talk about?" - will we be able to keep the conversation going ?- or will there be those difficult silences?
So deep breath, let's get on with it. Allow me to introduce the blogging (and bloggers) of 'Third Space' (cue fanfare.) I only have one tiny sneaking worry that this might be the equivalent of being introduced to the most boring person at the party who talks a lot but has absolutelt zilch to say. Let's try to think positive and see it more as getting to know the apparently introverted shy, standing in the kitchen, eating the peanuts nervously party goer, who appears on first impressions to be hard work, but actually turns out to be the most fascinating, well-informed, passionate person you've ever met. (well, there's nothing like being aspirational)