Tim Bulkeley writes…
Niche Bibles are cool. Whether it is a new graphic novel format for teens, simple language translation for ESL readers, pink covers with flowers for… So it is no surprise that the Middle Class Message should have caused a small stir among bloggers early this year. Basically the idea is a Bible that is easy to use and comfortable for typical middle class Christians of the Western world. Since this is the Christian demographic with the highest total spending power, surely a marketing winner!
News of this Bible was first leaked on Churchianity back in March, now Mark Brown CEO of Bible Society in NZ is plugging it on his blog. Mark is troubled that so few NZ Christians read the Bible, apparently research shows that for many the problem is that traditional Bibles make people uncomfortable, so the Middle Class Message proclaims itself the “guilt free version”. That should be popular.
Do you remember the story of the rich young man who came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit life, “keep the commandments” said Jesus:
"All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, write a cheque for a small token amount and send it to a local charity, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me… when you have a moment that is.”
Mat 19:19f. (Middle Class Message)
Most of you will be reading this over a morning coffee, sitting at your desk, or in a comfortable arm chair. I was in a refugee camp when I first read about this comfortable mass-market Bible. In the Mae La camp, where thousands of Christians have been chased by the brutal military junta that rules Burma, they don’t need a “comfortable” Bible to get them reading – there the Bible really is the Word of Life.
http://churchianity.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/the-middle-class-bible/
http://brownblog.info/?p=494
MONDAY 11th
Community Worship
PRIOR APPOINTMENT!
Visit the chapel anytime Monday through Wednesday for a self-guided time of prayer and reflection. Follow the instruction with the display.
TUESDAY 12th
Usual formation activities are cancelled this morning.
Instead we have ‘Ashes’!
An annual Carey event. Meet at 9:30am in the dining room for a morning of sports competitions, to be rounded off with lunch together.
WEDNESDAY 13th
Carey Prayer in the Chapel
12:40-1:00pm
Praying for the college, community, country and people.
‘PRIOR APPOINTMENT’ THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
"May God continue to bless you as you trustingly and obediently work through the challenges you face in His grace."
“ASHES”...a morning of gut busting sport!
Tuesday 12 August; 9:30am
“Strap on ya sneakers, whip on ya jock strap and meet us all in the dining room at 9:30am for a bit of morning tea, then the competition will begin!
Volleyball, table tennis and indoor bowls but I also hear rumours of giant chess men, croquet, coin rugby and many other secrets we can’t tell you now!
There’ll be prizes for the best dressed, most wet, and you know what. So come along and get involved in a bit of sport to start ya day (good for the brain!). The we will have hamburgers for lunch. Yea man!”
From your friendly and enthusiastic, Jared Diprose!
NB: Usual Formation Tuesday activities will be cancelled for this week with the exception of Speakers Corners at 9am which will still take place.
Thanks to the Student Association team for overseeing this morning.
ART WEEK...thank you!
Huge thanks to those contributed art to display around the college. There have been lots of positive comments about it all and a number of people have asked if we can keep it up a little longer...so that’s what we’re going to do for this week. Keep admiring and connecting with the artist.
Art will be available for collection from Thursday afternoon (14th) from my office. Rachel
MISSION OF THE WEEK
Mission of the week for the Centre For Intercultural Studies this week will be Reach Across (formerly known as Red Sea Mission) with displays and information. Make sure you take a look some time during the week from Monday.
WAYNE WRIGHT CREATIVE MINISTRIES SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship is a grant of up to $5000 to be used in 2009 in creative ministries. If you are interested or know of others who may be interested please contact Rachel for an application form and details (rachel.murray@carey.ac.nz ).
Application deadline is Friday 26 September.
CAFÉ THEOS
Monday 11 August...TODAY!!
1.00 – 1.30pm
Come hang out in the dining room as members of the staff discuss/debate the moot: Allah is God.
BYO lunch and enjoy! There will be brief opportunity for questions.
‘PRIOR APPOINTMENT’
Set aside some time this week to enjoy the world of children’s books – situated in the corridor along from the chapel.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR SAY!!
Wednesday 13 August
1:30pm in the Chapel
In the search for Carey’s next Principal, do you have thoughts and ideas about the college’s future?
Thalia Rowden, a recent graduate and member of the Carey Board, will be holding a forum so that students can give their input into the kind of person we should be looking for.
Onsite students: A sheet with four questions has been put into your pigeon holes. If you’d like to have input into the search, please scribble some responses to the questions, and bring this sheet to the meeting or if you are unable to go to the meeting please return it to the box at reception.
Distance students: If you would like to contribute, please email Rachel on rachel.murray@carey.ac.nz for these questions. Thanks!
NAME CHANGE
On Saturday 2 August, The Bible College of NZ re-launched itself incorporating Master Institute (which offers teacher education) and has also changed its name in the process. This is now Laidlaw College and the postgraduate arm which is a partnership between Laidlaw and Carey is now Laidlaw-Carey Graduate School (formerly Tyndale-Carey Graduate School).