Journeying Deeper into God’s Word

About six weeks ago I came before God seeking direction on what I should do next after I finish as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand (click here for the blog post on this).  I felt God leading me to prepare for the next big step, to draw close to Him through facing my sin and journeying deeper into the Bible.  So there and then I took the decision to spend more time reading my Bible, to journey deeper into the Word, and what a journey it has been!

Each day I spend around an hour and a half  reflecting on a passage, usually looking at the Greek or Hebrew, maybe consulting a commentary, but mostly praying that the Holy Spirit would teach me.  And it has been an amazing time of discovery: the blunt challenge of taking the Bible and my faith seriously and not playing at it.

And then three weeks ago while I was head down in my study, I felt God leading me to invite others  to become part of my journey.. not so much to write a devotion for them, but more to invite them to look over my shoulder at the conversation I was having with God.

So I started a page on Facebook (click here) and for those not in Facebook, a blog (click here) where I post my short reflections. So if you would like to receive my reflections by email click here.

The style of my reflection is very personal, about relationship rather than intellectual observation as I seek to journey deeper to God.

I invite you to join me on the journey!  God bless, Mark

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simply wow!

WOW! Big news! The Bible page  I started on Facebook has just passed 350,000 fans and is growing fast! Over the past week it has grown by 36% and is presently the 10th fastest growing vanity URL page and the fastest growing Religious Organization page on Facebook this week.

Given its size it is no surprise it is now getting a bit of heat from trouble makers leaving deeply offensive language on the page, which has led to a beefing up of security.

The growth has also led me to start the Facebook Ministry Team who are commited to responding to prayer needs, offering support, and being a wonderful witness on the Bible and Praying People pages.

Let me know if you are interested in being part of this ministry!

Head over to: The Bible to check it out!

What do you want me to do God?

It is now public that I am finishing as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand March next year and the question people are asking me is, ’so what next?’  Well I plan to finish my doctorate in business which is looking at ways of effectively moving a Christian organisation through a period of significant change. I am aiming to hand the thesis in by September 2010.  While I am completing my study I hope to get a bit of work here and there helping ministries out with strategic planning, leadership issues and future proofing.  So what will I do after September?

What do you want me to do God?  Continue reading »

My thoughts on the Christianity in the Digital Space Symposium

My first words to the Christianity in the Digital Space Symposium last week at St John’s, Durham were, ‘The world is dramatically changing.’  So yes I walked right past the usual fluffy intros and took a seat at the serious table.   So what was I referring to?

Right now the internet is driving a seismic shift in how we relate, how we understand ourselves and the world around us.  I made the point that it is absolutely essential we in the church begin to think strategically around how best to respond to this digital revolution.  Which is why the Symposium, hosted by CODEC, was so important.

So new is the churches interaction with this digital revolution that much of our time was spent attempting to define the questions. At the end I believe we had some direction defined, and what is now needed is for someone like CODEC (waving to Pete Phillips) to now start to shape a strategy of how best to move forward.  This may include a follow up consultation with church/agency leaders; funding research specific to the area of church engagement with the digital revolution; writing a book or three addressing the challenges and possible ways forward; and perhaps starting an org. committed to resourcing the church in its engagement with the revolution.

One interesting meta-theme emerged worth mentioning : a continuum between those who saw online ministry as only effective if it resulted in an offline, ‘normal’ experience of church, and those who considered an experience of ministry online in and of itself sufficient. An example of this is the discussion around identity:  how are we represented online?  Can a dragon lead a church service? Or do we need to transparently represent ourselves online as we are offline?

My view is somewhere in the middle (well I am Anglican), but I can see that the momentum is moving more towards the recognition of the virtual space being in and of itself sufficient an experience.

Here are my highlights: Continue reading »

Video Stream Address

The Christianity in the Digital Space Symposium is about to start.. looking forward to it!  I am presenting my paper,’ The Bible in the Digital Space’ at 9am, Tuesday the 14th (UK time).  To watch it live online head to:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/codec-vidiblog   to find out what time this is where you live click here.

Christianity in the Digital Space

A heads up:  this Monday (UK time) the Christianity in the Digital Space Symposium starts at St. John’s, Durham, UK.  On Tuesday (the 14th) I am presenting my paper, The Bible in the Digital Space at 9am.  I believe it will be streamed on the net (both audio and video)  click here to see what time that is where you are.

At the end of my presentation I intend to make my paper available on brownblog for download.

Info about the streaming + notes and commentary will be on the Symposium blog over at  http://digitalsymp.blogspot.com/  They have also set up a twitter feed : @digitalsymp and the Twitter hashtags are:   #digsymp or #digitalsymp

For info on the Christianity in the Digital Space Symposium click here.  Other speakers include Bishop NT Wright, one of the world’s leading theologians, who has published over 40 books, and Andrew Graystone who is Director of the Churches’ Media Council. It is going to be an excellent event.

So wherever you are, you can in some way participate as questions and comments via the blog and Twitter will be communicated to the Symposium.

Looking forward to it!!

CEO Bible Society New Zealand

This weekend advertising starts to fill my role as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand.  For more information click here.

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A Bit of History

Rummaging around my hard drive I came across a very short video of my baptism from 1987.  I was just 15 years old.. so young and so skinny!  I recall how blown away I was by the experience, deeply moved by an overwhelming sense of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit.  Just a few months before I had given my life to Jesus in a dramatic conversion, and through one of my mates Glyn, had become involved in Leeming Baptist Church.  This was all part of God’s plan, that church gave me a solid introduction to the Bible and to the faith.  Under the careful guide of Pastor David Snell I began my Christian walk.  I remember my first church service as well, what stands out is how weird I thought it all was, particularly all these people singing in public together!

Also out of interest, in the video you will see the first time I spoke in front of a church.

Personal Announcement

I have taken the decision not to extend my contract as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand. This means I will finish up in March 2010. Over my time with Bible Society I have led the organisation through a period of contemporisation, with changes to structures, systems and strategy.

This from David Harrison, the chair of the Bible Society board:

“Mark Brown has had a major impact in the 30 months he has been Chief Executive of Bible Society. He has led us through a significant period of change and he has helped future-proof our organisation with a fresher, younger profile and approach,”

“Mark remains fully in charge until March next year but we are starting the search now so as to give us the time to make sure we get the right person to follow on from Mark and then to appoint him or her in time to have a seamless transition.

Bible Society has been greatly blessed under Mark’s leadership and there is a real momentum to the mission, both domestically and internationally, that we want to build on. We anticipate naming Mark’s successor later this year.”

So what next for me?  The plan is to spend around 6 months completing my business doctorate; aside from that, a matter of prayer and discernment!

Ta tah!! I present the farewell service highlights video..

Check out the 6 min. vid highlight from my farewell service at the Anglican Cathedral of Second Life..