I’m not trying to be a killjoy I promise. A personal note.

Hi folks.

I feel like such a killjoy sometimes. I straddle a lot of fences which pleases no-one. I’m genuinely a Charismatic and love modern and emerging expressions of Church. I’m also genuinely a nutcase and love off the wall, creative ideas. I’m also genuinely Reformed, and believe in the infallibility of the Bible and the importance of knowing God through Jesus alone. I believe covenant theology works – Everywhere but baptism!

I love modern worship music. I love old deep hymns. I also love cheeky cheesy old choruses. I’ve owned both a Fender guitar and a Hammond organ.

I’ve spent at least two years in Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, and Assemblies of God churches respectively and don’t think that any of them are perfect. I’ve been a Children’s Leader, a Youth Worker, have sat on School Councils, been a school Governor – and yet I will not defend young people elitism in churches or society. I won’t defend anti-hoodie stereotyping bolts either!

I love creative organic thinking, and I believe in strict strategic planning. I love conceptual thinking and I love analytic thinking. I love big concept. I love tiny details. I love social events, and I love my space alone. I dream about Myers Briggs sending me death threats.

I like to question. A lot. I’m the guy who always asks the seemingly daft question that looks like it was aimed at just dousing enthusiasm. I love to challenge. I love to play devils advocate and squeeze truth out where is was lurking at the bottom of a toothpaste tube before. I love exposing holes – so that we can fill them!

I’m basically a pain in the ass.

I’ve concluded that I’m probably not around to be liked. Which is a shame because I really do try hard to be – much harder than I should.

But I really want my readers and bros n’ sisses to know that I’m not trying to be a killjoy! I question, and I straddle, and I hold in tension, and I challenge BECAUSE I love something and want it to succeed.

Enthusiasm in not the only capital needed in a post-Christian world! We need logical thought, deep passionate theology, and flippin-firm foundations too. We need nutcases who will challenge among enthusiastic friends.

So I guess I’ll continue to challenge and continue to loose friends.

I’ll keep learning how to be more graceful than blunt. That doesn’t come natural to me and tends to make my words fluffy, but I’ll keep learning, growing, and maturing.

You guys n’ gals will have to forgive me a wee bit. I’m trying to be nice – - – but I won’t shut up.

Blessings.

t.