Marco Basaiti (1470-1530), "Call of the Sons of Zebedee" (detail), 1510. Now and then in the Gospels, we stumble upon the most extraordinary and unexpected interactions with Jesus. One of the most unexpected and divisive is recorded in Mark 10:35-40. Presumably, the twelve disciples were together, until they weren't. James and John, the sons of …
Language, power and the possibility of theological renewal
By Rod Benson A society’s deepest convictions often reside in the connections it takes for granted. Who counts as a neighbour? What makes authority legitimate? When does suffering become sacrifice, or possession become entitlement? Such judgements depend on patterns of meaning that precede arguments. A counter-grammar challenges those patterns, exposing the rules by which an …
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The Bogong moth returns
By Rod Benson Just after sunset on 1 October 2026, I watched a swarm of thousands of moths making landfall at Barrenjoey Point, on Sydney’s northern coastline. They were generally flying westward from over the South Pacific Ocean, presumably after having been swept out to sea by prevailing westerly winds from their fragile breeding grounds …
Exploring Rick Warren’s IMPACT model for designing worship services
Rick Warren planted Saddleback Valley Community Church in Orange County, California, in 1980. By Rod Benson Rick Warren’s IMPACT model, developed at Saddleback Valley Community Church in Orange County, California, is a practical method for sequencing songs within a worship service. Its historical importance lies in the way it brought Southern Baptist revivalism, charismatic musical …
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The Manly wormhole: A secret passage through Queenscliff Head
By Rod Benson Until last week, I had never heard of the Manly Wormhole. At the northern end of Sydney’s beautiful Queenscliff Beach—the northernmost section of the beachfront commonly called Manly Beach—the smooth sand meets a rockpool at the foot of a rugged headland. Beyond the pool, around an exposed rock platform, a narrow tunnel …
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