How to do evangelism with courage, humility and love By Rod Benson Some Christians gladly speak with friends about their children, sport, favourite books or recent holidays, but hesitate to speak about Jesus Christ. We fear embarrassment, difficult questions or damage to a valued friendship. We may feel poorly equipped, remember an awkward conversation, or …
On sympathy and empathy
Jon Cattapan, Sister, 1984 (oil on canvas), University of Melbourne Art Collection. Understanding two forms of human concern Rod Benson Human concern takes many forms, from the quiet acknowledgement of another person’s loss to the sustained effort to understand an unfamiliar experience. Sympathy and empathy name two important dimensions of this concern. Although frequently used …
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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