Once again the theme of leadership is weaving its way throughout the newsiverse. Ed Milliband has beaten his older brother to become the leader of the Labour party in the UK. All eyes are now looking to see what exactly it is he stands for and what sort of leader he will be.
Meanwhile the much rumoured promotion of the favourite son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has happened… we think. A young man being thrust from obscurity into the limelight in the world’s most secretive state – I wonder if he needs a publicist?
In Moscow, the President has dismissed the mayor after some disagreements. The Mayor, tipped as a future president, is now looking for another career.
But then, fame is a funny old thing. I listened to a news report that announced the death of an actress. The report told me that she had starred in many films before retiring in the 1940s. It then told me that she had been the oldest actress to be nominated for an Oscar.
It wasn’t until I was told that it was the actress who played the old lady in James Cameron’s Titanic that I had any idea who had died. But then fame is a funny old thing, here one minute and gone the next. And they say a week in politics is a long time.
In WordLive we are continuing our journey through Paul’s letter to Timothy. The young leader gets some much needed advice from the older leader who’s been there and done that. How many of today’s leaders seek and listen to advice? How about us?
Darren Hill
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Following the leader
We wouldn’t be particularly on the ball if we didn’t mention the Papal Visit. The trip raised a whole host of controversial issues, from upsetting some because the state paid toward it to the issues of child abuse within the church’s history. However, it did bring the concept of spirituality into focus.
The ruling party of North Korea have announced their first conference for almost a generation. It looks like they may reveal a successor to the ageing leader Kim Jong-il. However, news from the most secretive state on the planet isn’t always as current as it could be.
And back in the UK we have entered the Political Party Conference season. This week the Lib Dems are holding their conference. For the first time in the living memory of most people, especially this writer, what they are debating will directly effect the government. However, the fear is that the price of power may be too high.
This week in WordLive we are looking at Paul’s words to a young leader of a church. Timothy, like the leaders today, had a lot to deal with. But that’s life isn’t it?
Darren
The ruling party of North Korea have announced their first conference for almost a generation. It looks like they may reveal a successor to the ageing leader Kim Jong-il. However, news from the most secretive state on the planet isn’t always as current as it could be.
And back in the UK we have entered the Political Party Conference season. This week the Lib Dems are holding their conference. For the first time in the living memory of most people, especially this writer, what they are debating will directly effect the government. However, the fear is that the price of power may be too high.
This week in WordLive we are looking at Paul’s words to a young leader of a church. Timothy, like the leaders today, had a lot to deal with. But that’s life isn’t it?
Darren
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Hopes and fears
Fear is a pretty powerful tool. It is used by some to control others. It often rears its head when people are unaware of all the facts.
Such an example can be seen in the misunderstanding and misinformation surrounding the proposed burning of the Qu’ran by a small church in Florida.
Meanwhile the UK economy is bracing itself for cuts. But will these cuts be its salvation or destruction? Both sides of the political agenda are using fear in their arguments.
As the unions meet they are warning the government that their members won’t accept the measures being proposed. And the government has taken a swipe at the alleged millions being given to those who can work but don’t. The fear being that so much of the money that could be saved is simply being wasted.
And then of course there is the media itself, putting a little spin here and there to change the angle of a story for its own political bias. And what about us, involved in telling others about Jesus? Are we ever guilty of throwing in a little fear to enhance our message?
This week’s WordLive begins with a story about the disciples being afraid. Take a look and you’ll see.
Some have said that the church has used fear to control people too. No doubt that has been and is true in some instances. But that’s a shame, because the message found in the Bible is one of hope and not fear.
Darren
Such an example can be seen in the misunderstanding and misinformation surrounding the proposed burning of the Qu’ran by a small church in Florida.
Meanwhile the UK economy is bracing itself for cuts. But will these cuts be its salvation or destruction? Both sides of the political agenda are using fear in their arguments.
As the unions meet they are warning the government that their members won’t accept the measures being proposed. And the government has taken a swipe at the alleged millions being given to those who can work but don’t. The fear being that so much of the money that could be saved is simply being wasted.
And then of course there is the media itself, putting a little spin here and there to change the angle of a story for its own political bias. And what about us, involved in telling others about Jesus? Are we ever guilty of throwing in a little fear to enhance our message?
This week’s WordLive begins with a story about the disciples being afraid. Take a look and you’ll see.
Some have said that the church has used fear to control people too. No doubt that has been and is true in some instances. But that’s a shame, because the message found in the Bible is one of hope and not fear.
Darren
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Pressure pot
You know that it’s been a slow news week when the story of a headmaster rewording the Kookaburra song makes it to the BBC’s front page. The pressure to find a news story is not just seen at the BBC though. Calls for an enquiry over alleged phone tapping going on at the News of the World are dominating the headlines.
The UK government has turned its attention onto the high number of foreign students arriving to study in order to curb ‘unsustainable’ immigration. The current government has made a commitment to reduce immigration pressure, and students are the current focus.
On a slow news weekend it was good to hear the news that Eta, the Basque separatist movement, has declared a ceasefire. However, it appears that the ceasefire may be linked more to resource pressure than a change of heart.
In WordLive this week, we head off to the early chapters of Mark’s Gospel. Here we see Jesus dealing with the pressures of fame and its demands. He builds up his people resource and then begins the process of changing people’s hearts through his stories and actions.
Darren Hill
The UK government has turned its attention onto the high number of foreign students arriving to study in order to curb ‘unsustainable’ immigration. The current government has made a commitment to reduce immigration pressure, and students are the current focus.
On a slow news weekend it was good to hear the news that Eta, the Basque separatist movement, has declared a ceasefire. However, it appears that the ceasefire may be linked more to resource pressure than a change of heart.
In WordLive this week, we head off to the early chapters of Mark’s Gospel. Here we see Jesus dealing with the pressures of fame and its demands. He builds up his people resource and then begins the process of changing people’s hearts through his stories and actions.
Darren Hill
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Testing leaders
Once again, leadership is on our agenda (it’s interesting how often it comes up in WordLive – and it’s always there in the news). The Labour Party is having to ask big questions about the nature of good leadership as it gets close to electing a new leader.
With two brothers as front runners, relationships between leaders have come to the fore, just as they did with Saul and David. Ed Miliband said he would be prepared to sack his brother David if necessary. Is that a necessary toughness or unpleasant ruthlessness? It’s certainly an example of the kind of dilemma he would face as party leader, or even more so as Prime Minister.
And when does toughness become treachery? Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is reported to be ready to resign over transport budget cuts in London. But some cynical commentators also see this as preparation for a return to the Commons, ready to replace David Cameron as Prime Minister when things get tougher politically. Do we really have to choose between cynicism and naivety? Maybe that’s where wisdom comes in.
Of course, politicians are not the only ones who make themselves vulnerable by taking on leadership. Leaders of the UN committee studying climate change came under fire in a recent report. Clearly that’s a hot seat, and likely to get hotter if forecasts are anything to go by (sorry).
But if we’re concerned for leaders, maybe our thoughts just now should be with Luis Urzúa. He seems to have emerged as leader of the trapped miners in Chile.
Hopefully Luis’ new Bible will help him in what must be one of the toughest leadership challenges around at the moment. David and Saul clearly demonstrate that where leaders go for help and support is central to the effectiveness of leadership.
Emlyn Williams
With two brothers as front runners, relationships between leaders have come to the fore, just as they did with Saul and David. Ed Miliband said he would be prepared to sack his brother David if necessary. Is that a necessary toughness or unpleasant ruthlessness? It’s certainly an example of the kind of dilemma he would face as party leader, or even more so as Prime Minister.
And when does toughness become treachery? Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is reported to be ready to resign over transport budget cuts in London. But some cynical commentators also see this as preparation for a return to the Commons, ready to replace David Cameron as Prime Minister when things get tougher politically. Do we really have to choose between cynicism and naivety? Maybe that’s where wisdom comes in.
Of course, politicians are not the only ones who make themselves vulnerable by taking on leadership. Leaders of the UN committee studying climate change came under fire in a recent report. Clearly that’s a hot seat, and likely to get hotter if forecasts are anything to go by (sorry).
But if we’re concerned for leaders, maybe our thoughts just now should be with Luis Urzúa. He seems to have emerged as leader of the trapped miners in Chile.
Hopefully Luis’ new Bible will help him in what must be one of the toughest leadership challenges around at the moment. David and Saul clearly demonstrate that where leaders go for help and support is central to the effectiveness of leadership.
Emlyn Williams
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Friends forever?
Friendship has had a good press this week. Two British climbers were stuck on a ledge 3,500 metres up a mountain in the French Alps. With their mobile phone battery fast running out, they texted a friend in Shrewsbury.
The friend alerted rescuers, but the weather was so bad that the helicopter wasn’t able to rescue them until later the following morning. The Daily Mirror couldn’t resist the opportunity to print an SMS headline, RES Q US, WE R SKRD 2 DEF. Whatever, a story like that brings a new dimension to ‘Phone a friend’.
A couple from Lewisham also experienced the value of friendship. Knowing that they were saving for a house, friends at their wedding paid for them to have a honeymoon in Corfu.
Sadly, the bride was seriously injured in a fall from a hotel balcony and had no money to pay for a medical evacuation back to the UK. Once again friends came to the rescue and raised the £16,000 for the flight.
But of course, there are friends and friends, illustrated by a story typical of a slow news month like August (and seemingly exclusive to the Mail on Sunday and Silentnight beds). Dutch researchers have found that standing 2 feet away from a friend can make you feel up to 2°C warmer, like being under a duvet.
We don’t know whether or not Jonathan and David felt warmer when they were near each other. The research also suggests that David and Saul would have felt colder. Nevertheless, in this week’s readings David and Jonathan model committed friendship, something we all need and value.
Emlyn Williams
The friend alerted rescuers, but the weather was so bad that the helicopter wasn’t able to rescue them until later the following morning. The Daily Mirror couldn’t resist the opportunity to print an SMS headline, RES Q US, WE R SKRD 2 DEF. Whatever, a story like that brings a new dimension to ‘Phone a friend’.
A couple from Lewisham also experienced the value of friendship. Knowing that they were saving for a house, friends at their wedding paid for them to have a honeymoon in Corfu.
Sadly, the bride was seriously injured in a fall from a hotel balcony and had no money to pay for a medical evacuation back to the UK. Once again friends came to the rescue and raised the £16,000 for the flight.
But of course, there are friends and friends, illustrated by a story typical of a slow news month like August (and seemingly exclusive to the Mail on Sunday and Silentnight beds). Dutch researchers have found that standing 2 feet away from a friend can make you feel up to 2°C warmer, like being under a duvet.
We don’t know whether or not Jonathan and David felt warmer when they were near each other. The research also suggests that David and Saul would have felt colder. Nevertheless, in this week’s readings David and Jonathan model committed friendship, something we all need and value.
Emlyn Williams
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Who’d be a leader?
Why would anyone want to be a leader given the rough ride they are often given? Yet this Saturday Australian voters will choose who will lead their new government, and there seems to have been no problem in getting anyone to stand.
Whether the winner is current Prime Minister Julia Gillard – the first woman in the role – or Opposition leader Tony Abbott, it’s clear that neither can have any real idea of what will face them. Did US President Barack Obama realise before he was elected that swimming in the oil affected Gulf of Mexico would be part of the presidential role?
Pakistan’s President Zardari also had an encounter with water last week. Following criticism that he should have been at home instead of on a foreign visit, he made his first visit to the scene of the massive floods. Sadly, the scale of suffering shows no sign of reducing.
On a lighter note, the FA announced that the next England manager will be English. Is that a promise of better things to come or an attempt to ensure that English managers will experience their share of pain too?
Still, if luck is what leaders need most of all, there is a boy in Lowestoft who may well be pondering a career in politics. The 13-year-old was struck by lightning on Friday 13th at 13.13 – and survived.
This week’s WordLive readings have an altogether different take on leadership. A king loses his role because of disobedience to God. His successor is chosen for his inner qualities not his outward image. Are our leadership choices based on those standards?
Emlyn Williams
Whether the winner is current Prime Minister Julia Gillard – the first woman in the role – or Opposition leader Tony Abbott, it’s clear that neither can have any real idea of what will face them. Did US President Barack Obama realise before he was elected that swimming in the oil affected Gulf of Mexico would be part of the presidential role?
Pakistan’s President Zardari also had an encounter with water last week. Following criticism that he should have been at home instead of on a foreign visit, he made his first visit to the scene of the massive floods. Sadly, the scale of suffering shows no sign of reducing.
On a lighter note, the FA announced that the next England manager will be English. Is that a promise of better things to come or an attempt to ensure that English managers will experience their share of pain too?
Still, if luck is what leaders need most of all, there is a boy in Lowestoft who may well be pondering a career in politics. The 13-year-old was struck by lightning on Friday 13th at 13.13 – and survived.
This week’s WordLive readings have an altogether different take on leadership. A king loses his role because of disobedience to God. His successor is chosen for his inner qualities not his outward image. Are our leadership choices based on those standards?
Emlyn Williams
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