The worst sound to hear in the middle of a bible reading

Pages turning.

If you hear a lot of pages turning in the middle of a bible reading then it is a sign that you’ve made a mistake.

The problem isn’t that people are still using traditional paperback scriptures. In fact, this is tremendous.

The problem isn’t that people are opening up to the bible passages being read in church. In fact, this is fantastic.

The problem is that the bible reader didn’t wait long enough.

The people weren’t given enough of an opportunity to locate the passage before the congregational leader launched into their public reading.

So, while people bringing their bibles, opening their bibles and using their bibles is the precise opposite of a problem, you need to ensure that those who have arrived to church with a analogue bible have the chance to crack open God’s word and follow along in their bibles.

Are the increasing physical demands of traditional testing still fair?

I currently have a lot of marking to do.

A LOT.

Dozens of hours.

All to be done outside of school hours.

Of course, this means that I’ve watched nine classes of examinations over the last week.

Anguished expressions.

Confused faces.

Boredom as the final moments tick away and the student finished their paper 15 minutes ago.

But, one physical trait kept emerging.

Discomfort.

Fingers.

Hands.

Wrists.

Arms.

Backs.

Necks.

Twisted.

Shaken.

Stretched.

All because the essays and exams had been hand-written. Old-school. Pen & paper. Analogue.

And the result was painful to watch.

But, as the distress unfolded before my eyes, I wondered about the stain that traditional exams put a modern student under.

Are students in 2026 at a greater disadvantage compared to a generation ago?

Due to their lack of practice in writing, are we progressively hindering students ability to accurately convey their knowledge due to the medium we ask them to communicate in?

Now, I’m not advocating for the abolition of written exams.

Writing matters.

The ability to communicate through writing matters.

It always will.

Or at least should.

But, as I witnessed the twitching and twiddling during the exams - actions costing the students examination time - I recalled that I went through a similar thing.

Due to the increased use of technology - be it laptops, iPads or phones - and the increasing physical toll that prolonged exposure to these activities has, is traditional testing methods setting up our students to preform their best?

How do you instigate the 25th Amendment for a church minister?

With the current... somewhat erratic... bloke in the White House, there's regular discussion about instigating the 25th Amendment.

In fact, there was regular chatter about the 25th concerning his predecessor (perhaps the USA should select someone NOT IN THEIR LATE 70's!).

Of course, the 25th Amendment outlines the scenarios which unfold to unseat and replace the President due to unfitness - be they physical or mental. 

But, do churches have similar guardrails?

With the advancing age of many ministers? Should they?

For the highest position within Catholicism, there is no real ability to remove him forcibly. He's, in the vast majority of cases, in the job for life - for better or worse.

Outside of that, it gets far messier.

If your church has a hierarchical system, then there may be some ability for a regional overseer to remove a minister who is unfit.

But, surely this is like sending the fire brigade once the house to well alight.

And, what of those who worship within independent or less-structured denominations?

Who's responsibility is it to tap the minister on the shoulder then?

As well-meaning as a minister agent may be, who will put them (and the congregation) our of their misery? 

While the Anglican church has a policy in place for the minimum requirements which a minister must meet, this only works effectively if someone is travelling about to evaluate if standards are being met or a concern is raised.

So, does the duty just defer back to the local leadership of a church?

Do they, having watched the physical or cognitive regression of their minister, have an understood and stated ability to eventually institute an ecclesiastical 25th Amendment?

Would a lot of lay-leadership within the church be aware - or comfortable - with the power (and responsibility) that they wield? 

The 11 markers of a good teacher

One of my aims this year is to oversee a university prac student for the first time. By now, I feel competent enough to be able to pass on my “vast knowledge.”

After teaching for half-a-decade, I’ve now got a grasp - through both experience and observation - on what makes for a good teacher.

Presence - A good teacher has authority. They are a presence in the classroom. Kids  change their posture when you approach. Personally, it’s my voice which projects this presence. It’s strong. It’s confident. 

Calm - This presence should be soothing. A calm presence. A calming presence. An adult amongst children. Fair. Predictable.

Passionate - Although you’re calm, you’re not boring. Students should be able to see your enthusiasm for your subject and profession. Your joy for your job and students should be evident.

Knowledgeable - But, your passion must be fuelled by competence. You know your content. You know what you’re teaching and what you’re going to teach next. You also know why you’re teaching it.

A learner - You’re not stagnant in your knowledge. Your keep studying. Keep reading. Keep going to conferences. Keep gleaning snippets from everything to strengthen your knowledge.

Reflective - With the passing of time, you continually seek to improve. To improve your teaching practices. To improve your content delivery. To improve your connection with your students. This only happens if you teach, experiment, reflect, tweak and then repeat.

Knows the systems - You don’t only know your content, but the systems and structures used to apply that information in a manner in which the education department desires. You’ve taught enough, marked enough and heard enough to know the best methods, short-cuts and work-arounds that your students need to hear.

Has perspective - You’re not just the adult because you’re older. You’re also wiser. And you share your wisdom. Wisdom about subject selection. Wisdom about higher education. Wisdom about the workforce. Wisdom about… adulting. Wisdom about the next term, next year and next five years in the life of a student.

Professional - Your look. Your speech. Your actions. 

Prepared - You know what you’re doing. Where you’re going. What you and your students need. You have it with you. In advance.

Collegial - You work well with others. You share resources. You help others. You step up when needed. You’re friendly. You make your workspace welcoming.

The important ministry of the third person

Inviting someone to church can cause a fair degree of angst.

One of the sources must be… will your guest feel welcome?

Will anyone speak to them?

Will your visitor find others friendly?

This is where the vital ministry of the third person emerges.

For, if someone is going to be made welcome and begin to feel included in a church, then they need to converse with new people.

No matter if a newbie is alongside a friend or riding solo, this visitor needs two other people alongside them.

Just one other person speaking with them can be overwhelming.

Two people is the sweet spot.

And, this is where the ministry of the third person comes in.

Even if you’re an introvert, you can be the third person. Someone else has broken the ice, you’re just expanding the network for the guest.

Adding another friendly face.

Bringing another avenue to strike up a conversation.

Widening the net of people who can make the visitor welcome, included and - in time - belong.

Does your readiness to pray look more like a 40-year-old woman or a 17-year-old boy?

You need to be in the right mood…

With the temperature correct…

Without any distractions…

In comfy clothing…

With a pressing need…

Having just gone to the bathroom…

With your entire daily checklist complete…

In order to pray.

It can be amazing how many hoops we set up for ourselves in order to have “a good prayer session.”

Why, in short, do we think that our prayers need adequate foreplay?

In some ways our prayers can mirror the stereotypical middle-aged housewife’s sex life. Everything must be perfectly aligned or… it doesn’t happen.

But, what if they reflected the stereotypical 17-year-old boy’s sex drive?

What if our attitude to prayer was hair-triggered? 

What if we were good-to-go at the drop of a hat?

What if our prayers were spontaneous?

Always at the ready?

Of course, the analogy is crass, but the idea behind it - I think - accurately depicts they reality of Western Christianity.

We need to GET ready to pray.

We don’t start ready.