Soulseedz
Originally from Australia (you may have noticed the accent)
Ian never fit well in church culture, as he was always more interested in connecting with the people who don't go to church; the homeless people, the broken people, the creative people, the liberated people, the recovering people, the inquiring people, the family people, those who put their humanity before their ideology; these were Ian's people. He met them in pubs and on university campuses, in gyms and at school picnics. He stood alongside them at protests and bar lines. He just didn't see them in church. Ian always believed that he could create the type of community that met the needs of this church alumni.
Ian worked on Sydney's inner city streets and saw the reality of human suffering first hand. He sought a spirituality that made a difference in people's lives. Ian went on to complete a second degree in sociology.
In 2000, Ian left Sydney to find a more open place to explore a relevant and evolving theology. He found this in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, where he became the Vicar of St. Matthew in the City. Ian had four great years at St Matthews; a never-dull, gothic, white stone building in the shadows of the towering casino. His world opened up during these years as he was exposed to Maori language and culture, mixed with a stimulating community; and launched an online progressive network. Bishop John Shelby Spong then convinced Ian to come to the United States to lead an emerging group of progressive Christians in Michigan.
Today Ian calls Grand Haven, Michgan home where he lives with his wife Meg and three children. He runs a progressive spiritual community. He and Meg have begun Soulseedz to connect with spiritual but not religious people around the world
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Ian never fit well in church culture, as he was always more interested in connecting with the people who don't go to church; the homeless people, the broken people, the creative people, the liberated people, the recovering people, the inquiring people, the family people, those who put their humanity before their ideology; these were Ian's people. He met them in pubs and on university campuses, in gyms and at school picnics. He stood alongside them at protests and bar lines. He just didn't see them in church. Ian always believed that he could create the type of community that met the needs of this church alumni.
Ian worked on Sydney's inner city streets and saw the reality of human suffering first hand. He sought a spirituality that made a difference in people's lives. Ian went on to complete a second degree in sociology.
In 2000, Ian left Sydney to find a more open place to explore a relevant and evolving theology. He found this in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, where he became the Vicar of St. Matthew in the City. Ian had four great years at St Matthews; a never-dull, gothic, white stone building in the shadows of the towering casino. His world opened up during these years as he was exposed to Maori language and culture, mixed with a stimulating community; and launched an online progressive network. Bishop John Shelby Spong then convinced Ian to come to the United States to lead an emerging group of progressive Christians in Michigan.
Today Ian calls Grand Haven, Michgan home where he lives with his wife Meg and three children. He runs a progressive spiritual community. He and Meg have begun Soulseedz to connect with spiritual but not religious people around the world
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Ten Aussie Words I MissThere are some fun language differences between Australia and US. They remind us that diversity is to be celebrated. -
Unity in DiversityUnity requires the deft balance of a tight rope walker. Somewhere in the middle, with the pole of discernment held firm, rests unity. Herein lies the delicate balance between individualism and diversity.