FOCaL Friendly Links


Blogs
FAITHFUL LEFT	Steve's rantings on contemporary NZ politics.
Christian Reflections on Politics and Society
SOJOURNERS	An American site for 'Christians for justice and peace'.
EKKLESIA	A UK-based think-tank and news service promoting radical theological ideas in public life
THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY	An American fortnightly magazine with online meditations on the lectionary readings for the week - "Faithful Living, Critical Thinking."
THE NZ CHURCHES AGENCY ON SOCIAL ISSUES	A Christian agency dealing with social, economic, ecological and political matters in Aotearoa New Zealand - This contains a good section discussing the 2005 election.
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES	The WCC is a fellowship of churches, now 347 in more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions.
THIRD WAY	A UK site - the virtual home of rigorous Christian thinking on politics, society and culture!
ANGLICAN SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMISSION	The Social Justice Commission for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Social Service, Government and Aid Agencies.
Social Service, Government and Aid Agencies
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION	The website of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
TE MANA TO IA TAMAITI	The website of Every Child Counts.
CASI	A Christian agency dealing with social, economic, ecological and political matters in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Environmental Groups
A ROCHA	A Rocha is a Christian nature conservation organisation.
CreationCare NZ	Website of an emerging New Zealand Christian environmental group
ECEN	The European Christian Environmental Network
ECUMENICAL EARTH	World Council of Churches - justice, peace & creation concerns
Christian Environmental Association	"Serving the Earth, Serving the Poor."
Evangelical Environmental Network	EEN is a unique evangelical ministry whose purpose is to "declare the Lordship of Christ over all creation" (Col. 1:15-20).
Resources for Faith and Spirituality
SPIRITED EXCHANGES	Supporting post-church seekers in NZ.
CENTRE FOR PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY	An American site - "An approach to Christianity that is inclusive, innovative and informed."
SOULSCAPE	A Kiwi site - explore the landscape of your soul.
BRUDERHOF	A network of intentional communities around the world, many free e-books.
SACRED SPACE	Daily Prayer Online.
ROWAN WILLIAMS (the Archbishop of Canterbury):	Sermons and speeches -. A whole archive of writings with great philosophical and spiritual depth.
SPIRITUALITY AND PRACTICE	I came across a great spirituality link The site is directed by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat who have been covering contemporary culture and the spiritual renaissance for three decades. Well worth checking out. Great resources and links.
Worship Resources
ALTERNATIVE WORSHIP	Changing Church in a changing culture.
WILD GOOSE PUBLICATIONS	The publishing house of the Iona Community - liturgies, music and books for purchase.
THE TAIZE COMMUNITY	Resources for purchase, advise on how to prepare a meditative prayer service, and the scores for most Taize chants.
The "Emerging Church"
	a platform for emerging forms of spirituality This site provides an insight into what is going on at the edge of the established Christian church, Spirited Conversations groups, Conferences and a valuable links page.
A NEW KIND OF CHRISTIAN	The website of Brian McLaren, widely recognised as the emerging church guru of America.
EMERGING CHURCH INFO	A site full of resources and discussions about the emerging church.
OUT OF BOUNDS:	Faith and Spirituality beyond the bounds of church (The birthplace of FOCaL).
VANGUARD SPIRITUALITY	A New Zealand site hosted by ex Baptist Pastor Bruce Puddle. For articles on "How broad is salvation", "Inclusive Christianity". Including "The Broadness of salvation", "Towards a new way of evangelism" and "The great 'good works' misunderstanding".
METHODIST PARISH OF DUNEDIN	Check this sight out for loads of articles and resources from a community that has long practiced an inclusive progressive approach to Christian faith.
GRACEWAY	An urban Baptist church exploring the edges of faith in Ellerslie, Auckland.
CITYSIDE	Set in Mt Eden Auckland this cutting edge Baptist church has a keen interest in the arts and in inner city ministry.
Alternative News Sources
COMMON DREAMS NEWS CENTER	Breaking news and views for the progressive community.
FIRST VOICES RADIO	A radio station for indigenous voices based in New York with many links and comments about current events, society and the arts.
ALJAZEERA.NET	World news from an Islamic perspective.
Humour
DOG CHURCH.ORG	The Virtual Church of the Blind Chihuahua - something thoughtful, something hilarious.
LARK NEWS.COM	Please tell me these articles aren't true, please...?
SHIP OF FOOLS	A humorous look at things church ...
THE BRICK TESTAMENT	Bible stores retold and illustrated with Lego brick characters. Warning some contents may offend!
Miscellaneous
THE ECO-FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR	A short questionnaire determining how many planets it takes to support your lifestyle (Australian).
THE POLITICAL COMPASS	A longer questionnaire determining where you stand politically on a graph with axes from 'left' to 'right', and 'authoritarian' to 'libertarian'. Includes a listing of all the main NZ political parties.
What's your theological worldview?	A fun quiz that will put a label on your world view for those who like such things.

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