Author: David

[A reflection on Luke 19:1-10 by David Brooker at the HeartWell Gathering, 30th October 2022] All is not as it seems in this cute little story of Jesus and Zacchaeus! This Sunday School favourite has, buried within it, a surprising reversal, a reversal that points us to the heart of Jesus’ teaching, to the essence of […]

[A reflection by David Brooker for the HeartWell Pulse, 14th October 2022]  That the emerging HeartWell church is engaged in the process of developing a Mission Strategy to guide the next three to five years of ministry and mission would suggest that we believe the church is worth ‘saving’. But is it? The stark reality is that, […]

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Howard Thurman quoted by Gil Balie, ‘In Gratitude’ 1994 The starting point for many church strategic planning exercises is to ask ‘what does the community need?’ and then, having discerned […]

Wisdom from Jesus on dealing wth life’s challenges Wouldn’t it be nice if life could be always easy and smooth, free of pain and struggle, no trials and tribulations? Wouldn’t it be nice if life could be always warm and pleasant, free of unkind words and confronting images, no nastiness or cruelty? Wouldn’t it be nice if […]

Strategies for coping with lockdown “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given […]