On Sunday 16th Dec 2012 on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of 'Advent and real and lasting change'. In the Gospel of Luke 3:7-18 Ian explores the importance of how we live and sincerity of heart called for by John the Baptist. The climax of this text seems to be a call to loving kindness in the way we live as the first call to the Kingdom of God, which is modelled through economic justice. This links to a conversation in the new film The Hobbit:
In a striking phrase the Dwarf leader asks Gandolf the Grey how people face and live with the current darkness and evil – to which he responds – I find that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay … small acts of kindness and love.
In this podcast, Ian Mobsby addresses a gathering in Lambeth Palace before the Archbishop of Canterbury and invited guests from traditional and new communities to explore his experiences in forming the Moot Community. This podcast was recorded at a gathering to promote the work of the Anglican Religious Communities Charitable Trust set up to support new innovation of the religious life in mission and community in the Church of England and beyond. Without the generous support of this trust, the Diocese of London and the Trust for London, the Moot Community would not have been formed or sustained in the start-up phase of its life. mobile podcasts | moot podcast archive |subscribe to podcasts in itunes | subscribing to podcasts through RSS feed | other podcast subscribing | podcast player for your site
In this presentation, Ian Mobsby explores a central theme of his new book 'God Unknown: The Trinity in contemporary Spirituality and Mission'. The Holy Trinity is the central reality and concept that makes Christianity a distinct faith and not a jewish cult. As such God is a missionary God that challenges the Church and all Christians to participate in this mission and ministry of reconciliation, as God seeks to restore all things into renewed relationship with the divine. In our increasingly post-secular context where people are more interested in spirituality than religion, it is the reality of the Trinity that gives us hope and opens up the spiritual landscape of the faith to those who are un-or-dechurched.
To download slides associated with the address in Manchester and London click here
This homily explores the theme of rest and the lack of it in contemporary living. Ultimately the Christian faith is about finding our rest in God, which requires us to face ourselves, our wounds and pains, and not running away from them. This homily was given originally by Ian Mobsby at the parish church of St Brides Fleet Street, and recorded on Sunday 22nd July 2012.
The beginning of the feeding of the 5000 begins with a little known introduction. Jesus was intending to take the 12 disciples into rest after they had been out on a mission, but Jesus takes pity on the crowds and performs a miracle. Taking our rest is a form of prayer as well as a time for regeneration. Because of this we need to take it seriously.
In this podcast recorded at the Moot Eucharist on the Sunday before Lent 2012, Ian Mobsby explores the theological and cosmological impllications of Shalom in the Hebrew Bible and the Kingdom of God in the New Testament. The writings of Isaiah become the founding vision of Jesus as he launched his mission in the Syngague of Nazareth. In so doing, Jesus births Christianity as an expression of the Hebrew hope of the restoration of all things into right relationship with the divine.
Sometimes we need to listen to outside voices, to hear the prophetic voice of God. In this podcast, Ian Mobsby reflects on a You Tube clip of a TV Show by Bill Maher who rightly points out the hypocrisy of many Christians. This is not a smug go at the North American Church, but a challenge to all Christians to be followers rather than observers of Jesus Christ.
In this podcast recorded at the Moot Eucharist in Epiphany 2012, Ian Mobsby explores the issue of following rather than just observing the teaching of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels. Jesus is pretty clear about expecting his disciples and followers to change the way they act. This podcast seeks to explore this drawing on three scriptural passages - Revelation 19:6-10, John 2:1-11 and Galatians 5:19-24.
And so we come to the end of Advent and enter into the celebration of Easter. Ian Mobsby shares some reflections and a poem in celebration of the coming of God in human form.
The next podcast will be in January 2012, as a dialogue between Aaron Kennedy of the Moot Community and Tobias Jones. Tobias is a wellknown writer, journalist and communitarian overseeing an unusual spiritual community in some woods in southern England.
As part of this years art, spirituality and reflections on Advent, Ian Mobsby leads this third podcast exploring the theme of 'Do not be afraid to respond to love'. This year the Moot Community at St Mary Aldermary are hosting a number of spiritual events to promote engagement with the season. For more details on this, see the Events section of the Moot Website www.moot.uk.net
In this first of two podcasts, Ian Mobsby dialogues with Professor Philip Sheldrake about Spirituality, Contemporary Culture and the Church. Philip is a well-known international authority in the areas of Christian Spirituality, Public Theology and inter-religious dialogue. He has written a number of leading books and articles on these significant subjects. This first podcasts looks at the themes of spirituality as a principled life, an inner experience of transformation through encounter with God, the freedom of spirituality as a life away from self-centredness and the challenge of the Church to be spiritual in our current western contexts.
In this more reflective podcast, Ian Mobsby leads a time of lectio divina on the words of Jesus around praying the Lord's prayer followed by a reflection and a short homily. This podcast enables you the listener to actively stop, listen and respond to the words of Jesus, a meditation and homily on why we should pray in times of trial. This podcast was recorded at the Moot Community Eucharist, in the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary in the City of London on Sunday 16th October 2011.
Drawing on the letter of St James in the New Testament, Ian Mobsby and Vanessa Elston explore the calling of Christians to endurance in difficult times, and the very real financial and human resource needs to sustain the mission and work of the Moot Community in difficult and uncertain times.
If you are a regular listener to Moot podcasts and you would like to support the work of the Community in London and beyond through its website, events and activities, then you can do this by visiting our website at www.moot.uk.net and selecting the mootique page. At the bottom you will see the ability to give one off or regular giving through a debit or credit card, or through paypal. If you are a UK resident, then you can also give by standing order. The forms for this can also be downloaded from the bottom of the mootique page.
In this final of three podcasts recorded in August 2011 Ian Mobsby conversed with Simon Walker - author, teacher, mentor and Anglican Priest to explore the issue of the 'undefended life'. Simon has written a number of highly acclaimed books on the subject, getting to the heart of the calling of Christian spirituality to promote an approach to life which is undefended. In this podcast Simon explores how getting beyond fear and the troubles of our world is possible by a deep relationship of love with God in the world, that means we are able to work collaboratively with others, and trust God to be doing things beyond our understanding and control.
For more information on Simon's work see: http://www.undefended.org.uk/
In this first of three podcasts recorded in August 2011 Ian Mobsby conversed with Simon Walker - author, teacher, mentor and Anglican Priest to explore the issue of the 'undefended life'. Simon has written a number of highly acclaimed books on the sbject, getting to the heart of the calling of Christian spirituality to promote an apporach to life which is undefended. In this podcast Simon maps out the effects of early childhood on our personality types, and an interpretation of the New Testament that promotes liberation through experiencing the love of God to overcome fear and so be undefended.
For more information on Simon's work see here.
For information on Simon's books click here:
In this podcast recorded at the Moot Sunday Evening Eucharist at the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary, Ian Mobsby explores the meaning of sacraments and the eucharist.
It was with great excitement that Ian Mobsby had the opportunity to dialogue with Fr Richard Rohr concerning the importance of contemplative Christianity to the contemporary World. Fr Richard is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, which seeks to deepen the impactfulness of Christian discipleship and wisdom drawing on non-dualistic, ego-transcending and gospel inspired activity. Fr Richard is a Catholic Franciscan Brother with an international speaking and teaching ministry. He has written many books and DVDs and has contributed much to the development of the Christian contemplative tradition in Western Europe and North America. In this interview Richard Rohr discusses a number of issues and thoughts pertenant to many of us who are explore new ways of being church engaged in contemporary mission who do so drawing on a distinctively contemplative Christian perspective. This podcast was recorded on 27th May 2011.
In this the final of three podcasts recorded on the 1st Febrary 2011 at the London Centre for Spirituality for the launch of the new book New Monasticism as fresh expressions of the church (Second book in the Ancient Faith Future Mission Series), a panel of practitioners and missioners dialogue with a gathered audience to explore the importance of New Monasticism. The panel includes Aaron Kennedy and Ian Mobsby from the Moot Community, Graham Cray the Archbishop’s Missioner and Leader for Fresh Expressions, Ian Adams from CMS Small Missional Communities, Cris Rogers of the All Hallows Bow Church Community, Andy Freeman of 24-7 and the Reconcile Community, Diane Kershaw of the Order of Mission, Tessa Holland of Contemplative Fire, and Brother Sam of the Anglican Franciscans.
Ian Mobsby interviews the artist Adam Boulter about the current art exhibition being shown in the Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary which explores the last days of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Stations of the Cross and Resurrection, are an ancient artistic form of devotional spirituality, that explores the depth of the Christian divine story. In this podcast, Ian and Adam explore the importance of art in spirituality, and the tradition of stations of the cross.
On Good Friday 2011, Ian Mobsby explores the meaning of Tridium, in the passion story of the death of Jesus Christ, recorded after the Westminster Churches Together Procession in Central London.
In this the fifth element of the Moot Community's Lent Course 'Giving it up for Lent' Ian Mobsby addresses the theme of Grace, Trust and Spiritual Surrender as the 3rd step of the 12 step approach to spiritual transformation.
In this podcast recorded by the Fresh Expressions Team, Vanessa Elston and Ian Mobsby discuss with Norman Ivison the New Monastic basis to the Moot Community, and its vision now at St Mary Aldermary to engage with never churched spiritual seekers.
In this Reflection Series of the Moot Community Podcast, Aaron Kennedy, Jonny Spoor and Ian Mobsby discuss the place of Christian Meditation as a spiritual practice. In the Moot Community Rhythm of Life is the commitment to the practice of prayer and meditation (daily, rhythmic, individual and in
community). So what are the benefits? What does meditation bring? How do you start? And how do you sustain regular meditation? This podcast seeks to engage with these issues, and ends with some advice from one of our teachers, the Benedictine Monk John Main.
In this Moot podcast recorded on Sunday 21st November 2010, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of Hope and Resilience on the Sunday when the wider church celebrates the festival of Christ as King. Reflecting on the lectionary reading Luke Chapter 23, Ian explores Christ's call to resilient love.
In October 2010, Ian Mobsby gave this recorded paper to the gathered Fresh Expressions Roundtable Number 5 for the promotion of Fresh Expressions of the Catholic and Contemplative Traditions at Lambeth Palace. This paper addresses the subject of the Challenge of Mission and Formation with Fresh Expressions of the Church.
In December 2010, the long awaited second book in the series Ancient Faith Future Mission is published in the UK by Canterbury Press on the whole area of New Monasticism and Fresh Expressions of Church.This book will have chapters from Shane Claiborne, Tessa Holland, Graham Cray, Andy Freeman, Diane Kershaw, Ian Mobsby, Ray Simpson, Ian Adams, Tom Sine, Philip Roderick, Mark Berry and Abbot Stuart Burns.
In this podcast Ian Mobsby reads an extract from his contribution to the book. There will be two launch events in January 2011 for the book, the first in London and the second we hope in Manchester. Information on both will be put on the Fresh Expressions website, and New Monasticism Network site
In this, the second of two podcasts, the conversation between Phyllis Tickle and Ian Mobsby continues with an exploration of models of church, participation and commitment to faith communities and new monasticism. We apologise for the loss of sound quality at points in this recording caused by an electrical storm over Phyllis Tickle's house in the south of the USA. So listen nd enjoy, Phyllis is a great person to converse with.
In this first of two podcasts, Phyllis Tickle dialogues with Ian Mobsby about Emergence Christianity, New Monasticism and Trinitarian Theology. This recording was made in the middle of an electrical storm over Phyllis's home in the south of the USA, so apologies for the occasional crackles and reduction of sound at the ending of the first podcast.
In this podcast interview, Brian McLaren dialogues with Ian Mobsby exploring the future of church and mission in the US and UK. Brian is an international author, speaker and pastor associated with emergent and emerging church in the USA and around the world. Brian addressed the International Anglican Lambeth Conference in 2008. In this podcast, a wide range of issues are discussed including new monasticism, mission to spiritual seekers, and the challenge of church in the twenty first century.
In this weeks podcast, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of Christ's Resurrection alongside the calling for hope and risk-taking to replace fear. Shalom, the Jewish theologial understanding of God's outworking of love in and to the world, becomes the Kingdom of God, and the disciples are challenged to live out this love in the Kingdom, through the peace of God's Shalom in openness to the world. This is our challenge as emerging and fresh expressions of church, to catch up with what God is already doing.
For Sunday 2010, Ian shared some thoughts from the writings of Frederick Buechner and a Celtic blessing on Easter Sunday. So for all our supporters and Mooters working all over the world, we pray that you have a happy Easter. Christos Arresti, Christ is Risen.
On the 4th Sunday of Lent 2010, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of passions and virtues, and the need for inner freedom. Reflecting on the parable of the Prodigal Son and the story of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days, Ian explores the call for people to face their innerselves, their thinking and their sense of inner health. Moot is beginning its exploration as a New Monastic Community, to explore the need for some explicit spiritual practices, virtues and postures to assist people to go deeper with the Community's Rhythm of Life.
If you neglect your inner self, then in extreme circumstances you will be held captive by your inner compulsions and addictions, which will feel like you are being controlled by an outer force preventing your autonomy. It will literally feel like you are being controlled by a demon. It is important that we face our need for inner freedom as well as outward liberation.
In late 2010, Ian Mobsby chatted with Brother Samuel, the leading Friar for the Anglican Franciscans in England. Brother Samuel is well known in UK New Monastic circles, because he has participated in a number New Monastic conferences and gatherings.
In this podcast, Brother Samuel shares his insights into the contribution of Franciscan Spirituality to the ongoing Christian tradition, as well as explore a particularly Franciscan reflection on New Monasticism.
Brother Samuel like Abbot Stuart are wise and very encouraging for those exploring new, emerging and fresh expressions of church. Ian found ther advice about engaging with spiritual seekers, particularly helpful. So take in the wisdom of this committed Franciscan Friar!
Prayer of St Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
In the Little Service of January 2010, at the end of a resource training day, Ian Mobsby and Elizabeth Mowbray explored the theme of breathing as prayer, with a view of the ecclesial community as a new monastic community. Life then becomes a pattern of breathing in God's blessing and breathing out loving service and action. This homily was inspired by the words of Andy Freeman, a founding member of the 24-7 Boiler Room New Monastic Communities.
Ian Mobsby discusses with Shane Claiborne, the vision of New Monasticism, and the practical implications of living this particular form of ecclesial community, and the calling to a radical lifestyle. Shane is one of the leading voices in a growing movement of New Monasticism in the United States.
His first book, The Irresistable Revolution is a key envisioning texts for all those interested or involved in New Monasticism. It has been a core text for many involved in New Monasticism in the UK and Europe. In this book Shane outlines his experiences of working as a volunteer in Calcutta in India, in a community overseen by Mother Teressa, and how this opened up a whole way of being Christian that up to that point, he had been unaware of. Shane is a founding Member of the Simple Way Community in Philedelphia, one of the early new-monastic communities.
Be prepared to be inspired! Lets keep up with Shane's visit to Iraq in January 2010, and hopefully we may even have him a long to a moot event in the not too distant future.
On this the third Sunday of Advent December 2009, Ian Mobsby explores the importance of God coming as an ordinary human being.
The problem with Christianity is that it forgets too easily Christ the human being, preferring God the superbeing.The reality of the Incarnation is that there is a lot more to God the Redeemer than the Holy Rescue Effort.God coming as a human being is the fulfilment of all creation, and an incredible gift of love to humanity.
As we approach advent,Ian Mobsby explores the context of God's presence in the midst of binge spending on presents.
Part of disappointment with this time of year, is that we sense within ourselves that merely exchanging presents with each other doesn’t really honour the birth of the incarnation of God.
In this podcast Ian Mobsby interviews Abbot Stuart Burns OSB, of the Burford Anglican Benedictine Community, to explore the significance of New Monasticism and Emerging/Fresh Expressions of church. Abbot Stuart was wise and insightful, and a joy to interview, and shares his hopes about how New Monasticism may enrich the church as it seeks to recontextualise into our current post-secular culture of the spiritual seeker.
Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community, explores the theme of shifting from nomadic journey to settlement in the Compline Service on 9th August 2009. As Moot explores the next phase of its development, Ian explores the challenges that faced the Israelites as they shifted from wandering in the desert to settling in the promised land. Rather than this being an easy task, it became an impossible task, even harder than being nomads. So Ian explores the implications for Moot, as it seeks a permenant home in the City of London for its work.
In this podcast, Ian Mobsby explores the implications of Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 and John 14: 15-21. As Moot is part of the emerging and fresh expressions of church movements, it is founded on the vision of building ecclesial communities out of contextual mission. It is within this vision of being a follower of Christ and seeking to be part of a radical community, that we need to consider the issues of personal identity and issues of taboo. In the Ecclesiastes text, we are challenged by the need of an identity centred on God, where our lives are often hard and relatively short. The second text again returns to the idea of building ecclesial communities out of contextual mission, where the mission in question was to a hated people, the Samaritans, and a hated woman who was possibly a prostitute. Jesus in this text breaks many religious and social taboos by even talking to the woman at the well and to the local people. So this text allows us to see on the one hand the importance of a faith and our identity to be in God in an I-God relationship, but further, we are called to challenge those who put obsticles in the way of people knowing God, particularly where social taboos are concerned. So this text has much to say to the modern church, and the importance of God's love mission to the world.
In the Alt Eucharist Service on Sunday 14th June, Ian Mobsby explored the theme of the abundance of the Kingdom of God and the scarcity of this world. This followed a very moving service last week where the community supported a couple recovering from a failed pregnancy. This podcast explored how Christians can go deeper in the faith which is a call to powerlessness, pain and struggle alongside the desire for peace and love.
On Sunday 15th March 2009, Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community joined a recorded discussion in Sydney exploring the above title on Australia's ABC National Radio. In the discussions, the group explored the importance of Emerging and Fresh Expressions of Church engagement with our increasingly post-christian post-secular culture. For a link to the radio show click here
As usual, if you would like to comment on this podcast discussion, please do so on the Mootblog
In this podcast of Moot's Little Service in February 2009, Ian Mobsby explores why accountability is so important in the areas of justice, love and spirituality. In the service, people explored their perceived accountability to God, to themselves, and to others.
At this time, the Moot Community is exploring its 'new monastic' elements of its Rhythm of Life, to dig deep, in preparation for the community to recommit to these vows on Easter Saturday 2009, in the Crypt of London's St Paul's Cathedral.
This year more than ever, the times don't seem to fit with the traditional pattern of Christmas. Yet into this complex season, Christmas does enter once the schools have broken up, the office parties have ended, and work slows we are left with this uncomfortable pause when we remember that we are human. This reflection seeks to reflect on the significance of the birth of God in human form for us today.
‘Look, Mary shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’
In this alternative eucharist on the third sunday of advent, Ian Mobsby and the moot community explore the example of mary regarding discipleship, call waiting, the expectation of the Incarnation and the birthing of the Kingdom of God. The podcast begins with a reflection on the Song of Mary recorded in the Gospel of Luke:
My soul proclaims to the greatness of the Lord My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour For he has brought favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed, The Almighty has done great things, and Holy is God's name.
Drawing on the famous text in Matthew, Ian Mobsby (drawing on the writings of N.T.Wright) explores the implications of Jesus' call to give to Caesar what is Ceasar's, and to give to God what is God's. For the last 500 years, there has been a divide between the sacred and the secular. However, recently, we have redescovered that not only is this wrong, but it is a myth. The truth as this text says, is that we find the sacred in the secular. Hence why Jesus acted and did what he did, with an incarnational sense of vocation. The change then for us is explore what this dual Citizenship means practically
Ian Mobsby explores this months theme of the Moot Community, exploring why the Christian tradition venerates Saints. Rather than these people being towering figures of strength, many were pretty ordinary people striving for faith and spirituality in a somewhat difficult world. What is it about these ordinary but complex radicals and mystics that makes them saints? And what can they teach us about strength from our weaknesses? How do our wounds become the basis for hope, love and action?
2 Corinthians 4
For it is God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ... But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
In his book, The Becoming of G-d (YTC Press, 2008), Ian Mobsby explores how some emerging churches have reappropriated an ancient Trinitarian understanding of the faith as a model for church and spirituality in the C21st. Can a renewed understanding of the Trinity help us be and do church - and help us in the task of our own human becoming. To listen to a preview, click below. To purchase the full thing from Greenbelt, click here
The MP3 is available for purchase. For info on the book , ciick here
In a new form of podcasting at Moot, Aaron Kennedy leads a new programme of interviews with a number of interesting and influential people involved at the interface between spirituality, politics, religion and contemporary culture. The first of these interviews kicks off with Ian Mobsby author, pastor and ordained priest, to explore why the Trinity is becoming an important basis for new forms of church seeking new/ancient forms of worship, mission and community in the 21st century.
For more information on the book, or to order a copy internationally please do click here. This interview explores how God modelled in Trinitarian persons inspires us to be an authentic Christian Spiritual community of persons, seeking to dig deep in culture that usually lives at the surface of things. All proceeds from book sales are ploughed back into the work of the Moot Community. Watch for Aaron's next interview.
Ian Mobsby, at Grace Cathedral San Francisco addresses the Contemplative Eucharist congregration on his US & Canadian Tour promoting the book the becoming of G-d. Ian explores Matthew 10:24-39, to re-explore the radicalness of the Christian faith and why it was such a threat to the Roman Empire in the early church period. Ian then explores the implications of this for being contemporary ordinary Christian radicals and the vision of the emerging/fresh expressions of church. This homily was part of an alternative congregation at Grace Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of California (Bay Area).
As God expresses identity in the Trinity, the Becoming of G-d, so we are called to follow God and find identity in being Christian Community, where we become Human Becomings as the visible body of Christ. If we live there, then we can catch up with what God is doing to bring hope, justice and belonging to the world.
Ian Mobsby, one of the founders of the moot community explores the need for hope as the foundation of faith to live in the complex world of today. In this way, with a basis in the love of God, we can be a community of hope reflecting the vision of the Church gathered in a City in Revelation 22:
In the City of God there will be no more night. Just the glory of the risen One. He will write his name on our foreheads, and we will worship him forever. And it won't be much longer now.
Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community, explores the farewell discourse of Christ to the Disciples as recorded in John 14:1-14. In particular Ian explores the tension of the most inclusive statement in the New Testament "In the Father's House there are many mansions or rooms" with the end statement from Jesus "No one comes to the Father except through me". The truth of Christ, lies somewhere between these two statements, and was a gift not only to the early Church, but to all Christians in all time.
Ian Mobsby, one of the co-founders of the Moot Community, explores the example of Thomas in the way of discipleship. In a world of increasing fanaticism, the place of faith and doubt as a mechanism that drives mature faith formation of the grey and not the 'black and white' is crucial to our journey of faith. Thomas enables us all to have hope that as we go through cycles of construction, deconstruction and reconstruction, that we are growing into out 'human becomingness'
In fact Jesus even models this process in his own life of incarnation (birth, blessing, construction), testing & crucifixion (deconstruction) and resurrection (reconstruction). It is not an easy journey for us to follow. But it is not a journey where will not be tested and doubt.
Being a 'back-slider' is an authentic part of the journey. Those who don't, are stuck in fundamentalism. The Emerging church, is inspiring us to live with an emerging faith.
Ian Mobsby gives an address on the place of Good Friday in the passion of Holy Week. He explores how Good Friday can ever be considered good in salvation history. This was part of a traditional Anglican Good Friday Service, which begins with the ministers prostrating themselves on the floor before the altar as a dramatic sign of the cost of the Cross for Christ.
Good Friday. How is it possible, that on this day, when we remember Jesus the man and his painful walk from Jerusalem, carrying his cross to the hill of Golgotha. When we humanity killed the incarnation of God in human flesh. How can this Friday possibly be called Good? Good Friday?
Ian Mobsby of the Moot Community, reflects on the connection between spiritual hunger and knowing God as part of a Lent Spirituality Course through the Moot 'Beyond the Wilderness' event in the SW1 Art Gallery in London.
There is a profound link between a spiritual thirst, prayer and encountering Christ today.
Mother Teresa put it well when after four hours at prayer, she said to a gathering of people:
"Jesus wants me to tell you again ... how much is the love He has for each one of you--beyond all what you can imagine. Not only He loves you, even more--He longs for you. He misses you when you don't come close. He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don't feel worthy. Why does Jesus say 'I thirst'? What does it mean? Something so hard to explain in words-- ... 'I thirst' is something much deeper than just Jesus saying 'I love you.' Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you--you can't begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who he wants you to be for him."
This is the profound mystery about the nature of contemplative forms of prayer. That through the Holy Spirit, and the power of our imagination, we too can encounter Christ - today.
Ian Mobsby led the reflection in Lent 2 looking at the issue of risk and and love in the context of contemporary culture. We reflected on a quote from Jean Vanier.
To the poverty of our human minds the possibility of a destiny conceived by God, and freedom, seem contradictory. Yet it is not so. For the wisdom of God and God’s respect for each person is so great, that a destiny of ultimate fulfilment, and individual freedom, are gently married, and the glory of God and of creation flows from this union. God has the secret of loving us to freedom, inviting us to share in the creativity of love. Because so many of us have experienced a love coming from parents – or others – that is stifling or crippling or possessive, it is difficult to believe we are loved by a love that brings us to freedom, and that God’s plan goes far beyond the wonder and beauty of the creation we know … Yes the deepest song of everything in creation reflects the unity of the Trinity: three persons poured out in love for one another.
This is the first of the podcasts of the homilies recorded at alt.eucharist services of the Moot Community in London. The first, by Ian Mobsby begins with a quote by the theologian called Volf, which challanges the emerging church to explore the need for a deep spirituality:
A participative model of the church requires more than just values and practices that correspond to participative institutions. The church is not first of all a realm of moral purposes; it is the anticipation, constituted by the presence of the Spirit of God, of the eschatological gathering of the entire people of God in communion with the triune God. Hence the church needs the vivifying presence of the Spirit, and without this presence, even a church with a decentralised participative structure and culture will become sterile, and perhaps more sterile even than a hierarchical church. For it will either have to operate with more subtle and open forms of coercion. Successful participative church life must be sustained by deep spirituality. Only the person who lives from the Spirit of communion (2 Cor. 13:13) can participate authentically in the life of the ecclesial community.
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For Sunday 2010, Ian shared some thoughts from the writings of Frederick Buechner and a Celtic blessing on Easter Sunday. So for all our supporters and Mooters working all over the world, we pray that you have a happy Easter. Christos Arresti, Christ is Risen.
On the 4th Sunday of Lent 2010, Ian Mobsby explores the theme of passions and virtues, and the need for inner freedom. Reflecting on the parable of the Prodigal Son and the story of Jesus going into the desert for 40 days, Ian explores the call for people to face their innerselves, their thinking and their sense of inner health. Moot is beginning its exploration as a New Monastic Community, to explore the need for some explicit spiritual practices, virtues and postures to assist people to go deeper with the Community's Rhythm of Life.
In late 2010, Ian Mobsby chatted with Brother Samuel, the leading Friar for the Anglican Franciscans in England. Brother Samuel is well known in UK New Monastic circles, because he has participated in a number New Monastic conferences and gatherings.
In the Little Service of January 2010, at the end of a 
Ian Mobsby discusses with Shane Claiborne, the vision of New Monasticism, and the practical implications of living this particular form of ecclesial community, and the calling to a radical lifestyle. Shane is one of the leading voices in a growing movement of New Monasticism in the United States.
On this the third Sunday of Advent December 2009, 
As we approach advent, 
In this podcast Ian Mobsby interviews Abbot Stuart Burns OSB, of the Burford Anglican Benedictine Community, to explore the significance of New Monasticism and Emerging/Fresh Expressions of church. Abbot Stuart was wise and insightful, and a joy to interview, and shares his hopes about how New Monasticism may enrich the church as it seeks to recontextualise into our current post-secular culture of the spiritual seeker.
In the Alt Eucharist Service on Sunday 14th June, 
This year more than ever, the times don't seem to fit with the traditional pattern of Christmas. Yet into this complex season, Christmas does enter once the schools have broken up, the office parties have ended, and work slows we are left with this uncomfortable pause when we remember that we are human. This reflection seeks to reflect on the significance of the birth of God in human form for us today.
In this alternative eucharist on the third sunday of advent, 
Ian Mobsby
