beginnings

This was supposed to be a book - I'm sure that's what they all say. I'm writing this blog for myself really, in an attempt to piece together experiences that have shaped me over the last several years. In broad terms they will be theological reflections of an incredible journey, which has took me from England to Zimbabwe, the United States to India, and from Scotland to South Carolina. Becoming a Christian prompted a frightening desire to work as a development officer with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - a set of experiences which led to a rapid deconstruction and reconstruction of my theological perspectives, which had developed all too neatly (niaively) back home. I left for Zimbabwe with a 'neat' answer for everything - came back needing Seminary to clear my head and ask different questions - questions which took me to India, to doctoral theological studies in Edinburgh, and on to South Caroliona. But that's getting ahead of myself.

This is about beginnings, a conventional but apt pace to start. I worked as a physical education teacher at a school in the North West of England and really loved the job. It's what I had wanted to do since my teenage years so it was a fulfilment in itself. I was quite successful in my coaching, especially in Rugby. My teams generally did well - county champions with the second best team I ever coached, runners up with the best. After six years working in Cheshire it was time to make a change - either promotion in my current school or in another. Went for one tour of a school but pulled out before the interview. Head of year at my present school would be more responsibility and a little more money, but the feeling of expanding my horizons beyond high school teaching was buried deep inside.

One thing I particularly disliked about my school was the morning assemblies, especially those which involved the priest from the local church. He would stand there in a leather coat and try to be far too cool for one in his profession. His message, no matter how creative he was, always made me cringe, a fact not missed by anyone who noticed my rolling eyes. If any of the kids had a follow up question during our tutorial sessions I would not try to hide my cinical observations. But all that was soon to change, and the jerk who led our assemblies would soon become a key player in my journey of faith.