Writing my last post on “objectivity” I was reminded of a Facebook post I read by Mykhailo Cherenkov, who I have read and respected for years. I think it’s relevant… and for those who wish to lead in a global sphere, or just be a helpful member in the global body of Christ, these words…
Author: Jim Baker
Marginal Mission Network leader with ReachGlobal Europe, passionate about serving at the margins. We are now living in the woods in VA working on restoring an old grist mill and farmhouse to host a community that will provide, rest, restoration, reflection, training, connections... and lots of good music!
When objectivity breaks down
Despite the fact that Kierkegaard thought that “Truth is Subjectivity” there are some good things to be said for objectivity. But what often passes today for objectivity can be anything but. Here is a bad recipe for being objective: 1) Identify the different positions or perspectives involved. 2) Hear them all equally and balance each…
Leadership failure on Maidan
In the last 10 days of January, things in Ukraine changed, and people around the world began to take notice. Sad to say, but, given the “Hollywood mentality” of many in the “developed” world, nothing really important happens anywhere until a) it gets covered by our media of choice and b) there are pictures and…
Learning to learn from those who have been taught. Observations from Kyiv
The news hasn’t changed much since I left Kyiv last week. It remains a tense standoff, without clear directions as to how to defuse it, with prospects for resolution developing along vectors that include splitting apart the country, massive damage and loss of life, civil war or financial and/or governmental collapse. Meanwhile, the country muddles…
If this is truly Good vs. Evil, how could so many be on the sidelines?
A number of people have asked for a little ‘tutorial’ about the background, particularly political, of how things got this way. It truly is a complex, multifaceted and dynamic situation, so no one would be well-served with any source that purported to explain it all in just a click. Some good background for English speakers…
Dispatches from Maidan
It had been a long trip home, but we were almost there. As we crossed the creek and headed toward the Mill, a couple deer crossed the road, timid sentries along the outskirts of our little place in the woods. Our three dogs noisily acknowledged our arrival, having been patrolling the area in our absence….
How to make the right choice in supporting mission
After my previous post “EuroMaidin Dreamin‘ (on such a winter’s day)”, I am making plans to visit Ukraine soon. More on that to come. In the meantime, a good friend wrote me (along with several other “people he respected”) to ask about how he “should be investing in God’s Kingdom.” He said he was convinced…
EuroMaidan Dreamin’
We got out of the Holler for Christmas and met some folks we hadn’t seen since our days in Kyiv. Unlike many, they were quite aware of what had been going on with EuroMaidan. Their sincere question was “How is all this affecting the people you’ve known for all these years?” The question is probably…
Mill Pond Porch 