I've stepped down from my position as Youth Pastor at QPBC to start a full time taught masters at New College (part of Edinburgh Uni) in Theological Ethics. My responsibilities for the Youth work formally end with the close of this month. My supervisor is Oliver O'Donovan, which is a great oppertunity to learn and be challenged from someone who is widely respected in his field.
I hope to take this onto PhD level but finding funding for this will be key if it is to happen.
We'll continue to stay in Glasgow which means that the days on which I travel through to Edinburgh are long, so prayer for energy and good nights sleep would be welcome.
My application to start this year we a little late and the uni admin offices have been very busy. All this means that getting matriculated and thus able into the libary etc., has been slow going, and I'm still not there with it yet! Transitions rarely go simply and we feel that there's a bit of a battle going on as I make this move.
That said God is good and I feel excited about this oppertunity to study more.
I hope to try and keep the blog going but things are pretty full on at the moment so time for blogging may be limited.
brodie - that's fantastic, i'm delighted for you. i'm sure it'll be a very rewarding experience. all the best with it...
Posted by: Brad | Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Brodie wish you all the best as you undertake this period which I hope gets to be an extended one of study.
Posted by: stuart blythe | Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 01:27 PM
praying it goes well for you man
Posted by: jason77 | Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 04:36 PM
:::::sob::::::
I'm going to miss you terribly. As I said in an email to a mutual friend of ours, who else is going to show me technical stuff, correct my terminology AND theology, listen to my moans, thump the wall to ask me things, send me blog entries round the world on children's ministry items, point me towards YouTube at low moments, tell me where one can buy/beg/borrow giant bubbles/foam kneeling mats/small pebbles/large heavy guage chains and chain cutters/clear carrier bags/miscellaneous sized jacks for amps/projectors and DVD players, drink weak tea, take all the office old teabags for his compost heap, be the source for borrowing speakers/pens/batteries/a hammer/Moltmann books.........
you get the drift.
None of these things, Brodie's readers, are made up. They all happen(ed).
Where I am poorer, the world of academia and ultimately those who will benefit from your GInormous brain will benefit. Your combination of clear teaching, groundedness in reality, sharp (wicked!!) humour and your awareness of contemporary thinking will make a difference to all who hear you. You're not leaving, really, but being released into the next stage of the exciting journey.
I look forward to watching it unfold
(still open to being corrected. Nicely.)
Posted by: lynn | Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 05:40 PM
Fantastic! All the best. Please keep blogging from time to time to let us know how you're doing.
Posted by: Margaret | Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 09:41 PM
I do wish you all the very best in this move. Working with O'Donovan is a fantastic opportunity. Hopefully your notes and drafts will provide some ready material to keep your blog flowing.
Posted by: fernando | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 05:51 AM
All the best with your period of study. It was great working with you at QP and I learned a significant number of things to do with youth work while serving with you.
If you ever have a fancy to visit Vancouver Island just drop me an email.
Posted by: Dougie Lochhead | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 10:04 PM
heh that's cool - is a change as good as a rest??? :)
Posted by: Paul | Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 11:12 PM
Paul - change as good as a rest?? Hmm...I certainly feel energised!
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Doug - hey would be great to come over and see you but I don't see it happening in the near future what with fees, books and travel expenses.
Hope things are going well with you.
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Fernando - cheers
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Lynn - hey I'm sure someone else will step up to the mark. Thanks for the book and the card.
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Jason - Thanks
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Stuart - hey perhaps we can meet up for coffee in Rainy Hall seen as we've not managed to meet here in Glasgow.
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Brad - thanks. Hope things are going well with you.
Posted by: brodie | Friday, October 12, 2007 at 10:27 PM
hey brodie-man!
(lynn - i couldn't have put it better myself!)
i have been pretty pants at staying in touch over the past couple of years but i would like to say thank you on behalf of all the young people you have invested time into whilst at QP and i pray God's richest blessings for you and your family and you take up this new, exciting and challenging stage of your lives.
and, hey! if you every fancy a post in the isle of man i could put in a good word for you! :-)
Posted by: Amy G | Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 09:40 PM
Amy - thank for your comments. Hey I'm "pants" at keeping in touch too!
Posted by: brodie | Monday, October 22, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Hey Brodie,
It would be nice to meet up for a coffee sometime, since you're over this neck of the woods...
I imagine you'll also have met Josh Hordern, an English chap @ our church also studying under O'Donovan?
Posted by: Colin Adams | Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Colin,
that would be good. I'll send you and email to arrange.
Posted by: brodie | Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 10:58 PM
How's the studying going?
Posted by: Margaret | Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Margaret - things are now going well. It's been a bit of a gear change but I feel as if I'm starting to get more into the swing of things now. Thanks for asking.
Posted by: brodie | Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 08:45 PM