Venn Presents

Venn Foundation
  • 5.0 (11)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Welcome to Venn Presents, a series of conversations on the depth and richness of the Christian tradition, as we attempt to outwork it in our 21st century lives. Through this collection, host Sam Bloore and members of the Venn Foundation team will present aspects of their work and reflection, as well as that of the wider Venn community. Each short series will run across two or three episodes and the topics will be wide-ranging: from exploring Christian faith or doctrine; to engagement with wider culture, like business, the arts, education, music, and sport; and even discussing features of community and family life. Our hope is these conversations will, in some small way, help us all to re-imagine how the Master’s Gospel might sound in the communities and callings we find ourselves in today. For more on Venn Foundation's work and resources, go to www.venn.org.nz.

  1. The Art of Resting: How to Sabbath Well | Part Two

    30/06/2023

    The Art of Resting: How to Sabbath Well | Part Two

    The need to rest is a big feature of contemporary life. In the midst of these changing times, many people have been returning to the wisdom of the Sabbath, and learning to lean in to this ancient, delight-filled practice of God’s people. Here at Venn, Sabbath-keeping is something we’ve been embracing. We’ve been learning about the Sabbath personally, and thinking and writing about what good Sabbath practice looks like. You can find some of this work in our new book How to Sabbath Well: Learning God’s Rhythms of Rest. In the first episode of this two-part series on the Sabbath, Sam and John unpacked how the Sabbath is a practice of freedom for life with God. Here in Part Two, they get into the practical nitty-gritty. What does Sabbath-keeping actually look like? How firm is the command to rest? What about shift-work, or life with small children? How important is gathering for worship? Sam and John explore all these questions, talking about four key Sabbath postures: ceasing, resting, embracing, and feasting. Perhaps you’ve tried a Sabbath, and found it all a bit hard. Perhaps you’re keen to sabbath, but don’t know where to begin. Either way, this is a rich, genuinely helpful conversation.

    54 min
  2. The Art of Resting: How to Sabbath Well | Part One

    12/06/2023

    The Art of Resting: How to Sabbath Well | Part One

    It’s a commonplace of contemporary life that we’re struggling to rest. Whether you’re a student, a worker, or a parent of small children, resting well is a challenge. We live busy lives and there is so much to do. Anxious, we fiddle with our work/life balance, we try to schedule “me time”, but it’s all, well, a bit hard. In this context, it might seem counter-intuitive to talk about the Sabbath. Given how white-knuckled time management has become for many of us, how is a regular rule of rest going to help? The Sabbath is, however, what we need. In order to live well—in order to flourish together—we need to develop a thick, lived understanding of this ancient, delight-filled practice. Here at Venn, Sabbath-keeping is something we’ve been leaning into, most recently in our new book How to Sabbath Well: Learning God’s Rhythms of Rest. In this first episode of a two-part series, John Dennison and Venn Presents host Sam Bloore talk about our need for rest and the rich and transformative practice of the Sabbath. They explore this profound theme of Scripture, and how the Sabbath calls us to live in light of God’s creative and redemptive purposes. If you’ve toyed with the idea of Sabbath rest, but have never really understood what it is or how to do it, this conversation is for you. Sabbath is a practice of freedom for life with God.

    52 min
  3. Adrienne Dengerink-Chaplin: Faith in Art

    04/05/2023

    Adrienne Dengerink-Chaplin: Faith in Art

    What is the nature of the artist’s vocation? And how exactly does art convey meaning? What might it mean for Christians to be artists? Such questions are commonplace when it comes to faith and art. It’s also questions like these that have shaped the thought and career of writer, philosopher and teacher Dr Adrienne Dengerink-Chaplin.  Dr Chaplin was in New Zealand earlier this year on a teaching and speaking tour, which included the Venn Conversation Evening, “Why Art and Artists Matter”. The next day, we were fortunate enough to get some time in the studio with her to continue the conversation. In this special one-off episode of Venn Presents, Sam Bloore talks with Adrienne about how she came to be fascinated with art and about exactly how art conveys meaning. Their lively and wide-ranging conversation delves into some of the thorny questions of faith and art: on how the gospel can shape art practice, on art and Christian witness, and on the attitude of churches to artists. Adrienne offers a refreshingly grounded take on things. At its best, art is not an exceptional calling but simply a distinct out working of the human vocation: it can, as she puts it, be “honest labour”. Whether you’re an artist yourself, a keen gallery goer, or just someone who loves thoughtful chat, you’ll love this episode.

    1h 3m
  4. Mark Mayhew: on Pursuing God's Purposes for Business

    02/01/2023

    Mark Mayhew: on Pursuing God's Purposes for Business

    Welcome to part four in our series of conversations with women and men who are seeking to follow Christ in the whole of life. In this episode, host Sam Bloore is joined by Mark Mayhew to talk about his journey of understanding how the gospel speaks to everything we do, and how God has drawn him deeper and deeper into a gospel life.     Mark Mayhew is founder and director of Peregrine, a purpose-driven strategy and ventures firm. He trained in Civil Engineering and spent the early part of his career working in management consulting, before moving to Vancouver, Canada to pursue a Master of Arts in Marketplace Theology at Regent College. Mark is the co-creator of ReFrame, a 10-week, film-based series that helps Christians connect faith with all of life, and he is the former director of the Regent College Marketplace Institute. Mark is passionate about helping people integrate Christian faith with the whole of life. He loves working with visionary people to solve strategic problems and creatively explore how purpose can shape everything we do. Mark is married to Jenn, and they live in London with their two children, Emily (4) and Will (1). They worship at King Cross Church in London. In this conversation, Mark recounts how deep questions about his work and purpose led him to theological study; this was not study for ordained ministry, however, but a theological reframing of a call to pursue God’s purposes for business. And this is the call that continues to shape Mark’s life now. He reflects on what Scripture has to say about work and enterprise, on the fact that business is not morally neutral, and on the ways in which God has led him over the years. Sam also talks about with Mark about his personal life: about suffering, singleness and marriage, and parenting later in life.  This episode is jam-packed with Mark’s hard-won learning and wisdom, and he communicates it so well. So, tune in and school up—this is a great listen.

    1h 19m
  5. Mark Compton: on the Risk and Joy of Making Art

    08/09/2022

    Mark Compton: on the Risk and Joy of Making Art

    Mark Compton started his career as a screen printer, working for 12 years with a company that specialised in fine-art screen prints for many of the dealer galleries in Aotearoa, New Zealand. He then worked for three years as an artist himself, specialising in paint and print-making, producing numerous paintings of native birds, cheeky nods to the unfolding recession, and much more. Mark is also a qualified builder, providing another context to make, problem-solve, and create beauty; building has also proved fertile ground for Mark’s creative lens to grow and be re-formed.  Currently you’ll find Mark slinging coffees alongside his wife, Naomi, in their coffee caravan, Fred. He’s also leaning back into the world of art-making and image creation after some years away. Mark and Naomi live by the beach in Orewa, north of Auckland, and have two children, Adley and Jack. This conversation offers an absorbing insight into the journey of a contemporary Christian artist. So, slow down, press play and enjoy. Or, as Mark puts it, “give it a nudge”. To see the images referred to in the episode: https://www.venn.org.nz/article/return-to-wonder/

    1h 6m
  6. Jin Russell: on Health, Media, and the Pursuit of Excellence

    17/06/2022

    Jin Russell: on Health, Media, and the Pursuit of Excellence

    Welcome to part two of our new series of conversations with women and men who are seeking to follow Christ in the whole of life. Today, host Sam Bloore is joined by Dr. Jin Russell to talk about what a "portfolio career" means, why she's so passionate about children and families, and what it means to pursue excellence rather than success. Throughout her life and career, Jin has responded to a call to know, understand, and care for the health and wellbeing of children and families. She is a Consultant Developmental Paediatrician at Starship Children's Health and a Community Paediatrician with Planning, Funding, and Outcomes at Waitematā District Health Board. Outside of her clinical work, Jin is working on a Ph.D. with "Growing Up in New Zealand" the country's largest contemporary longitudinal study of child development. Her research in epidemiology looks at the impact of poverty on children. With the arrival of Covid-19 in Aotearoa two years ago brought another aspect to Jin's public work: thanks to her expertise in paediatric care and epidemiology—and a calm, thoughtful approach to good communication—Jin has become a significant voice in traditional and social media, communicating the needs of children in the nation's Covid-19 response.  In this episode, Jin shares openly about her career to date and what energises her busy work and home life: she describes being sustained by God's grace, walking in-step with the Holy Spirit, and drawing on her commitment to the health and well-being of others. She also shares how her passion for child and family care extends into the joys and challenges of home life, raising two young boys with her husband Matheson and serving on the board of the Parenting Place.  This episode offers a powerful and compelling picture of friendship with God, in the midst of the challenges and joys of working life. We know you'll enjoy it.

    1h 8m
  7. Rebecca Dow: on Education, Policy, and Living Well

    06/05/2022

    Rebecca Dow: on Education, Policy, and Living Well

    Host Sam Bloore talks with Rebecca Dow about education, policy, and living well as a single woman deeply committed to family and community. Rebecca lectures in education at Laidlaw College, helping to form the next generation of teachers. Her experience in education has been extensive and diverse: she has been a teacher, Deputy Principal, consultant, and policy researcher and advisor to the Spokesperson for Education. Here, she shares her vision for education: for Rebecca, good learning is not simply about information, or instruction, but is a matter of whole-person formation. This holistic vision of life also marks her journey as a single woman. With disarming openness and joy, she talks with Sam about what she’s learned about living richly as a single woman who cares deeply about the Church, about community, and about family. Rebecca’s commitment to community is reflected in her governance experience in both the education and not-for-profit sectors; among her current roles, she is the Acting Chair of the Venn Board.   This is a conversation charged with a quiet, delighted awareness of God’s leading, and of our call to seek the flourishing of our wider communities. It’s a cracker—we know you’ll enjoy it. It’s not hard to find podcasts with experts, or full of information. But here we’re interested in the whole person at work, rest, and play; we’ll be exploring how faith in Christ has unfolded in their lives. As the conversation rolls, we hope you’ll catch a glimpse of how deep and wide God’s purposes are for each of us.

    56 min
  8. The Good of Work | Part Three

    06/07/2021

    The Good of Work | Part Three

    Welcome back to our latest podcast series, The Good of Work. In this third and final episode, Sam Bloore is joined by John Dennison and Olivia Burne, who hosts the conversation. Previously, we’ve explored the meaning of work in light of God’s purposes for creation, and we’ve looked hard at the ways in which work has become corrupted and distorted by the fall. But what about the good of work now? What has God done to redeem our work, and what exactly might that mean for our 9-5 lives? How should we work? What counts as good work? And—beyond a pay-check, the common good, or personal satisfaction—what are we working for? Building on our latest edition of Common Ground, ‘Christ redeems our Work,' this conversation takes us deep into these questions. Join host Olivia Burne, Sam Bloore, and John Dennison, as they complete the picture for us—come and explore the good of work. You can listen to the Spotify playlist, A Meditation on Work, here. Copyright notes:  Song We Labor Unto Glory (Live) [feat. Liz Vice] Artist The Porter's Gate Licensed to YouTube by TuneCore (on behalf of The Porter's Gate/The Fuel Music); Adorando Publishing, ASCAP, Essential Music Publishing, and 2 Music Rights Societies Song The Gift Artist Jon Foreman Licensed to YouTube by UMG (on behalf of Jonathan Mark Foreman)    Song Busy Earnin’ Writers Thomas Dalton Mcfarland, Joshua James Lloyd-Watson Licensed to YouTube by UMPI, Kobalt Music Publishing, LatinAutor, ASCAP, AMRA, LatinAutorPerf, and 9 Music Rights Societies   Song Chippin’ Away Artist Allen Stone Album Building Balance Licensed to YouTube by INgrooves, UMG, PIAS, [Merlin] ATO Records (on behalf of ATO Records / Fontana North); AMRA, BMI - Broadcast Music Inc., ARESA, BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, CMRRA, and 2 Music Rights Societies   Song Beyond The Blue - Instrumental (40871)-15738 Artist Josh Garrels Album Love & War & The Sea In Between Licensed to YouTube by AdRev for a 3rd Party (on behalf of Music Bed (Music Bed)); AdRev Publishing, and 1 Music Rights Societies   Song Your Labor is Not in Vain (Live) Artist The Porter's Gate (feat. Paul Zach)  Album The Porter's Gate Work Songs: The Porter's Gate Worship Project Vol 1 Provided to YouTube by TuneCore ℗ 2017 The Porter's Gate/The Fuel Music Released on: 2017-10-06  Auto-generated by YouTube.

    1h 2m
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Welcome to Venn Presents, a series of conversations on the depth and richness of the Christian tradition, as we attempt to outwork it in our 21st century lives. Through this collection, host Sam Bloore and members of the Venn Foundation team will present aspects of their work and reflection, as well as that of the wider Venn community. Each short series will run across two or three episodes and the topics will be wide-ranging: from exploring Christian faith or doctrine; to engagement with wider culture, like business, the arts, education, music, and sport; and even discussing features of community and family life. Our hope is these conversations will, in some small way, help us all to re-imagine how the Master’s Gospel might sound in the communities and callings we find ourselves in today. For more on Venn Foundation's work and resources, go to www.venn.org.nz.

Information

  • Creator
    Venn Foundation
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2023
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Venn Foundation
  • Show Website
    Venn Presents