Where do you live and go to church?

I live in Melbourne with my wife Christie and our three daughters.  We attend Bayside Church because we are the Senior Pastors, but we’d be part of this church community anyway because the people are so amazing.

What was the first book of the Bible you ever read?

The Gospel of Matthew – and then went straight to Revelation!

Where do you read the Bible?

Either in my office at our church building or I find a quiet place at home (but with three children that’s easier said than done!)

What’s one thing from the Bible that’s stuck in your brain at the moment?

The words “gathering” and “meeting” when the New Testament refers to Christians getting together. The Bible doesn’t refer to church “services”. God’s people met and gathered. There’s a big difference.

Name one part of the Bible you keep coming back to again and again and why.

Psalm 133 because I love the powerful illustrations David uses to describe the impact of unity in every relationship in life.

Describe one of your Bible reading failures and what you learnt.

Trying to adopt a Bible reading program that is too intensive and then trying to catch up when I invariably get behind.  Bible reading then becomes a case of ticking off dates or boxes rather than enjoying communion with God through the pages of His amazing book.

What advice would you give someone struggling to read the Bible each day?

In the light of my answer above, adopt a devotional study or program that is doable for you.  Make it work for you. Fit it into your life. If you’re not a good reader then listen to the Bible. There are so many apps and websites that make the Bible so accessible in this day and age.  Try out YouVersion Bible App and the Bible Gateway website.

And just for fun, if you were a monster what would be your defining feature?

Definitely my teeth. I play a game with my 7 year old where I close my eyes and she puts her finger near my mouth and I pretend to try and bite her.  She loves it. So, definitely could do with some monster teeth 🙂