5 Minutes With…Craig Bosman
As the Rural Resource Minister with the Presbytery of WA, Craig seeks to connect with and resource the regional and remote churches of the Presbytery. Craig is also the Minister at Margaret River Uniting Church and Augusta Faith Community where he seeks to work alongside them to help fulfil their mission in the community.
How would you describe your journey into ministry?
An unshakeable call! I knew at 14 years old that I wanted to be part of this crazy thing called church. I was totally immersed in it the moment I came out the womb – Sunday School, Youth Group, Camps, Missions, etc. It was my whole world, and I felt irrevocably drawn to participate in its inner workings. After studying for a degree in commerce and working in marketing research for a few years, I found myself in Dubai with Gen. It was there that we both decided to jump in, boots and all.
Is there a key or memorable moment that has shaped your faith journey?
Discovering contemplation! In my third year of Bible College, the information overload was really getting to me. In the early hours of the mornings before class, I started seeking silence and stillness in the college garden. While reading a devotional book, I was introduced to “the Jesus Prayer.” This set me on the path of contemplative practice – reason and rationalism can only get you so far, eventually you need to transcend words and directly encounter the reality behind them.
Can you share something that has surprised or inspired you lately?
Small things make big differences! We can simply share a word, a link to something, a book, or even a look, and it can produce positive change in the world. Like throwing a pebble into a pond, the ripple effect reaches right to the edges. One case in point is that I recently shared a podcast episode with a bunch of friends. After listening to it, one of them let me know they changed their mind in a significant way about an important issue. Small acts, big changes, ongoing impacts!
When you’re not working, what’s your favourite way to spend your time?
Reading, walking in the bush, reading, going to the beach, reading, listening to podcasts, reading, hanging out with my family, and reading. Yes, I do love reading! Books provide deep wisdom and help me meet and learn from heaps of interesting people who I wouldn’t otherwise know. I particularly like reading books about contemplation. What’s my favourite? The Naked Now by Richard Rohr – it’s short, simple and profound. I also love science fiction – Dune is my most loved book, which I’ve read annually for a couple of years – I love the ‘litany of fear’ in it.
What’s next on your bucket list?
I’ve just started a PhD, but I’m not sure I should be telling anyone because I’m already feeling like quitting – it seems like such a mammoth task amid life’s many other happenings. So don’t hold it against me if I do! My topic is about creating a respectful conversation between Eastern Orthodox spirituality (the Philokalia) and Progressive Christianity. What does that mean? Well, I’ll let you know in a few years – if I manage to stick it out (a big if).
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My daily meditation/contemplation practice. Every morning and every evening I sit in quietness, close my eyes, and for 20 minutes I say a shortened form of the Jesus Prayer entrained to my breath (breathe in “Jesus”, breathe out “mercy”). This keeps my ‘reservoir of silence’ topped up so that I can draw on it in-between sessions to meet the challenges of the day with greater equanimity. When I occasionally miss a session, I feel like the one necessary thing is missing.
What’s your favourite quote or expression?
“Your practice of sitting in silence contributes to the spiritual hygiene of all the world in ways we do not understand.” Martin Laird wrote this to me after I sent him an email thanking him for writing the book, Into the Silent Land (highly recommend!)