Anglican Life Magazine Apr/May15

AnglicanINVITING / FORMING / SENDING / SERVINGanglicanlife.org.nz

He Oranga Mihinare

AnglicanINVITING / FORMING / SENDING / SERVINGanglicanlife.org.nz

He Oranga Mihinare

ISSUE THIRTY FIVE – APR/MAY 2015

Diocese of Christchurch

Money, education and theology Choosing silence

How to share the message

Seeking Allah fi nding Jesus

AnglicanLife Issue 35

Contents ISSUE 35Apr / May 2015

AnglicanLife is published bi-monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch.

ISSN 2253-1653

Editor – Fiona Summerfi eld

Contributing Writers – Cathy Maslin, Indrea Alexander

Contributors

+Victoria Matthews, Paul McDonald, Olivia Griffi ths, Ollie Alexander, Mandy Caldwell, Peter Carrell,

Philip Baldwin, Denise Munro

Advertising Enquiries Ivan Hatherley – [email protected]

Editorial Enquiries – [email protected]

Design – www.baylymoore.com

Printed by – Toltech Print

Sustainability – AnglicanLife is printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.

April & May at The Transitional Cathedral, Latimer SquareFurther details at www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz | [email protected] | (03) 3660046

SEE THE CATHEDRAL WEB SITE FOR DETAILS OF REGULAR SERVICES, special events AND FOR THE FULL HOLY WEEK & easter PROGRAMME

GOOD FRIDAY: 11am Celebration of the Lord’s Passion; 7.00pm CHOIR RECITAL

JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL: cathedral concerts 7-11 april

EASTER DAY: 8AM HOLY COMMUNION; 10AM CHORAL EUCHARIST; 5PM CHORAL EVENSONG

ALLYSON GOFTON IN THE CATHEDRAL: 6 May, allyson gofton talks about her new cookbook and a year in france. TICKETS FROM TICKETEK OR CATHEDRAL $20

Cover Image: Theological education is facing changes in funding, which could affect young church leaders of the future.

BISHOP’S ADDRESS: Knowing God 01

CURRENT EVENTS 02

FEATURE: Money, education and theology 04

DIALOGUE: Examining the focus on young adults 08

PHOTO ESSAY: Choosing silence 10

LIFESTYLE: Being led to follow 12

How to share the message 14

CULTURE: Seeking Allah fi nding Jesus 15

Acoustic album hits the right chord 16

Love so amazing 17

WORKPLACE: Growing a culture of faith sharing 18

What does the hymn say? 19

CLOSING ESSAY: Lessons from going away 21

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EDITORIAL

Knowing GodWORDS: BISHOP VICTORIA MATTHEWS

“This Eastertide I invite you to take time to love the God who first loved you.”

When I was in my early teens I sought out and took the confirmation classes offered at my Anglican School. The Chaplain was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed what I learned over the weeks. However on the day of the rehearsal I pulled out explaining I did not think myself ready for this step. Upon reflection I recognise that during the classes I learned a great deal about the Church and a certain amount about God. But what I really wanted was to know God, and getting to know God was not the focus of the classes. So I waited and later in university I again took confirmation classes and was confirmed with the laying on of hands with prayer in the Trinity College Chapel. The next year I attended Yale Divinity School and started to prepare for ordained ministry. All this time there was far more taught about God than developing a relationship with the Creator of heaven and earth; our redeemer Jesus Christ; and about life in the Spirit.

This edition of Anglicanlife focuses on gratitude for our young leaders. It comes to you in Eastertide. Gratitude, young leaders and the rising of Christ from the dead are all topics that feeds my hunger to know and worship God.

People come to know God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in a number of ways. Earlier this year a number of our young leaders attended a three day silent retreat. They found coming before God in silence a most amazing experience. Some described it as almost overwhelming. All believe they grew in the knowledge and love of God once they were able to depart the busyness and noise of every day life and simply open themselves to the God who made them, died for them and who invites them to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We grow in the knowledge of God through Scripture, the Eucharist and prayer. Silence is one powerful means of removing the distractions of daily life. This Eastertide I invite you to take time to love the God who first loved you.

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LOCAL / NATIONAL / WORLD

Current eventsRemember dementia

The incidence of dementia is increasing in New Zealand because our population is aging. Currently around 50,000 people are diagnosed in New Zealand but the number is projected to rise to 78,000 by 2026, according to the Ministry of Health. Anglican Living have put together a brochure to help create churches that are welcoming to those in our congregations with mild to moderate dementia as well as their carers.

The brochure has helpful hints such as; to include some hymns with traditional tunes because these are often remembered from earlier years or sometimes use a traditional version of the Bible for readings to help unlock memories. It also has ideas for ways parishes can reach out into their communities to assist those with dementia and their carers.

Anglican Living staff can work with parishes to assist in education, support and ideas. They can be contacted on 03 977 0896.

The brochure is available for download off anglicanliving.org.nz

Pancake racing Anglican styleThe pancakes were made and the races began on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

The races were held between some of the different ministry units of the Diocese and other entities on site at St Peter’s Upper Riccarton. Pre-earthquakes the races were held in Cathedral Square between teams from firms and other city organisations. At the St Peter’s site, the Glebe was used for the races.

They’re off with Jolyon White from the Mission and Ministry Team already in the lead, (left – right: Lynda Alexandra from the Anglican Centre, Celia Falloon from CPT, Jolyon White, Nick Mountfort from the Transitional Cathedral and Susan Higgins from Petersgate)

The difficult change over is negotiated (left to right: Geoff King and Susan Higgins from Petersgate, Grace Manning, Jolyon White and Lyndon Rogers from Mission and Ministry Team, Ross Seagar and Suzanne Price from CPT, Patrick Murray, Lynda Alexander and Anna Abrams from Anglican Centre)

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Never too old to say yes to JesusWORDS: JILL KEIR

Rangi Webster is a resident of Holdsworth House. Holdsworth House is the rest home that is part of the Fitzgerald Centre operated by Anglican Living. The Reverend Jill Keir, Chaplain to Fitzgerald Centre, runs a small, fortnightly bible study group with some of the residents of Holdsworth House. During one of these gatherings, Rangi said, “Do you know, I’ve never been baptised!” When Jill asked her if she would like to be her instant reply was, “Oh! Yes please!”

The next morning was the regular Holy Communion service in the rest home. Jill advised staff of the pending baptism and by the next morning a special morning tea had been arranged and senior staff joined the residents for the baptism immediately before the Holy Communion service.

“It was a great occasion!” one of the other residents commented to the Chaplain.

Rangi doesn’t remember much of her childhood in Christchurch except that she was raised by her grandmother. It was some years later that she was visited one day by two brothers she had known nothing about. She is proud to be a mother, grandmother and now a great grandmother. She celebrated her 80th birthday late last year.

Rangi reads her Bible daily and can repeat many passages from memory. Her favourite passage is John 14. Saying her prayers every evening has been her practice for a long time.

“It is wonderful to notice the new joy in Rangi’s face since the baptism,” said Jill. “She has long been a woman of faith but this has been a very profound experience for Rangi.”


FEATURE

Money, education and theologyFiona Summerfield investigates changes in theological education. WORDS: FIONA SUMMERFIELDRESEARCHER: CATHY MASLIN

What is happening?The government has reduced the funding for theological and Bible teaching courses. The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has changed the amount of money it invests in theological education. It is doing so by asking private theological colleges, who receive government funding for theology, to transfer 10% of the government funding allocation from their theology and Biblical studies courses to other qualifications. Those that don’t have alternative subjects have to reduce their delivery of theology programmes in 2015 by 5%.

An example of this is Laidlaw College that was required in 2015 to shift 10% of the government student funding from theology and Biblical training courses to counselling and teaching.

This review of subjects is part of the overall Tertiary Education Strategy 2014-2019. This strategy includes increasing the focus on the outcome for graduates “in particular on the economic benefits that result from tertiary education, and therefore on employment, higher incomes”. The TEC’s Statement of Intent 2014-2018 indicates measurement of the success for this strategy will be by achieving an increase in graduate’s incomes two year’s after graduation every year for the next four years as well as the proportion of graduates in employment two years after graduation.

This focus and measurement is part of Tertiary Education Strategy priority one; “develop skills for Industry.”

Caleb sums it up: “There’s an ongoing trend under this government of defunding higher education, particularly education for its own sake, as opposed to that which has direct applications to careers and the economy.”

Tony also suggests, while funding in theological education is occurring for St. John’s College through the St. John’s College Trust, changes in funding church leadership is changing too. He says the Christian community needs to face the reality, that in the future church leadership may be a part time vocation and ministers may need to have another day job. “Our leaders could become bivocational; part time ministry and part time something else as a means to put bread on the table.” He suggests in many ways it is a return to the early church model of leadership: “Becoming more like Paul the tent maker.”

Why should you care?The changes to funding theological education could mean churches have to provide further funding if we want theologically knowledgeable leaders.

Article Participants

Theology Student, Caleb Morgan Day

The College of St. John the Evangelist Principal, Rev’d Canon Tony Gerritson

Laidlaw Theological College National Principal, Dr Rod Thompson

Theology House Director, Dr Peter Carrell

University of Auckland School of Humanities theology lecturer, Dr Nick Thompson

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Peter acknowledges, “We have had a good run with secular funding for theological study to the advantage of the churches.” But he also points out, “The challenge of this situation begins with churches revaluing the importance of theology generally in the life of the church and in particular in the process of training for ministry leadership of the church.”

Rod, says the future of theological education is not secure. He adds, “The view communicated to us from TEC was that churches and individuals should pay for Biblical and theological qualifications. They are, from a TEC perspective, merely special interest qualifications.”

Young people thinking about training in theology may have to look off shore if price and availability changes with the TEC’s strategy. Caleb says one of the reasons he moved overseas was “because of the dearth of funding for theological study in New Zealand.”

In the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, it is up to each Bishop to decide what theological training is required for their ministers. There is no set requirement about what level of theology qualification is needed to lead a congregation. Tony believes theological education is very important for church leaders. “It is absolutely essential. We need highly articulate theologians that can explain what we are doing and why we are doing it. They need to be able to offer theological reflection on societal issues and offer that in non-jargon terms as a gift to public discourse.”

If costs of theological training increases as government funding decreases, could this lead to future church leaders with minimal theological training? Tony responds with his own question, “Would you go to a dentist who only knows how to floss?” He continues, “Theological and Biblically literate clergy, who have the leadership skills to operate in this liminal space of a post-Christendom environment are essential.”

Be grateful for being AnglicanPeter says, “We can be especially thankful for the funding for theological education available through the St John’s College Trust Board.” The Trust has its own act in New Zealand legislation and was set up by Bishop Selwyn in the 1850s. The Trust provides funding to the St John’s College in Auckland so students studying for ordination pay no fees and are provided with accommodation and basic living costs. The students do have to be selected and put

Ordination Service last year in the Transitional Cathedral]

forward by their Bishop. In 2015 there are fifty-nine students studying at the College

from the three Tikanga. It is interesting to note that despite the funding, less than 20% of those ordained in the Anglican Church studied at St John’s College.

$300,000 was spent by the Trust last year funding individual scholarships within Tikanga Pakeha, to which an Anglican can apply. Caleb received funding to study theology this way and emphasises, “We are privileged in the Anglican church to have St John’s scholarships for lay people.”

The trust also funds theological training in the dioceses. Through this funding, it is possible to study the Diploma in Anglican Studies without needing to move to Auckland. Theology House in Christchurch receives 25% of its funding from the St John’s Trust and this year it has also begun offering the Diploma in Anglican Studies, taught by local tutors.


FEATURE

Are there positive outcomes from the funding changes?While public university theology studies are not affected directly by the recent changes, Nick says, “We have been seriously affected by a freeze in funding to the arts and humanities at the universities.” The university will offer a Bachelor of Arts with a major in theology and religious studies rather than a bachelor degree in theology from 2016. Nick arrived from Scotland in 2009. He sees some benefi ts to this new model, which is similar to that being adopted in British universities, including Oxford. He says it “will make it easier for lay arts students to incorporate theologically oriented courses into arts degrees without necessarily taking a full-blown major in theology and religious studies.”

Rod appealed to Laidlaw’s support base and he says, “The Lord has been very gracious to us as a College. We have been encouraged by the prayers of God’s people and by generous fi nancial support from donors.” Laidlaw’s programmes are also not standing still, “TEC have approved our 2015 Investment Plan (use of government funds). We are pleased that the Investment Plan has been approved, particularly in light of their support in doing so for the new Laidlaw campus in Manukau,” Rod says. As well as this the college is “actively developing on-line access to our qualifi cations. This year we will add video-conferencing

facilities to each of our campuses that will allow multiple delivery of courses and more fl exible study options for students.”

St John’s College has developed a closer relationship with the Theology Programme at the University of Otago and later this year will host an Otago lecturer at St John’s in Auckland to ensure more face-to-face delivery of their degree. Tony says he is “thrilled about the joint appointment.” He says the “relationship developed over time as it was recognised Otago is a top class university with rigorous theology qualifi cations.”

The bi-vocational approach to ministry may also have its benefi ts because church ministry is known to be a diffi cult task that can isolate ministers and lead to depression. Having another vocation could provide leaders with, an opportunity to be part of a team outside the church and a way to better manage congregational expectations of availability. It also makes the sustainability of parishes more possible and gives the clergy person a mission fi eld in their work environment.

What does God think?Perhaps ask a theologically trained person near you.

Anglican studies now available locallyWORDS: PETER CARRELL

in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia’ (Semester One) and ‘Introduction to Anglican Theology’ (Semester Two).

Teaching is concentrated on two intensive weekends (31 July to 1 August, 12 September) for the second semester paper, with two assignments required for credit, one due between the weekends and one due after the second weekend. The venue is Theology House in Upper Riccarton.

There is some very good news about cost of courses. The backing of St John’s College for these courses means that they are very affordable. Just a $50 administrative fee for each course.

To fi nd out more details see: theologyhouse.ac.nz

St John’s College, Auckland has been spreading its educational wings in recent years. Mostly thought of as ‘our residential theological college’ for the Anglican church of these islands, the College has been offering courses from its Anglican Studies diploma programme in the Dioceses for a couple of years.

This year the Diocese of Christchurch is offering two courses from the programme in conjunction with St John’s. Students are formally enrolled with St John’s but the tutors are sourced locally through teams put together by Peter Carrell, Director of Theology House.

The two courses being offered are ‘The Anglican Church

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Examining the focus on young adultsFiona Summerfield questions Young Adults Ministry Developer, Spanky Moore, about the church, young adults and young leaders.

In Society today youth/young adults are the focus of a lot of the marketing and media content. Do you think our Diocese has taken on too much of the world’s view of youth and young adults as a vital group or is there still more to be done to balance all ages feeling welcome?I think to be fair, a lot of advertising is also targeted at the baby boomer market too! Rest assured not many young people can afford to buy a new Harley Davidson! But it’s important to understand why so much effort is being put into connecting with youth and young adults. If you look around in most parishes on a Sunday they’re still pretty thin on the ground. For me it goes well beyond just trying to make young people feel welcome - we want them to thrive, not just survive. My hope is for every parish to ask themselves, “What would it take for a young person to thrive here?”

FIONA SUMMERFIELD WITH SPANKY MOORE

Dialogue

We often see activities that sound really interesting but are labelled just for young adults - what are the benefits of doing this?Like any family, sometimes it’s good to do general things together, and sometimes it’s good to do special things with those who have certain things in common. Young adults are at a life stage, which has it’s own unique interests: choosing a career, navigating sex and relationships, looking for love. The danger of never doing life stage targeted ministries is you only address the general issues of a community and not the specifics. I’d suggest if anyone thinks the stuff the young adults are putting on looks so interesting, why not work on making the stuff for your own specific life stage better, rather than lusting over the very few things put on specifically for young adults?

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“My hope is for every parish to ask themselves, ‘What would it take for a young person to thrive here?’ ”

How important is the voice of young adults in the Diocese and do you feel it is being heard?Certainly over the past five years the voice of young adults has become louder. But that’s not just because they’re young adults - it’s because they’re bright, talented and passionate people in their own right, speaking well, and making good sense. I don’t think we need a church that just hears the voice of young people. We need a church that takes these young men and women seriously enough to realise, they’re not the future of the church, they are the church.

Jesus was in his early thirties when he was teaching - how do you feel a leader (and their opinions) of that age is accepted in our Diocese? Even more disturbing is that many historians think Jesus’ disciples were in their mid to late teenage years! Jesus was basically the first youth minister! But personally speaking, very rarely have I felt at a disadvantage or talked down to because of my age, in fact I’ve mostly been seriously encouraged, but I have heard of it happening plenty of times to others. It often seems a twenty-five year old can be a CEO in the real world, but can only be trusted with the data projector in the church. I believe young people are often used by God as a prophetic voice to remind us of the big questions and the church’s main purpose.

The Anglican church is aging - how do we successfully pass on that wealth of faith and experience from our elders and kaumatua to the new leaders coming through and do you think the baton is being passed on well to younger leaders?Jesus’ great commission was to go into all the nations and make disciples, not just make church services. If we’re serious about passing on the good news of Jesus to our young people, our hearts need to begin to break for them. And we need to ask ourselves “who am I discipling in my life? And am I discipling them in such a way that they will then go on to disciple someone else?” It’s not a Diocesan challenge or a parish challenge. It’s a challenge for each of us as individuals to invest our time, money and relationships into one or two young people so they can encounter Jesus and pass that good news on to someone else.

If there was one thing you could instantly sort out within the Diocese to encourage young adults - what would it be?If each person in our Diocese found just one person under thirty to invest meaningfully into and disciple in the way of Jesus, we wouldn’t be having this interview. And yet discipleship is one of the great joys of life. I pray for God to open our eyes to someone in our neighbourhood that we can come alongside. After all, Jesus started with just twelve and it seemed to go quite well...

Ad


PHOTO ESSAY

Choosing silenceWORDS: SPANKY MOOREAt the end of January Spanky Moore took away twenty young people from our Diocese to Peel Forest for Unplugged - a three day mostly silent experience for brave, young adults. The concept was almost unthinkable; no cell phones, no Facebook, and almost no talking. The time away was deeply profound for most of the pilgrims, with one person commenting, “This has been the most spiritually intense weekend of my life”. Here’s what the three days of silence looked like.


FAMILY / SOCIAL JUSTICE / ENVIRONMENT / SUSTAINABILITY / SPIRITUALITY

LifestyleBeing led to follow

25 year old Kathryn Hurst shares her Spiritual Journey with Cathy Maslin.

WORDS & PHOTO: CATHY MASLIN

Growing up in Pleasant Point Kathryn ‘sometimes’ went to church. This was for one simple reason; because her parents did.

After her family moved to Dunedin Kathryn found a common bond with a group of Christian girls at Otago Girls’ High School. They invited her to a youth group and she went. She also recounts all her good intentions at this point to “be Godly and fulfill the ritual of going to church. But I always seemed to fail at that, sleep usually won.”

Skip three and a half years and what drew her back to church? Food of course! Who could, as an honours student in theatre studies, resist a breakfast with croissants? Courtesy of an invitation from her flatmate, Kathryn attended an evangelical outreach service taken by B@tCH (Breakfast at the Coronation Hall at Highgate Presbyterian). She was “stoked the service wasn’t too long or boring and that the sermon explained things”.

After finishing university, an O.E. led Kathryn to London. Job seeking proved stressful, lonely and disheartening. A desperate, ‘God help me’ prayer followed. As did emails with a woman from B@tCH who reassured her they would pray and gave advice to try out Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) Anglican Church.

Answers to prayers arrived in the form of better jobs and a look at the HTB website. The website offered ‘the Bible in one year’ accessible online. This sounded attractive to Kathryn as she found it hard to “be bothered reading the whole Bible”. She thought after committing to read the commentary, “perhaps now God will love me.”

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Being Led

Kathryn decided to give HTB a go one Sunday morning. The croissants, the music and lighting as well as brilliant sermons encouraged her. The underlying message she received was, “it’s okay to be human and we’ve all got stuff [to deal with].”

One Sunday while listening to the sermon, eight words transformed Kathryn’s walk with God. They were ‘God loves you no matter what you’ve done’. “I thought, say what [His love isn’t earned]? Now I get it. The Holy Spirit filled me. It opened my eyes. God really talks to people directly.”

Now “hooked on church and wanting to go”, Kathryn became involved with an HTB church plant closer to her home. It was not long before she felt a call to ministry. Soon a series of events made it clear God was calling her to go teaching. This was not Kathryn’s idea; resolutions to avoid this profession at all costs were well engrained in her psyche.

Kathryn says, “but I slowly mellowed into the idea and in the end said yes.” Influences included coincidently meeting three teachers consecutively before a service, attending a small group where someone said, “I have a word on my mind and it is ‘teacher’,” and a service taken by Bethel church about Mary and her calling.

While reflecting during the service that there must be more to ministry than being a stand-up comedian, Kathryn’s thoughts were drawn back to Pleasant Point. The need for a revival in New Zealand and for people to know God lay heavily on her heart. A sudden interruption to her musings came as a call for all those considering ministry to come and receive prayer. Kathryn wanted to go forward but was hesitant. It appears God knew, the friend she came with uttered, “Oh it’s YOU, the Holy Spirit wants YOU to go forward.”

“If you don’t ask, you won’t get an answer and even if you don’t, keep asking.”

Following

Kathryn began planning to go back to Pleasant Point to help with the youth group and to attend teacher training. Her passion for youth was fueled by her own memories of growing up in “a not pro-God community”.

Back at home she joined the efforts of dedicated people who had kept the youth group going. It was clear attendance was dwindling and something needed to be done. After a leaders’ meeting they came up with a plan.

Kathryn took flyers and stood at the school bus stop handing them out to students as they climbed on board. Her mother rang up past members. Her mother asked God if they could perhaps just have twelve young people turn up, a good number but not too many for the leaders to handle. So they prayed for twelve.

The next session thirteen young people turned up but one had to leave early. Kathryn says she felt the young people seemed more interested in the spiritual side of things than they used to be. She believes this was due to their curiosity being peaked because they didn’t know as much as they thought they did, and a session on prayer taken by Ollie Alexander.

Following through with her plan, Kathryn is now currently in Christchurch training to be a primary teacher. But her passion for ministry in her rural hometown remains. A series of connections stemming from a youth meeting has also led to her appointment to a part-time role leading the youth group at St Peter’s Anglican Church alongside her study.

Her advice to youth is to keep asking questions. “If you don’t ask, you won’t get an answer and even if you don’t, keep asking.”

Her advice to young adult leaders is, “Make it fun otherwise people won’t come. Also pray. When we didn’t pray, it didn’t work out.”

Post Script:Cathy: “So Kathryn, do you think it is a coincidence that

although you are pursuing teaching you are still involved with youth work as well?”

Kathryn: “I don’t believe in coincidences anymore.”


LIFESTYLE

How to share the messageWORDS: OLLIE ALEXANDER

“I would love to see our churches practise sharing ‘My Story’ with each other.”

I would love to see our churches practise sharing ‘My Story’ with each other. ‘My Story’ describes our journey to faith in Christ, and what it means for us to live in a relationship with Him today. Our culture is spiritually hungry and although no one wants to be preached at, many people are open to conversations about spiritual beliefs and experiences (considered an Alpha course this year?). By asking the right questions and sharing ‘My Story,’ we can point people to true spirituality found in Christ. (1 Peter 3:15, Luke 8:39)

I recommend watching a video on Youtube called, “Ask Admire Admit” or the ‘Equipping Videos’ found on altogether.co.nz. They offer great questions that dig deeper. We can ASK questions like: “Have you had any spiritual beliefs or experiences?” “What do you mean by?” or “If we can have a relationship with God, would you be interested?” We can ADMIRE aspects of their beliefs, and ADMIT the Truth: “Have you ever considered…” “Can I share why I need Jesus in my life?” or “Would you like to hear a story that Jesus told about a relationship with God?” (The Prodigal Son is a goodie!)

A great excuse to share with our community is through the Hope Project. The Hope Project is distributing a second set of booklets in late April that discuss the Christian faith in a gentle, relevant manner. These will be mailed to every household in NZ, except those with “no-circulars” on the letterbox. One of my joys last year was delivering similar booklets in person to “no-circular” homes in Waimate with other passionate Christians. If you’re keen to be involved, simply contact the Hope Project through their website altogether.co.nz.

At the end of February I followed a group of curious, young adults into a silent retreat at Peel Forest. We discovered how easily we fill up our days with noise and static, and that we often need to lay aside our own agendas and ideas before we can really hear God’s whisper. As we return back home and seek to serve God, we face a similar temptation in our church: to clutter our lives with great initiatives and deeds.

Following Jesus is a call to daily sacrifice. In Luke 14, Jesus shares that people will miss out on God’s heavenly banquet because their lives are busy with their own (quite reasonable) agendas. In Luke 8, Jesus speaks of an unfruitful seed that is choked by life’s worries and pleasures, and In Luke 9, three men are challenged to follow Jesus with complete urgency. “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

However we choose to fill up our day - as long as we’re distracted from reaching the lost and making disciples – I believe that the devil is satisfied.

I’ve been invited to share a few ideas on evangelism, yet none are worth mentioning if we don’t share God’s passion for the lost. Dave Mann, the director of the Hope Project writes: “The frontline of the battle for evangelism is, ironically, in our bedrooms or living rooms, for this is where we either do, or do not, spend real and quality time with God.” As we grow in our relationship with the Trinity, we must ask to share His burden.

Let’s ask God to reveal five people close to our hearts that have not accepted Christ’s forgiveness. We can write their names on a bookmark to keep in our Bible, and regularly pray that God will use us and others to communicate His message of eternal life. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

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CultureFILM / MUSIC / LITERATURE / WEB / FOOD / EVENTS

Seeking Allah finding JesusSeeking Allah finding Jesus - A devout Muslim encounters Christianity, By Nabeel Qureshi, Foreward by Lee Strobel, Publisher Zondercan, 2014, Michigan

WORDS: CATHY MASLIN

I was given the recommendation to read this book towards the end of last year. It was a timely suggestion given the recent eruptions of religious violence and debates surrounding the growth of Islam in western countries.

It is easy to form opinions when one is removed from an issue. Hence an insider’s perspective into the teachings of Islam, and what growing up as a Muslim immigrant is like, makes this book important.

Although my preference is to read about human experience, the rational analysis of Nabeel’s search for the truth about God adds credibility to what otherwise may be cast aside as emotionalism. This is a good read but not a light read. Alongside the story of a heart struggle, the intellectual capacity needed to engage in the in-depth analysis of Islam, and Islam in relation to Christianity, is significant.

The events of 9/11 served as the first motivation for Nabeel to take a closer look at his faith. “I had to figure out how to reconcile my Islam, a religion of peace, with the Islam on television, a religion of terror,” (p 115) he writes. Yet it was not until a lot later, after

developing a brotherly friendship with a Christian and extensively challenging Christian beliefs and the Bible, that Nabeel felt compelled to apply some of the same scrutiny to Islam.

At this point Nabeel’s life was turned upside down. He discovered a difference between what many Muslim adherents believe and what the foundational teachings of Islam, based on the Prophet Muhammad, actually express.

By reading this book you will gain an understanding of why it is so hard for Muslim’s to even consider Christianity let alone become a Christian. You will also journey with Nabeel as he profoundly encounters Jesus while trying not to believe what he has come to believe; because of the cost.

The cost is an inevitable rift with his loving family. One only needs to go so far as the dedication to see what an important place family has in Nabeel’s heart:

“Ammi and Abba, your undying love for me even when you feel I have sinned against you is second only to God’s love for His children.”

This book is a must read.Nabeel Qureshi trained as a Medical Doctor but chose to

pursue an MA in Christian apologetics and then a MA in religion. He is now a speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.


CULTURE

Acoustic album hits the right chordWORDS: PAUL MCDONALD

They are now the old dogs of the Christian music scene, but with their latest acoustic effort ‘SoCal Sessions’, it appears P.O.D. is still prepared to learning new tricks after 22 years in the business.

The album came after the band was asked to perform its hits using an acoustic guitar during radio interviews.

While the band is primarily known for its soaring rock anthems, P.O.D.’s back catalogue also includes an eclectic mix of reggae and nu-metal, however, only a smattering of acoustic tracks can be found across its eight studio albums.

Translating some of its heavier tracks could have been a fine balancing act, but for the most part, the band have hit the nail on the head and breathed new life into some of its classics.

The reworking of ‘Youth of a Nation’ from the band’s 2001 breakthrough album ‘Satellite’ was easily the highlight of the album.

It would have been difficult to do the intro to this song justice on an acoustic guitar, but P.O.D. pulled it off with absolute precision.

The only let down on the album was the reworking of 2006 track ‘Strength of my Life’. While the bands other tracks with a touch of reggae appear to have worked well with an acoustic blend, this track did not have the smooth consistency P.O.D. would have hoped for.

Many ‘acoustic’ albums often fall short of the mark and offer nothing new to the listener, but with this release, P.O.D. struck a chord with its old fans and will potentially bring some new fans along for the ride in time for a new album later this year.Paulie Rating: 4 out of 5

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17

Love so amazingCathy Maslin investigates the history of a well known Easter hymn.

WORDS & PHOTO : CATHY MASLIN

In the 1600’s a young Isaac Watts, the writer of ‘When I Survey The Wondrous Cross’, found traditional hymns to be somewhat dull and lifeless.

There is comfort to be found in the knowledge some things never change! But we can also give credit to his father who challenged him to quit complaining and give the church something better.

Isaac Watts changed the landscape of church music for his generation. Breaking from the tradition of the time, Watts introduced writing hymns from the perspective of personal religious experience. They had previously been restricted to the repetition of psalms or direct quotations from scripture. Watt’s compositions were labelled ‘hymns of human composure’ and were highly controversial.

‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross’ is a response to Love’s ultimate sacrifice, Christ crucified on the cross. Gratitude for God’s Son willingly dying instead of us, taking on himself all our wrongdoings so they will not separate us from God, on earth or eternally. Galatians 6:14 reads:“But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!”

The context of this verse lies within a time of people boasting about outward signs that made them ‘holy’. Yet here Paul is reminding them these things are nought compared to the complete forgiveness, which came through the cross. The message from this verse, echoed in Watt’s hymn, challenges us afresh to treasure Jesus and what He did on the cross - above all else, including creation itself!. Recently Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman have written and sung a revised version of this hymn called ‘The Wonderful Cross’.

Watts went on to write over 600 hymns as well as many theological reflections and essays on Logic. He also became the Pastor of the Independent Church in Berry St, London.

Unfortunately, due to contracting smallpox at the age of 15, he suffered constant ill health. In an act of generosity Sir Thomas Abney and his wife offered him the hospitality of their home for life. His congregation also employed an assistant so he could minister and focus on his literary work as his health allowed.

With a touch of irony Watts, who is now seen as one of the greatest English hymn writers of all time, was not allowed to be buried within the city limits of London when he died at 74 because he was a non-conformist Pastor. Nonconformist means he did

not agree to abide by the doctrine of the Church of England. He was, however, deemed a nice enough chap to have a tribute dedicated to his life and ministry in Westminster Abbey.

May we see from his life what encouraging the young can bring, especially when the young person chooses to follow the calling God has placed on their hearts.


FINANCE / CAREER / STEWARDSHIP / ETHICS

WorkplaceGrowing a culture of faith sharing

Seeing unbelievers come to faith is one of the most exciting things a church can experience, and evangelism enabler Tim Wilson is helping ordinary people make it happen.

WORDS: INDREA ALEXANDERPHOTO: TIM WILSON

For the past 18 months Tim has been evangelism enabler for the parish of St Saviour’s and St. Nicholas one day a week. Working with people in Beckenham and Barrington he helps plan events, run courses and equip people to confidently share their faith.The outreach events are varied - great social events or very low key introductions to Christian faith are to be followed this year by more overt events such as ‘grill-a-Christian’, or maybe an invitation to meet a sports celebrity and discover why they are a Christian.Not all have gone well. “We ran some events and (church) people didn’t come and didn’t invite their friends and so we asked why. We actually used an online survey, and we learnt a lot.” Basically, inviting people is really hard. “It expanded our thinking on how we need to serve the body.”

Along with the one-off events are some constants. Tim has found that courses such as Christianity Explored, which is based in the gospel of Mark, can work well with large groups and with as

19

“Many church people lack expectation or confidence in the power of the gospel and are

absolutely surprised when people come to faith.”

few as two or three people. In Christianity Explored “people meet Jesus as he walks off the pages of Mark”. Recently two profoundly deaf people did the Christianity Explored course with him and the parish women’s minister and came to faith.

Tim says one challenge is that many church people lack expectation or confidence in the power of the gospel and “are absolutely surprised when people come to faith.”

Tim first met Christianity Explored when he and his wife Megan spent fourteen years in London. They worshipped at All Souls Langham Place then became involved with the unique church-plant “St Peter’s Barge”, a church on a barge boat at West India Quay, North Dock. It seeks to make disciples of all nations who live or work on the docklands.

It was there Tim got involved with Christianity Explored and he then took two years out of work to do a training programme to become a teacher of the Word.

In his parish of St. Saviour’s and St Nicholas, he tries to ensure Christianity Explored is run at least three terms a year, a mixture of lunch time and evening courses. While Tim runs some courses himself he also encourages church members to run Christianity Explored in their own homes and to invite people they know. “We’re trying to make it normal this year for people to offer Christianity Explored in their own home and to invite Uncle Bob or neighbour Maureen.”

“Christians have to be recognising the opportunities they have around them. They are the frontline of the church in their workplaces, clubs and family. They are our evangelists.”

He acknowledges that many Christians don’t feel able to share their faith adequately. “People feel out of their depth in

Tim’s picks:A great resource for Christians to use one to one:One2one Bible Study series.Available from thegoodbook.co.nz, search: one2one

A great resource to use one-to-one with an unbeliever:The Word One to OneAvailable either by downloading sections for free or you can buy copies as well. theword121.com

conversations about faith with their colleagues, family and friends.” Part of his role is to help people overcome this sense of

inadequacy. One of the tools he has found useful here is Randy Newman’s Questioning Evangelism. It is an approach for ordinary Christians to use questions to start meaningful conversations as a method of sharing faith.

Alongside the big events and regular courses, Tim says the final strand for him is time one-to-one in the Bible with other men. “Men get together one-to-one all the time. We’re working on making that normal in Christian circles. One-to-one in the Bible. There’s nothing scary about it for the Christian or the non-Christian.”

He prays that a growing number of unbelievers will say yes to engaging in one-to-one Bible study with church members this year, and will respond “to the care of the messenger and the power of the message”.


WORKPLACE

What does the hymn say?WORDS: PHILIP BALDWIN

packed with creativity.Many particles combining, birthing elemental forms,Cosmic chemistry unfolding to reveal its complex norms.…In this myst’ry’s form and chaos, with their fierce intensity,Past evolving death and terror, love will shape our destiny.

Bill’s work has also been supported by organisations like ProgressiveChirstianity.org, which continues to make his worship materials available in their Resource Collection so that they can benefit faith communities near and far.

World Library Publications’ music editor Tom Strickland commented: “Bill has continued his mission—singing of a loving God, a caring God, a cosmic God in a universe we cannot completely understand—in a distinctive prophetic voice.”

One of the most facile truisms of Christian worship is that we need new worship materials. Traditional Christian hymns abound in our churches, expressing piety, praise, and theology in images and

diction that belong to the 18th and 19th centuries, but often regularly used hymns have not been written within our own lifetimes.

Among the poets and composers who seek to present more contemporary theologies and the concerns of the post-modern church is Christchurch’s William L (Bill) Wallace. Bill recently launched Singing the Sacred, vol. 2, his second published collection of hymns, by giving a congregation of supporters the opportunity to sing them on a Sunday afternoon at the Transitional Cathedral.

This second collection of 32 hymns not only meets the need for a contemporary expression of spirituality, but also fulfills a range of liturgical needs, as it includes a meditation on the Eucharist (“Behind the bread there lies the baker’s craft”); a southern hemisphere’s perspective on the celebration of Christmas (“Christmas in the summer”); and an expression of some of the implications of Jesus’ incarnation (“God now calls us each to seek Christ within all humankind”). There are hymns

suitable for Pentecost, the offertory, a final congregational blessing, and fostering an awareness of nature and the environment:

When Earth wakes from out of sleep with a terrifying shake,Does our faith lie torn apart like the dwellings we forsake?Cosmic God, each process shows parts of wisdom Earth well knows.

Although his language is modern (“the spiral of our genomes”, “touch the realms of oneness”, “these creatures of mind that devour the true self / we tame by the graces God’s love can deploy”), Bill links his lyrics to traditional hymn tunes as well as many that he has composed himself. As with the first volume of Singing the Sacred, the inclusion of alternate hymn tunes to match particular lyrics is most welcome. Several composers have ably provided harmonisations for Bill’s melodies, including Barry Brinson, Francis Dennis, Paul Ellis, Graham Hollobon, and Wallace Woodley.

Reflecting on the language and content of his hymns, Bill is very much concerned with the widening gap between Christianity and our society: “The traditional images that Christianity still uses, in the main reflect a pre-scientific worldview which growing numbers in Western society no longer accept”. Consider the following, which combines creation, the big bang, cosmic process, and praise to God:

From the fireball’s searing alpha, from the singularity,From the nothing came the something

Singing the Sacred, Volume 2: A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. World Library Publications, 2014. ISBN 978-1-58459-765-0Available through Ecclesia Books 03-366-3098Additional collections of Bill Wallace’s hymns can be accessed from the website of the Methodist Church of New Zealand at: methodist.org.nz/resources/hymns/index.

21

Lessons from going awayWORDS: OLIVIA GRIFFITHS

CLOSING ESSAY

I am nineteen years old and since 2011 I have been able to go on mission trips to Uganda, Fiji and Indonesia. For me it’s been absolutely, one hundred percent worth the expense involved in fundraising and for those who have supported me. There are definitely the challenges of cultural shock, and living out of your comfort zone but by the end you realise how much the encounter has influenced you.

In Year 12 I went on a mission trip to Uganda with my church. It taught me so much and gave me a desire to travel. I realised that even though the kids over there don’t have the technology and gadgets the kids in NZ have, they are the happiest kids I have ever seen. Playing games outside with them was full of laughter. I remember when we handed over a gift to one of the kids from his sponsor; he opened it and cried with overwhelming gratefulness. Coming from a generation and age of materialism, this was the most impacting thing for me.

In Fiji (with a CMS Encounter Group) the people’s hospitality impacted me. If a group of us were coming to visit a village they would all prepare vast amounts of food for us at lunch. This would be all they had but it didn’t matter as long as we felt well fed. A village we visited declared a holiday and did not fish on that day, losing

“Compared to Fijian hospitality standards we

don’t match up. It inspired me to try and welcome people in the way that

they do.”

their income. One time I complimented a lady on a type of food she had prepared for us and she told me it took her six hours to make it. This made me think about hospitality in New Zealand. Compared to Fijian hospitality standards we don’t match up. It inspired me to try and welcome people in the way that they do.

On my mission trip (with YWAM) to Bali, an island of Indonesia, I learnt so much about God’s faithfulness and love. We prayed for Hindu and Muslim people and so many said they felt the tangible love of God. We went into a hospital and many terminal cancer patients were sent home afterwards because they felt so much better. God’s power is incredible. One day I held a lady’s hand in hospital. Nona had lung cancer and was in severe pain. I sat next to her and told her the love God had placed in my heart for her. I prayed for her and tears streamed down her face as she said she was feeling the tangible love of God. She told me that her family had not visited her in over a week and she felt lonely, but she was so thankful that I had come all the way from NZ to comfort her and share God’s love with her. This moment was when I realised the gift of compassion God had given me to bring to Bali. I knew I wanted to study nursing to help people like Nona.

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