Jane explains the concept of “permanent agriculture” as a way of life following some important principles.
"We see people meeting with Jesus wherever they are in their ages and stages," say Gary and Phillipa, leaders of Messy Church in Motueka.
I found in preparing for the ordination service that God kept affirming so deeply that this commitment I was preparing to make was what I was made for and every way in which he'd journeyed with me led to this.
For those involved in Christian ministry, our sense of worth can easily become confused with our perceived “success” or output. Living with Chronic Fatigue unmasks this dangerous fallacy.
In the Nelson diocese, we sadly have one of the highest rates of child poverty at 18.5%. So what can we do about it?
There was a level of enthusiasm for worship, prayer, prophecy and fellowship that I’ve never seen before.
We asked a few parishes to tell us about how their Easter celebrations went this year.
Bishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia express their horror at the continuing acts of violence and join international voices in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire by both warring parties to this conflict.
As we journey through the week leading up to Easter, I want to encourage us to think about how Easter opens the door for us in three ways.
Scottie highlighted four markers in society we should be watching for as common pre-cursors to other renewal movements, and wondered if we were on the cusp of something here in New Zealand.
As I’ve had the opportunity to hear the stories of our rangatahi who went on the trip it’s become clear that the Fiji Ministry Exchange was a transformative experience for all involved.
"Every now and again God places in your life someone who inspires you and encourages you through the practical outworking of their faith."
In the early church, Christians simply focused on living quiet Christian lives. Attendance at church services was tightly controlled with only those baptised admitted. So how did the church grow?
If people stop praying, the downstream implications are enormous on every single level – when it comes to mission, the kingdom of God, future leaders, serving the poor. It begins with a life of prayer.
Nearly 170 years after the first ship in the series was launched, Reverend David Hastings and Reverend John Sherlock conducted the blessing ceremony for Southern Cross 10.
If you've been part of the diocese for a while (especially the northern end), you've probably heard of a place called Mamaku Grove – but what actually is it?
“You’re not going to be beaten by a grandma are you?” works well when persuading them to do something a bit difficult for them – jumping over the side or climbing up the rigging.
I’m more and more convinced that the heart of any Christian gathering is reflecting on the scriptures and breaking bread together. It's that simple.
In a culture of consumption, consumerism and immediate gratification, fasting serves as an antidote.
I’ve been drawn to the post-exilic books in the Old Testament for insight into the journey of revitalisation.
"I wrestled for years about how art and craft could be spiritual, but I know now for sure that it is by the opportunities it provides."
The blurring of boundaries between the virtual and the real increases the danger of substituting digital interaction for real participation in community.
Clear waters, golden beaches, hot days... Convergence didn’t have any coconuts with mini umbrellas to drink from, but it had everything else, as well as family and collective worship of our good God.
The deliberate use of colour in Anglican liturgy is a way of participating through beauty and art in the seasons and celebrations of our faith.
What if God is not just concerned about what we do with our spare time, but what we do most of the time?
God, in his love and mercy, is continuing to call people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
How good and pleasant a thing it is when God’s people live together in unity.
Jesus is bringing the kingdom and calling people to respond and he will not be distracted from that mission, even as people fail to comprehend what he is saying.
For Joe, a minister accustomed to being on the giving end of ministry, being on the receiving end has been a humbling and enlightening experience.
From here peace is found, emanating from stone, reflected in rose glass.
A friend said she was amazed that no one she had given a Biblical Christmas story quiz had achieved 100%. My pride immediately set me up for a fall and I said I would do the quiz, thinking I would get 100% for sure! I know my Bible.
From church news and interviews with local legends to theological analyses and personal devotions, we read over 100 articles and heard from more than 40 different voices from Marlborough, Waimea, Māwhera and Nelson.
So many people are looking for hope, for a reason to rejoice, for a way to overcome the weariness. You don’t often associate the words “weariness” and “rejoicing”. It feels strange for weary people to rejoice.
Last Sunday marked a significant moment in Rai Valley as St Mark's opened its doors for the first time in nearly ten years.
Christmas at Nelson Cathedral got underway on with the Switch on Service for the Christmas Tree Festival and since then close to 7,000 people have come in to look at the trees.
John the Baptist identifies himself as the “voice”. But where we put the colon makes all the difference.
After three decades of hard work, Pip and Paul Etherington celebrate the publication of the first New Testament ever written in Nggem.
Behind all the myths and legends about Santa Claus lies a kernel of truth – a real person of faith and courage who believed in Jesus.
I’m starting to believe that Christian community is a hugely influential – and perhaps underestimated – factor in how we do mission and disciple-making.
"For me, food and kids are two things that I enjoy, so it was a natural space for me to move into," says Becky.
Our Christmas party was a beautiful way to extend an open invitation to the wider community, introducing them to the love and joy found within the church community.
Kākano is a key strategic initiative to raise mission-minded leaders who are hungry to impact their local communities with the Good News but aren’t sure exactly how to go about it.
As I watched my team walk through the departure gate at Nelson Airport, I realised that they were not my team anymore.
Not everyone can lay claim to six decades of serving the Lord, especially within the bounds of one parish! We celebrated Caroline Gibbs on Sunday.
The story of the wise men visiting young Jesus is one that many of us will be very familiar with, but do we understand just how significant this event actually was?
Ben Truman began life on the West Coast at Holy Trinity in Greymouth and attended The Shed youth group. Last night he became the youngest Dean in the history of Christ Church Cathedral.
Our tradition is rich in sacraments, each one representing a beautiful part of God’s character and work in us.
Are we part of a multiverse? And is it a matter of choosing between believing in God and believing in the multiverse?
As a young leader, Suter Formational Hui was a game-changer for me this year.
As somebody new to the Golden Bay region, what stood out for me was the overwhelming sense of community that still surrounds St Cuthbert’s after so many years.
On November 16, the Mission to Seafarers celebrated the opening of their new centre in Nelson, sure to be a comforting sight for those arriving after lengthy periods at sea.
When we share our stories, we're not just recounting events – we're testifying to God's active presence in our lives.
I've had a few occasions recently to think about a Bible verse that says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth..."
Today’s youth live in a culture dominated by alcohol, drugs, social media and other pressures that can lead to dangerous and life-altering behaviours. This is where Red Frogs comes in.
In the coming decades the Aotearoa Church is going to undergo a seismic change which will be far bigger than any one conference or convention.
"If we're doing a radio show on Sunday morning," Petra thought, "why can't it be a sacred, safe place, a spiritual place? Could it not be church on the radio?"
The situation in Israel and Gaza is devastating. It’s difficult to process the immensity of the situation or contemplate the solution. So what can we do about it?
There is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis going on right now following the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza. Thousands of people have been killed and over a million people displaced.
There were many things going on, but this we know for sure – God is powerfully at work in the young people of the Nelson Diocese, and our young people are intensely hungry for more of him.
Some of us have been receiving odd emails from people claiming to be friends or colleagues...
"Our faith has a profound impact on our work," says Nick, "both in our service to those we host, but also in the way we steward the business and care for our staff and their families."
Sit down with Evan Hunt to hear about how he survived a near miss with a train, rescued a sheep from the meat works and overcame the troubles of life with the help of God.
While leading any kind of change is challenging, churches are arguably the most difficult of all organisations to change. What makes this the case?
"We should not rush headlong," Saint Augustine says, "and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search for truth justly undermines this position, we too fall with it."
I often say that we should wear a shirt that reads, "Be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet".
“I’m doing what songwriters and poets and artists are supposed to do,” Cory says about his new album, “which is to give language for the things that we all feel.”
Coffee & Cross came from an idea I had to make “church” more inviting. Instead of expecting folk to come to our church, perhaps we could go to them.
"If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature – even a caterpillar," says Meistar Eckhart, "I would never have to prepare a sermon."
Reuben was diagnosed with an aggressive form of scoliosis in January and now needs corrective surgery. As the Nelson Diocese whānau we have an opportunity to support the Keighley family.
Clergy and representatives from every parish gathered last week for Synod, opened by a compelling address from Bishop Steve. “It was more prayerful, Scripture-focused, and 'spiritual’ than other Synods I have attended,” says one member.
My job as your bishop is to do everything I can to make sure our diocesan family – our ship and our crew – are supported, equipped and encouraged to set sail for the journey God has for his Church.
Churches across the region came together to make the ever-popular Op Shop Ball happen – it was a great show of community as everyone did their part to make the night a roaring success.
Not only do we fail to acknowledge the gifts we’re showered with, and daily, but we take creation by the neck and demand more.
When Ian's visiting grandson asked if they would be going to church on Sunday, he blinked a bit – thinking, "I haven’t been there for a few years"...
It doesn’t take long when chatting with Maureen to discover there are not many folk in the local surrounds she doesn’t know. Her generous heart finds her checking in on this one or that, to offer a word of advice or encouragement.
People may not be walking into our church on a Sunday morning, but they’re passing by our church sign every day of the week.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing is a set of simple, everyday actions that can make a world of difference. They're like little tricks to building resilience, boosting your wellbeing and reducing the chances of facing mental health challenges.
For eight years “others” took care of my father as he lived in and out of rest home facilities. I knew that at some point in time I wanted to be another family’s “other”.
"Of course we should expect to see te reo in our churches. We are part of this place, where long ago we pledged to protect our Māori culture."
The story of Moses’ call reveals to us a God who calls out to us from within our world, from the very midst of our everyday lives.
Evidence shows that one in three kiwis experiences mental health issues. Don wanted to make a difference. But he's not a therapist – he's a gardener.
Some have suggested that as science slowly explains our universe, it also slowly squeezes God out, as though God were just the bit we used to fill the gaps in our understanding.
I’ve been working on a resource for small groups to use during the Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 to October 4.
Our Season of Discernment is coming to a close. I’d like to share some insights from what was an extraordinary time for our diocese.
I had the joy of taking nine young adult leaders to The Abbey in Wellington over the weekend. It was exciting to see God move in our young leaders in the unique ways each of them needed.
Sit down for a brew with the marathon runner, green-thumbed gardener, te Reo student, vicar's husband, and – as many of us recognise him – bishop of the Nelson Anglican Diocese.
The desire was to provide a connection point for guys both inside and outside the church, and it would be a place where we would find mutual support and edification. We hoped gathering around a pint would foster that and so we embarked.
We want our kids to be part of a church that is willing to lift them up, equip them and empower them. And sometimes that means we give up some of our power and preference to help them feel at home in our church whānau.
"It's not the building that has made the ministry so successful, it's the myriad of leaders over the years who have supported us in building a culture of unconditional love, respect, community, opportunities to grow, and a place to explore faith."
In removing distractions and being present, we can just be, and God meets us in that space so gently and lovingly.
To become like Jesus is to serve and love others. I am able to do this by doing chaplaincy at a Nelson rest home care centre.
St Christopher’s in Blenheim celebrated their diverse, multicultural church whānau on Sunday with a lively service, shared lunch and cultural performances.
We all have the chance to be involved in running our churches and being part of significant decision-making processes. Let's shape the future of the Anglican Church together.
“I wrote this song for Sam," Liv says, "but it’s not his song anymore. Sam is singing a song of praise to the Lamb. He does not need to sing about his brokenness or grief anymore.”
At the very core, Anglican worship is an enactment or realisation of the Christian gospel. We remember through hearing and enacting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and we anticipate his return.
There are things formed in the harsh, hidden places of my being, built up around a central piece, something I’ve held tightly to. Things that lie deep, concealed from public view, and buried in the mudstone of my past.
If science and Scripture appear to disagree, it is a mistake to choose science over Scripture or Scripture over science. Instead, we hold onto both, and test our human interpretation.
"I love these little old church buildings because they're a physical picture of Christian fellowship. These are the places where people come together to worship their God and to encourage one another towards Christ."
I was simply bursting with pride at the sound coming from the choir and organ and wanted the whole of Nelson to come in and let us show off to them. Slowly, they got the idea.
I signed up my family for our first diocesan Leadership Camp, ready for a fun winter family holiday while I refuelled for church work and refreshed my relationship with Jesus.