"I think the library can be missional in fostering spiritual growth and equipping people to better serve God. To be part of God’s mission is very satisfying for me."
I struggle to listen well. Yet over the last decade of being an Anglican priest, listening has become a critical part of living out my vocation.
Ordination at 70, parish scandals and church at a lighthouse – four retired clergy share stories of calling and ministries as varied as the communities they served.
Bishop Steve running 100km to raise money for Bishopdale College earlier this month reminded me of another bishop in our diocese who took up a huge journey nearly two decades ago...
Carol is one of the founders of Winning with Words – an affordable after-school literacy programme taught by volunteer teachers, held every week in the parish centre at St Thomas, Motueka.
In the steepled house, down town on Commercial street, we congregate, lost sheep with no shepherd, waiting expectantly for the promise to come.
At the Epiphany morning service on Sunday in Tākaka, vicar Mark Johnson declared that Pentecost is the birthday of the “messed-up blessed-up” global Church itself.
If I had been told even three years ago that I would want nothing more than to live my life in a small New Zealand town, serving a small church community, and sharing the hope found in Jesus until the day I died, I would not have believed it.
I remember when my radio cohost told me about this new form of sound: "Podcasting! Trust me, it’s going to change everything." Sure enough, it took off. I spoke with three NZ Anglican podcasters to find out more.
It all changed for me as we entered the town of Kumara. I had a pain in my side and was feeling dizzy. My heart rate started to go up and I felt like I had to work extra hard to keep moving.
As we stood outside the Greymouth Railway Station, ready to hit the West Coast Wilderness Trail, I knew the day of reckoning had come. I thought about the training I had done – wondering whether it was enough – and realised there was no turning back.
I’m inviting young adults on a trip to the place where the gospel was preached for the first time in Aotearoa New Zealand. But before I give you the details, I’d like to tell you a story for context.
Rev Dr Clint Ussher, an ordained Wesleyan Methodist minister, is our guest speaker at this year's leadership training gatherings. I met with Clint to ask him about himself, his church, and what his heart burns for.
When cross-cultural missionaries move to a new place, they carry an unusual advantage. They don’t know the language, don’t understand the customs, and don’t yet know how things work. And that ignorance carries an unexpected gift.
With just two days to go, Bishop Steve and Rev Matt are making their final preparations for the 100km ultramarathon this weekend. And what better way to prepare than for the bishop to run 5km in his collar?
"Sometimes a Japanese person will come to our church, and it’s so obvious they are touched and want to make a commitment to Christ. Of course I invite them to receive Jesus, and the answer I often get is, 'But what if my family found out about it?'"
"We want seafarers to know that there are people here who see them, who appreciate the fact that they are keeping the world economy afloat, and that we genuinely care for them."
I caught up with Steve and Matt to find out why this "Go the Distance" campaign is so important, and to check in on how their training is going.
After 31 years of service, Jenny Allnutt has retired from church leadership in the parish of Wakefield & Districts.
Last week, Revs Andrew and Emily Spence were welcomed into Motueka Parish to serve as co-vicars.
Bishop Steve and Rev Matt Watts are taking on a 100km race next month, kicking off a campaign called “Go the Distance”.
Since all humanity is made in the image of God, there is an innate part of us that aspires to what we were originally created for. I see it often in our community.
It is very likely that there are people in your networks making very difficult “food or fuel” decisions. What does it look like to “love thy neighbour” in the midst of a fuel crisis?
Around 70 people joined us for an Easter party in Brightwater. More than just a fun event, the afternoon carried a deeper purpose. It was an opportunity to extend an open invitation into the heart of the Easter story.
David Allpress has been an energetic, enthusiastic and creative force in our church life for many years. I caught up with him to uncover the secrets of his passion and encouragement.
