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.
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.
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.
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.
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..."
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?
"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?"
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...
While leading any kind of change is challenging, churches are arguably the most difficult of all organisations to change. What makes this the case?
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.
"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."
“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.”
I often say that we should wear a shirt that reads, "Be patient with me, God isn't finished with me yet".
"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."
"If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature – even a caterpillar," says Meistar Eckhart, "I would never have to prepare a sermon."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
