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.

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"...

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.

"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."

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”.

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.

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.

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’ve been working on a resource for small groups to use during the Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 to October 4.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

“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.”