One of the key priorities for our diocese is discipleship.
But how on earth do we grow followers of Jesus – deep, passionate, and contagious with God's love – when we’re up against Netflix and Kmart?
One of the ways we have been intentional about growing disciples over the past three years has been through the Kākano local mission incubator. It’s a nine month programme for ordinary people who want to discover more about their missional calling in life and how to disciple others.
Kākano means “seed” in te reo Māori, and communicates the idea of growth and development that comes as people press into God’s call on their lives. Each year we remind our participants that God has planted some kind of “missional seed” within each of us, and that Kākano’s goal is to help nurture and call forth that seed so it becomes a mustard tree – or, at least, begins to sprout.
Among them this year was Janis Holland (Victory), Nick Clarke (All Saints, Nelson), and Lilly Downing (St Barnabas, Stoke).
“I’ve gotten to know a whole new group of really interesting people, and the accountability in the huddles has been quite revitalising,” says Janis.
As the year went on it turned out that what God wanted from me was simply to get on with what he’s been trying to use me for over the past several years. Kākano has helped me to have a greater peace and confidence about dealing with whatever situation God drops me into. Whereas previously I would have worried and then lost sleep over how it all was going to turn out. Now I’ve come to accept I'm there to do my bit… and that’s where my responsibility ends.
For Nick, the timing was right for himself and his wife Sarah. “We were both thinking about our faith journeys and what the year held ahead of us as individuals and as a couple. For me it seemed like a good opportunity to take a deeper dive into mission, discipleship and our calling within that.”
Initially I wasn’t sure what I’d got myself into… but that changed as time went by, and it’s been terrific. It was a really rich year – a diverse range of people at different ages and stages of life, great input from the leaders, and a really great small group to journey with throughout the year. I have a lot to be thankful for.
“Looking back, I see that there has been a reaffirmation of who I am in Christ and a reminder that God delights in me.” Reflects Nick. “God has given me a range of gifts and abilities, along with an opportunity to use them creatively for his kingdom. Above all, there has been an increased desire to be more intentional in how I come before God and others.”
Lilly was a resident of Suter House this year, where they took part in Kākano together as a community.
“Having grown up a pastor’s kid and entered pastoral ministry at a young age, I’d spent years conceptualising Christian mission, yet still carried many questions,” reflects Lilly. “My experience at Kākano helped understand things I had observed but never knew how to articulate.”
The most meaningful part for me was the space it created for accountability to what we sensed God saying to us, and to learn to encourage and recognise what God is doing in the lives of others as well. I was reminded of my unique calling too. I have come away with more clarity, and the tools to continue to intentionally grow in obedience to the next thing God is calling me to.
As I look back at the 70 or so people who’ve been part of Kākano over the past three years, I’m excited to say I can see our diocese has plenty of people who are hungry for the nurture and challenge of deep discipleship. But they usually need to be given the opportunity and a good nudge.
It appears that many of the lay people in our parishes are passionate about mission, and they want to make a significant contribution to God’s kingdom – they just don’t always know the shape of how God wants them to do that yet. These people benefit hugely from having a place and space to intentionally reflect and wrestle with what God is calling them to do. Afterall, plants need compost and fertilizer at the right season in order to flourish, and it’s the same with our leaders.
Let’s keep our eyes open for who those people might be in our midst so we don’t overlook them.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
One of the key priorities for our diocese is discipleship.
But how on earth do we grow followers of Jesus – deep, passionate, and contagious with God's love – when we’re up against Netflix and Kmart?
One of the ways we have been intentional about growing disciples over the past three years has been through the Kākano local mission incubator. It’s a nine month programme for ordinary people who want to discover more about their missional calling in life and how to disciple others.
Kākano means “seed” in te reo Māori, and communicates the idea of growth and development that comes as people press into God’s call on their lives. Each year we remind our participants that God has planted some kind of “missional seed” within each of us, and that Kākano’s goal is to help nurture and call forth that seed so it becomes a mustard tree – or, at least, begins to sprout.
Among them this year was Janis Holland (Victory), Nick Clarke (All Saints, Nelson), and Lilly Downing (St Barnabas, Stoke).
“I’ve gotten to know a whole new group of really interesting people, and the accountability in the huddles has been quite revitalising,” says Janis.
As the year went on it turned out that what God wanted from me was simply to get on with what he’s been trying to use me for over the past several years. Kākano has helped me to have a greater peace and confidence about dealing with whatever situation God drops me into. Whereas previously I would have worried and then lost sleep over how it all was going to turn out. Now I’ve come to accept I'm there to do my bit… and that’s where my responsibility ends.
For Nick, the timing was right for himself and his wife Sarah. “We were both thinking about our faith journeys and what the year held ahead of us as individuals and as a couple. For me it seemed like a good opportunity to take a deeper dive into mission, discipleship and our calling within that.”
Initially I wasn’t sure what I’d got myself into… but that changed as time went by, and it’s been terrific. It was a really rich year – a diverse range of people at different ages and stages of life, great input from the leaders, and a really great small group to journey with throughout the year. I have a lot to be thankful for.
“Looking back, I see that there has been a reaffirmation of who I am in Christ and a reminder that God delights in me.” Reflects Nick. “God has given me a range of gifts and abilities, along with an opportunity to use them creatively for his kingdom. Above all, there has been an increased desire to be more intentional in how I come before God and others.”
Lilly was a resident of Suter House this year, where they took part in Kākano together as a community.
“Having grown up a pastor’s kid and entered pastoral ministry at a young age, I’d spent years conceptualising Christian mission, yet still carried many questions,” reflects Lilly. “My experience at Kākano helped understand things I had observed but never knew how to articulate.”
The most meaningful part for me was the space it created for accountability to what we sensed God saying to us, and to learn to encourage and recognise what God is doing in the lives of others as well. I was reminded of my unique calling too. I have come away with more clarity, and the tools to continue to intentionally grow in obedience to the next thing God is calling me to.
As I look back at the 70 or so people who’ve been part of Kākano over the past three years, I’m excited to say I can see our diocese has plenty of people who are hungry for the nurture and challenge of deep discipleship. But they usually need to be given the opportunity and a good nudge.
It appears that many of the lay people in our parishes are passionate about mission, and they want to make a significant contribution to God’s kingdom – they just don’t always know the shape of how God wants them to do that yet. These people benefit hugely from having a place and space to intentionally reflect and wrestle with what God is calling them to do. Afterall, plants need compost and fertilizer at the right season in order to flourish, and it’s the same with our leaders.
Let’s keep our eyes open for who those people might be in our midst so we don’t overlook them.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
