Captain's Blog

Doh!

2011-12-26T00:48:00.000-08:00

We visited a local church on Christmas day, for the first time. We actually enjoyed it - it felt quirky and therefore similar to the church we ministered in and loved in Liverpool - Trinity Church, Page Moss. Half way through the service an elderly lady appeared, dressed from head to toe in pink, complete with angel wings and halo - not, as we assumed, to take part in the service, but just because it was fun to dress that way. The service proceeded normally, but you had the feeling that chaos or comedy was never far away. Our kind of church.

Then the service ended, we shook hands with the Vicar, and came home. Which disappointed me, because the members of that church should have been all over us like a rash. A family, two middle aged parents, a son of 24 and a daughter of 18 - families like us are gold dust in church these days. Maybe they assumed we were just visitors to the area, or once-a-year churchgoers - but the point is, nobody even asked. They don't have any contact details for us, so there will be no follow up. Honestly - pathetic and tragic.

Compare this to Mike's recent trip to the dentist for a check up. They found nothing that needed any work doing - but all the same, a day after his visit a postcard arrived welcoming him to the practice.

If we can't even get the very basic concepts of welcome and care for people when they visit our churches, then there is little hope. So we're going to go back to that failing church, and see if we can change things round!

Thoughts and Prayers

2011-12-22T22:24:00.000-08:00

I write this blog as Christchurch struggles to cope with yet more powerful aftershocks. The social media sites have been filled with messages of support, a simple, immediate and effective way of conveying our deep and sincere sympathy for the folk of that battered city.

I was provoked to write again after a long silence by one such twitter - which ended "my thoughts are with you all again today". While understanding the sentiment, I was struck by what an impotent expression of support this is. Thoughts alone offer no hope, no solution, and little comfort.

My experience so far has been that my Christian faith is at its best and most useful in times of crisis and emergency. To be able to send the promise of prayers is so much more powerful a statement - that into this mess we can intentionally invite the Lord God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Lord of Lord and King of Kings - offers supreme hope, consolation and a little optimism.

So with joy I send my prayers to the distraught and drained folk of Christchurch; to a friend's friend whose son who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy; indeed to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Prayers do not arouse God to action, or bring him into a situation - as Bishop Kelvin wrote "God is not, cannot be absent." But they serve to remind us that he is available, and able, if we can but see.

Very Important Things

2011-10-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

I did one very important thing today.
I spoke with a Bishop, but it wasn't that.
I booked into a significant and strategic conference, but it wasn't that either.
I helped make a major step in deciding Church Army's future internationally, but it wasn't that either.

It was this...I went for a jog, and came across a (non-Christian)friend of a (non-Christian) friend. I stopped to chat, interrupting my exercise, and he introduced me to two more (non-Christian) friends. And so the Kingdom spreads, "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Jesus while on earth seems to have spent most of his time simply being with people, and I intend to do more of just that.

Much ado

2011-08-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

A modern day parable. We have a little solar flower, which sits near one of our big French windows, soaking up the sun, and for most of nearly every day it is a minor flurry of activity, with leaves and flower moving constantly in a pleasingly un-coordinated manner!
During a time of prayer today, Monika rightly observed that our little solar flower is symbolic of much of church life, and our own. We soak up energy from the Son, and respond by producing a flurry of un-coordinated activity - which, just like our little flower, produces absolutely nothing. Being active but producing nothing is what the flower is supposed to do - and achieving this gets the flower noticed, as it taps irritatingly against its plastic flower pot.
I shall remember that flower each day, and pray that I may be saved from such unproductive activity, designed to attract attention but to produce nothing. I shall take the flower to meetings, to help save us from such a fate. I shall share this parable with anyone who will listen. And in doing so my unproductive solar flower will bless others in spite of itself - as God, in His mercy, enables me to do.

Value judgement

2011-06-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

One of the new stated values of Church Army NZ is "Sharing Jesus radically on the margins." But I have moments of self-doubt when I am no longer sure that I know where the margins are or who dwells there, let alone how to begin sharing Jesus with them.

We could discuss further, read more books, attend other conferences and write further documents, because that seems to be the default position of much of Christendom. I am aware of the great danger I am in - as I train others in evangelism, run seminars and workshops in evangelism, speak at conferences in evangelism, enable and support others in evangelism - that I forget how to actually connect with the hope-less and unlovely and invite them to follow me in the most exciting, exasperating, exhausting journey ever - as a follower of Jesus.

So this Sunday we are heading for the margins - otherwise known as Avondale Market. Here thousands gather week after week to browse, socialise, saunter, and occasionally purchase. A minority are white. The Christians will be there, faithfully witnessing, apparently oblivious to the fact that nobody is listening.

Our task is both simpler and infinitely more complex. We will seek the margins, to see who we find there. A read of the Gospels tells me that Jesus spent most of his time at the margins - in a social, religious, moral and physical sense - so I expect to meet him there, along with some of his friends. We will seek to follow Jesus on the margins and see who joins in. I might get a whole new seminar out of this!

Balanced evangelism

2011-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

I struggle sometimes with the tension between "proclamation evangelism", and "presence evangelism". Speaking words that nobody has any interest in is a waste of time, but just being there isn't enough either! So I found these thoughts from members of a Servants of Asia's Poor team in Mexico supremely helpful.

"Through being here we have seen the effect that living in poverty has on people’s self-belief and hope. Poverty is limitating; it entraps people in lies that speak to the very core of their being and robs them of their joy and dreams. If transformation is to come to communities and people trapped in these kind of circumstances, it has
to offer more than just financial gain or improved living conditions. While these things certainly help people to have access to better goods, services and opportunities, they don’t necessarily touch people to their core, and help bring about internal change in how they see themselves and their community. Spiritual transformation, however, has the ability to break down lies and distrust
and build healthy new paradigms and core-beliefs.

This is something that can’t be forced and can’t be achieved by what we do. It is the work of the Holy Spirit guiding and calling a person into new life with God. And it
can achieve true and lasting transformation in a person’s life. Having said this, spiritual transformation has to be wholistic. It has to touch a person’s physical needs as well. As the adage goes: a starving person thinks of nothing but food. So we need to realize that at times the best way to share God’s love with another is by offering them food when they are hungry, clothing when they have none, or friendship when they are lonely. When we fail to seek wholistic transformation our desire to see hope where there is hopelessness will always fall short."

To which I have nothing to add.

Camping out?

2011-05-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Normally, it is great to be in a country which leads the world in welcoming each new day - but Harold Camping, with his prediction of the world ending last Saturday at 6pm, left NZ facing the rapture before anyone else could test his prophetic accuracy. We all know now, as we knew then, that he was wrong. I was saddened by the whole sorry episode, and the way in which it brings the followers of Jesus into disrepute once again - but pleased that most Christians displayed grace and sympathy to his misguided followers, rather than ridicule or condemnation.

Repentance, admitting I got things wrong, asking for forgiveness, and expressing a desire to do better next time - this is all at the centre of the Christian life. How we are perceived as thinking that we are better than everyone else - when the reality is that we know all too well our "sinfulness" and our need for God's mercy and grace, I'm not quite sure.

But then along comes such a brother as Harold Camping. He got it wrong in 1994, and he got it wrong last Saturday. Surely now he will admit his stupidity in doing something Jesus plainly said we would not be able to do? Surely this time round he will slink off into embarrassed oblivion? Sadly - no! Instead he now informs the bemused, irritated world that the rapture will be five months later - I would tell you the actual date, but frankly, I don't care.

To slightly change a very famous prayer -
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things about myself I cannot change;
the courage to face up to and admit and change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Back in Christchurch

2011-04-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

I was not sure what to expect on my return to the earthquake hit city - how much would things have improved in the 5 weeks since I was last here? My overall impression is that we are still at sticking plaster phase - doing immediate tasks, but not yet into long-term rebuilding. Roads are mended, holes and cracks filled in, only to re-appear with the next aftershock. Portaloos and chemical toilets are an improvement on long-drops in the back garden, but a genuine flushing toilet still is my preferred option! The big decisions about the long term future are yet to be made.

In some places, unsafe or partially collapsed buildings have been demolished, and roads have been cleared of rubble. Shops are open, trying to operate business as usual, adjacent to red-stickered unsafe properties, or empty cleared plots.

On our arrival, we stopped at the site of the CTV building, where nearly 100 died - one end remains intact while the rest has been cleared. You can see the height of what was a 6 story building, and the size - a poignant reminder of the terrible destruction suffered. It is a place to be quiet and reflect, and my preference would be that it is left in this condition as a raw memorial. Let's not sanitise death and tragedy and human powerlessness.

We visited the Sumner-Redcliffs area, a beautiful part of Christchurch, now living under the continuing threat from looming cliffs with loose rocks and boulders. Life carries on as normal, and yet of course it cannot.

At some stage houses will be assessed, demolished and rebuilt, or extensive repairs carried out - meaning the residents have to move out. Areas have been found which will become temporary communities, for up to five years, with transient populations. There is an obvious and desperate need for a Christian presence, and the church is aware of this, but unsure how to respond. We visited one such site - hundreds of campers vans parked side by side - in effect, a one room home. Can people really cope in such conditions - I doubt it. We were horrified - imagine living for weeks on end, in a one bedroom house on wheels, with just a few feet between you and the next van. I am not sure what other facilities will be made available, but someone, somehow, has to try and make life bearable by offering community. When asked what ministry his church would offer to one such camp, a Vicar suggested it was more the kind of thing Church Army would be equipped to do. And he is right, but who, and how do we finance them?

Back in the day the National Director would simply send Church Army people to Christchurch and they would find somewhere to sleep at night, and somehow get food etc - but that isn't how we operate any more. Shame, because I suspect that by the time we are ready to respond, it'll be too late!

So, impressions so far - enormous needs and opportunities, but equal frustration because our response feels so inadequate. Who will come and join us?

My next blog will tell you what is happening, and how what we can do and are doing is making a difference.

The last lap?

2011-04-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

I have just read an advertisement for "Affordable retirement units in the Diocese of Waiapu" - the blurb reads "Our villages are ideal for the over-55's seeking independent living in friendly and supportive local communities." Excuse me?! Over 55's, that gives me very few years before I can settle down in my comfortable chair and slippers. A sobering thought. I had better get a move on.

My current book is "We have recovered" by Steve Baughan, who is my equivalent in CA USA. It tells how those with full on addictions have recovered using the Common Solution Recovery Programme, with classic AA input. Addicts are particularly prone to procrastination - working through some of the steps, but not all. One phrase caught my attention - "‎"Wait" is often the door to never."

There are countless reasons why now is not the best time, why we should not rush in, why we need to plan carefully, why we need to get others on board, why we need to avoid spreading ourselves too thinly, but when all is said and done a heck of a lot more is said than done. If 55 is the beginning of the end, there really is no time to wait.

Having complained in my last blog about the number of people on the CANZ mailing list who never contact us or send donations, I must praise the number of people who have responded with such generosity to our recent Together magazine - we have had a steady flow of donations large and small, many targeted for Christchurch, which leave me humbled and deeply grateful. We even received a parcel from England containing "toys and treats" - I can't wait to see the kids' faces when we these are handed out when we visit Christchurch next week. I'm excited about going back, and hope to blog more frequently!

What's Director to do?

2011-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

I am in the final stages of preparing our magazine, "Together", which goes out three times each year to church leaders, churches, friends and supporters. One of the things I've been meaning to do for while was to trawl through our database, and see how many individuals have not contacted us for four or more years - and by definition have given not a cent during that time.
What a depressing task that was - precisely 641 people fall into that category. They receive our magazine year after year, and perhaps read it from cover to cover and use the contents to pray for us and to promote our ministry. But really? Many will give it a cursory flick through, then lay it aside or simply bin it - not considering the wasted resources of time and money.
So each will receive a little piece of paper with the next edition - inviting them to reply and let us know they want to remain on out mailing list. and I hope many will choose to make the effort and do so.
Passivity sometimes infuriates me - how right it is that we ask forgiveness not just for the wrong we do, but for the good we do not do. Tomorrow I shall walk to our local Muslim Centre, find the Imam and seek his forgiveness for the idiot American who thinks it is cool to burn the Qur'an, and explain that not all Christians are like that. What an impact it would have on Muslims in the West of all Christians humbly did the same.

Christchurch Day 6

2011-03-01T01:32:00.000-08:00

Today was my final full day here, and I loved it - all day out with the bus and knocking on doors, meeting families in the low decile community of Rowley. I met loads of great Samoan and Maori people, learnt my first words of Samoan, and felt the presence of God in the conversations.

Most people are coping pretty well. The lack of water is a problem - a "toilet" which is actually a hole in the back garden is rapidly filled with 7 kids contributing! Typically, we've seen numerous portaloos around, especially in the more affluent areas, but not a single one in the whole of Rowley. Louise is onto it, and hopefully the council will fulfill their promise to supply some tomorrow.

Most kids are staying at home, bored, but afraid to go out to play as they normally would. Many folk in Rowley are unable to access the food and water that is apparently available, due to language issues, lack of transport, or simply because they have forgotten how to take responsibility for themselves - though I am probably not allowed to say that. I have literally seen kids drinking filthy silt-polluted drain water.

But what perhaps concerns me most is this - the number of times I have heard how resilient, resourceful and self-sufficient Cantabrians are (Christchurch is in an area called Canterbury for non-Kiwis.) While it would be harsh to call this arrogance, I have been surprised at how few people are turning to God and asking for His mercy and protection. Despite two significant earthquakes, the prevailing attitude is that we can and will rebuild our City, better and safer and stronger than before. While I have no doubt that many church leaders are responding to the disaster with faith, courage and action, those who make it into the press or TV talk of human tragedy,the need for us to pull together, and offer encouragements for us to care for our vulnerable neighbours - all well and good, but not an adequate Christian response. We have an obligation to point people to Jesus Christ, first and foremost, as the ultimate source who alone meets our deepest needs. As I write we again suffer the telling reminder of what may yet happen again, with a sizable after-shock, and our best plans, designs, and building techniques can offer no guarantees.

Christchurch has a place in my memory and in my heart that few other cities have earned. I hope and pray with all I am that this city will turn to the Lord and King whose name she owns.

Christchurch Day 5

2011-02-28T00:49:00.000-08:00

I enjoy being in the presence of experts - people who genuinely know what they are talking about, who speak with a quiet authority that comes from having acquired great wisdom not in the classroom nor lecture hall nor library. I joyfully soak up their wisdom, truth and expertise.

So it was today, as I listened attentively to the Canterbury Kids Coach team, as they discussed the immediate (this week) and medium term (this year) response of Church Army to the situation here in Christchurch. These folk knew their stuff, their community, their limitations and their responsibilities. They quickly identified the priorities - a highly visible presence on the streets, with the Bus out every day; a concentrated door-knocking campaign, to care for those who are too vulnerable, afraid or isolated and are likely to fall between the cracks of normal provision and after-care; and manageable events to bring fun, laughter and community back to local life - with a Fun Day on the local park this Friday. Then, sensibly, a debrief next week to assess how this week has gone - no grand long term schemes here.

One outcome for me was that as the CANZ Board meets this week to see how we can support the ministry here in the medium to long term, the focus has to be on strengthening the workers and work already in place. I hope we will coordinate volunteers to come for specific needs and programmes, and bring team members and carefully selected families to Auckland for desperately needed holidays, but the focus must be on resourcing the amazing folk here.

But then I did the maths. If the Board takes the financially foolhardy decision to use $20,000 out of our reserves this year, we could employ one person, already volunteering many hours each week and taking increasing responsibility, for 20 hours each week at minimum pay. Which is better than nothing, far better. But those who push pens, design buildings, plan new infra-structures and make great pronouncements will be richly rewarded, while we scratch around for a few thousand dollars to reward those whose ground-level worth is inestimable. At a Christian Leaders' Congress I attended for the early part of last week, one person questioned "why does the church starve its evangelists?" And no adequate response was forthcoming.

I hope the cashflow in Christchurch will be different, but I fear it will not be.

Christchurch day 4

2011-02-27T02:46:00.001-08:00

It was good to meet with fellow followers of Jesus this morning. We shared stories, and grief; heard of friends and relatives, and one church member, all who were lost or missing; poured out our hearts to God, and drew on His endless strength.

Let me tell you about the lady I sat next to. The Canterbury Kids' Coach happened to pull up outside her home one day. Her children hopped on board, and soon Mum too was drawn to these caring folk. Her life was a bit of a mess, but she was encouraged to discover for herself life as a Jesus-follower. She knows the love and grace of Jesus in her life - and is starting to memorise songs as she can't read, this summer has successfully grown a few vegetables for the first time in her life, and has secured a part time job. Complete life transformation, so 'text book' she sounds like a made up case study. But this is 100% genuine, and like all of heaven I share the sense of celebration having met one sinner who chose to repent.

Tomorrow we head out on the bus once more, praying for those divine appointments and fresh opportunities to pave the way for Jesus-centred transformation to lighten the silt and despair covered streets of this amazing City.

Christchurch day 3

2011-02-26T00:44:00.000-08:00

Worthwhile futility. At one level many of the activities that Christchurch people are engaged in are pretty futile! Today's major task was sweeping the drive which is covered in fine dust - leftovers of the silt produced by liquefaction. The fact that friends who arrived to help couldn't actually tell which parts of the drive I'd already done was a little discouraging! The dust is so fine that you can literally sweep the same spot 5 times and remove a thin layer each time. It felt futile - but the end product was a drive which LOOKED much cleaner. Little things matter in situations like this, because little things are holy, and filled with the stuff of God.

My friends swept and cooked. They could have gone to church to pray, or prepared a sermon, or done some other such worthy act, but instead they swept and cooked. The outcome - a shocked "I can't believe a Vicar is sweeping my drive!" - and another vicar is cooking your dinner. As I said, little things are holy and filled with the stuff of God.

Christchurch will need countless such little holy things to happen, because the road to recovery will be seemingly endless. The people here will need to be reminded and reassured time and time again that they are remembered and loved. So please tell them and show them. Send love parcels of chocolates and other goodies, be extravagant and waste money on postage because they are worth it! Send stuff to me if you like and I will make sure it reaches worthy recipients!

I missed a wedding today - Ryan and Stacey I wish you endless joy and love in your years together, filled with fun and meaning and impact on the world around you.

Christchurch day two

2011-02-24T22:57:00.000-08:00

A dull grey drizzly morning welcomes us after a decent night's sleep, disrupted only four or five times by aftershocks. We have been unable to contact Sister Elsie Close, a CANZ veteran and legend, so decide to make the hazardous trek across Christchurch to find her.

The results of liquefaction, an occurrence I had never heard of until September last year, are everywhere to be seen. Grey, heavy silt, up to 30cm deep in places, now lies in massive heaps at the roadside, having been dumped there by householders keen to get it off their property. The roads themselves are in places like crumpled bedsheets, in other places deep holes have appeared - all making the trip an arduous one.

Arriving at Elsie's Carehome, we find considerable destruction - and thankfully we find Elsie too, one of a handful of remaining residents. "I wasn't really afraid, the Lord was with me - and if it is my time, well I'll go to be with Him - but it was horrible." The staff are doing an amazing job - coping with few resources - yet more unsung heroes. Elsie is flying up to Auckland tomorrow to stay with the other CANZ legend, Sister Kath King.

Then off to Hornby for a Community lunch arranged by one of the students on our Certificate in Evangelism and Local Mission. Around 40 people enjoy food, company and friendship. The earthquake has brought a sense of urgency, so the usual talk is Jesus focussed and to the point - get yourself right with God, His friendship will see you through.

The Canterbury Kids' Coach heads out once more, the Community centre cannot be used as we have no water, but it is vital to maintain a presence on the streets. Many people have left Christchurch already, but others cannot - so friendly familiar faces are needed and appreciated.

A large aftershock causes more fear just before the evening meal - they go on and on, each one bringing memories of the "big one" and renewed threats of more to come. The only thing I can liken an aftershock to is when a large ship judders - but here we are on dry land, and these last longer and are louder. The whole house shakes, windows rattle, and we hold our breath, hoping it will soon subside.

The student army has been awesome - cleaning up endless tonnes of silt and helping in any and every way. Farmers came round at 10pm last night offering water to everyone. If only we could keep hold of the community mindedness when things settle down, and the sense of perspective - it is about people not possessions - life would be so much better.

Fear lingers - some people choose to sleep in tents as they worry that their houses may not survive the next aftershock. As adrenalin levels inevitably fall, and exhaustion increases, frayed nerves and quick tempers come into play. This City will take months if not years to rebuild, and its people at least as long to begin the road to recovery. It will be a long painful road, and I thank God that i have met some amazing people who are in place to make that journey possible.

Christchurch blog Day 1

2011-02-24T01:35:00.000-08:00

It is nearly 19 hours since I awoke, ready to catch the first public flight into Christchurch since the earthquake - so I won't at this stage go onto details of aftershocks and what life is like here, with no water etc

We are here for the people - we set off in the Canterbury Kids' Coach soon after 9am and as soon as we pulled up at the side of the road the kids came running, each eager to tell their earthquake story. Some offered scientific explanations of why earthquakes happened, others gave advice on what to do should another big one happen - all had a tale to tell. They were each encouraged to offer prayers of 'thanks' and 'please', and nearly all did so.

Louise spotted a lady walking by, and at the first gentle question the tears flowed freely. Prayers were offered and gladly received on the roadside. Another Mum sat on the bus and stared into space - seemingly overwhelmed by it all and grateful for a place to pause and rest.

Another team member arrived, having called in on a lady to find she had tried to take her life with an overdose - the police and paramedics arrived in time to save her life. Thank you Lord. Another distressed lady explains that her home has been condemned, and she has no idea where she will live in the coming months. No answers at this stage, but sympathy and the promise of ongoing support.

I could go on - but you get the picture. These stories are all real, and from today. This is work at the coal face, at ground level, with desperate folk. This is an authentic, powerful expression of God's love, and I am fiercely proud of our team here.

Tomorrow - life without water, aftershocks and students.

At the coal face

2011-02-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

I received an email which I want to share. It comes from one of the ministries we support at a distance, and inadequately, but for which I have enormous respect and love. In an understated way, the email reads,

"On Friday we had news of two couples separating - hopefully temporarily, one collapse requiring ambulance (fortunately nothing serious) and almost all our kitchen help away! We were very aware of prayer cover and despite all that the night went well and was not particularly stresssful! Thanks Lord!"

What strikes me, and moves me, is that here we have a group of people genuinely living in community. In the vast majority of churches I visit I see little of this - we are too busy showing how spiritual and how together we are to admit that we are broken, fragile, sin-battered humans on a painful journey of transformation in Christ. I can pretty well guarantee that in the majority of churches in NZ this weekend there were couples whose marriages were hollow shells, or worse; husbands and wives who were overwhelmed with despair, fear, anger and guilt because the key relationship in their life was failing. But we don't talk about that, no thank you.

If we do not create genuine, authentic community then our Christian gatherings become impotent and ultimately pointless. If we cannot cope with pain, failure and sin, then we are nothing like Jesus.

At the coal face, the margins of ministry and society, we find Christ, welcoming, offering grace, and bringing healing. "Thanks Lord!" indeed/

Ministry - where?

2011-02-01T14:51:00.000-08:00

I was impressed recently by the contributions made by young adults (under 25!) in a church service. It was not a "Youth service", yet they welcomed, led worship, played in the band, read the Bible lesson, preached, administered communion and even took the collection. But I was also slightly concerned that this might give the impression that real ministry can only happen in a church building.

This fear was reinforced by a conversation I had with a 17 year old this past week, who is entering her final year at school. It is a massive mission-field, with over 2,500 pupils, plus staff - and this particular girl was explaining that she was on the leadership team of the Christian group in the College, was trying to arrange for a concert to be held, had a speaking engagement coming up, and was aware that for some of her non-yet Christian friends this school year may be the last realistic chance for them to experience Jesus.

The conversation was prompted by a decision she has to make - having been invited to help lead a small group in her church for younger kids, which she would enjoy and would do really well - she found herself struggling to prioritise her time and energy.

So - pour yourself into a tough mission field with literally thousands of lost souls to invite into the kingdom; or engage with a small lovely group of kids already surrounded by Christianity? Genuinely a difficult decision. And I fear that 'church' will praise, support and encourage her if she chooses one way, and be totally unaware of the significant leadership role she will be carrying if she chooses the less trodden path.

This "born again" thing

2011-01-20T13:26:00.000-08:00

I read today the wonderful story of a lady who had been kidnapped as a 19 day old baby, but after 23 years had managed to trace and meet up with her real mother. Carline White (her real name) said, "I'm so happy. At the same time, it's a funny feeling because everything's brand new. It's like being born again."

Wow! We know that in the West we have an epidemic of broken homes, "blended families" and countless fatherless children. But hang on a minute - they are not fatherless. If only they could get to meet up with their real Father, they too would have that born again experience. In my darker moments I wonder if Christianity really has much to offer the people of the world - and then I come across a deep truth like this, and i can only say - thank you father God that you are still the ultimate answer for today, and tomorrow. And I also need to say - sorry for doubting you, and for keeping you to myself.

Final Northy

2011-01-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

As she looked back on her life and ministry, Sister North was able to say "I can think of no other way that I would rather have spent my life, and I would have exchanged it for any other."

How wonderful to be able to assess one's life in such a positive way - no regrets, no omissions, just satisfaction and celebration. Many of us don't lack opportunities, but we struggle to know which ones to take. Those of us who follow Jesus, seek his guidance, others weigh up the options and consult with family and trusted friends. Perhaps one way of making big decisions when faced with more than one choice would be to ask "what might I most regret NOT doing?"

Sister North was from a different generation - but her sacrificial, committed wholehearted, risk-taking service of Jesus is a model we can all try to emulate.

Northy 7

2011-01-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

After a while in Church Army HQ, Northy was asked to undertake work among the Maori people, for which she felt ill-equipped. "Well of course one said yes...you don't say I'm not going to do that, but it scared me stiff. I had hardly ever seen a Maori person, and I felt that I didn't know how to approach them - how to talk to them."

It seems to me that most of us feel that way about haring our faith with anyone - we basically don't know how to do it without causing offence, or putting people off. So we don't bother most of the time.

Sister North persevered, too the risk of rejection or 'failure', and had an amazingly effective ministry that is still remembered with affection and appreciation today. She concludes "they did seem to love me and we got on well together; and that is really the secret."

It really is that simple - being friendly, not being ashamed of Jesus, sharing the words and actions that together express the Christian faith.

Northy 6

2011-01-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

Another young evangelist who benefited from Sister North's gentle apprenticeship training was Eileen Brady, who enlisted for a "Cycling Bike Hike Mission" without mentioned the fact that she could not actually ride a bike!
"Really, the falls that poor girl suffered, it was dreadful." But Northy's approach was persevere rather than surrender, and that is what happened "she had the most dreadful falls but although she fell down, you couldn't down her." Perhaps that was a reflection of New Zealand at the time?
Many of my faith heroes have that same belligerent, stubborn, never-say-die attitude, in contrast to many who claim God's call to ministry, but return from the mission field - at home or abroad - after a few years or even months. "I couldn't cope with the heat/food/people/loneliness/hard work/stress/boredom(???)/language/rejection etc. etc." Or the vague "it just didn't feel right." So what happened to God's call?
I have to say I have loved ministry in every place God has called us to - but nobody can say that for the Clark family it has always been easy - indeed, at times, it was only the certain knowledge that God had called us, that enabled us to carry on. Maybe that's just my stubborn Yorkshire streak - but if you are thinking of giving up, why not pray for strength and determination from God instead?

Northy 5

2010-12-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

During a mission on the Chatham Islands, Sister North may have been an unusual sight, being a woman in ministry. When questioned about this, she replied, "They probably thought the Church Army was a bit mad anyway, and were sure to do funny things."

I'd like to think that people still us that way, but I fear we have become tame and domesticated, trying to fit in and be accepted rather than to dare to be different - prophetic even. WE have a friend in UK who defines a typical CA evangelist as "odd". Fools for Christ anyone?

Kind of Northy

2010-12-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

I heard this quote from Joyce Meyer on the radio earlier today.

"Passion is not a feeling; it is a deep commitment to press on to the finish."

I think Sisters North and Childs would approve - it is, after all, how they lived their whole lives.

Northy 4

2010-12-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

The apprentice model of training is becoming increasingly popular once more. But for this to work, it needs the 'apprentice' to be obedient to 'the master'! I mentioned Felcie Childs and her offer to work with Sister North - well she did just that. But Felcie didn't find it easy!
"I asked Felcie to read the lessons or to take part in the prayers, or to give a short talk, and to her it was agony. She was a very, very shy girl and when she got up to read she really suffered...and to read was painful. What she said often bore very little resemblance to what was in the Bible, or what she was reading."
I am pretty sure that at this point we would give up on our apprentice, and suggest that this life and ministry just was not for them. But in true Church Army fashion, Northy cruelly insisted that Felcie carry on!
And over time, Felcie improved. "As time went on, she was so conscious of the call of God that she didn't care whether she looked silly. She very quickly improved her reading and her manner...she was commissioned and I got golden reports of her work...she never looked back, and it all stemmed from the fact that she had been called of God, and if that meant a hard struggle then she would undertake that hard struggle."
I pray for those in CANZ to have such spiritual toughness and determination, and for God's call on our lives to be so clear and powerful that we will never give up.

Northy 3

2010-12-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

It is said that you are only a leader if someone is following! Even before Church Army was formally established in New Zealand (which happened in 1935), Sister North was approached by a young lady who felt called to serve with Church Army.

Northy explained that at that stage, there was no guarantee that Church Army would ever operate fully in New Zealand, that some of the bishops had so far not given their approval, and "if you give up your work now and come to me, the time might come when your work will come to and end and you will have to go back to whatever you can find in the world."

2011 will see CANZ launch a new initiative/movement whereby people will gather in missional/incarnational communities, to radically share Jesus, live as contagious disciples, and offer life-sharing community. We will offer training and equipping, mentoring and ongoing support, resources, and some help with hospitality costs initially - but it is unlikely that we will ever offer a 'salary'. The call is a dangerous one, with few guarantees, and we expect few will have the faith, courage and passion to join us.

Felcie Childs responded to Northy's discouraging comments with these words - "I have laid down my life at the foot of the cross, and whatever that means, I will do it."

Loving God, please bring such people to serve along side Church Army NZ

Northy 2

2010-12-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

Having survived her training period, and a position she faithfully endured rather than enjoyed, Sister North felt very much at home on a caravan. Before long she was asked to be in charge of her won van - a task she found daunting "it was all very well to go out and visit and give small talks and do as I was told buy the Sister in charge, but to be in charge, and have another Sister under me was quite different."

But surely, despite what she said, Northy could cope? "I remember when I first got to that van...just crying my heart out because I felt I just couldn't do it." Being out of your depth, knowing the task is beyond you, that you don't have the skills, knowledge, abilities to complete the mission - this is a familiar feeling to all those who achieve great tasks in God;s name. because of course God knows our limitations only too well, and once we throw ourselves on his mercy, as Northy said "as time went by I found that with the help of God - I could do it."

Don't just attempt the things you know you can do - put yourself in a position where you have to rely on God. And then watch what he will do.

Northy 1

2010-12-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

History could have been so different! Sister North applied first of all to CMS to work as a missionary, but was turned down as "my standard of eduction was not good enough." Instead she was advised to work with Church Army for two years, and then re-apply.
Church Army, interestingly "accepted me without any difficulty."
Northy decided at the end of the two years to stick with Church Army, who after all "had taken me young and new and raw and everything...just as I was...they had given me good training and accepted me warts and all."
This reminds me of someone else, who took under his wing hot-headed fishermen, cheating tax-collectors, women of dubious reputation and known rebels. The only suitable candidate - educated, responsible, good with figures, careful with money - didn't turn out so well.
I hope Church Army NZ will continue to take risks in the people we welcome, train, equip, send out and support. John Wesley said "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth". I say the same, perhaps replacing the word 'preachers' for 'local missionaries'

Northy

2010-12-14T20:59:00.001-08:00

I am currently reading the transcript of an interview Lorraine Lloyd held with Sister Kathleen North, who arrived from UK in 1933, and died here in 1992. It is thrilling and inspirational, and over the coming days I shall be sharing portions of "Northy's" story.
Prepare to be amazed, moved, delighted and deeply challenged by the story of one on whose shoulders we are privileged to stand.

2010-12-02T12:28:00.001-08:00

"82% of short-term missions today go to countries in the most-Christian third of the world. Only 2% land in the Middle East."

Robert J. Priest
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

2010-12-02T12:22:00.001-08:00

"The overwhelming majority of American missionaries today are “vacationaries.” Joining mission trips of two weeks or less, they serve in locales where Christianity already predominates." Steve Addison

I don't know what to say

2010-11-25T18:44:00.000-08:00

As a bringer of Good News, I have been struggling to know what to say in response to the tragic events in the South Island mine. As a Christian I must have something to offer, beyond "come and light a candle."
I can think of nothing that comes near to being right than the hymn sung in the New Zealand parliament yesterday - to the same tune as 'Then sings my soul'.
Here are the simple lyrics, in Te Reo and English

Whakaaria mai Tōu rīpeka ki au Tiaho mai Ra roto i te pō Hei kona au Titiro atu ai. Ora, mate, Hei au koe noho ai

Show your cross to me. Let it shine there in the darkness. To there I will be looking. In life, in death, let me rest in thee.

Nothing to add

NEIGHBOURS DAY 2011

2010-11-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

I attended a planning group for Neighbours day 2001 - to be held on 26-27 March. It is simply awesome - the idea of thousands of people all over New Zealand being given cakes, cookies, or jam by strangers who live just across the road; or invited to a BBQ to spend time with people they've said a passing 'hello' to hundreds of times but know nothing about. www.neighboursday.org.nz

We need to re-neighbourhood or re-communitise the places where we live, work and play. People are lonely, isolated and lost simply because they rarely enjoy genuine relationship. This day is not about big events, programmes or organisations, but about individuals and families befriending those around them.

There is something profoundly Jesus-like about this. He frequently ignored crowds and focussed on individuals. In an age where big is always best, where the best churches are the largest ones, and the most successful ministers those who attract the mass followings, I suspect Jesus is calling his followers away from the crowds, structures and strategies with all their fame, glory and superficiality, to be present instead with the humble, lowly and irrelevant, for there we will find Christ Himself.

Although Neighbours Day is non political and non religious, I was thrilled to find followers of Jesus at the heart of it, quietly, gently serving in order to transform this nation. I think Jesus was pleased too.

Christian Heroes

2010-11-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

“We’re not afraid of death because Jesus died for us. Of course we cry, but they’re tears of happiness, because we die for God.”

- Sama Wadie, 32, his hand wrapped in a bandage, after attending Mass at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, where 51 people were killed last Sunday. (Source: New York Times)

Such Christians are heroes, who live the Jesus life with a depth and intensity I fear those of us in the 'West' may never experience. I despair at times that my following of Jesus is so tame, insipid and pale - so different from the outrageous, energising, vibrant, technicolour, abundant life-giving Jesus who leaps from every page of the Gospels.

I want to live a Jesus centred life which is so radical and challenging that people hate and despise me. I long to challenge the conventions and customs of this day by embracing the most loathed members of society; by showing no favour to the most powerful, wealthy and influential; by outraging the religious and celebrating the lowly. But it may cost me my life, and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that.

Welcome

2010-11-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

We hope you enjoy the new look CANZ website - please send us feedback to let us know what you think. New sections and pages will be added as the fresh vision and direction which God is guiding us into unfolds - so bookmark the CANZ website and visit us regularly.

75 Today

2010-11-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Church Army New Zealand is 75 years old today.
I feel humbled and honoured to lead an organisation with such a proud history - and today I thank God for all those - living and dead - whose path we follow. It is awe-inspiring to 'stand on the shoulders of giants.'

What better way of celebrating the day than spending time with Sister Kath King - our longest serving evangelist. Having recently undergone serious surgery, she said "thank God for successful surgery, please pray that improving mobility will allow more opportunities for continuing ministry."

Such life-long, commitment to serving Jesus through Church Army makes me even more humbled and honoured to lead an organisation with such an exciting and promising future.

The Amazing...

2010-10-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

...Pukeko. I love them. They are ridiculous, gawky, and lack elegance, but there is something strangely compelling about them, especially now that baby pukekos are on the scene. Their walk is a delight, strutting with their massive feet, white fluffy backsides stuck out exaggeratedly.

I'm not convinced they play any great role in maintaining the ecological balance in New Zealand, or anywhere else. Their 'song' is a squawk. They neither fly nor walk with any degree of grace. But I love them. Partly because they represent something of the extravagant creative power of our God - and He, like me, thinks they are great. And perhaps I see myself in them - not particularly amazing at anything, and ridiculous in some ways - yet I too am an expression of God's extravagant creative power, and I am greatly loved by Him. As are you.

He's Coming

2010-09-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

After a year back in England completing his University degree, our son Michael joins us in less than 48 hours. It seems a very long time since we last saw him, mainly because it is! Words cannot really describe the excitement which has ebbed around the Clark household as we have counted down the days.
As a father awaiting the arrival of his much loved Son, I can almost imagine the reunion in heaven after Jesus ascended. The hugs, tears maybe, then the walks and conversations, as Jesus told his Dad all about his 33 years on planet earth. Finally the conversation turns to the future - "Dad, is there really no plan B, you know, if the disciples mess up?." "oh they will, and no there isn't."
The liturgy we sometimes use at Kodesh contains the line "we are enough to be the church." There is no Plan B. God's people on earth, weak, foolish and mistake-prone though we are, are the delight of heaven. We are enough!

Meandering

2010-08-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

I love Oakley Creek, and we walk along it frequently. In recent wet weks it has been fairly thunderous, often overflowing its usual boundries - far different from the gentle creek we enjoyed last summer. Even when it is out of sight we can hear it, swelled by the frequent if short lived Auckland downpours.
There is one section where it twists and turns dramatically, before regaining its original course - I wonder if one day it will simply cut a path straight through the slowly eroding bank - though I hope not.
In some ways our first twelve months in New Zealand have been a time of meandering, rather than the torrential impact I imagined we'd be having by now. A time to assess, take stock, be quiet, settle, pray and plan. But I pray that the time when the Gospel and the love of Jesus will be flooding unstoppably across this land is not too far away - and I long to gain a deeper understanding of what Church Army's part in that will be. There is a time for meandering, but Lord, may it soon be done.

Shuffle along now

2010-08-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

As a child I received a pair of slippers every single Christmas - useful, appreciated, but not exciting. I have been sadly slipper-less for many years, but approaching my 50th birthday (some way off yet!) I fancied again owning a pair - and my ever dutiful wife duly obliged.

A few days later Monika asked "why do you walk like that when you are wearing slippers?" and to my surprise I realised that I did indeed engage in the slipper-shuffle! Why? Well maybe wearing slippers conjured up sub-conscious images of me sitting by the fire, pipe in hand, slippered feet up, as I fade into retirement?

I make every effort now to walk properly when wearing slippers. I feel far from ready to wander off into the sunset with my zimmer for support - and thankfully I have a wife who won't allow me to!

Or as they say in Moerewa, "Tama tu tama ora, tama noho tama mate"
(To stand is to live to lie down is to die)

Party on dude

2010-07-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

We've just returned from a wonderful week's holiday at a friend's bach in Pauanui. Reading, soaking in the spa, walking miles along the beach in t-shirt and shorts (and they call this WINTER??), talking in thoughtful mode, and soaking up the glorious beauty of the Kiwi countryside - all this has left us refreshed in body, mind, soul and spirit.
I was shocked to realise that in the 10 months we've been here, apart from a long weekend in December, this was our first proper break. I love most of what I am paid to do, I spend time with people I love, respect and enjoy, and it is thrilling to see God at work - but none of that takes the place of time off. Not taking a break is not being committed, faithful, hard-working or clever - it is stupid, stupid, stupid. Note to self - take proper hlidays, regularly. Note to others - if I don't, tell me.

The World Cup

2010-06-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

I cannot remember hugging a man from Taiwan before, but that is exactly what I found myself doing at around 1.20am the other morning. Don't worry, this is not some sordid confession, but rather an example of what World Cup fever does to people.

The New Zealand national team - the All Whites (Kiwi pronunciation emphasises the first syllable, so it is ALL Whites rather than All WHITES) - were appearing in the World Cup Finals for only the second time ever. After months of build up, we were watching the first game, and they were trailing by one goal as we entered the third minute of injury time. Suddenly a cross came in, an All White met the ball with a firm header, and yes, incredibly, we had scored. Delirium, hugs all round (me and Harrison), the dead being awoken at 1.20am.

Following teams like New Zealand, or Hull City back in England, will give you rare, very rare moments lke this. Maybe once every decade or two! New Zealand not losing in the World Cup - once in history (so far). Hull City appearing at Wembley - once in history. Hull City being promoted to the Premier League - once in history. But the joy and celebration when those rare occasions happen is something supporters of Brazil, or Manchester United or Chelsea will never come near to experiencing. I can see why God often seems to side with the underdog - it is so much more fun!

Injustice

2010-06-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Emily was part of her school choir which performed as part of "the Big Sing" in Auckland Town Hall, and as proud parents of course we were thrilled to go and enjoy the evening. Her choir did really well, and I hope they feel their hard work - being in school at 8am each friday - paid off. They were great.
We heard 23 choirs perform, most were good, some were amazing, one or two average. Then the Auckland Youth Choir (I think) sang three things. 'Things' is a technical musical term to describe noises as opposed to meaningful words, sounds as opposed to tunes, and a garbled mess of voices as opposed to beautiful harmonies. The result of a 'thing' is that incredibly talented angelically-voiced young people end up singing garbage art-farty stuff rather than using their talent to actually sing.
I digress. The evening concluded with the awards ceremony, each choir being granted either "Highly Commended," Commended" or the patronising to the point of being insulting "Particpated".
I knew that Emily's choir would get the lowest award. Firstly they attend a low decile (poor) school with a mixed reputation. Secondly, they were not all white angels, nor did they use the "we are all Maori" or "this is how we sing in the Pacific Islands" tactic - they were integrated, a mixed group of kids who love to sing together. And thirdly, they sang a proper song, with enthusiasm and emotion. Not at all what the musical elite appreciate. And I was right, they received the award that was more offensive than Simon Cowell at his worst.
I wasn't the only person who left with a sense of injustice. I believe and encourage healthy competition. I do not support rewarding poor performances. But I am tired of some places being denied the opportunity to explode out of the shackles of their image or reputation. Can anything good come out of Avondale College? Or Nazareth? Oh yes!

I wonder

2010-06-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Two BBC News headlines caught my eye this morning. One read "Why Marriage Matters", and the other "Feeling Grumpy is 'good for you'". I jokingly wondered if the two were directly linked...marriage is good because it makes you grumpy which is good for you...! And actually, I think I may be right.
As Moni and I approach 25 years of marriage, I feel deeply grateful that we do so with a greater appreciation and understanding of one another then ever. I am sometimes astonished that this beautiful, amazing woman shares my life! And part of what I value about her most is that she not only copes with my (rare) grumpy moments, she even enjoys them - because we need people with whom we can be real, and unreasonable, and, well grumpy. So why doesn't that appear in the good marriage manual?

Mennonite guests

2010-05-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

We curently have a couple of guests from USA who are Mennonites - a denomination I knew little about. We talked about their practices and distinctives, and their commitment to community - a major theme for Church Army at the moment.

The most interesting part of the conversation for me was when these two deeply committed young men mentioned that while at University, their church attendance has been minimal, but their faith has been maintained and even strengthened. It is a pattern I see again and again - they have not rejected established church life, or fallen out with anyone, and may well return to it when they have kids to take to Sunday School - but for now they simply don't see regular Sunday worship in a dedicated building as essential for their spiritual health.

Are they losing their faith? I don't think so. Are they following the easy way of non-demanding discipleship? Again, I doubt it. They are expressing both a dissatisfaction with what happens Sunday by Sunday, and their need for an experience of Christian community which nurtures, challenges and informs their faith 24-7, in every situation they face. It is a cry I am hearing more fequently - a longing for authentic, radical Christian community.

Passion

2010-05-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

It is strange how I can set my alarm for 3am, and spring joyfully out of bed when it calls me - to get up and watch a football match. Hull City against Liverpool, a meaningless encounter as we are relegated regardless of the result - but a final opportunity to give one of the big boys a "bloody nose."
I find rising at 3am to pray more difficult - or I would if ever I tried. A chance to talk one-to-one with the creator of the universe - now that is pretty cool, but for some reason my passion levels remain low when it comes to praying. Maybe if Jesus pulled on the number nine shirt for Hull City I'd be more enthusiastic about talking to him.
I guess the point is - thank God - that Jesus is passionate about me, he is up at 3am waiting eagerly to chat. If I can bother to turn up.

Heroes

2010-04-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and everyone should have at least one! On Monday, we had a visitor - a Tongan gentleman, an ex gangster, drug-addicted wife beating thug who has been transformed and turned upside down and inside out by meeting Jesus. He is heading down to Wellington to start a missional community amongst the most needy there.
The previous weekend, I met plenty of people in Dunedin who are potential heroes. They know that the struggling church needs much more than cosmetic change - it needs completely re-imagining and reforming. Seeing the need makes potential heroes - addressing the need makes actual heroes.
As Church Army in New Zealand undergoes a re-visioning process, I hope and pray we will have the wisdom to see what we must become, and the courage to allow God to transform us.

Paradise found

2010-04-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can hardly cope with how good my life is. I utterly love being in New Zealand, I love the challenge of my job; it is an honour to work alongside my Church Army colleagues; the community I live in is astonishing; the large family who share my home are an immense blessing; the pukekos who share our neighbourhood are a source of constant amusement...I could go on and on.

Today I walked with Monika along Oakley Creek which runs through our community - it is stunningly beautiful. Suddenly we unexpectedly came across a waterfall, straight out of a Pacific Island tourist brochure - but here it was, 10 minutes walk from our home! Is it possible for life to be so good we cannot bear it? Well right here, right now,my life is THAT GOOD! All I can do is humbly say "thank you Jesus".

Money makes the world go round. Really?

2010-03-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

I have invested quite a lot of time recently in putting together a business plan for one of our Evangelists, Louise. Louise works in Christchurch, and has a little bus she uses to reach kids and families in one of the most challenging areas of the city. We had the privilege of spending a week with Louise and the team last year, and the ministry is simply amazing.

Louise draws on her own difficult childhood to keep herself motivated and fresh. She says that she is determined that other children should not have to go through tough situations without the opportunity of doing so knowing the love and friendship of Jesus. She knows each child and the families inside out, and can reach them in word and action in ways that those of us who had more privileged early years never could.

It isn't fun writing business plans, but as I did so I was moved again as I was reminded of the fantastic work being carried out. But it angers me when the church can seemingly continue to fund liberal clergy who have no message to proclaim, who preside over dying churches while denying the historical creeds of our church; can continue to support extensive building programmes (I heard just this week of 2 churches in Auckland being given $1,500,000 between them)when we have plenty of vastly under-used buildings already - but we have to go cap in hand begging for financial scraps for such a vital outreach ministry as the Canterbury Kids' Coach.

I suspect Jesus still weeps.

Today's soldiers

2010-02-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

“Without excuse and self-consideration of health or limb or life, true soldiers fight, live to fight, love to fight, love the thickest of the fight, and die in the midst of it.” - William Booth

I was deeply moved this week to hear of a Church Army evangelist in Canada. Her recent commissioning was probably unique - as it took place at her bed-side, and in place of a uniform she wore pyjamas. With her whole body riddled with cancer, she has just days to live.

What really made my eyes leak though was hearing that she fully intends to preach this Sunday, if at all possible. Proclaiming the unchanging Good News of Jesus - this is the evangelist's passion and obsession, the thing that gets us out of bed each morning, the challenge and the joy.

This story made me proud to belong to Church Army, and determined to use every opportunity I have to share Jesus while I can.

Sugary, sloppy sermons

2010-02-10T14:43:00.000-08:00

A recent survey in UK found that Anglicans want sermons that entertain, are shorter than 10 minutes, and don't necessarily contain any Biblical input.

An episode of Boohbah sounds just about perfect for them.

I have an inkling as to why the Kingdom of God is not rapidly advancing though...

Dark Side of Modern life

2010-02-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

A New Zealand teenager who says she auctioned her virginity online for $32,000 to raise tuition money did not break any laws but it might be risky for her to follow through on the deal, police warned Wednesday. The anonymous 19-year-old student offered her virginity to the highest bidder on the Web site under the name “Unigirl,” saying she would use the money to pay for her tuition. She said in a post that more than 30,000 people had viewed her ad and more than 1,200 had made bids before she accepted an offer of more than New Zealand dollars 45,000

Sad indeed.

Parachute five

2010-01-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

I think Ryan is great! He saved me a tent space right next to the main stage - he is the man!

Ryan went through our Gap programme last year, and came back ruined. He has a passion for people who do not yet know Jesus, and an inate ability to chat to them and to introduce them to his own best friend - Jesus. He spent six months in Berkeley NSW, giving out bread, chatting to people, and sharing Jesus' love in word and action. He longs to carry on doing just that, and we are working with his local church to make that possible, probably with Ryan working part time to earn some cash.

Which got me wondering - why doesn't the church support Ryan full time? He has undoubted gifts, a calling and a ministry. The answer is simple - the church pays for church buildings, church structures and church pastors, but despite the endless talk of mission, the church rarely pays for evangelists. Not in NZ anyway!

I am confident that given the right setting and good support, Ryan could gather enough new followers of Jesus to be self-supporting in a couple of years. But who is going to pay for him until then? And when that new group of believers is strong enough to look after itself, and Ryan moves on to pioneer a new work...what then?

Come on church. Pastoral, ordained ministry is not the only valid form of ministry, and certainly not all we should be supporting financially. Church planters, aspiring musicians, story-tellers - these people are coming to CANZ, for which I thank God, and when we have the $$$, I promise we will pass it on.

Parachute four

2010-01-31T20:43:00.000-08:00

I had one of those heart-stopping moments on the last evening. I was seated with Monika about 3 rows back, praying for the rain to hold off, when one of those women came running towards me, arms outstretched, massive smile eating up the rest of her face. You know the kind I mean - mad, demented, nuts, odd, weird, strange. The ones who always have words from God for ME. The ones who kindly offer to pray with ME. The ones who scare the life out of ME.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiii" she screetched, "how are uuuuuuuuuuuuu?" I learnt a prayer from Matt Fielder, a superb speaker. " God, help."

Jesus heard my prayer, as she flung herself around the quivering wreck of a man seated one row in front of me. Thank you Jesus.

Parachute three

2010-01-31T20:26:00.000-08:00

One of our motives for attending Parachute was to work out how Church Army NZ could use the event next year to publicise what we do, especially the Gap Year programme, and possibly raise support. So I wandered around the displays of numerous Christian organisations with interest, determined to steal ideas and gain inspiration.

Instinctively, in my head I tried to calculate the cost of matching or bettering the gleaming displays of many of our "competitors" (I know you don't like me using that word, but we are all after the interest and the $$$ of the same, small market!) Add the cost of the thrilling giveaways we'd have to offer, plus the cost of the stall in the first place...and serious doubts crept in.

I'm an idealist...and my hope is that CANZ will be known, respected and paid for because the ministry we do is of such quality and impact that people want to be on our team. Changed lives; the least, last and lost being lifted, promoted and saved; thousands of Christians being motived, trained, equipped and supported to share Jesus in their everyday locations - this is what I long for CANZ to be known and love for. Not glossy brochures or dazzling handouts.

And afterwards I imagined all the Christian organsations agreeing to have a publicity fast - and the tens of thousands of dollars we'd all save being pumped straight into frontline work! Better go, my image consultant is on the phone...

Parachute two

2010-01-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

Young people do my head in - I simply don't understand them half the time. I can cope with them when they're asleep, but beyond that...!

We are at Parachute, the highlight of the year, having paid serious dollars. Speakers and bands from across the globe...and the kids sit around playing cards. Why did you come, idiots!

Fast forward two days. The rain it raineth, in English proportions, everyone is less dry than Wet Wet Wet ever were, and the older Clarks are seriously thinking of coming home. So the card-playing, big speaker-missing, God-ignoring youngsters turn out in their thousands, cheering, singing, worshipping, drowning, praising, faithful, excited, passionate, Jesus-adoring. What is going on?

"The rain was so good...it stopped it being just fun or entertainment, and made us focus wholeheartedy on Jesus."

We need to hear it again - despite what many say, todays youngsters don't want spoon feeding and mollycoddling endlessly. They are willing to get drenched, and even to die, for a worthy cause.

Parachute one

2010-01-31T19:40:00.001-08:00

Parachute is a massive Christian music festival held a couple of hours south of Auckland. We have just returned from an amazing four days, with a few blogs worth of material. Here is number one.

Emily has friends who make up a band called Kadet, who were invited to make their Parachute debut - and did so in one of the smaller venues called the Apollo. It was the first time I'd heard them live, and they were awesome. Their music isn't full of Christianise, there was no being washed in the blood of the lamb or even saved by grace, just songs echoing the real issues and desires of young people today "I want to fall in love"...that kind of thing.

I'm not expert, and I don't know if they're good enough, but I could not help pondering the massive impact these four Christian young men could have on their peers in NZ and beyond. The church won't fund them, of course, and though I'd dearly love to see Church Army taking these kind of evangelistic risks, we can't...so is there a Christian businessperson who'd be willing to invest not just in Kadet, but in the Kingdom?

Update...the best debut band gets to play on Main Stage at parahcute, and this morning Kadet did just that. Not just me who reckons these ladsare worth investing in!

I've been done

2010-01-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

It is funny how certain phrases become fashionable - and consequently are repeated until you are heartily sick of them (rather like some songs!). One such line for me is "we are human beings, not human doings." The more I think about it the more it sounds like an empty 1960's hippie mantra or a new age excuse for sitting around doing nothing. But I do get the point.

If you want to make my wife, Monika, really angry, just ask her what she does. Because what you are really asking of course is whether or not she is in paid employment. Whether we like it or not, we tend to define and evaluate people by their job and title. But Jesus doesn't do that. Jesus sees Monika's passion to serve him and people and her tireless labours - and that she works twice as hard as her husband for no pay!

Church Army is considering becoming an order, rather than a society. I don't fully understand the difference to be honest, but I think part of the point of being an order is being known for what we are, not what we do. Church Army NZ currently describes itself by its task - "we follow Jesus, make him known, and help others do the same." I have started describing us as "a community of pioneering evangelists." Our being and our doing - surely one must come first and define the other?

Evangelism 2010

2010-01-23T21:56:00.000-08:00

Like just about everything, the prevalent style of evangelism is subject to fads and fashions of the day. Recent years has seen a big push for friendship evangelism, process evangelism, lifestyle evangelism. It takes time, and we speak loudest by the way we live.
The excellent sermon I heard this morning included the story of a missionary hospitalised in India. The old man in the next bed couldn't get himself to the toilet one night, so messed the bed - to be smacked by the staff the next morning, leaving him in tears. The following night our hero carried the old man and helped him sit over the hole which served as a toilet - with the consequence that in the days after, many patients and hospital staff asked him for the tracts he had previously been unsuccessfully trying to distribute. When a visiting evangelist spoke to the patients and staff, he discoverd that many had given thier lives to Jesus.
A great story - and the point drawn from it was that it was the selfless act of mercy and compassion rather than the testimony or carefully crafted Gospel presentation which led to the conversions.
But I want to object at this point. Doubtless the beautiful expression of the Christian faith being lived out touched people's hearts - but without the Gospel being explained to them, (in this instance, via aprinted tract) and a response invited, they would have had no opportunity of entering a life changing relationship with Jesus. The Gospel must be explained - and I fear we have either lost confidence in its abiliy to bring transformation, or we have lost our ability to succinctly and helpfully explain just why Jesus came to earth.
For a fuller explanation of this theme, email me at canzphil@gmail.com and I'll send you a copy.

Welcome to 2010

2010-01-22T23:27:00.000-08:00

So this is what 2010 looks like - hot lazy days in Auckland while my family in UK freeze and cope with snow!
I have been asked by a number of people to start a blog, so they can get to know me (and my thinking) better. So here it is. I hope to update it at least once each week, perhaps more, so please do check regularly.
I am genuinely excited as we head into this new year, with all the opportunities and potential it holds. I am also deeply aware that history is littered with wasted opportunities and unfulfilled potential, so my desire is to pray and think more; to speak in consultation more; to dream and risk more; but above all to put into firm action more of the visions and ideas which God sends my way.
"Community" is a buzz word in both the Christian and secular worlds. I describe CANZ as "a community of pioneering evangelists". Well now it is time to move from words to actions - so the new Church Army NZ Base is in the Kodesh Community in Avondale (www.kodeshcommuniy.org.nz). But we are not just living in a community, we fully intend to model community. We will have numerous visitors and guests staying with us, from a day or two to maybe years. We will develop a communal life with spiritual rhythms alonside washing-up rosters; prayer and peeling potatoes with mentoring and mowing the lawn! It will be an adventure for us as a family with the usual highs and lows; but for now I'm just relieved to be living out at least one great idea.