Baptist Magazine V132 n4

v.132 † no.4

Baptist Churches of New Zealand

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WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO WAR? NZBMS – STORIES OF GOD’S HEART

CHILDHOOD NORMS FIRST CENTURY NAZARETH & TODAY

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WRESTLING WITH CURRENT AFFAIRS

FOR WE ARE NOT FIGHTING AGAINST FLESH-AND-BLOOD ENEMIES, B U T A G A I N S T E V I L R U L E R S A N D A U T H O R I T I E S O F T H E U N S E E N W O R L D, A G A I N S T M I G H T Y P O W E R S I N T H I S D A R K W O R L D, A N D A G A I N S T E V I L S P I R I T S I N T H E H E A V E N LY P L A C E S .

Ephesians 6: 12

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A faithful presence......................4 RE FLE CT IONS F R OM C RAI G VE R NA L L

Magazine Manager Angela Pedersen Editor Sarah Vaine Art Director Andrés Carrió | WindsorCreative Global Mission Greg Knowles Business Manager Daniel Palmer __ Contact Editorial sarah@baptistmag.org.nz Churches in Action jill.hitchcock@baptist.org.nz Advertising advertising@baptistmag.org.nz Website baptistmag.org.nz Facebook facebook.com/baptistmagazine

Building re-creation into your life................................8

How do you respond?................10 RE SO UR CE

R E VIE WS

Equipping you...........................14 FA M I LY

C H I LD

NE WS

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FA M I LY

Childhood norms.......................23 C U LT U R E

Baptist Churches of New Zealand PO Box 12-149, Penrose, Auckland 1642, New Zealand Telephone 09 526 0333 __ Printing Image Print, Auckland Photography shutterstock.com, lightstock.com and Andrés Carrió __ The NZ Baptist Magazine is the magazine of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand.

What are we fighting for?.........27 LE AD E R SHIP

Speaking life into the world.......30 GLO BA L

dependent on their contributions. Registered with POHQ as a newspaper. ISSN 1176-8711. A member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

MISSION

His work, his timing, his waka... 33 Freedom and hope...................... .34 Thoughts from David Moko & God provides ............................. .36 D I RE C T ORY

GLO BAL

Distributed through local Baptist churches in NZ and

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D I SC I P L E SHIP

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MISSION

Heading overseas & Opportunities to serve….................39

A word from the Editor: Sixteen weeks maternity leave goes very quickly - it doesn’t seem six months since I was last writing this note! We are overjoyed to welcome Maisy Hope into our family. Born on 1st March, she missed out on being a leap year baby by three hours. And now five months on, after an around the world trip to introduce her to family, we are settling into more normal rhythms. Yes, perhaps six months have passed!

In this issue we are considering how we respond to current affairs in the world. This is a HUGE topic, but it was interesting as this issue came together – two themes emerged: faithful discipleship and prayer. As you engage with some of these topics, take time to process them with God and others. ~Sarah Vaine

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FAITHFUL

PRESENCE Wrestling with the topical issues of today’s world

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Euthanasia, war, the next US president - these are just a few of the widely debated issues in today’s society. You probably have some kind of response to each of these topics. But how do we respond God’s way?

Rhett Snell considers this.

W

hen I was born again at the age of thirteen, it wasn’t only a spiritual conversion, it was also a cultural conversion.

My first year as a Christian was a process of flipping a cultural switch.

Up until that point I’d listened to a lot of loud, angry music (great for those angst-filled moments after arguing with your parents). After I came to Christ I purged my CD collection – quite literally throwing it in the bin – and wrote an email to a Christian radio station asking for recommendations of like-for-like Christian bands: “I used to listen to Metallica, what’s the Christian alternative?” I asked. I lobbied my parents to allow me to switch over to a Christian school. Eventually, they did. It felt like I was escaping the compromised environs of secular education. I even made that most typical of all Christian purchases I bought a Christian t-shirt. I can’t remember exactly what it said.

It was something to do with training, or running the race. It had a basketball on it, I know that much.

But whatever the message, I wore that shirt with pride. I may have even worn it at my Christian school.

Counter-culturalism I didn’t know it at the time, but this was counter-culturalism. I was acting under an assumption about my relationship as a Christian to culture; that the art I enjoyed, the education I received, and the fashion I modelled should all be explicitly Christian, rather than ‘worldly.’ I figured that I needed to cut myself off from the taint of ‘The World.’ Any contact

should be minimal, and mainly for the purpose of seeing other people brought into this counter-culture of Christianity. This view has a long history in the church, in a far more nuanced form than my adolescent self could have articulated it.

Monastic orders, Anabaptists, and Two Kingdoms proponents have all embraced it in different ways. It’s a position which takes a pessimistic view of culture, and which calls Christians to provide a radical alternative.

Transformationalism On the opposite end of the spectrum is transformationalism. You’ll probably be familiar with transformationalism if you pay attention to Christians who make it onto the 6 o’clock news. In this view, Christians are to actively engage with culture in the hope of Christianising it. Sometimes, this can develop into the mind-set of conflict and battle. Think of the culture wars in the United States - clashes over same-sex marriage, debates over bathroom access for transgender people, or violence against those who carry out abortions. These are zealous skirmishes, with the aim of winning the ‘soul of society.’ The idea is that God wants culture to reflect biblical values, so we need to do all we can to see that happen.

Back to Scripture Like any spectrum, there are many stops along the way between the extremes of counter-culturalism and transformationalism. But which direction should we be encouraging our Christian brothers and sisters in, as well as pursuing ourselves? How should the teachers, businesspeople, labourers, engineers, and artists in our churches relate to culture?

I find Jeremiah 29 a helpful lens to view this question through. At this point in their history, the Israelites have been exiled to Babylon, dragged off from their homeland by a marauding empire. They have every

“SEEK THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY OF THE CITY” reason to despise the Babylonians and to believe the society they’ve found themselves in the midst of is going to hell in a hand-basket.

Perhaps it’s time to check out of society and build a pure and holy community apart from it. Or, perhaps the approach should be to take over and to war against the godless paganism which is on display in Babylon.

Well, God has other ideas. He tells the Israelites to settle in for the long haul - to build houses, plant gardens, start families. Ultimately, God tells them to, “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29: 7).

Our response I know this is a specific command from God to a specific people in a specific time. But there are many parallels to our own time that we can draw. Peter describes Christians as people living as “elect exiles” in the world (1 Peter 1: 1). We too live in a society whose values and practices can be confusing, and in some examples, even repulsive. And as much as the state of the world can sometimes tempt us to isolate ourselves in a holy huddle - to build walls and live as those awaiting evacuation - I don’t think this chapter gives us that option. We’re to “seek the peace and prosperity” of the society in which we find ourselves.

Before we consider what this might look like today, I think there are a couple of mindsets that we need to reflect on.

Overbearance We need to consider that with the best intentions, “seeking the peace and prosperity of the

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“FAITHFUL PRESENCE COMMITS U S TO D O W H AT W E C A N TO C R E AT E CONDITIONS IN THE STRUCTURES OF SOCIAL LIFE WE I N H A B I T T H AT A R E CONDUCIVE TO THE FLOURISHING OF A L L .” city” can subtly become twisted into standing over culture as those who know what’s best for everyone. As Christians, we’ve far too often sought cultural change through aggressive, unloving, and even violent means, because we are uneasy with the way something is happening. Andy Crouch, the author of Culture Making, suggests that for those with a more transformationalist bent, ‘changing the world’ can actually become a temptation, a kind of substitute for the real heart-change of discipleship. He writes: “If our excitement about changing the world leads us into the grand illusion that we stand somehow outside the world, knowing what’s

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best for it, tools and goodwill and gusto at the ready, we have not yet come to terms with the reality that the world has changed us far more than we will ever change it.

Beware world changers – they have not yet learned the true meaning of sin.” 1 We need to acknowledge these temptations, and be willing to challenge them when they arise.

There may well be situations which we would wish to be different, but we need to learn how to act and engage with compassion and gentleness.

Relevance Alternatively, we can end up making a god of ‘relevance’ - we become so keen to keep on good terms with others, to maintain relationships, and to avoid rocking the boat that we place this desire above any other conviction.

It’s a real temptation for us to compromise on the core teachings of Jesus even as we seek to see change. But this should never be an option for us.

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city” - faithful presence We need to engage with culture smartly, and passionately, but with humility. And essentially, I think,

we need to acknowledge that only God can really bring true change.

We will always live with the reality of brokenness and sin, not only in our culture, but in ourselves too. If we can hold onto the reality of sin in our culture and sin in us, we will engage on a level footing. Issues will become far less of a battle of ‘us vs. them,’ and more of a case of seeking the good for all.

James Davison Hunter outlines an incredibly helpful approach in his brilliant book To Change The World; that of being a faithful presence within culture. When it comes to how we as Christians engage with the world, he frames it like this: “…where and to the extent we are able, faithful presence commits us to do what we can to create conditions in the structures of social life we inhabit that are conducive to the flourishing of all.” 2 We are to be quietly radical in whatever sphere God has placed us, and to use what power we have for the good of all. The resonance with Jeremiah 29 is obvious. Hunter has far more to say about how cultural change occurs, and his book is well worth reading.

In my time as a pastor, I’ve come across a few encouraging examples. In my own church,

I’ve been blessed to get to know Kim Workman, who has spent his life working in the criminal justice system. To me, he’s a good example of someone who has been a faithful presence within a challenging part of our society.

He’s used his influence to advocate for restorative justice, living a quietly radical life in his sphere of influence (he’d probably debate the quietly part). I’ve met teachers who are committed to pointing to Christ through their compassion and love for their students, builders who look for opportunities to simply witness to their faith in opportune moments, and businesspeople committed to running their business ethically, with more than just profit margins as the measure of success.

I believe that every Christian has a vocation to be a faithful presence wherever God has called them.

Closing thoughts When it comes to the topical issues of our world today, whatever they may be, my pastoral advice on these things is often just this: Don’t freak out. Engage. Be compelling in your engagement. But don’t make winning on a cultural issue the be-all and end-all. Never let winning an argument trump acting with love and

humility. Jesus calls us to be full of grace and truth, together, at once.

I think Andy Crouch sums it up well: “So we are confronted with a paradox. Culture – making something of the world, moving the horizons of possibility and impossibility – is what human beings do and are meant to do.

Transformed culture is at the heart of God’s mission in the world, and it is the call of God’s redeemed people. But changing the world is the one thing we cannot do. As it turns out, fully embracing this paradoxical reality is at the very heart of what it means to be a Christian culture maker.” 3 __ Story: Rhett Snell

TAKE OUTS! 1. Are there any issues that have been in the news recently that have unsettled you?

2. How did you process this?

Did you do anything about it?

3. Consider the spectrum of counter-culturalism and transformationalism.

Where do you think your responses generally fall?

Rhett pastors Epuni Baptist Church in Lower Hutt, Wellington. He’s married to Sarah and together they have three kids, with another on the way. He loves reading, music, and complaining about Arsenal.

1. Andy Crouch. 2008. Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling (p. 200).

Madison. Intervarsity Press.

2. James Davison Hunter. 2010. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World (p. 247).

New York. Oxford University Press.

3. Crouch (p. 189).

4. Are there times when you have been overbearing in desiring change? Or are you someone who has perhaps allowed a desire to be ‘relevant’ to overtake your convictions?

5. Take some time to talk with God about this and consider how he might be calling you to respond.

6. Get together with others.

How would someone else answer these questions on your behalf? Consider your ongoing response.

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office@baptistsavings.co.nz v.132 no.3 † 07 www.baptistsavings.co.nz

Baptist / R E F L E C T I O N S F R O M C R A I G V E R N A L L

It may just be a psychological game that my mind and body plays on me, but like an athlete in a race who crashes over the finishing line, sabbaticals have always come at the right time for me. Or maybe it’s simpler than this: God is a good father who oversees our coming in and going out. Either way, sabbatical leave always seems just the right thing to do when I clear my desk and walk out the church door for a few months.

S

abbatical is a privilege that not many professions afford to their employees. Our conditions of call have sabbatical provisions written into the standard contract and I’m a firm believer in the value that sabbaticals bring to the pastor and their family, and in real way that flows into the church and its mission.

Ministry makes great demands upon our emotional capacity. Over time, the ability to laugh or cry becomes

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depleted. This is a sure sign that a deep tiredness is slowly embracing you. This deep tiredness needs to be reversed and only quality time in the right setting for you will reverse these symptoms…at least this has been my experience.

My wife Michaela and I have just returned from our third sabbatical.

Each sabbatical has been different and being seven years apart, they have captured our family at different stages, calling for a different plan each time.

I remember after I completed my first sabbatical, I took on an extended preaching series through the book of Job. There was no way I could have wrestled with this giant theme of death, disappointment, and God’s sovereignty while running on emotional empty; but as a result of my sabbatical, I relished the preaching and the subsequent pastoral journey that accompanies the preaching of such a soul-searching series. My emotional health became the church’s reward.

During two of our sabbaticals, we took our children out of school. We spoke to their schools early in the planning process and were gratefully surprised at the support we received.

For one term we had the children doing correspondence school which was an education for all of us!

Some of you will already know that Michaela and I walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail in Spain during April and May of this year as the main focus of our sabbatical. The nature of the physical, emotional, and spiritual dynamics of this 800 km walk held for me the ideal components required to build re-creation into my life. I loved the physical challenge. We embraced the people we met, and the laughter we shared was a real medicine. As well, the contemplative loneliness that was part of the walk gave time for genuine spiritual reflection. The Camino de Santiago sounds like punishment to some, but it was a real tonic for Michaela and myself and we’d happily do something of this

I’M A FIRM BELIEVER IN T H E VA L U E T H AT S A B B AT I C A L S BRING TO THE PASTOR AND THEIR F A M I LY, A N D I N R E A L WAY T H AT FLOWS INTO THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION. nature again. Inspired by people we met on the pilgrimage who were close to eighty years in age, we hope there’s a few more miles in our middle aged legs for future walks.

So the question is, what fills your tank? For some, it’s having the appropriate time for meaningful study.

For others, it’s meeting and learning from experienced church leaders in their settings of ministry. And at times, there’s the need to focus on family life and just let the circuits cool down.

Planning your sabbatical Here are some things to consider about sabbatical: • Thoughtful planning by the church treasurer is required to ensure

the 2% accumulated sabbatical leave fund is set up (the Baptist administration manual has full details). Without malice, it’s easy for the church to forget about this: I’ve heard of a number of churches being surprised by this extra expense, thus causing financial strain on the church and maybe some tension between the pastor and treasurer.

• If your spouse is employed elsewhere it could be well worth you talking to their employer about the sabbatical provision in your own contract. I realise that Michaela and I are in a privileged position by both working for the same church as this allows us the freedom to plan a sabbatical together, but I’ve heard of some very creative results that release spouses for an extended time due to the response from an understanding employer.

Sabbaticals can work to everyone’s advantage.

• A sabbatical should be done in partnership with your church elders. Discuss with them what your needs are and how what you hope to do with your time will benefit the church.

• Make sure you plan well in advance and do your best to fill the gaps of your absence.

• If you’re unsure how to best use your sabbatical time, make contact with your Regional Mission Leader or contact Carey’s Lifelong Learning Centre. I’m sure they will be able to discuss with you some creative options that will see your sabbatical be a blessing for you, your family, and your church. __ Story: Craig Vernall Craig is the National Leader of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand.

TAKE OUTS! 1. Do you know whether you have sabbatical provisions written into your contract?

Check it out and talk with your treasurer about this.

2. If you are able to take a sabbatical, what might benefit you and your family?

3. What do you need to do to make this happen, both in terms of your family’s needs and your church’s needs?

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Baptist / D I S C I P L E S H I P

HOW DO YOU RESPOND? Who are you dependent on?

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How do you respond to the daily complexities and pain in the world? Do you jump right in to help? Do you bury yourself in other things? Andy Shudall reminds us that God was here before any troubles, and he remains faithful - will we remain dependent on God? Roland Peapell provides some thoughts on prayer as part of this reflection.

S

o today, as I write, I’m thinking about employment issues and finances, parenting, our church building project, growing small groups, and how a couple of words in one Bible verse really make it tough to understand. I am trying to make sense of the world in the light of the shootings in the Orlando gay nightclub, the numbers of men, women, and children who are drowning in the Mediterranean Sea each week, the challenges of Auckland housing and homelessness, the cruelties of civil wars, the US presidential elections that will impact the world, and the health and food emergencies throughout Africa and Latin America.

Oh Father God, who sees through darkness as though it were the brightest day, Holy Spirit, who hovers over the chaos and brings order, Lord Jesus, who brought hope and life through your death and resurrection; This broken world needs to be known by you, ordered by you, loved by you.

May your kingdom come today as in a future day, here as in heaven.

It is a strengthening comfort to know that God sees through the complexities and understands the truth - thankfully he isn’t new to being God! Because I don’t know about

you, but I struggle to know how to face some of the complexities and pain in our world, and when left to our own devices, some of our responses are not necessarily helpful.

Options One option is that we retreat to that which is in front of us and look no further, as if God is only the god of our experience, our neighbourhood, and our understanding. Or, we try and make-believe that the world is different by creating domestic and personal bliss - as if the happiest music, nice things for the house, and cars, boats, houses, and jobs might deliver the ideal life; or at least keep the pain of the world at bay. Taking this mindset down a more destructive path, we might turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain, or make compromised relationship or financial choices to try to feel better.

Alternatively, we could take the moral high ground: it is common to want to feel in control and in hoping for a world that is different from the one that presents itself to us each day, maybe we think, “If I were in charge, there’d be no…” as if we are more loving, compassionate, insightful, and willing to act, than God. Or maybe, if we look deep down, we think it is simply that some are blessed and some are not, and that’s just the way it is, as if somehow some deserve comforts and others miss out.

Facing all the sin and suffering in the world, in our own strength and resources, totally overwhelms us.

The volume of brokenness in our own hearts, neighbourhoods, and wider world is brought before us starkly by the information superhighway and we are left stranded on the footpath, watching speeding stories from all kinds of sources.

Back to the start “In the beginning God” – these are the Bible’s first words, and the first words that John the gospel

Facing all the sin and suffering in the world, in our own strength and resources, totally overwhelms us. writer wants us to know about Jesus. It all begins with Jesus. He is our foundation and our frame of reference; our first steps begin in him. Existence begins in his being, and creation has its genesis in his will and word. Wisdom originates in his character. Knowledge is founded on his knowing. Life itself is given by him, from him, for his glory.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1: 15-18).

We, all of us, are utterly dependent on him – he created us and the world we live in. Everything is under God’s care and seen by his gaze.

You see the sitting and the lying down of the billions, You see the setting and the rising sun of all our days, You mark our going and coming, our speaking and our silence.

We cannot run from you, or hide from your all-seeing sight.

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We are called to turn away from believing in ourselves and instead turn to Christ.

You hear our unspoken thoughts and understand our living and dying.

You count our breaths, number our days and even know the hairs on our heads.

Give us today that which we need, show us righteous paths, and make us weak enough to depend on you, and strong enough to flee our wrong desires.

We need to be dependent on him in our responses to the difficulties in our world. We are created to know him first, and in knowing him, to think and act in light of his thoughts, his word, and his ways. We are called to turn away from believing in ourselves and instead turn to Christ. We are called to follow Christ, who makes God known and solely gives sinful people the right to be called the children of God. We need to allow ourselves to be disturbed by the complexities and pain in our world; disturbed to a level that we engage, pray, and follow God’s lead. Because it is as we engage with God that we remember who we are, who God is, and in this place, we can be comforted, empowered, and set free to proclaim his hope.

Oh true God over all gods, Give me eyes and ears and a heart for your word.

You who has endless love and wisdom, open my mind to understand truth.

Oh ever living one, breathe life into me again. __ Story: Andy Shudall

EVERYTHING IS UNDER GOD’S CARE AND SEEN BY HIS GAZE.

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Andy is the senior pastor at Titirangi Baptist Church.

PRAYER IS OUR ANCHOR

There has been a lot written about prayer and for good reason: prayer can be confusing and sometimes we don’t know what to pray! Let’s take a look at it.

The Bible has so many references to prayer, in all forms. Why might this be? Well, prayer is our personal soul language that we use to communicate with God. Prayer is the anchor for our souls.

Prayer doesn’t need fancy language; it is what I call ‘anytime language.’ Anytime, anywhere. God knows all and he is interested in the real us, so be honest – talk to God if it’s been a stink day. Bring simple, honest heart prayers in your soul language to God. I believe prayer is about exalting God for who he is. We can all fall into the trap of trying to exalt ourselves, but in prayer, we come first to exalt God. Jesus started off his teaching about prayer by exalting God: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). I find it can be easy to forget about thanking God, but this is also part of remembering who he is.

In prayer, we create space where God can change us (it isn’t about

us trying to change God). But in thinking about this, it is important to point out that our prayers may not always bring the outcome we expect: we can’t fence God in. Ray Anderson writes: “Prayer is not a means of removing the unknown and unpredictable elements in life, but rather a way of including the unknown and unpredictable in the outworking of the grace of God in our lives.” 1 Finally, and really importantly for us, we need to not get too distracted with doing things: the doing needs to make room for prayer. We can get so busy, even doing good things, that we leave prayer in the background.

So ask yourself, does prayer have the central place in your life and your church? __ Story: Roland Peapell Roland is an elder at Napier Baptist Church who enjoys writing from life experiences to help others in their Christian walk.

1. Ray S. Anderson. 1991. The Gospel According to Judas. Colorado Springs.

Helmers & Howard.

“Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. ~ Matthew 6: 9-13

TAKE OUTS! 1. Where have you found yourself overwhelmed?

2. What does your response to bad news or the flood of information from the media and the web tell you about yourself?

3. What place does God have in your response?

4. Take time to think about this phrase: “We need to allow ourselves to be disturbed by the complexities and pain in our world; disturbed to a level that we engage, pray, and follow God’s lead.”

5. Roland talks about prayer using ‘anytime language.’ Have a look at the prayer from Matthew 6 and consider using this through your day in your ‘anytime language.’

6. What is God calling you to do in everyday patterns of living to fulfil his answer to your prayers?

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Baptist / R E S O U R C E R E V I E W S

BOOKS

Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence – Preston Sprinkle Do you get confused about what the Bible says about war?

You are not alone! Consider taking a look at this book in which Preston Spinkle takes a fresh look at what the Bible says about violence.

Nonviolent Action: What Christian Ethics Demands but Most Christians Have Never Really Tried – Ronald J. Sider Join Ronald Sider as he journeys through history considering the validity of nonviolence in response to injustices, with examples of nonviolent action from throughout the world.

We want to say a big THANK YOU to Manna Christian Stores for their ongoing support of our team.

You can check out their website at manna.co.nz.

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EQUIPPING YOU

To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World – James Davison Hunter If you are interested in seeing change in the world, consider mulling over this book in which Hunter challenges political activism on the part of churches and proposes the idea of “faithful presence.” His take on engaging with culture highlights the importance of the discipleship of individuals.

Pray for the World – Operation World Praying for the world can be a daunting task!

We hear of tragedies and injustices where only God’s hope can truly heal... but where to start? This book is one possible resource to help. It takes a comprehensive look at nations throughout the world and highlights key prayer points for each place.

Keep Your Love On: Connection, Communication & Boundaries Danny Silk If you want to consider the health of your connections with others, this is a great book to get you thinking. Danny Silk presents a fascinating take on what it means to be a powerful person...and it probably isn’t what you assume!

APP

The Big Little Bible – Bible Society New Zealand This app from Bible Society New Zealand has been created for parents and children to explore the Bible together. The illustrations use the amazing technique of contour drawing - in the words of the illustrator Meesh Holswich: “Each illustration is made with one continuous line, which then joins with the next illustration, and the next, representing the one story than runs through the Bible from beginning to end.” This app is designed for 8-10 year olds and it is available for free at the Apple and Google Play stores.

FA M I LY

HE AHA TE MEA NUI? H E TA N G ATA , H E TA N G ATA , H E TA N G ATA M I R A C L E S AT M A N U R E WA BAPTIST CHURCH

I am Gail Rautahi Te Pere Southern Irving Hosken, my iwi is Taranaki me Te Arawa and I am excited about the journey our church family is on.

With the encouragement of the elders last year, a group of Māori from Manurewa Baptist Church (MBC) established a roopu (group) to advise the elders on tikanga Māori (Māori customs and protocols). Four of us from the roopu were privileged recently to participate in a forum as part of the church service. The service was deliberately chosen to be at the start of Matariki and in this forum we shared from a Māori Christian worldview how we view traditional myths and legends, and how we respond to critique of Māori cultural practices. We talked about how both Jesus, Paul, and people through history have used the culture of the people to lead people towards Jesus – think of the tale of the woman at the well, for example. We also spoke about how we as people who point towards Christ can point to him in our cultural

FAMILY NEWS

practices. For example, at Matariki we can point to him through our karakia (prayers): We thank him for the year that passed and for all of his provision and we look ahead to what the New Year holds with thankfulness.

We are growing in our understanding of our own culture, ourselves, and how this all fits with who we are in Christ. To have our brothers and sisters in Christ support us in this is an answer to many prayers over many years. To be free to worship in a way that is true to who we are is amazing. To be able to freely and respectfully challenge each other about any of our cultures is a sign of maturity in our faith.

We are also finding that the same things we are discovering as Māori and as a congregation are concepts true

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Baptist

for any culture. As we continue to grow together in the house of our Lord, our ride will embrace all cultures. The ride could be bumpy sometimes, but it will be a good one! We want to continue to see, react, and embrace the world views of each other so that we might serve each other better as we seek to grow into the image of Christ.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the whole congregation at MBC. No reira tena kouto tena koutou tena koutou katoa.

Lyndon Twemlow is the pastor at MBC and he adds: the spirit of grace that our Manurewa roopu operate in is nothing short of Christ-like. Some months back the Roopu asked that space be given for all languages to be heard over Māori language week.

Learning from this, since April our weekly reading has been proclaimed in a new language each week, reminding us that the good news of Christ is for all people, of all nations.

We thank Jesus for the amazing roopu of MBC! You can check out the recording of our forum at mbcfamily. weebly.com/recent-teaching.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Brothers in Arms (BIA) is a one-onone mentoring organisation seeking to reach the needs of at-risk and vulnerable young people in Auckland, through providing positive role models in the form of mentors. Here is a reflection from a fifteen-year-old girl on her mentor: She’s been there for me through ups and downs...like an older sister to me. She is the one who made me come out more and show people my smile, she is also the one who got me back into school when I thought I wouldn’t make it back in. She taught me what “Keep on trying - you can do it” really means.

BIA started when a group of friends from East Auckland, who wanted to make a difference in their local community, decided to spend quality time with a group of Glen Innes boys and girls who were involved with youth justice. The trusted relationships they formed had positive and far-reaching implications and it all went from there.

BIA recruits, supports, and trains with skills and knowledge volunteers from the community who can spend a few hours a week with a young person. At the same time, the organisation takes referrals from groups such as the police, schools, and mental health practitioners who

identify young people in need of a mentor. A mentor is matched to a young person and the journey begins. It is not a programme, but the facilitation of relationship.

If you are interested in being a mentor (especially if you are male) or if you would consider financially supporting BIA, contact info@brothersinarms.org.nz.

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Baptist / F A M I L Y N E W S

D AV I D C O S TA R A S RML FOR TOTS

Receiving the korowai

A SYMBOL OF COMMITMENT For many years, Franklin Baptist Church has embraced ministry and mission to Māori and the premise of the bicultural journey. As a symbol of commitment to the ongoing exploration of this in their local context, and in recognition of the need for Māori to be an integral part of this commitment, Franklin Baptist Māori Ministries have commissioned two korowai from local weavers as a gift to the wider Franklin Baptist Church.

Korowai are placed on the shoulders of those in key leadership, as a token of mana (prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charisma). The gifting of these korowai is a demonstration on the part of Franklin Baptist Māori Ministries, signifying their commitment to this bicultural journey.

They are also equipping leaders so that they can speak with love and participate fully in this journey. For some, part of this equipping involves study at Carey Baptist College and it is envisaged that the korowai will be placed on the shoulders of these individuals at graduation, honouring them for their achievements. The korowai will also be used in acknowledgement of other accomplishments and occasions that hold significance.

One of those present at the gifting was Joan Milner - Joan is a member of Franklin Baptist Church who was a pioneer for Baptist Māori Ministries from 1953 in Pukekohe, and was involved with children’s work and women’s meetings. She retired in 1978 but continued to meet with women for Bible studies. Emily Whyte was the lead weaver of the korowai and in her childhood years was a participant in the early work that Joan led.

David Costar has been appointed Regional Mission Leader for the Top of the South (TOTS) region.

The TOTS region is made up of seven Baptist churches and one independent ethnic church. David will be supporting the pastors of these churches, including meeting monthly as they seek to learn from, strengthen, nurture, and support one another.

ENGAGE CONFERENCE 2016

Have you booked your place for the upcoming evangelism conference in Tauranga this September? Shining Lights Trust and partners are facilitating a weekend to inspire and equip you to share the hope of Christ. Register online at EngageConference.nz.

Find freedom and move forward in God’s blessing and power

This is your time!

Men’s Events

Bring friends so they can know God

www.promisekeepers.nz

16 † v.132 no.3 baptistmag.org.nz CHRISTCHURCH 19-20 August | WELLINGTON 16-17 September | AUCKLAND 7-8 October

Baptist / F A M I L Y N E W S

SOUTH WEST BAPTIST CHURCH -

SLEEP OUT FOR SYRIA

A CHURCH ON THE MOVE

On the move...

Last month the building we met in as a church from 1881 1948 was pulled down. As they scraped away the debris, our corner stone and foundation stone emerged. This had been our third meeting place; the second was moved from one side of the road to the other, and ironically the first building the church met in, a mud floor whare, had no physical cornerstone.

The early church members were quick to explain that they didn’t need one because their cornerstone was Jesus Christ.

In 1948, the church was on the move again. The Lincoln Road church, now known as Spreydon Baptist Church, joined with Lyttelton Street Baptist Church. Buildings were dragged from each site by steam tractor to our present site in Spreydon.

Sixty-eight years later, the original Lyttelton Street Baptist Church building is our church foyer.

Decades later, the Spreydon church would plant Halswell Baptist, a series of area

congregations, as well as many ministries reaching into different areas of need across the city.

After the earthquakes reshaped Christchurch, Halswell and Spreydon combined again, and then chose a more generic name of South West Baptist Church.

With all the changes of buildings and names, one could ask what makes the church the same. Perhaps two key things: Firstly, Thomas Jeffcoate, our visionary pioneer, saw a need for a church that was geographically, culturally, and relationally accessible to the local people.

Secondly, and most importantly, in spite of all the change the church has been through, that first cornerstone remains the same today – Jesus Christ. Our vision is to help people become his lifelong followers and for our communities to be shaped by his kingdom vision…150 years on, that is worth celebrating!

Invercargill Central Baptist Church, Avondale Baptist Church, and Kaiapoi Baptist Church joined with Tearfund staff and other churches in New Zealand to sleep outside churches for a night in June.

This was part of Tearfund’s Syrian Refugee Appeal, intended to show solidarity with the Lebanese Baptist Society, raise awareness of the crisis, symbolise the church as a place of hope for refugees, and to raise money.

Tearfund partners with the Lebanese Baptist Society, who work through churches across Lebanon to help refugees with winterisation supplies. Pastors there say they are overwhelmed by demand, having to turn families away that turn up at the doors of their homes. In one case, a pastor offered his wedding ring in a bid to get medical attention for a refugee child from a hospital running over capacity.

Checkout tearfund.org.nz if you would like to donate to the Syrian Refugee Appeal.

Pakuranga Baptist Church You are invited to our 50th (Golden Jubilee) Celebrations Sat 17 Sept 2016 Shared Dinner Sun 18 Sept 2016 50th Anniversary Worship Service ––––– RSVP Kheong Phone: 021 212 7773 Email: pakbapt50@gmail.com Pakuranga Baptist Church, 219 Ti Rakau Dr., Pakuranga, Auckland

Isaiha is 13 years old and went to Easter Camp with Edge Kingsland

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L E A D C O N F E R E N C E - E M O T I O N A L H E A LT H A N D A PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H B U R M E S E C H U R C H E S

Hutt City Baptist Church hosted the second annual LEAD Conference in June this year. The LEAD Conference sets out to equip, empower, and engage Baptist pastors and leaders.

One theme that emerged this year was the need for leaders to know themselves, care for themselves, and allow God to work in their lives so that leadership comes from a place of emotional health. A big thank you to Hutt City Baptist Church for your hospitality, the LEAD team, and those who contributed in the main, seminar, and workshop sessions.

As part of the LEAD conference,

a number of Burmese church leaders here in New Zealand gathered with other church leaders to intentionally explore what a partnership between the Burmese churches and the Baptist Union of New Zealand might look like, in terms of the future mission of these churches and beyond. Up to ten Kachin, Chin, and Karen churches are in the process of making this partnership happen, so it was wonderful to share stories around how our Burmese brothers and sisters have come to New Zealand, how the churches are doing, and what challenges the Burmese refugee

communities in New Zealand are facing. Time was spent considering what the word ‘partnership’ means in this context and some of the unique contributions that the rest of the Baptist Union can receive from our Burmese brothers and sisters, and visa-versa, were looked at. There was also a focus on how we identify and train the second-generation of leaders in our Chin, Kachin, and Karen church communities and what might need to happen to facilitate this.

See the progress at facebook.com/ NZbaptistEMM.

Celebration banquet at local Chinese restaurant.

M E N TA L H E A LT H A N D T H E C H U R C H C O N F E R E N C E

Equip (a mental health service that is an extension of Windsor Park Baptist Church) and Willow Creek Association New Zealand organised a oneday conference in June this year to look closely at a range of mental health issues. Keynote speakers and workshops explored aspects around

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depression, suicide, psychosis, and the pastoral care of people who experience mental health issues. This was a huge success with just on 400 people attending. One delegate commented: “Thank you for addressing the very real issues that are often swept under the table.” In fact, feedback

was so positive that there will be two conferences in 2017 – one in the North Island and one in the South Island.

As another conference attendee said: “May God bless us in our challenge to make our churches the safest places on earth.”

HAPPY 105TH BIRTHDAY HILDA! We join Westgate Baptist Church in wishing Hilda Griffin a happy 105th birthday!

Hilda grew up in a Christian family in Ramarama and was the eighth of ten children. Hilda accepted Jesus as her saviour at a young age and has committed to serving God since then.

Although planning and training to become a shorthand typist, due to the Great Depression and living out in the country, Hilda was unable to get a typing position. Instead she began a nursing career, initially at the Knox Home, before completing her training to become a registered nurse.

She subsequently did her midwifery training and Plunket training, as well as two years study at BTI (Laidlaw College).

As a district nurse, Hilda got around on horse for a long while – Jimmy was still required even after

Hilda was provided with a nice new car, as many of the roads were just clay and a shower of rain made them very slippery: a spade and axe were always carried in the car so a tree could be cut to put under the wheels to get moving again!

While working as a district nurse, Hilda’s friendship with Cyril Griffin blossomed into romance and they were married on the 29th November 1947. Hilda moved to Hobsonville, where she and Cyril started a Sunday school in their home.

Once they had outgrown this, they relocated a building from Remuera - this was the beginning of what we know as Westgate Baptist Church today! They also took Bible in schools and Cyril started the WMCA in Henderson.

Hilda and Cyril had three daughters, three granddaughters and there has been a recent arrival of a great-grandson. Cyril passed away on 1 May 1998, just short of his 90th birthday but Hilda still lives in her own home. She enjoys meeting all her friends, and making new ones at Westgate Baptist Church on Sundays, as well as listening to hymns on her ipad. She always gives testimony to the goodness of God in her life and the importance of reading God’s word daily.

BIG CHANGES FOR TE ANAU BAPTIST CHURCH

The members of Te Anau Baptist Church have made a courageous decision to windup as a church.

With the retirement of its pastor in June and the lack of numerical strength, the church has decided to discontinue after thirty-three years of service to the community.

The wonderful people of Te Anau Baptist Church have worked primarily behind the scenes for this time serving the community with activities like Rock Climbers (Bible in schools), mainly music, meals on wheels, a secondhand clothing ministry, and a number of children’s Christmas productions as well as the presentation of the story of Tarore last year. In 2015 the church began SUNDAY@5 to welcome international (and local) visitors to experience Christian hospitality with worship, discussion, and a shared meal.

Many people from all over the world have been a part of the church during the past thirty-three years as visitors and members.

Lives have been impacted for good and many, both members and non-members, have expressed how the church has cared for them in loving and thoughtful ways.

On August 14th 2016, Te Anau Baptist Church will formally disband and the current members will involve themselves with and support other established congregations in the town. Funds will be distributed to charities and great causes both local and overseas.

Te Anau Baptist wants to extend their thanks for the support and encouragement they have received.

Interviewing Hilda

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W H AT ’ S O N Y O U R M I N D ? W I T H PA U L W I N D S O R

RESOURCING MISSION with INSPIRING STORIES OF RELEVANCE? Unpacking a well-meant phrase

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It

is eight years since my focus moved away from New Zealand to embrace the peoples of the majority world.

Back then voices reminded me of the need to be ‘resourcing mission with inspiring stories of relevance.’

Each of those words has been drawn now into a deeper, fuller conversation.

RESOURCING – BUT WHAT ABOUT PARTNERSHIP?

The resourcing mentality can create a sense that there are those with something to give and the rest, who have something to receive. The flow tends to be one way. Even with the best servant-hearted intentions, this often perpetuates a dependency.

And yet when we consider the images of the church in the New Testament - body, temple, building – it is interdependency that is so striking. Everyone has something to give. Everyone has something to receive. Everyone is indispensable – in the global church, as well as the local one.

Expressing these truths is best done through partnerships.

MISSION – BUT WHAT ABOUT MATURITY?

In global terms, the mission challenge in NZ is difficult, very difficult. I have a special admiration for pastors who spend their entire careers battling this challenge. And yet, further afield, people are responding to Christ in huge numbers: there is growth but it is growth without depth.

The desperate need is for ministries which grow people deep into Christ through discipleship, biblical preaching, theological education, and mentoring. It is this other

mandate for the church in the New Testament – the maturity challenge – which surfaces so often for churches in the majority world.

INSPIRATION – BUT WHAT ABOUT ASPIRATION?

There is so much available to people in New Zealand, from events, to music, to conferences.

The parrot on Inspector Clouseau’s shoulder in the Pink Panther movies comes to mind - constantly being pumped-up, but only to deflate again. Is there not a danger of being over-inspired? What about those lives that whisper to us the words of Paul, “Follow me, as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11: 1)? The genius of such ‘followship’ is that it plays on our aspirations. We want to be like that person who carries that whiff of Jesus. Those people wandered through my life back home – but now my life is awash with them.

STORIES – BUT WHAT ABOUT TEACHING?

The primacy of story in New Zealand is evident for all to see.

In the majority world, with its oral cultures, story was set to grow in this ministry – and it is. But leaders over here are saying something else to us: “We’ve tried stories. Come train us how to teach the Bible. That is what we need.” In one country, they see such biblical teaching to be the way to secure their people against the threat of religious fundamentalism. In another country, this biblical teaching is seen to be the antidote to the prosperity gospel. In still another country, such biblical teaching is the helping hand by which the marginalised are drawn close and valued.

RELEVANCE – BUT WHAT ABOUT RESISTANCE?

In New Zealand, nothing kills an idea quite like describing it as irrelevant. But there is a problem.

The pursuit of relevance - fitting in with the surrounding culture, flowing with its trends in order to gain an audience - is barely visible in the Bible. In one half of the Bible the people of God are “a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49: 6), while in the other they are the “light of the world” (Matthew 5: 14). That sounds more like contrast than it does fitting in; more about going upstream, resisting the flow, than about floating downstream, going with the flow.

‘Resourcing mission with inspiring stories of relevance’ won’t be going anywhere. But is it enough? What about building partnerships which target maturity through aspirational teaching which energises resistance? If we are willing to be patient, we might be surprised. __ Story: Paul Windsor Based in Bangalore (India), Paul is International Director of Langham Preaching. Previously, he was Principal of Carey Baptist College in Auckland, and has been blogging for more than ten years at paulwindsor.blogspot.co.nz.

He and his wife Barby, who is Dean of Women & Families at SAIACS (South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies), will be visiting New Zealand in August and September. Paul will preach at a number of churches, and at their Chat with Chaat evenings they’ll share engaging issues pertaining to their life in Bangalore.

See leadev-langham.org/news-room for event details.

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1 0 0 Y E A R S A G O -­ S E R M O N S L A C K E R S

I knew a man who was once the pastor of a great church. In conversation with a group in the corridor of a hotel on a Sunday afternoon he was told by the party that all of them intended to go around and hear him preach that night. He urged them not to do so, as he said he had nothing much to preach. His crowd was always small, he said, at night, and he gave them only a little talk. It did not seem to occur to him that his small talk had trimmed down his crowd. I want to use that occasion for some practical suggestions.

Doubtless the pinkish homiletical teacher and pupil will smile at these, but let them smile; what is needed to be done in the pulpit is to bring things to pass. It is well to learn the principles of homiletics, but every man must apply them his own way.

The preacher is an architect. He must build sermons. Everyone wants to be listened to, and he wants his sermon to be effective. In order to these he cannot throw together a lot of stories, a few bits of poetry and an occasional quotation of Scripture and persuade himself that that will do. Real sermon-making is no easy job. A fresh repast twice a week means work. Leaving out mannerisms, dress and all else now, let’s get down to serious business. The preacher does not want to surprise or startle at the outset of his sermon, but this thing

is true—the success of a sermon depends largely on the impression made within the first five minutes of its delivery. If a preacher can fix the attention of the audience within that time, he can hold it thereafter if the people have anything to hold to. The short story writer understands this.

He must learn the art of arresting the attention, but he does more— he arranges his matter in such adjustment, that he excites interest at every step to the extent of the reader wishing to know what is to come next, and this is continued to the climax.

The old rhetoricians used to call this a trick. Trick or not, it succeeds.

In order to its sale, the story must have certain elements of merit, and these elements not only make it marketable but readable. Hence it goes. Here is something for every sermon builder to learn. Interest excited at the first and maintained to the close, the thread of unity followed without break or knot, the symmetry of the structure preserved arid this interest added.

It used to be that orators could potter along, tie in a rosebud here, a green leaf there, tell a story now and then, dawdle for a few minutes, fire up afresh and say something worthwhile, aiming all the while at the conclusion when the pentup fires long held in reserve burst forth, flare and flash, detonate and coruscate and suddenly close. But

all that is over. Interest must begin and be maintained thoughout even to the close. This cannot be done off-hand. Nor can it be done by a lazy fellow who thinks just anything will do so thirty minutes are killed, or by the other who squats on his imaginary reputation, presuming that some people will think that anything is great that he may get off.

Aside from all else, the pastor owes to his people the best that is in him every time he preaches. On a basis of ordinary honesty this is time. He is maintained for this very thing. A mutual contract exists, and the pastor should comply with its terms, whether the others do or not.

If preachers will accept the wisdom to which I have given expression, for no one knows its profundity better than the writer, and because it is needed it is hereby given, all will be well. Because I am not a professor but a plain man, one need not think I cannot give advice, I have a ton or two stored away for emergencies, not of my own, but of the truly needful. Some professors may laugh at what I say, but being of the people I can teach even some professors— some things. Get the best results in your sweet way and don’t fail to apply them like I say.

—Yours in candour, UNEEDA HUNCH. __ Story: Baptist Magazine August 1916

__ Photo: G.T. Beilby. 1957. Road to Tomorrow. NZ. Literature Committee Baptist Union of NZ.

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Baptist / C H I L D & F A M I L Y

NORMS Comparing childhoods in first century Nazareth with today.

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Think of the changes in the past two millennia – they are extensive! Our children live lives that would in many regards be unimaginable for the children of Jesus’ time.

In this two-part article, Sarah Harris considers a childhood in the Nazareth of Jesus’ day and Sarah Vaine reflects on this from the perspective of a new mother in 2016.

A childhood in Nazareth Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a small village which was very nationalistic.

This meant there was no known gentile influence, no gentile would have lived there, and Jewish purity was a distinguishing feature of the townspeople. No wonder Jesus’ home town tried to have him killed at the beginning of his ministry when he told two stories of God blessing gentile people (Luke 4:16-30, 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 5: 1-14)!

Nazareth is in the Galilee region and the town itself lies in a valley surrounded by hills. Work is currently being done to estimate the population of Nazareth based on recent archaeological developments, but earlier surveys suggest from 480 to 2000 people; the village was not large. We know little directly about Jesus’ childhood, but indirectly through gospel passages and through other ancient texts which talk about children, we can build up a picture of his childhood.

Festival involvement As a child of faithful Jewish parents, Jesus would have been immersed in the liturgical flow of the Jewish calendar.

Luke 2: 41-52 describes Jesus at the Passover festival, a seven-day annual family holiday in Jerusalem.

Travel to the festival from Nazareth took about three days each way, making this a two-week excursion.

On the journey to Jerusalem there was great national expectation and

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when the outskirts of the city were reached, the pilgrims sang the songs of ascent (Psalms 120-134) as they climbed up to the city. The stories and songs of Israel were known by heart - educationally we know now that repetition and rhythm aid longterm memory - the Jewish people quite literally walked some of their stories into their memory banks.

Coupled with that was the fun of the feast. Households travelled with others and feasted and celebrated together. The slaughtered lamb was largely given back to the people to be cooked up as spit-roast and children had formal parts to play in the religious rites.

Another favourite festival was Booths or Tabernacles which was originally a harvest festival particularly connected with the produce of the threshing floor, the olive, and winepress. This was an eight-day summer festival held in Jerusalem which was filled with joyous dancing, singing, water pouring ceremonies, and torch lighting. Families travelled to Jerusalem and built temporary huts along the roadside where they welcomed friends for meals. This was the original Parachute festival with thousands of tents filling the city. Children were an integral part of Jewish festivals and will have been swept up into the festivities, late night dining and story-telling.

How much fun to be camped out under the stars with mum, dad, and friends for a week!

Valued in the household Jewish children’s lives were closely tied to their parents and the household. In contrast to the Graeco-Roman world, young Jewish children were highly valued. Jews did not allow abortion, exposure, and infanticide, although this did not mean it never happened to Jewish children. Children were viewed as a blessing from God, and also an economic necessity. As soon

as practical, children were taught household and agricultural tasks, as everyone was needed to carry out the labour intensive work which sustained the ancient world. The produce from olive trees formed a significant part of Israel’s economy (they still do) and the olive harvest was carried out by children alongside their parents and any household slaves. The trees were beaten with twiggy branches and olives collected to go to the olive press where it was milled (with the help of a donkey) and pressed for oil. The finest oil was sent to the temple, and other oil stored for cooking, or made into soap and cosmetics: Nothing was wasted.

A village built a communal olive mill and press (no household could afford their own), and this meant the production process itself was a shared activity. So too, many daily tasks were carried out with neighbours: Life in Nazareth in the first century was never a solitary affair.

Today we talk about ‘slow food’ and celebrate taking food from field to plate: The ancient world knew only slow food. It is believed that the daily production of household bread took three to four hours to produce. Women rose early to begin the milling of the wheat and children were quickly drawn into the process. Spinning, dyeing, and sewing were also shared tasks

LIFE IN NAZARETH IN THE FIRST CENTURY WAS N E V E R A S O L I TA R Y AFFAIR. M U LT I G E N E R AT I O N A L HOUSEHOLDS L E A R N E D , T A U G H T, AND WORSHIPPED TOGETHER.

and mothers taught the girls the processes their mothers had taught them. Men taught the boys about cistern building, agriculture, and their trade. Jesus and his brothers will have learned carpentry (which included stone masonry) from Joseph.

Yet life was less divided along gender lines than we might imagine.

Jesus’ life, like most in Nazareth, will have been subsistence living and in such situations it is every hand to the plough when work is at hand (Infancy Gospel of Thomas 12:1, 16:1) - girls worked alongside boys, mums worked alongside dads. Certainly tasks like shepherding were not restricted by gender.

Living, learning, and worshipping with family and community Houses were typically only a couple of smallish rooms alongside a courtyard used for cooking, socialising, and working. This meant that it was not uncommon for families to sleep communally (Luke 11: 7). Children participated in formal meals and banquets even if sometimes as silent participants (Luke 5: 29, 14: 1-24), so they heard many ideas being discussed

and debated (Luke 15 describes some community celebrations).

Children walked with their parent/s or older children to the market or to gather water at the well, and on occasions when an important visitor entered their town, multi-generations came to listen and see the spectacle (Luke 4: 40, 42 and 5: 1).

Early education and religious ritual centred out of the home where multi-generational households learned, taught, and worshipped together (Deuteronomy 4: 9, 6: 7; Proverbs 1: 8, 6: 20-21; 4 Maccabees 18: 10-19; 1 Timothy 1: 5; Philo, On the Embassy to Gaius 115). Jewish families had a strong tradition of daily prayers and grace after meals which were said in the home and sometimes in the synagogue: When Paul talked of praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), he spoke as a faithful Jew. More formal education took place in the synagogue which was a community venue where schooling, community meetings, and worship gatherings took place.

Children played too! We read of children building dams in the river (Infancy Gospel of Thomas 2: 1), no doubt floating sticks down the river as we do, and swimming

(B. Qidd. 30b). They played games in the streets (Luke 7: 31; Zechariah 8: 5) and on roof tops (Infancy Gospel of Thomas 9: 1) the roof tops were flat and an ideal place to play. Nazareth had plenty of trees and hills to climb, small streams to play in, and branches for children to whittle into toys.

Full days Jesus’ childhood days are likely to have been full of family and community activity which was both economically, culturally, and socially motivated. Middle Eastern towns are still some of the most hospitable and friendly places to visit. If you do visit, be prepared to let out the belt on your trousers (there will be vast amounts of food) and don’t expect to get home early: Hospitality and lengthy conversation, then as now, form the bedrock of Middle Eastern daily life. __ Story: Dr Sarah Harris Sarah is a New Testament lecturer at Carey Baptist College.

A CHILDHOOD IN NEW ZEALAND

As you may have been aware, I have been off on maternity leave this year. On the 1st March, my husband Matt and I were privileged to welcome Maisy Hope into our lives. The past four months have been a time of great joy and also overwhelming tiredness!

Both Matt and I are English and all of our family are in England.

Maisy is the first grandchild on both sides and the first niece for most of our siblings. Being this far from family does bring a sorrow when we consider that we are not able

to regularly do life with our families.

But when my sister got married in May, we took Maisy back to the UK for the celebration and to introduce her to our families.

Returning to our families with Maisy brought a different dimension to our time together. In particular, Matt and I were reminded of various experiences from our own childhoods. Our parents still have some of our toys in the attic, our childhood photos depict particular moments in our lives (including dreadful fashion and haircuts), and

the addition of a new generation caused memories to be talked and laughed over.

What is amazing is the difference in our world in just one generation.

For me, one of the most obvious contrasts is the development of technology and communication.

When Matt and I were children, the internet was not available to us, mobile phones would be a thing for our future, we had black and white TVs, and we listened to music on cassette tapes. Now, if the internet goes down we

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get grumpy, if we forget our mobile phones we feel like we have lost an arm, television is high-definition and 3D, and the number of ways of accessing music is countless.

Now I don’t want to begin an anti-technology article. The developments in and of themselves are not bad – they have opened up much good in fact. But we were struck by something during our travels. Because of the long flights between New Zealand and the UK, we stopped over in Singapore on our return. While we were here, we took the train to the beautiful Gardens by the Bay. For Matt and I, Singapore was a new place and full of adventure. We were keen to see what this place was like and so a train ride through the city was an ideal way to travel (it was also the cheapest option).

But something struck us on the train. It was so quiet. Almost everyone, including couples or those travelling together, were lost in wonder….at the screens of their phones. In fact, Maisy may have been the only one making any noise! Being on holiday, we didn’t have our phones to use and so the spectacle was just so obvious.

Although we were initially critical of the apparent difficulty of simply being present in the moment, the truth did slowly sink in…we do just the same when given the chance.

Our lives have become, for want of a better phrase, dependent on devices and connection. We are able to be constantly occupied

TAKE OUTS!

and entertained by technology, as well as being consistently connected to a whole host of different people in all sorts of ways.

This is one aspect of the world that Maisy has come into. She will benefit from technology and communication. And yet with this comes some challenges: I think we need to take seriously the possibility that with this constant input, life can pass us by, while we miss the beauty in details. We also need to keep in mind that constant connection is not the same as relationship. Consistent connection actually risks isolation though we are never short of contacts.

As parents, we need to help Maisy navigate this world. How can we encourage her to navigate wisely, to lift her eyes and see the beauty in God, in others, and in the world? Well, I think it starts with us. We need to be prepared to put away our devices and be present with each other, experience moments in life together, and know each other.

I am inspired by some of the points that Sarah picked out of a childhood in Nazareth.

I love the idea of learning and worshipping together. To incorporate this into our life, we would need to be intentional about the way our days and weeks are structured. Learning from each other takes time, especially as children learn to express themselves in a world of many

influences. Worshipping together would require us to allow space in which each of us could talk to and listen to God. Grace and bedtime prayers are a start, but being intentional and creative about this time might allow us to share more than a hungry thanks or a sleepy goodnight. I hope that part of this can include some great celebrations of festivals these times are natural breaks in the normal flow of life that cause us to pause and re-focus our gaze. Christmas and Easter are a good start, but we could also explore the festivals of the church calendar, or cultural festivals.

I hope we will be able to pursue this with others. The old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” is just as true today as it has ever been and allowing others to teach Maisy, lead her, and shape her, will benefit her as well as us.

As you consider a childhood in Nazareth, reflect on how this might differ from your own family.

I am not proposing that it is a model for how we do family life today, but reflecting on difference can help us see where our own lives may need to be adjusted. Let us know what you do - we would love to hear! __ Story: Sarah Vaine

1. Are there aspects of a childhood from Nazareth that could bring a fresh perspective to your family?

2. Are there elements of day-to-day life that could do with an adjustment?

3. If you want to come and see some of the places Sarah Harris talks about, she will be running a tour to Israel in September 2017. See the Carey Baptist College website for more details: carey.ac.nz.

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What Are We Fighting For?

Is there a correct Christian stance on war and conflict?

We are presented almost daily with stories of war and conflict, with inevitable associated tragedy. For some, war is a valid response to atrocities in our world. For others, there can never be anything that justifies war. Is there a correct Christian response to war and conflict in our world? Can Scripture help us out? Mick Duncan begins our exploration with the first of a series of articles on this issue.

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ver Queen’s Birthday weekend this year, I laid out a scenario of a young person wanting to know whether homosexuality was a sin or not, before around 500 youth pastors and leaders to assist

with finding an appropriate pastoral response. I asked the youth leaders how they would respond to such a question before explaining how I would respond: I said I would ask that person if we could meet for coffee once a week over four weeks, get to know each other, and then continue to catch up over several months to explore the question. To be respectful of the relationship it requires time and a willingness for both parties to know they’ve been heard.

Some issues are so multifaceted that they need time if we are to do them justice. Like the LGBT discussion, war and conflict is another issue that cannot be dealt with lightly and requires real engagement rather than surface judgements.

This article is the first of several, but as such I can only address a portion of what I would like to say, so ‘hold

your fire’ if you have differing views… hopefully we’ll get to those.

Should I state from the beginning my position on war and conflict? Am I a pacifist? A just war devotee? Am I a pre-emptionist or a combination of one or more? I have decided to keep you guessing.

The spiritual practice of sitting with statistics As a starting point, I would like to recommend the spiritual practice of learning to sit with statistics, otherwise we will struggle to make any headway.

Instead of skimming over the stats and making shallow observations, we need to wait until our hearts catch up with our heads. Behind the data is someone’s son, daughter, and family.

War is not just an issue of facts and figures, it’s about people.

The statistics on war and

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conflict are truly disturbing.

Desmond Tutu claims that every year, small arms alone kill more people than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki put together.

For countries in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, that represents an annual average of $US22b spent on arms. That money could have enabled those countries to put every child in school and to reduce child mortality rates.

The Red Cross notes that in some conflict zones in Africa, up to 90% of the casualties are civilians, mostly women and children.

According to the United Nations, in the Bosnia-Herzegovina war of the early 1990s, 40,000 women and girls were systematically raped. In the Rwandan genocide of 1994 it’s believed that somewhere between 250,000 and 500,000 women and girls were raped. There is today a strong ‘victim bias’ against women and girls in conflict zones.

Another theorist, Rene Girard, talks in terms of ‘mimetic desire’ (mimicking or imitating) to explain war: Country A observes that country B wants something in country C. Because country B wants it, country A now wants it too. So A and B enter into conflict over C. Mimetic desire morphs into rivalry culminating in mimetic contagion.

War can also be a commentary on a nation’s history. If, for example, a nation has unfinished business around its own historical domestic conflicts, lack of closure may result in a toxicity that turns quickly to anger. An unhealed past can determine actions in the present. We see this in people, so why not in collectives of people (nations)?

And of course Christians will want to add (in my opinion rightly so), that behind the scenes there’s always the influence of Satan (the accuser/confuser) and the dark mysteries of sin.

War theories So why do we go to war when it inevitably leads to such pain and waste of resources?

There are so many theories and not all of them are helpful.

Professor Mark Van Vugt argues that the male sex drive is to blame for most of the world’s conflicts; the ‘male warrior’ instinct which programmes men to be aggressive towards anyone they view as an outsider. Some point to the increase of conflict during periods of extreme weather as a factor.

Professor Sukhwinder Shergill suggests that war results from an escalation of commitment between two parties, each believing the other has acted wrongly, and then responding with equal force (although typically that’s 40% more force than they experienced). The Vietnam conflict may be a case in point.

Scripture and war This brings us to the question of Scripture and war. In the beginning (Genesis) - prior to the fall – and at the end (Revelation), war is not part of the ideal picture being presented. In the sandwich, however, we have mixed messages. Deuteronomy gives rules of engagement on conduct in war. The Joshua narrative has God colluding with the reality of war.

Isaiah prophesied spears being turned into plowshares and Micah talks of shalom where everyone can sit under their fig tree in safety and well-being.

In Matthew’s Gospel, we are told not to resist an evil person and to love our enemy, and yet in the Gospel of Luke, soldiers are told to be good soldiers and not to give up their profession.

Nowhere in the New Testament is war-making included in the list of

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WAR IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE OF FACTS AND FIGURES, IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE. activities that are incompatible with Christian profession.

While this is an overly brief take, it suggests that we need to be cautious in pronouncing that Scripture supports a particular position for a just war, pacifism, or points inbetween.

Closing thoughts In my next article I want to address some of the unfortunate misunderstandings around just war and pacifism, and introduce a third position of pre-emption, so powerfully explored in the recent film Eyes in the Sky. For those wanting to do a bit of light reading I recommend Preston Sprinkle’s Fight: A Christian Case for Nonviolence and Ronald Sider’s Nonviolent Action: What Christian Ethics Demands But Most Christians Have Never Really Tried.

While these books are firmly placed in the non-violent tradition, they nevertheless provide some insights for those who argue for a more violent solution to some conflicts.

In terms of Scripture and its mixed messages, the best I’ve read is John Goldingay’s Old Testament Theology, Volumes 1-3. Of course you don’t have to read the entire set as I did - use the index and go straight to relevant pages. Enjoy!

I look forward to our next engagement. Until then, how about we all pray for a conflict zone each day for the next six months? __ Story: Mick Duncan Mick lectures in Applied Theology at Carey Baptist College and describes himself as a shy, introverted minor kiwi prophet(!)

P R AY I N G F O R OUR WORLD

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. ~ Isaiah 9: 6-7

TAKE OUTS!

1. What is your view on war?

2. What informs this? What might you explore to understand this issue further?

3. Find out the story of one of the places marked. Commit to pray for this place for the next six months.

4. If you need somewhere to start check out Pray for the World by Operation World or christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/prayer.

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t o n I e f i L g in E WfO R L k D e J s u o a s l e d o e TH m e Th

You only have to read a little about Jesus’ life to see his compassion for people and ability to bring about change in lives. Can we learn from this? Gary Colville considers this here.

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hristians, particularly in the Western world, have wrestled with the issue of how we should speak into the life of the world. In New Zealand, we Baptists have historically been active in social action like Prohibition, made strong public political statements, provided social services, and at times preached to the already converted about such issues.

Not long after making my first steps to being a follower of Christ, one wizened man from the local Anglican church told me to watch out for the Baptists as they were, in his opinion, heretics: Baptists were seen as too radical, too political, and too aggressive by this old character. I soon discovered where this understanding may have come from. In joining Colombo St. Baptist Church, I came to witness some of the impact that John Kendrick Archer had had. Archer was a pastor, activist, politician, and Christian socialist – he was one of the most radical Baptist leaders in our history and he had a huge impact on the church and New Zealand.

Unfortunately, this impact was not always positive. Archer was trying to make a difference, but, as was seen by my conversation with my old Anglican, his efforts did not necessarily go down well. Some of the Baptist action was instead seen as apparent madness in the eyes of the world.

I want to pose a question: Is it possible that attempting to change society primarily through political or social action may not be our

way forward? Now bear with me.

First I want to make it clear that some Christians will be called by God into the political world. If we consider someone like William Wilberforce who led the charge to address numerous issues including slavery, we are inspired – and rightly so! But I would argue that the church can be a very peculiar and even unbiblical place by attempting to be the unelected de-facto political voice. I propose that we as Christians do have the right to call on our politicians to make decisions that are in the best interests of society. But I equally want to suggest that the Bible does not model political activism based on our desires or persuasions.

I’m not recommending that we should avoid helping our neighbour in need. We at Hosanna Baptist have a foodbank because we believe that there are people who Jesus would feed. But I do believe that we need to be like Jesus who gave the gospel message with the food and also readily challenged people’s singular pursuit of the physical instead of the spiritual.

Before we consider this a little more, I want to challenge us: Christians have at times been selfrighteously judgemental towards society and yet Scripture roundly condemns that attitude.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 reads: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God

THE CHURCH CAN BE A VERY PECULIAR AND EVEN UNBIBLICAL PLACE BY AT T E M P T I N G TO B E THE UNELECTED DE-FACTO POLITICAL VOICE.

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will judge those outside.” If we become too preoccupied with looking at the problems in society, the flaws of our education system, all of our neighbour’s issues and the wrongs of others, we can avoid seeing where there are issues in our own lives that need dealing with. Should we instead be asking of ourselves: What needs to be transformed in our own minds and lives? Are we hesitant to share the good news of hope to a world full of hopelessness? Is the power of the Holy Spirit emanating through our lives?

More often than we realise our motives for wanting to change society may not be as pure as we might imagine. Jesus himself addressed the issue of hypocrisy on the part of the religious leaders, but interestingly in the world of Rome’s dictatorship and abuses, he didn’t utter a word challenging the secular government of his day. His focus on speaking into the life of the world was clearly around the need for people to live differently, free from the trappings of society or individual sin. He knew that when you change the inner person, the world is changed.

Jesus addressed matters that were beyond the three dimensions of knowing, seeing, and feeling that all humans live with. He instead talked about a fourth dimension of participation in, and expression of, the spiritual dimension that all humans are designed to experience.

Jesus spoke about a personal relationship with God – a relationship that involves faith, power, peace, joy, comfort, and love. He constantly demonstrated those things in the way he lived, spoke, taught, healed, and performed miracles, evidencing his relationship with Father God that permeated everything he did. He caused attitudes that many had to change in regards to children, the

poor, sinners, the sick, eternity, taxes, hatred, influence, family, who God is, heaven, the rich, and evil in the world - through his day-to-day interaction with people. The centre of everything that Jesus said revolved around his repeated mentions of the kingdom of God. In fact, when he sent the disciples out he equipped them to share the kingdom of God: “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases; he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9: 1-2).

Now this is a totally different approach to speaking into the world than had ever been seen in history.

Yet you only have to look at the lives of the disciples to see the impact that they had. They took Jesus seriously, did what he said needed to be done and many in the world have as a consequence experienced life like never seen before. Jesus’ life became the model that he calls us to follow but he calls for total commitment.

To close, I am suggesting that speaking life into the world is therefore not about trying to convert society to patterns of behaviour that will make us feel more comfortable or even put a Christian veneer on society.

Speaking life into the world is really about losing ourselves and our sinfulness; not being trapped by busyness, self-centredness or disobedience. It’s about touching the world through being obedient to Jesus by sacrificing, caring, loving, inviting others into the kingdom, and operating in God’s power. We are to show that it is not about us, but about God in us, working through us.

This is what Jesus has called us to.

This is the real gospel lived out. This is the gospel that brings personal freedom which is life-giving, powerful,

W H AT N E E D S TO B E T R A N S F O R M E D I N O U R MINDS AND LIVES?

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THIS IS THE G O S P E L T H AT BRINGS PERSONAL FREEDOM WHICH IS LIFE-GIVING, POWERFUL, AND E V E N T U A L LY WORLD-CHANGING. and eventually world-changing. This is my love, my life, my passion, my desire, and my hope. __ Story: Gary Colville Gary is a pastor at Hosanna Baptist and is passionate about seeing sustained healthy growth in churches.

TAKE OUTS! 1. Consider your own life. Take some time with God to ask what he may want to work on with you.

2. If you are involved in politics or social services, we want to encourage you and support you. What are some of the struggles you come across in regards to seeing change?

What might help?

3. The way that Jesus lived was radical and deeply challenging. Is following his model something that you find easy? Are there things that need to change? How could you go about seeking this change?

G L OBA L

MISSION

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†PHOTO OF THE MONTH

It’s a decade since Cindy, a Tranzsend worker in Bangladesh, began a school in the foyer of her Dhaka church.

Today that school has over 320 pupils and a sister school in Chandpur. Other schools are planned.

In this month’s Global Mission pages you can read the remarkable story of GEMS School.

A WORD FROM RACHEL - HIS WORK, HIS TIMING, HIS WAKA

I arrived at the office this morning full of good intentions and a list of tasks to tick off: • • • •

Clear emails Write beginning of report Finalise article Work on logistics for teams heading to overseas fields.

By midday, every item remained unticked. Sure, I’d started on the article, but it was far from completed.

The morning had been dominated by a number of meetings (planned and unplanned) and unexpected, but significant, phone calls. And, with an office culture of ‘we all help when another needs help,’ there are tasks this afternoon which will require me to join the others and ‘down tools and muck in!’

Sometimes our best laid plans are thwarted by higher or more

urgent priorities. It’s so easy to plan within our own strength only to feel frustrated when things don’t happen in the timeframes we had hoped for.

The stories on the following pages are great reminders of God’s timing and His priorities. Although not always fully understood, His plans and priorities are perfect.

The unplanned conversations and meetings, the delays on decisions, the persistent and pleading prayers for God to move, the lengthy suffering many go through, the unusual circumstances, or the best laid plans gone awry, often become the catalyst for His plan of action or transformation - an action or transformation that, in our own strength, we could never have anticipated or achieved.

While a little frustrated at some of

the unexpected activity this morning, a little time and space has brought perspective to see how that which I didn’t originally want or plan, fits within the wider work of the Kingdom. I may not completely understand all of that right now but I pray I will in time.

Wherever we are, overseas or here in Aotearoa NZ, we can be assured that what God needs to do, He will do in His time and in His way. Our challenge is to join others and get in His waka and allow Him to direct and lead us!

Nga mihi nui. __ Story: Rachel Murray

T OG E T HE R

Rachel is the General Director of NZBMS.

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THOUGHTS FROM DAVID MOKO

IN THE WAKA TOGETHER MOVING FORWARD I love that NZBMS have chosen a Maori concept for their 2016 Prayer and Self Denial Appeal: “He Waka Eke Noa: Everyone in one canoe with no exception.”

This was, I imagine, the sense that New Zealand Baptists had, along with other prominent Baptist world mission societies, when committing themselves to global mission strategies through an ‘adopt a country(s)’ selection process in 1885.

Moving forward to this century, a Manatu Iriiri Maori partnership role with NZBMS would be best represented by a double hulled waka. This metaphor describes two distinct organisations joined together by God’s sovereign purpose, intentional on Aotearoa New Zealand mission and global mission, seamlessly exploring horizons together with a distinctive body of knowledge and distinct ways of seeing the world and, therefore, specific ways of doing things in our world.

For Maori, terms like ‘unreached people groups’ aren’t appropriate for those reaching out. Acts 17: 22 28 affirms the notion that the knowledge of God already exists in the context from where he is calling: in other words the horizon where God is calling us from, and we in the waka experience the horizon moving towards us.

In communities today original ideas and new themes bring equally creative potential to cultural revitalisation in restoring our human connection. “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata - What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.” It’s about respect towards humanity’s cultural identity.

At the centre of Maori knowledge is a spirituality that threads an intimate based relationship connection, to the natural world, while upholding humanity and human memory: a body of knowledge seen by Maori as an inherent quality of creation, augmented by the act of God in human beings through the gift of His image and likeness, irrespective of cultural behaviour.

Weaving these threads together, implies Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection is for the redemption of all creation, not just for human salvation alone. Therefore our collective action should continue to reflect missional intentionality in the quest for social justice and cultural restoration. Mauri ora. __ Story: David Moko David is the Kaihautu for Manatu Iriiri Maori.

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GOD PROVIDES GEMS School ten years on

In many nations in our world, education (or the lack of it) becomes a roadblock for anyone wanting to escape the poverty that may have characterised their family for generations. Bangladesh is such a nation.

That’s why GEMS School was established – to provide an education for children from poor families while simultaneously training national teachers. A decade on, the school has just celebrated its ten year anniversary.

From small beginnings it has grown to 320 students and has caught the eye of local government who are positive about the work the school is doing and the life transformations that occur there.

N

o money, no building. Just seven students and a vision to influence education and teacher training through teaching children from poor families.

That was GEMS School in the early days. Ten years on, the English-medium school is bursting at the seams and the vision is coming to fruition.

On the tenth anniversary of GEMS, Cindy Meyer, the visionary principal, reflects on the journey so far.

Talent I have but one talent - teaching. My husband, Ross, and my pastor, Maria, asked me to establish an English-medium school for children from poor families. I agreed because I could see the need and God planted a vision, but also because I didn’t want to get to the end of my life and have to admit to God that I had buried that one talent.

We began with the hope of influencing education and teacher training throughout Bangladesh through our one little school – an outrageously high expectation!

Beginning Graeme Taylor, a fellow worker, caught the vision and wisely insisted that we start on a proper

NZ BMS

foundation by setting the school up with the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship (BBCF). It seemed to take forever. At times my faith was sorely tested as we balanced and completed New Zealand legal requirements, Bangladesh mission requirements, BBCF requirements, and Bangladesh regulations.

Through it all, however, I grew more certain that God wanted this school. We had neither money nor buildings, but we had God. Seeing Him overcome obstacles and provide for the school increased our trust in Him.

Growth We began in August 2006 with seven students gathered on a couple of mats on the church foyer floor. Word spread quickly however.

A lady by the name of Joy Pryor came from New Zealand to help with teaching, and, within five months we had sixty students.

The children were all supposed to be three years old but we ended up with a range from two to six years of age.

After ten years, we have over 320 students and we teach up to Year 9.

Building Our New Zealand church, Karori Baptist, is wonderful. Money was raised to build two floors on top of the Golgotha Church building. Taiwan and Indonesia also gave money. We built another floor for an open hall and now have three floors. That’s eight classrooms and a large library.

GEMS is a not-for-profit business.

Its aim is to offer excellent education, at an affordable price, in a Godhonouring atmosphere. The fees are kept at a minimum but we make enough to pay rent, salaries, and

READ MORE

running costs. We even manage a subsidy fund for students from the poorest families.

Resources Help from others has been vital.

Our friend, Nova Gibson, organised a container of books. I remember how exciting it was to receive them and how carefully we set up our well-used library.

- G RL EO ABCA HL I N E NW O R L D M GI S TS HI O / Baptist

Surprise!

Here’s the surprising bit. God is now opening doors for us to influence other schools. We have been offered the chance to do teacher training outside of GEMS and have a chance to influence education throughout Bangladesh. Our dreams weren’t so outrageous after all.

Next Those very first three year olds are now high school age. Our premises are overcrowded and we need more room.

We get around the issue by having the pre-school and primary classes use our classrooms in the mornings while the high school students fill the classrooms in the afternoons. What we really need is another floor, and a laboratory, and a teacher’s room…

Teachers We also need help from high school teachers in every subject, but especially chemistry and geography. In exchange for sharing their talent, teachers can expect a truly unique experience. The local teachers learn so much from us ‘imported’ teachers.

Multiplied It’s been hard work, but even on the hardest days, I feel I was born for this. I love working with the young Bangladeshi teachers. I encourage them, push them, train, wheedle, organise, and teach them. It’s a wonderful privilege to take on young Christians with a passion for teaching and watch them transform into able teachers.

Now there are others who share the vision. Best of all we have many sparkly-eyed bright children who truly learn and now have the hope of a better life than they would otherwise have had.

Thankful The fact that we are currently working to get our older students through O level exams is evidence that God is using us well. Our high expectations, faith, and vision have been enough. I am pleased and overwhelmed with what God has achieved through my one talent.

At this ten-year mark we want to thank each and every supporter. We are so grateful to each and every one of you.

Please continue to support us – we’ve come a long way together!

Story: Cindy Meyer Cindy is the Principal of GEMS school.

If you’re interested in joining GEMS, please contact info@tranzsend.org.nz.

about the work of Tranzsend at tranzsend.org.nz. v.132 no.4 † 37

DIRECTORY

Do you see your neighbourhood as your mission?

Ponsonby Baptist Church

Do you feel God is leading you to a new place of work?

The people of Ponsonby Baptist Church enjoy getting to know others in our Baptist family of churches.

Our church is small, but we are active in mission - abroad

If you are planning a visit to Auckland and want to meet and worship with some friendly locals, we warmly welcome you to join our church service on any Sunday at 10am. Morning tea is built into the service and is a great time to catch up.

and in our neighbourhood.

We are seeking someone to develop connections with local families, schools and others. They will develop new ministries and work alongside existing ones (such as our community dinner and ESL classes) contributing to the vision and strategic direction of Avondale Baptist.

For a job description please contact: Pastor Edmonds Namburi Phone: 09 828 0186 Mobile: 021 178 2026 Email: edmonds@avondalebaptist.org.nz

Avondale Baptist Church Hope . Belonging . Worship . Mission

LET US HELP YOU THROUGH...

Our dedicated team are available to you 24 hours to help put in place funeral plans.

31 Ocean View Road, Northcote Phone. (09) 489 5737 Email. office@hmorris.co.nz

We are looking forward to sharing Communion with Baptist Union President Ben Wakefield (September 4) and incoming President Jim Patrick (December 4). Our monthly Communion services are followed by shared lunch.

ponsonbybaptist.org.nz Email: office@ponsonbybaptist.org.nz Phone: 09 376 3621

MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP

Gay & Christian?

Ponsonby Baptist Gay & Christian support & discussion group monthly meetings ––––– Tel/Text: 027 279 4461 ponsonbybaptist.org.nz/gay-andchristian-information

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Youth Pastor | Full-time role.

We are seeking a Youth Pastor for an established and developing youth ministry, who has a passion to see young people in relationship with Jesus, the skills to develop leaders that will engage in our community and the world, and a vision to build an ongoing significant ministry.

Email: office@npbc.org.nz for more details (Attention: Maud Campbell)

PERSONAL ASSISTANT MAF has an opportunity for a PA in Arnhem Land, northern Australia, for someone who is highly organised, proactive and great at planning and communications.

UNIQUE OVERSEAS POSITIONS We also have several 6-12 month salaried overseas positions for people with strong financial, IT or managerial skills.

Email: omonk@maf.org.nz

G L OBA L

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HEADING

NZBMS’s latest people to be accepted to serve with Tranzsend overseas are:

Bella - commenced short-term service in South Asia in early June 2016. Bella is a part of Auckland’s Mt Roskill Baptist Church and has joined the Freeset team in South Asia. She will be with the team for six months and brings with her a background as a missionary-kid in Africa and a passion for design.

Jake, Megan, Liliana, Thomas and Eileen - commenced shortterm service in South Asia in late June 2016. Jake and Megan, from Waihi Baptist Church, left the beautiful Bay of Plenty to spend a year with Paul and Sarah and the Loyal Leather Workshop family.

Jake, a professional photographer, will help on the creative side of The Loyal Workshop, while Megan’s main focus will be to take care of their three young children. They go seeking to be a support and encouragement to Paul and Sarah and the women they serve.

For more information on our overseas staff members, check out the Tranzsend website: tranzsend.org.nz.

Note: For security reasons, some staff members are not featured on the website.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

NZBMS, through Mission World, present the following opportunities to join with God’s mission in our world by joining with Tranzsend or one of our other strategic mission partners:

• Homework Class Tutor/Helpers (Spain) – WEC for children, teens, and adults – need English speakers and adult conversation classes.

• ESOL and Primary teachers (East Asia) – Tranzsend for English-medium school.

• Café-based Entertainer (East Asia) – for a business with OMF to entertain with music, dance, arts & crafts, reading, and games. English language medium.

• Doctorate level educator (South Asia) – Tranzsend for educational institute.

• Boarding Home Assistants (Thailand) – OMF to assist with the care and discipling of missionary children.

• Finance Manager (PNG) – MAF to be responsible for financial management including budgeting, reporting, performance monitoring, and providing year end accounts for audit.

• Physical Therapists and Midwives (SE Asia) – Interserve to work with at-risk and special-needs children and to help train local midwives and physical therapists. Short-term.

• Visual Artist and/or Videographer (North Africa) – SIM to seek to develop missional businesses.

• IT Personnel (multiple locations) – Wycliffe to support Bible translators.

For more information and to express an interest email info@missionworld.org.nz or phone 09 526 8446. v.132 no.4 † 39

Come and join us as we reflect on and celebrate 90 years of preparing and developing leaders for ministry and mission.

1 9 2 6 - 2 0 1 6

Re-connect with old classmates and lecturers.

H I G H L I G H T S

• SPECIAL LECTURE SERIES • CHAPEL SERVICE • INTERVIEWS • VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Don’t miss the opportunity to become part of the

wall of

memories

Celebration 8 OCTOBER Day

Send us your favourite memory of Carey: photos, stories or anecdotes— we would love to hear them all!

th

SATURDAY, 10am-3pm

Carey Baptist College, 473 Great South Rd, Penrose, Auckland

Email events@carey.ac.nz Post on our Facebook page Call 0800 773 776 Mail to PO Box 12149 Penrose, Auckland 1642 You can also contribute to the Wall of Memories on the Celebration Day.

Keep an eye on

www.carey.ac.nz for more details.