Christian Life issue48 August 2017

AUGUST 2017 • Issue FORT Y-EIGHT • www.christianlife.co.nz

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • Kids Vs Screen Time: a National Health Issue? • Mark Mitchell Testimony • God’s Principles Lead to Liberty • Churches Are Doing It Hard • Local News and more...

What do you want New Zealand to look like?

ABORTION? Do we want more or less?

The current average in NZ*: 10 classrooms of children per week killed.

EUTHANASIA in the Netherlands with “safeguards” in place.* 61% of cases without patient’s consent. Do we want that?

Support Voice for Life in their fight for the voiceless

voiceforlife.org.nz

An 18-year-old with depression getting ASSISTED SUICIDE? Is that helping?

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY NZ CHRISTIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION AND MANNA CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORES

IN THIS ISSUE

Contents...

AUGUST 2017

06

04

03. More Than Conquerors 04. Mark Mitchell: Testimony 05. I Was Blind But Now I See 06. God’s Principles lead to Liberty!

08. Family Groups Meet to Tackle Crucial Family Issues 09. We Need To Do Our Homework

09

on Excessive Screen Time

08

10. Local News 12. Shine TV programme guide 14. Christian Life Classifieds

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

More Than Conquerors

by Tak Bhana

H

ey we won the ‘America’s cup’! We? Oh yes, I put myself on the winning team WE WON! And all that just for what the Bible calls a corruptible crown, but I’m also in the running for an incorruptible crown. The course is longer, the stakes are higher, and the team leader is out of this world.

His name – Jesus! He has the biggest team; each member is chosen, dearly loved, and because he won a decisive victory in the toughest rematch ever, (between the last Adam and Satan) victory is a done deal.

Jesus has a plan for each one of us, but it’s not plain sailing, because his enemy (and ours) is out to thwart his plans. Each forward step is very likely to be contested, as they say; ‘new levels new devils’. When God is on the move so is the enemy. But our leader’s on to it.

Romans 8:37 “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

When God’s getting ready to take us to the next level, sometimes all hell breaks loose. In fact it’s one way we can know God is moving us up. If we were no threat to the enemy, He wouldn’t bother. But, we are more than conquerors; the key is for us to discern what’s happening.

When we face obstacles it’s easy to think we must be doing something wrong, but that’s not necessarily the case.

In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul said, a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Open doors and adversaries go hand in hand; the enemy will always try to derail our vision. We must not quit.

Sometimes the new devil is an inside job, the enemy targets our weaknesses and God

needs us to work with Him to strengthen areas like self-control, prayer, being faithful in little things, and dealing with worldly ambition, to name a few.

David’s rise to the throne of Israel demonstrates ‘new levels, new devils’. He was anointed three times. (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4 & 5:3) The first anointing brought him to the king’s court, and national prominence. It also brought opposition from his brothers, the battle with Goliath, and jealousy and conflict from King Saul.

With the second anointing, David was made king over the house of Judah only, but with this level of elevation there came warfare between the house of David and the house of Saul.

Seven years later, David’s third anointing made him king over all Israel. David went on and became great,

but after rising to this new level, the Philistines attacked him. ‘New levels, new devils’.

Of course David conquered them, and then he captured Zion, their stronghold and reigned from there.

The Philistines represent, ‘those who sow discord’. They are considered the last enemy to be overcome before great blessing. Only when the 120 in the upper room were in one accord did God pour out his Holy Spirit, and the early church was born. I believe we are in a moment in history when we need to come together in unity, and in expectation of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

But we must fight. For unity, our churches, homes, workplaces, families, and for revival, and pray that our nation will be powerfully impacted with the gospel. James Dobson says that 80% of kids raised in Christian homes

in the US backslide in their teens; my guess is that things are much the same here.

How do we fight this battle?

Understand that our husband, wife, or boss is not the enemy, (Ephesians 6:12) this is a spiritual battle and it’s won using spiritual weapons.

We use the authority God has given us (Luke 10v18-19, Colossians 2:15). We don’t have to defeat Satan; Jesus has done that.

The word ‘spoiled’, speaks of God stripping Satan and leaving him with no weapons to fight with. We have power over all the works of the enemy.

We must be alert to Satan’s Schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11).‘Devices’ gives the idea of someone who is scheming and devious. The devil is constantly planning how to harm us and we need to be on to his devices.

RE

GI

ST ER

TO DA Y

!

Tak Bhana is the Senior Pastor of Church Unlimited. He has a radio and television program called Running with Fire, which broadcasts in New Zealand and other nations. His church also produces a magazine with the same name which is distributed in 70 countries, and he has written a book titled “Wired for the Supernatural”.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE Speakers include

Richard Brunton

David Dusek

Danny Guglielmucci

Tony McKeown

Sy Rogers

Nick Tuitasi

Founder Colmar Brunton

Rough Cut Men, USA

Founder Edge Church, Australia

Pastor & educator, Eden Church

International communicator & pastor

Samoan legend, QSM

Men’s Events 2017

Christchurch 18-19 August | Wellington 15-16 September | Auckland 6-7 October Not all speakers will be at all Events

www.promisekeepers.nz Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 3

TESTIMONY

Clockwise from top left: Mark, Queenie and whanau (Photo by Paul Marcroft); Hanging at the snooker room in the 80s; Mark’s ordination with Superintendent of the Assemblies of God NZ Pastor Iliafi Esera, at City West Church, New Plymouth, October 2015; Mark Mitchell, National President Warriors of Zion CMC NZ (Photo by Paul Marcroft);

MARK MITCHELL Warrior of Zion

by Janet Balcombe

I

t was a privilege to meet Mark Mitchell at Pacific Pearls, Stratford 2017 meeting where he was a guest speaker. He still looks hardcore; but the marks of the world have been covered with the mark of the Lion for those with eyes to see. The mana in which he stands is clear and was not easily come by. It is true mana that has given him favour with God and men, and authority in the spiritual realm.

Mark’s childhood wasn’t particularly bad, but the fact is that darkness is simply the absence of light. The law of physics demands that voids must be filled. The absence of God in Mark’s childhood meant there was little resistance to the destructive influence of cigarettes and pornography that he stumbled across while playing in Whanganui as a young boy in the early 1970s.

Mark and his friend began experimenting and copied the biker lifestyle modeled by the local motorcycle club close by; modifying their stolen pushbikes with extended forks and chopped frames. In time their child-

hood games became theft and burglary, punctuated by police attention.

Nicotine opened the door to other addictions in Mark’s teens, including drugs and alcohol.

Their pushbikes became cars and motorcycles. Mark was almost a permanent fixture in the police cells during the 70’s and 80’s for a smorgasbord of criminal behaviour; including driving with no license or registration, burglary, theft, receiving stolen goods, assaults, unlawful possession of firearms and drugs, and stealing motor vehicles. Jail was a relief from everyday life on the outside.

Mark and his partner Queenie got together in 1985. By 1991 they had two children and Mark needed a change.

He traded his Harley and Triumph for cash and drugs and put a deposit on a house in Mangaweka; ready for a new life. However, his new neighbour was into the old lifestyle and so Mark continued where he had left off; growing cannabis with his neighbour. However, things were about to get real.

One night, Mark and Queenie were drinking at their neighbour’s and were

4 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Eight August 2017

about to have some cannabis butter (a process similar to making cannabis oil but using butter and then eating it, on toast for example). The butter had set on a plate in a circular shape and it needed to be divided up into five pieces so he cut it into a star shape. This was unintentional, but similar to the symbol of the pentagram used in satanic worship.

Later, at home Mark couldn’t sleep and kept seeing a pentagram flashing at different places in the room. He saw the connection between the pentagram flashing in the room and the five-pointed star in the butter as communion with the devil. He saw a shadow slip into the room, then another.

He knew they were demons and fear began to choke him. More and more shadows flooded the room then disappeared into the darkness while a hooded figure in the doorway seemed to be in control.

Mark dove under the blankets thinking ‘you can’t touch me!’ When he tried to hug Queenie, his arms went right through her; as if his spirit was being dragged from his body and the demons were trying to kill him. He leapt to his feet and yelled at them to get out of his house. Knowing full well Mark was naked on the battlefield without the authority of Jesus Christ, they attacked. “As I struggled and fought with the demons I managed to open the doors to kick them out and continued cursing them. Queenie and the kids must have thought, ‘Wow, Dad’s really lost it this time!’

Then God intervened. A man, with a woollen cap on his head and a long flowing beard and white hair, appeared. His face was wrinkled, but Mark couldn’t see his features. He was saying, “Repent, repent.” Mark had seen him twice before when under demonic attack and when Mark had said, “I claim the blood of Christ,” the demons had left. This time Mark said, “I repent and claim the blood of Christ.” The demons rushed out through the doors with an ugly sound and the full-length curtains flew at right angles to the floor. He was crying and heard clapping and cheering. He looked around to see people all around

his lounge; old and young, male and female, big and small. They were the colour of light. He couldn’t see their faces, and then they were gone.

Mark loaded his family in the car and drove to Hastings, to see his brother and mother. His brother was a Christian and on 23 April 1995, Mark gave his life to Jesus Christ. He spent the next three days and nights in deliverance ministry and was baptised in water and in the Holy Spirit. Queenie and their two little boys were all saved within the next week. They saw many miracles and moved back to Mangaweka where Mark and Queenie were married and blessed with two more sons.

They continued to learn and grow in the things of God and they pastored a home church for two years.

In 2003, they moved to Marton, where they co-pastored another church and helped establish and co-pastor another ministry in the area. Mark has been a member of the Warriors of Zion Christian Motorcycle Club New Zealand since 1995, and is now in his tenth year as national president. He is an ordained pastor and marriage celebrant with Assemblies of God New Zealand.

Queenie went on to found the ‘Daughters of the King’ ministry and they now have seven grandsons. Mark lives by faith, leaving him free to do whatever the Lord asks of him. God has opened up opportunities for Mark to minister the love of Jesus all over New Zealand and parts of Australia; including in churches, conferences, schools, prisons, the biker community, and to families and individuals. He says, “God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow but He will continue to do new things in your life if you’re open to being led and used by Him.” Mark can be contacted on warriorsofzion@vodafone.co.nz

Romans 8:28 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

INSPIRING

I Was Blind But Now I See T

wo years ago, Marine Reach’s M/V Pacific Hope, one of YWAM’s medical ships, quietly made its way towards the tropical island of Ambrym and the Vanuatu chain of islands. The sea was calm and the island appeared out of the mist, like a scene from a Robinson Crusoe movie. The people of Ambrym live in relative isolation, with little medical support and desperately look for hope that things will get better.

The ship’s medical teams landed on the sandy beach and leapt from the inflatable, to avoid the next wave about to swamp them. The local health clinic was full of mostly women and children, with hope in their eyes that we could help. Sadly, that wasn’t the case.

Elizabeth was nine years old and had congenital cataracts from birth. We had no ophthalmologist on the team and of course, no equipment to complete the necessary operation. While many other patients received the care they needed, Elizabeth’s hopes were

dashed.

In July, the ship once again sailed towards Ambrym, on route to the island of Santo to do cataract surgeries.

On board was our new surgical equipment, donated by Rotary International. Desperately the team tried to contact Elizabeth again, to arrange her surgery, but to no avail. As the ship sailed quietly passed Ambrym Island in the darkness of the night, a light was seen along the side of the ship and a long boat appeared out of the darkness. The ship slowed and then stopped to investigate; only to find on board the long boat, four blind people looking for help. Among them was Elisabeth and her mother.

Dr Jeff Rugard, a highly respected ophthalmologist, who has donated his life to help the blind, assessed Elisabeth. Because of her age, he decided to do the surgeries under general anesthetic. The two day wait for the bandages to come off seemed like eternity to Elisabeth’s Mum. Her daughter

Restoring sight through the work of Marine Reach

had been blind all her life, with no ability to see anything clearly. Only moving shapes. As the bandages were removed, Elisabeth stared quietly at her Mum and as her eyes adjusted to the light, she tenderly reached out and touched her mother’s face and hair.

There was not a dry eye in the room

as mother and daughter fell into one another’s arms. Elisabeth is one of dozens of men, women and children who have received their sight this year, thanks to a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, who serve on board Marine Reach’s ship, the M/V Pacific Hope. www.marinereach.com

ARE YOU EQUIPPED FOR GOD'S CALLING? Whether called to be pastors, professionals or any other occupation, Christian’s should have a clear Christian world view – able to articulate the gospel in compelling words and story.

Alphacrucis provides outstanding opportunities to engage in just the right course for your needs:

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•

SPOTLIGHT: FINANCES

God’s Principles lead to Liberty!

This page: Tim and Hollie Buchanan; Opposite left: Tom, Michelle and Koa Anselmi; Opposite right: Caleb McConnell

I

n the Bible we read: “Do not charge your brother interest; so that the Lord your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 23:20). Liberty Trust is a Christian charity, established in 1989, to teach and enable people to follow the Bible’s financial principles and advance the kingdom of God. Liberty Trust operates an interest free storehouse and is lending millions each year to set God’s people free from debt, so they can live and give with real liberty.

God’s Word teaches that His people should not become entangled with the world, making themselves servants of it with heavy debt and interest repayments. Instead of spending most of their lives paying rent or a mortgage, Liberty Trust is enabling people to buy their own homes and become mortgage-free, so that they

can be a blessing to others and fully fulfil God’s plan for their lives.

In Bible times, young couples were commonly helped into home ownership by their parents and extended families (Proverbs 19:14). Similarly, we encourage parents and grandparents to commence contributing to Liberty Trust on behalf of their children. This is “Sowing before Reaping”. Children may not always agree with the advice of their parents, but they will carefully watch their actions, and follow their example if it makes sense. These wise parents and grandparents teach their children what they are doing and why. The children may add to the contribution from after-school earnings if they wish and when their child finishes their education and commences employment, the contribution will be given to them; providing they commence contribut-

“Made all the Difference to our Future”

F

or the past 12 years (since I was 13 years old) my father has encouraged me to put at least $10 a week into Liberty Trust. I did not realise how important my contributions to Liberty Trust were going to be throughout my childhood. However, they have made all the difference to our financial future. Liberty Trust is an incredible way of using kingdom principles, to collectively see each other released from the chains that finance can wrap around you.

My wife and I have been married for 3 years. Throughout our marriage we have studied at university and both received a degree.

We have both worked full time, but our respective salaries have been ordinary.

Nine months ago, we purchased our first home together, with the help of the Liberty Trust loan that I had accrued throughout my childhood. I am convinced that we could not have done this without the help of out Liberty Trust loan, and without it, we would have been saving many more years before we could think about buying a house.

This is a God breathed initiative that causes you to help yourself, while you help others.

Caleb

6 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Eight August 2017

ing themselves. When funds become available, (8-10 years after the membership is started) Liberty Trust will offer an interest-free mortgage of 5 times the amount contributed, which they can use to purchase their first home.

As a result, young people are setting the savings goal of a home of their own from their very first week of earning, and seriously contributing towards it through their bank account. They can achieve ownership of a first home while young, and instead of wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars paying rent and mortgage interest, they are released from debt and able to give and serve God with true liberty. This makes an enormous difference in their lives and the lives of those around them.

Amazingly, Liberty Trust can provide an interest-free mortgage for a

first home to every person in New Zealand and enable them to be debt-free in their thirties, if they begin contributing when they commence earning.

But it takes the practical example of wise parents or grandparents to start them on this path.

Liberty Trust is also an ideal way to equip your pastors, missionaries and Christian workers (Ephesians 4:12) and provide for church buildings, interest free. Phone 0508 LIBERTY to join or go to www.libertytrust.org for our joining form, teaching, and over 200 testimonies.

“LIBERTY TRUST – Proving God’s financial principles with action.”

“I will walk in liberty for I follow Your principles” - Psalm 119:45

“Far Reaching Blessings” My parents had the foresight and faith to start investing into the Liberty Trust process a number of years ago and we have since been blessed with the privilege of sowing into something that was directly benefiting others. During the period over which we completed paying the initial contribution, we learnt how to save, to live on less, and will, in the long term, reap the benefit of being free from debt.

My wife and I are so thankful for the blessing that Liberty Trust has been to us so far. The alignment of Liberty Trust with biblical principles is clear - God’s sovereignty; sowing and reaping; faith; mutual support leading to

freedom; and helping the underprivileged. The sowing and reaping element is something that I really value. The list goes on.

With a baby due in October, we are busy preparing ourselves for the change that will follow. It is a huge blessing to be able to continue making significant loan repayments during a time in our life when it would otherwise have been almost impossible to see this progress.

We thoroughly recommend Liberty Trust and are so thankful for the far reaching blessings it has and will continue to provide.

Tim & Hollie

SPOTLIGHT: FINANCES

Children may not always agree with the advice of their parents, but they will carefully watch their actions, and follow their example if it makes sense.

“Interest Free Freedom” My parents had been part of Liberty Trust for many years and I had seen first-hand the amazing blessing it had been to them. So it took little convincing when I got my first real job, to start contributing towards my own interest free loan. You could say I’m a second generation Liberty Trust contributor.

I committed to an amount that stretched me a little at times, but I always looked ahead, knowing that the small sacrifices made at the time would pay off in the future. It was

comforting knowing that contributions were going towards freeing others from their ties to the traditional banking system.

Fast forward 9 or so years and I now have a little family and a lot more responsibility. My beautiful wife, Michelle and I were married four and half years ago and after a stint overseas, made our way back to NZ, to start a family. We purchased a house and shortly after that, got a dog. Not long after that, along came Koa, a

handsome baby boy.

I was excited to receive a phone call from Liberty announcing that our loan had become available a little under 2 years earlier than expected. It was amazing to receive loan reports, with the total loan amount decreasing much more rapidly than a standard bank mortgage would have been.

We are now well on our way to paying off our loan from Liberty and looking forward to a freehold family home in under 10 years. It will give us

more financial freedom and will open opportunities we may have not been able to consider without the Liberty Trust loan.

Thanks Liberty, for providing this opportunity for my family and the many others that have gone before and the many more that will be signing up in the future.

Tom, Michelle and Koa

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FAMILY FIRST

Family Groups Meet to Tackle Crucial Family Issues

A

lmost 300 delegates, representing more than 75 family-focused organisations and groups, gathered in Manukau City at the beginning of July for the tenth annual NZ Forum on the Family, hosted by Family First NZ. Family First National Director, Bob McCoskrie interviewed the Prime Minister, Bill English for an hour, tackling issues such as abortion, euthanasia, his changed stance on the definition of marriage, the anti-smacking law, and the calls for an inquiry into the harms of pornography. Also interviewed, for a shorter period of time, were NZ First MP, Tracey Martin filling in for leader, Winston Peters who withdrew due to campaigning in the South Island, and the new Conservative party leader, Leighton Baker. Labour leader, Andrew Little unfortunately declined numerous invitations to attend.

Speakers included: • Melinda Tankard Reist – Australian author, speaker, media commentator, blogger and advocate for women and girls, co-founder of the grassroots campaigning movement, Collective Shout, with a confronting talk on “How Pornography Fuels and Legitimises Sexual Violence – The Research” • Professor John Whitehall Foundation Chair and Professor

•

•

of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Sydney, who covered the issue of “The Phenomenon of Childhood Gender Dysphoria” and the concerns held by many medical professionals Dr Sinead Donnolly – Internal medicine consultant & palliative medicine specialist based at Wellington Hospital, and senior clinical lecturer at the Otago School of Medicine in Wellington, spoke powerfully on “The Effect of Euthanasia Legislation on Palliative Care – A Doctor’s Perspective” Dr Jane Silloway Smith - Director of the Every Life Research Unit, and experienced public policy researcher, who covered the issue of “Considering Abortion and Euthanasia in an Election Year – What You Need to Know”

“There are many family-focused organisations who, along with their thousands of members, are concerned about the effects of family breakdown, issues relating to beginning and end of life (abortion / euthanasia), pornography and the sexualisation of children in the media and marketing, gender identity ideology, the harm of long term welfare dependency on families, increasing levels of violence, and a culture which is becoming increasingly hostile to the role of

parents and the safety of children and families,” says Bob McCoskrie.

Special awards for Leadership in the Public Square were presented

by Family First to Ian & Mary Grant, for their service to marriage and families over many decades, and to Marina and Peter Young, for their advocacy for the unborn child and families in their work with The Buttons Project.

“This was one of our largest Forums to be held and it is significant that so many family groups came together, in the lead up to the general election in September. It is a strong message, that the welfare and protection of families, is high on the agenda and these issues cannot be ignored,” says Mr McCoskrie.

Interest free liberty for every Church and Home Own your own home by following God’s principles An inspired way to help your kids $44 million lent interest free to NZ households and churches to date More than 200 testimonies at www.libertytrust.nz 0508 LIBERTY (542 378) info@libertytrust.nz 8 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Eight August 2017

120mm high, 251mm wide Christian Life August 2017

Top: Bob interviewing Bill English PM; Inset: Dr Sinead Donnelly talks as a palliative care specialist about the dangers of a law change to allow euthanasia / assisted suicide

The interviews with the Prime Minister and the other politicians, along with the presentations of the speakers are available to view at www.forumonthefamily.nz

HOT TOPIC

Kids Versus Screen Time: A National Health Issue?

I

believe parents should be concerned about the amount of screen time that their children are going to be exposed to under the new Digital TechnologiesHangarau Matihiki curriculum, recently launched by the Minister of Education. I am also critical of government agencies for a lack of research and guidelines for families.

A recent survey found that Kiwi 15-year-olds average 163 minutes online outside school each weekday; up from 98 minutes in 2012.

Let’s be clear - screen technology may be a beneficial aspect of modern life, and it is and will continue to become a major part of our lives.

But the Ministry of Education needs to do some homework on the growing concerns from health and development experts about the disproportionate use of screen time

in many families’ lives, particularly the young in New Zealand.

A recent survey even highlighted the concerns of parents about screen time for children which the government and the Ministries of Health and Education appear to be ignoring.

Screen time needs to be treated as a personal health and well-being issue to be formally included in the health education curriculum and taught in the classroom from primary school.

The Minister should read our Family First report from 2015 which first sounded the warning bell.

The 2015 report entitled “WE NEED TO TALK – Screen time in NZ, Media Use: An Emerging factor in child and adolescent health” by biologist / psychologist, Dr Aric Sigman, was originally commissioned in response to the Ministry of Education telling Family First: “It is up to individual schools to decide the extent to which they will use digital technology to support teaching and learning” AND “The Ministry has not undertaken

specific research on appropriate amounts of daily screen time for young people.”

Also, there were admissions to Family First, from the Ministry of Health, that they have only provided guidelines for screen time use outside of school time – (a maximum of two hours per day for 5-18 year olds) - and no guidelines at all for under 5’s or to the Ministry of Education or to ECE’s.

An ASG and Monash University survey of 800 kiwi parents in 2016, found that 55% felt their children spent too much time in front of a screen, and 48% struggled to limit their child’s use of digital devices.

Parents, children and teachers remain unaware of the medical and developmental risks and the position of medical bodies on discretionary screen time. And the majority of children and adolescents in New Zealand, including toddlers, continue to significantly exceed medical guidelines.

Yet, the ages at which children start viewing screens and the number of hours watched per day is increasingly linked to negative physiological changes, medical conditions and developmental outcomes; including significant sleep disturbances, attention problems and impulsiveness. Children are also

considered to be more susceptible to developing a long-term problematic dependency on technology.

The research is there – but it seems the Ministry of Education is turning a blind eye to it.

In our report, Dr Sigman made a number of recommendations for governments, schools and parents, including: • Health professionals in New Zealand should consider incorporating the topic of media use and health into their dealings with families.

• When considering any evidence on child screen use presented to them, policy makers should be highly vigilant in ensuring a high degree of ‘information hygiene’ and establish whether screenrelated industries have played any part in such research.

• Parents should minimise screen media in children’s bedrooms, and establish clear rules and limits.

Bob McCoskrie is the National Director of Family First NZ. Visit www. familyfirst.org.nz for more information on how you can become involved.

The report, which we would encourage every parent to read, is on our website www.familyfirst.nz under ‘Research’.

Will you help to put Jesus in the hands of 1.4 million Kiwis at Easter 2018?

Have you noticed how Jesus’ name is hardly mentioned in public media at Easter anymore?

While the Christian message of hope is unchanging, the beliefs of our society are now continuously changing, and the messages of media feed them. In such a society, maintaining a visible presence is important because ‘out of sight’ equals ‘out of mind’.

To preserve an awareness of Jesus at Easter it is proposed that the Hope Project be run every year. This would bring esteem to the name of Jesus, and if we work together is very achievable.

In 2014-2016 the first three national media efforts saw many lives being dramatically changed, and churches and individuals helped to engage conversations.

Please participate in this very worthy effort now by going to: AllTogether.co.nz/donate

For more, please visit: AllTogether.co.nz/hopeproject

Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 9

LOCAL NEWS

David Garrett

Free Worship Workshop

T

his is a unique opportunity for worship leaders, musicians and potential song writers to learn from a wise and experienced pioneer, on how to hear what the Holy Spirit is want-

ing to say and do in worship, and to experiment creatively.

It is not limited to established musicians, worship leaders or song writers. David’s desire is to encourage people who are exercised in these areas, to seek God and work together collaboratively. He will encourage them to be creative, and then offer positive critiquing.

David Garratt is a Kiwi who, with his wife Dale, initiated Scripture in Song, which enriched the charismatic movement and much of the body of Christ throughout the world for over 20 years. More importantly, David has had 50 years plus experience of observing the development of music in the church and in seeking God for His leading in worship and the building up of His people.

This Workshop is free* - there are no age barriers. Your desire for intimacy in worship is more important

than your level of experience (*you are welcome to give a koha if you would like to). Bring: • a keyboard or guitar would be welcome, though sophisticated gear could be unwieldly • your lunch and a notebook or recording device Location: Conference Room, KingsWay School Senior Campus, 100 Jelas Rd, Orewa Date & times: 7.00pm Friday 18th August; and 9.00am – 4.00pm Saturday, 19th August Please RSVP by 16th August: Graham Braddock, Elder, Gateway Church (HBC) graham@grahambraddock.co.nz or phone 09 420 4112

The annual WILD, STRONG & FREE women’s conference is about to kick off!

T

Catherine Hoekendijk

he inspirational speakers include Catherine Hoekendijk, senior pastor of Harmony Church (NZ), Jaye Mansbridge, lead pastor of Bayside Church, Victor Harbour (AUS), and Mylene Evangelista, associate pastor of New Life Alabang, Philippines; a church with multiple thousands serving a network of churches with tens of thousands of people!

It will be a weekend of inspiration, encouragement, worship and connection for women of all ages.

Every woman wants to live her life well, knowing freedom and strength in all the different spheres of life in-

Wild Strong &Free 10 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Eight August 2017

Prayer Walk Your Streets On Sep 2nd

cluding work, family, friendships and faith. It’s important to take time out to be encouraged and inspired and to be with other women to connect and share lives together.

This weekend will be a wonderful opportunity to meet and spend time together, time with God, time reflecting, time worshipping, time praying, and time just enjoying the presence of God together. We look forward to hosting you.

For more info and registration details, please check out: www.harmony.org.nz

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 8-9 SEPT 2017

A

n invitation to the body of Christ in New Zealand from Tak and Adrienne Bhana of Church Unlimited.

We share a common bond over concern for our nation, and a vision to see our communities reached for Jesus Christ.

Family breakdown, suicide, abuse, violence and poverty have been rampant in our society for far to long.

We want to see the tide turned, and transformation take place. Clearly we need a move of God. We are inviting all Christians in New Zealand, to join with ChurchUnlimited and many other churches to prayer walk our communities. We will be praying for an increase of God’s presence, for our neighbours’ health, provision, safety, and most of all, their salvation.

Will you join with us on Saturday 2nd of September to prayer walk New Zealand?

Let’s unite through prayer in our respective communities, and together cover this nation in prayer. www.nzandbeyond.com/prayer-walk

MORE INFO &REGO H A R M O N Y. O R G . N Z

LOCAL NEWS

Churches are doing it hard!

by Alan Vink

I

t’s well known that a growing number of churches in NZ are struggling to stay open. Increasingly, cash reserves (or old money) is fast running out or has run out and new money is insufficient to ‘do the work of ministry’.

Here are a few reasons why.

1. The day-to-day operating costs of most churches have risen faster and higher than tithes and offerings income over the last 15-20 years. In other words, offerings have not kept up with the cost of operating the church.

For example, a full-time pastor who is being paid according to the various denominational guidelines available today is paid around $65,000. Add another $7-8000 in other direct costs and you need around $1400 each and every week in offerings to pay for him/ her. This alone is becoming too hard for most smaller churches, resulting in the pastor having to go bi-vocational or offer to take a salary cut (sacrifice) to stay full-time, and in doing so the pastor’s family end up subsidising the church. Note: As a rule of thumb, if a church’s employment costs are more than 50-55% of the total budget on an ongoing basis, then that church will most likely have difficulty meeting all other operational costs. As a result, sub-ministries will inevitably have to go without.

2. So many small and mid-size churches in metro NZ have lost a lot of good people to the mostly newer, contemporary churches nearby. It goes without saying that this can quickly affect the morale of the pastor and the

church as a whole.

3. In terms of church life, churches operate along a fairly predictable continuum. It looks like this: Survival-Maintenance-Growing-Healthy-Thriving.

Generally speaking if you are in survival mode you will struggle to stay open. You

The question for the moment then is, can things be different for the 15001800 churches in NZ that are doing it hard? Those hundreds of churches that have plateaued and stalled.

My answer is a resounding YES. Let’s restate what we believe. Jesus is the head of the church which is His

will be gasping for air to stay alive, so to speak. In maintenance mode you might be ok for the short to medium term. This will be largely dependent on your demographic. However, new and innovative ministry will be very unlikely. Sadly, so many churches are right here, probably as many as 5060% of NZ’s churches. Churches in the next three categories should have a good future if the pastor exercises consistently good leadership ability and the church starts to grow numerically. Therefore, church size is directly linked to the financial viability of your church and is a critical issue to your long-term sustainability.

body and His witness in the world.

To that end He has not left us alone but given us the Holy Spirit to enable every local church on planet earth to reach its full redemptive potential. We can’t do it alone.

One aspect of the Holy Spirits ministry and work in the world is to raise up leaders to take on the challenging role to lead the people of God and to lead local churches. And a challenge it is. I am of the conviction that the local church may be one of the toughest places to lead largely because it is a volunteer organisation. And yet when the local church is working right there is simply nothing that compares.

To that end Willow Creek Association in New Zealand is dedicated to providing high quality leadership training opportunities for pastors, ministers, vicars and lay leaders. Each year our flagship event is the Global Leadership Summit(GLS). It takes live place at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Chicago in the first week of August every year.

Year on year the team in USA pull together a stellar faculty of speakers from the church, business and academic fields, all of whom are recognised experts in their field to bring world class teaching to the Summit. It truly is an incredibly inspiring event.

Then in October and November the GLS is rolled out as a DVD based conference in 130 countries around the world including New Zealand.

This year there are twelve speakers. People like Sheryl Sandberg, COO for facebook, Marcus Lemonis the star and front man of the CNBC’s The Profit currently running on TV1.

There’s also Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley and Gary Haugen.

In my opinion, it is the best oneday leadership infusion you will get anywhere. If you need some thought leadership input, to hear some latest cutting-edge research and to hear some fascinating insights from really interesting people then the GLS is for you.

Check out our website at www.willowcreek.org.nz for all the speaker Bio’s, where the eight venues are in NZ and registration facility.

Alan Vink has been a pastor for 23 years, a part-time Board Member of a wide range of organisations and currently is the Executive Director of WillowNZ.

Everyone has

REGISTER AT ONE OF 8 NEW ZEALAND HOST SITES

Waitara

Tauranga

$60

Christchurch

Palmerston North

$90

North Shore

Hamilton

Pakuranga

Porirua, Wellington

Friday/Saturday 6-7 October Thursday/Friday 12-13 October Thursday/Friday 26-27 October Friday 27 October

Friday 27 October

Friday/Saturday 10-11 November

Thursday/Friday 16-17 November

INFLUENCE.

student rate earlybird till one month prior to event —save $20

Thursday/Friday 16-17 November

Visit www.willowcreek.org.nz/gls-2017 Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 11

Programme Guide

Watch Shine on Freeview 25 / SKY 201 Online shinetv.co.nz

SEPTEMBER 2017

Details correct at the time of printing.

For up-to-date 24-hour listings and programme information go to shinetv.co.nz

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Living Truth: Charles Price

P

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

P

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

P

8:00

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave and Jill Moore

8:30

5:00 6:00

In Touch: Charles Stanley

TUESDAY P

Living Truth: Charles Price

WEDNESDAY P

THURSDAY

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

P

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

FRIDAY P

SATURDAY

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri)

P

Life Questions / Kingdom Connection

P

5:00

P

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

6:00

Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

P

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

P

Kingdom Connection: Jentegzen Franklin

P

Derek Prince

P

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave and Jill Moore

P

Superbook

C

6:30

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

Superbook

C

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

Superbook

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

7:00

Veggie Tales

C

Friends and Heroes

C

Veggie Tales

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

Veggie Tales

C

Pahapahooey Island

C

7:30

P

Blello TV / Theo: Teaching God’s Word

C

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Theo & Blello TV / Jovis Bon-Hovies (20 Sep)

C

Super Simple Science Stuff

C

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Children’s Heroes of the Bible

C

8:00

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

P

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

P

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

P

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

P

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

P

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

P

Super Simple Science Stuff

C

8:30

In Touch: Charles Stanley

P

Scaly Adventures

C

9:00

P

P

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

9:30

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

P

10:30

Songs of Praise

M

11:00 11:30

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

P

Noon

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

P

6:30 7:00 7:30

9:00 9:30 10:00

12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00

100 Huntley Street The Restoration Road

D D

When Calls the Heart D (Season 3)

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Bobby Schuller

P

The Restoration Road

D

The Exchange

D

Be Amazing

D

Leon Fontaine

P

Roots and Reflections Magna Carta Unlocked / Signed, Sealed, Delivered Season 1 (18 Sep)

D

D

D

100 Huntley Street

D

When Calls the Heart D (Season 3)

FEATURE:

Rhythm & Blues

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

In Touch: Charles Stanley

Drive Thru History: The Holy Land

(1.45pm)

D P

TV4Dads: Michigan Man Camp LivingTruth: Charles Price

D

D P

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Everytown Downunder / Joni & Friends (27 Sep)

FEATURE:

P

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Noon

Masterstroke / Live from Studio B (15 Sep)

D

12:30

Ties That Bind

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

Veggie Tales

C

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Veggie Tales

C

Super Simple Science Stuff

C

Veggie Tales

19:00

Roots and Reflections

D

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

P

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

P

19:30

Songs of Praise

M

Drive Thru History: The Holy Land

D

Christian World News

N

100 Huntley Street

D

Full Circle (Tue-Thu)

D

D

Be Amazing

The 700 Club (Mon-Fri)

When Calls the Heart D (Season 3)

Rhythm & Blues (9.15pm)

D

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong Ties That Bind NEW SERIES

P

D

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

22:00

What Do You See?

D

TV4Dads: Michigan Man Camp

D

Everytown Downunder / Joni & Friends (26 Sep)

D

22:30

Impact for Life

P

Bobby Schuller

P

Leon Fontaine

P

23:00

The Catholic Guy

P

23:30

The Exchange

D

Midnight

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave & Jill Moore

P

00:30am

Roots and Reflections

D

1 am

Songs of Praise

M

1:30am

The Restoration Road

D

Bayless Conley

P

P

P

The Catholic Guy: Bruce Downs

P

P

2 am

Living Truth: Charles Price

P

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

M

Studio 5

D 17:00

D

Creation Magazine Live

D 17:30

N

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Studio 5

D

Masterstroke / Live from Studio B (14 Sep)

D

Aussie Dreamlivers

D

Global Leadership Summit 2016

D

Derek Prince

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

‘I am right at this moment watching Shine, trying to find my place in

God’s plan and his will for me. Yes, in tears and being given hope, love and the beginning of answers. Thank you Shine.’ - Faye

P

18:00 18:30 19:00

FAMILY FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

19:30 20:00

Brought to you by

20:30

D

P

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Hillsong TV

Planetshakers TV

D 21:30

D

Worship by Hillsong

M

P

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

P

P

Creation Magazine Live

P

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

(9 Sep)

P

P

P

D 21:00

Global Leadership Summit 2016 P

P

Drive Thru History: The Holy Land

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave & Jill Moore Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

Overnight until 4:30am - Shine Worship (Sun-Sat)

A Shine viewer says...

12 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Eight August 2017

P

N 16:30

N

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri) In Touch: Charles Stanley

Jerusalem Dateline

Jerusalem Dateline

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri) Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

15:30

C

P

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri) Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

15:00

P 16:00

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

Give Me An Answer

14:30

C

P

NEW SERIES

14:00

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

Ties That Bind

13:30

P

Shine Worship (Mon-Fri) Be Amazing

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

D

NEW SERIES (8 Sep)

P

13:00

FEATURE:

D

(8 Sep)

D

D 11:30

N

Global Leadership Summit 2016

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Studio 5

Jerusalem Dateline

Superbook

N

21:30

NEW SERIES

D

C

Jerusalem Dateline

FEATURE:

Ties That Bind

Y 10:30

11:00

P

Captain Chuckleberry

D

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

N

Life FM Presents

D

C

18:30

21:00

Be Amazing

Pahapahooey Island

Joni & Friends

(Season 1) (17 Sep)

D

C

18:00

20:30

Christian World News

10:00

N

Friends and Heroes

17:30

D

Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV

C

P

Magna Carta Unlocked / Signed, Sealed, Delivered -

P

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

20:00

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Full Circle (Tue-Thu)

P

17:00

P

The 700 Club (Tue-Fri)

Living Truth: Charles Price

16:30

Answers with Bayless Conley

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri)

What Do You See?

15:30 16:00

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri)

22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30 Midnight

D 00:30am P M

1 am 1:30am

2 am

P

Preaching

C

Children

M

Music

N

News

Y

Youth

D

Doco / Drama

SHIN E FEATURES SEPTEMBER 2017

NEW SERIES

STARTS WED 5 SEP, 7.30PM

NEW EPISODES

NEW DOCO

NEW MOVIE

NEW MOVIE

When Calls the Heart SEASON 3 Starts Mon 21 Aug @ 8.30pm

Arctic Light Sun 3 Sep @ 9pm

Come What May Fri 15 Sep @ 8.30pm

Princess Cut Fri 29 Sep @ 8.30pm

Let God (2013) (93 min) A young housewife is stranded in the woods after a tragedy. Far from home, When Calls the Heart (2015) (45 min) she is tested in a battle for her life.

NEW SEASON started 21 August The next exciting season of the story of Sat 2 @ 7pm; Sun 3 @ 2.15pm; Sat 23 @ 2pm Elizabeth Thatcher, a young teacher from Arctic Light (2016) (30 min) NEW high society on teaching assignment in The inspirational true story of one man’s a small milling town. journey through trials and forgiveness Mondays @ 8.30pm; Tuesdays @ 1pm in Greenland.

Sun 3 @ 9pm; Mon 4 @ 1.30pm TV4DADS: Michigan Man Camp

FEATURE SERIES IN AUGUST

(2014) (30 min) A group of fathers, mentors and sons spends ten days together, learning about the calling of fatherhood.

Mondays @ 10pm; Tuesdays @ 2.30pm Ties That Bind (2015) (45 min) NEW SERIES Allison McLean is a detective, mother & wife. Her world is drastically changed when her brother is sent to prison. She takes his children into her home, as well as doing her job of solving crimes.

Wednesdays @ 7.30pm Thursdays @ 12pm & 9.30pm Fridays @ 2pm

Cody High: Life Remodelled (2014) (91 min) The Cody Rouge community pulled together to provide safety for children by removing blight and abandoned homes.

Tue 5 @ 8pm; Wed 6 @ 12.30pm Uncommon (2015) (100 min) When the students of Rosewood High School lose their drama departments due to budget, they create their own.

Wed 6 @ 8.30pm; Thu 7 @ 1pm

Little Boy (2015) (106 min) An eight-year-old boy is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II Global Leadership Summit 2016 so he can bring his father home.

Inspiring teaching from the 2016 Global Fri 8 @ 8.30pm Leadership Summit. With Bill Hybels, Melinda Gates, Bishop TD Jakes & more. Trailer Made (2015) (80 min) Thursdays @ 8.30pm; Fridays @ 1pm Peter Davis, a scriptwriter from LA, is Saturdays @ 10pm sent on an expedition to South Africa He takes his 12-year-old son with him.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (2013) Sat 9 @ 12pm REPLAY OF SEASON 1 starts 17 September

The Dead Letters Office delivers letters and packages from the past that save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures.

Sundays @ 8.05pm; Mondays @ 12.30pm Of Mind and Music (2014) (100 min) A story of a street musician suffering from memory loss and a disheartened neuroscientist intent on helping her.

Fri 1 @ 8.30pm The Secret Handshake (2015) (100 min) A story of men and boys learning what it takes to be a man as they journey from suburbia to the deep woods.

Sat 2 @ 12pm Wish You Well (2013) (100 min) After a tragic accident, Louisa Mae and her brother move to live with their great-grandmother on a small farm.

Sat 2 @ 2pm

Summer Snow (2014) (90 min) When Dan’s wife dies, he and his three children are left picking up the pieces.

They receive an unexpected surprise that encourages their faith.

Sat 9 @ 2pm Our Wild Hearts (2013) (90 min) A wealthy teenage girl from Malibu falls in love with a wild mustang and meets the father she has never known.

Sat 9 @ 7pm; Sun 10 @ 2.15pm; Sat 30 @ 2pm The Amish: How They Survive (2005) (60 min) An intimate look at Ohio Amish life, and how they still thrive today.

Sun 10 @ 9pm; Mon 11 @ 1.30pm

To watch Shine

Freeview Satellite 25 Sky 201 or online at shinetv.co.nz

No Bright Lights (2011) (46 min) An up close look at Networks Romania, a Christian relief organisation reaching some of Romania’s poorest people.

Tue 12 @ 8pm; Wed 13 @ 12.30pm Lost Wilderness (2015) (100 min) Two families dealing with death and divorce are forced to bond together during an outdoor holiday. A story of hope, fun and overcoming.

Wed 13 @ 8.30pm; Thu 14 @ 1pm

Like a Country Song (2014) (100 min) Jake, an up-and-coming singer, ruins his career by hard living. As he works to rebuild it and win back an old love, he meets his father for the first time.

Fri 22 @ 8.30pm Believe (2013) (90 min) A legendary football manager comes out of retirement to help a wayward boy fulfil his dream.

Sat 23 @ 12pm

Come What May (2009) (93 min) NEW Caleb and Rachel team up to lead the college team in the intense world of collegiate moot court competition. On the opposing side is Caleb’s mother.

Fri 15 @ 8.30pm; Sat 16 @ 12pm

This Is Our Time (2013) (105 min) After graduation, five friends set out to make a difference for God in the world.

Their passions are strong but do they have the courage to fulfill their calling?

Sat 23 @ 7pm; Sun 24 @ 2.15pm

My New Best Friend (2014) (89 min) Penelope, ‘Polka-dot,’ finds new friends in Officer Cooper and his K-9 partner Luey. It’s a mismatched trio who are perfect for one another.

Sat 16 @ 2pm

The End of Me (2016) (25 min) Kyle Idleman challenges us to pick up our cross and die to ourselves. But what does that actually mean?

Sun 24 @ 9.35pm; Mon 25 @ 2pm

The Shortest Way Home (2013) (60 min) A Perfect Chord (2015) (95 min) Helpful insights from C.S Lewis for the Cadence has an incredible music gift. tough questions asked by believers But, overcome by stage fright, she has and skeptics alike.

Tue 26 @ 8.30pm; Wed 27 @ 1pm hidden her talent away.

Sat 16 @ 7pm; Sun 17 @ 2.15pm The One I Wrote For You (2014) (110 min) Bono & Eugene Peterson (2017) (25 min) Ben must decide if he’ll pick up the The famous musician and the writer of microphone to pursue the life he was meant to lead.

The Message Bible sit together to talk Wed 27 @ 8.30pm; Thu 28 @ 1pm about why they love the Psalms.

Sun 17 @ 9.35pm; Mon 18 @ 2pm Princess Cut (2015) (100 min) NEW Tue 26 @ 8pm; Wed 27 @ 12.30pm After her boyfriend messes up, Grace seeks to understand what it means to Smithy (2016) (130 min) NEW Called ‘John Wesley on a motorbike’, truly love another person Rev Dr John ‘Bullfrog’ Smith or Smithy, is Fri 29 @ 8.30pm; Sat 30 @ 12pm more than this. Discover the real man.

I Am Potential (2015) (90 min) Tue 19 @ 8pm; Wed 20 @ 12.30pm Patrick Henry’s dreams of joining the university marching band. But, he was Pitching Love and Catching Faith born without eyes or the ability to walk.

(2015) (90 min) Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan... Sat 30 @ 7pm so now Tyler must choose between her and his dream, and she must choose Details up to date at time of printing. between love and loneliness.

For a full and up-to-date Wed 20 @ 8.30pm; Thu 21 @ 1pm 24-hour programme: shinetv.co.nz

shinetv.co.nz twitter.com/shinetv facebook.com/shinetv.nz

Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 13

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= Consistent with Family First position

= Not consistent with Family First position

= Policy not specific

Who values what you value?

“I support women’s choice… It does need to be reviewed and upgraded, and I agree with (Leader) Jacinda (Ardern) - we should not have it in the Crimes Act; it is not a crime...” – ex-leader Andrew Little (March 2017)

= Consistent with Family First position

= Not consistent with Family First position

= Policy not specific

Our full policy on this is a part of our Women’s Policy. In short, our policy is to decriminalise abortion.

“Our abortion lawsto are archaic, should be modernized.

I have always believed in personalElection, choice, and that extends to theresource issue of abortion. Morally, As you prepare voteandin the upcoming General this abortion is about a woman’s body and her choice…The right thing to do is reform abortion law to reflect what actually happens: women exercise choice for their own reasons.

Ifchoice…

I didfor notItalready have billreviewed on an important moral the Members’ ballot I would seriously consider bill on this issue.”

- Media “I support women’s does need toabe and upgraded, andparties Iin agree with (Leader) Jacinda (Ardern) - we shouldanot have it in the Crimes Act; will helpRelease you vote the politicians andissue that share your values David Seymour (Mar 2017) Little (March 2017) it is not a–crime...”

– ex-leader Andrew 4

ACT does not have a policy on decriminalisation of abortion. (Official response)

We believe that in matters pertaining to life and death, decisions are best made in the context of Whānau Ora – the whānau determining the best Our full policy on this is a partWe of place our Women’s Policy.

In short, our- the policy is to genealogical decriminaliselines abortion. outcomes for their whānau. high value on whakapapa sacred of one’s descent. As Māori, we need to be confident that the respect we have for whakapapa, for whanaungatanga, and for tikanga are fully understood by ourselves and others. The Māori Party believes the current law in relation to abortion needs to be reviewed. There are a range of issues concerning abortion laws, including cultural issues. We recognise there is a conversation to be had as a nation about the extent to which abortion should be treated as a crime or a health issue. We welcome “Our abortion laws are archaic, and should be modernized. I have always believed in personal choice, and that extends to the issue of abortion. Morally, the debate and the need for a rethink of the current law. abortion is about a woman’s body and her choice…The right thing to do is reform abortion law to reflect what actually happens: women exercise choice for their own reasons.

If I did not already bill on andoesn’t important moral issue isinhealthcare the Members’ I wouldbeseriously billaon this issue.”

- Media “Prohibition and complicated hoops tohave jumpa through work.

Abortion andballot it shouldn’t a crime,consider it shouldabe matter for a person with 4 Release – David 2017)Condie a uterus and theirSeymour doctor.” –(Mar Dr Jenny (List Candidate) ACT does not have a policy on decriminalisation of abortion. (Official response) New Zealand First believespertaining abortions should be safe, legal and rare. must subject to a binding ordetermining citizens initiated We believe that in matters to life and death, decisions areAny bestchange made in the be context of Whānau Oragovernment – the whānau the best referendum period ofWe public debate. outcomes forafter theirawhānau. place high value on whakapapa - the sacred genealogical lines of one’s descent. As Māori, we need to be confident that the respect we have for whakapapa, for whanaungatanga, and for tikanga are fully understood by ourselves and others. The Māori Party believes the current law in relation to abortion needs to be reviewed. There are a range of issues concerning abortion laws, including cultural issues. We recognise theresees is aabortion conversation to be had a nation about the extent which should be treated as a crime or a health issue. We welcome United Future legislation as aas matter of conscience and soto does notabortion have a party position. the debate theDunne need for a rethinksupports of the law.

BILLcurrent ENGLISH JACINDA WINSTON PETERS METIRIA TUREI (Party leaderand Peter personally decriminalisation of abortion – seeARDERN pg 9) NATIONAL LABOUR NZ FIRST GREEN “Prohibition and complicated hoops to jump through doesn’t work. Abortion is healthcare and it shouldn’t be a crime, it should be a matter for a person with a uterus and their doctor.” – Dr Jenny Condie (List Candidate)

Where party leaders stand on 38 family-related issues

Where do party leaders stand on family issues?

MARRIAGE

1. Define marriage as one man and one woman

PARTIAL SUPPORT*

OPPOSE *

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

NO RESPONSE

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

New Zealand First believes abortions should be safe, legal and rare. Any change must be subject to a binding government or citizens initiated 2. Redefine marriage to allow polygamy, group marriage * NO RESPONSE OPPOSE UNDECIDED referendum after a period of public debate. OPPOSE DECRIMINALISING ASSISTED SUICIDE / EUTHANASIA RejectAssistedSuicide.nz 3. Policies promoting marriage

OPPOSE *

4. Same sex adoption by non-biological NO RESPONSE SUPPORT *previous attempts to decriminalise OPPOSE SUPPORT Oneadults of the main reasons that politicians in NewZealand have rejected assisted suicide / euthanasia

United Future sees abortion legislation as a matter of conscience and so does not have a party position. is leader that they that ‘safeguards’, while sounding good,–would not guarantee the protection required for vulnerable people (Party Peterrealised Dunne personally supports decriminalisation of abortion see pg 9)

ABORTION

NEW FEATURE: Each party’s policy on 10 key family issues

including the disabled, elderly, depressed or anxious, and those who feel themselves to be a burden or are under financial pressure. * concerns, and explains SUPPORT * so few countries have OPPOSE SUPPORT The international evidence backs upOPPOSE these why made any changes to the law around this issue.

There are contradictory messages when society rightly wants to take a zero-tolerance approach to suicide, yet at the same 6. Unborn child has right to life SUPPORT * NO RESPONSE SUPPORT OPPOSE time wants to approve assisted suicide. The potential for abuse and flouting of procedural safeguards is a further strong argument 7. Informed consent for women abortion * in New Zealand that NO RESPONSE OPPOSE should against assisted suicide.

Theseeking solution is to ensure a palliative careSUPPORT regime is fully funded and worldSUPPORT class. That’s where the politicians DECRIMINALISING ASSISTED SUICIDE / EUTHANASIA RejectAssistedSuicide.nz focus their attention.The recent inquiry into assisted suicide / euthanasia had 16,000+ submissions (80% of all submissions) opposing assisted suicide / euthanasia.

EUTHANASIA 5. Decriminalisation of abortion

8. Decriminalisation of euthanasia

OPPOSE *

SUPPORT *

UNDECIDED

SUPPORT *

No response received One of the main reasons that politicians in NewZealand have rejected previous attempts to decriminalise assisted suicide / euthanasia

9. Full resourcing of palliative care SUPPORT * legislation allowing euthanasia NO RESPONSE in New Zealand.” (2017)SUPPORT “Prime Minister Bill English says he’ll vote against any

SUPPORT is that they realised that ‘safeguards’, while sounding good, would not guarantee the protection required for vulnerable people including the disabled, elderly, depressed or anxious, and those who feel themselves to be a burden or are under financial pressure.

ANTI-SMACKING LAW Conservative Party opposes the decriminalisation of Euthanasia.

The international evidence backs up these concerns, and explains why so few countries have made any changes to the law around 10. Decriminalise non-abusive smacking OPPOSE * OPPOSE * SUPPORT OPPOSE this issue.There are contradictory messages when society rightly wants to take a zero-tolerance approach to suicide, yet at the same No Complaints official response time wants to approve The potential for abuse flouting of proceduralSUPPORT safeguards is a further strong argument 11. Independent Oranga Tamariki Authority (CYF) assisted suicide.

PARTIAL SUPPORT* PARTIALand SUPPORT* SUPPORT “Labour (leader) Jacinda Ardern, also onThe AMregime Show, said she would votethat for (euthanasia).”

(April 2017) against assisted suicide. The solution is to ensure a palliative care in New Zealand is fully funded and world class. That’s where the politicians should 12. Binding Citizens Initiated Referenda OPPOSE * NO RESPONSE SUPPORT focus their attention.The recent inquiry into assisted suicide / euthanasia had 16,000+ submissions (80% of all submissions) opposing assisted suicideOPPOSE / euthanasia.

PARENTING & FAMILY

Section 15 of our Health Policy outlines our End of Life policy. We support aOPPOSE law change to allow an individual access to medically-assistedOPPOSE dying, SUPPORT * * SUPPORT providing that, as minimum, series ofagainst safeguards are included.

Theseeuthanasia specific safeguards are set out in detail on pages 8-9 of our Health Policy.

“Prime Minister BillaEnglish saysahe’ll vote any legislation allowing in New Zealand.”

(2017)

13. Parental notification for teen Nopregnancies response received 14. Abstinence and parental-based sex education

NO RESPONSE

How did MPs vote on those issues?

NO RESPONSE

UNDECIDED

OPPOSE

Party opposes the decriminalisation of Euthanasia.

15. Expert panel to investigateConservative harms ofDavid pornography OPPOSE NO RESPONSE Leader Seymour has a Private Member’s Bill changing the law to allow assisted suicide / euthanasia.SUPPORT It would be a conscience vote SUPPORT for ACT MPs.

How the current MPs have voted on some of these issues

16. Parental choice for education and ECE arrangements

NO RESPONSE

NO RESPONSE

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

No official response We have only included MPs seeking re-election. Refer to page 4 for explanations of these title 17. Parents as primary responsibility - not government NO RESPONSE NO RESPONSE OPPOSE “Labour (leader) Jacinda Ardern, also onThe AM Show, said she would vote for (euthanasia).” (April 2017) SUPPORT This is a misleading term, as no one is advocating euthanasia in the current discourse. What is being talked about is allowing assisted dying for those ‘GENDER IDENTITY’ with terminal conditions. The main issue with this is ensuring that no one is being pressured into taking up assisted dying, which requires appropriate checks and balances including sufficient funding for end of life care. WithMARRIAGE this in place there is no reason to not allow a personPARENTING to choose how they end 18. ‘Gender identity’ separatetheir from life. biological sex Health RESPONSE RESPONSE SUPPORT Section 15 of our Policy outlines our NO End of Life policy.

We–support aNOlaw changethemselves to allow anto individual access medically-assisted dying, Currently that happens with people going nil by mouth essentially starving death.

This is a to cruel way to manageSUPPORT end of life Same-Sex Marriage Definition Anti-Smacking Decriminalise Parental Notification Assisted Suicide / Medicinal Easter Sunda providing that, as‘gender a minimum, a series of safeguards are included. Marriage These specific safeguards are set out in detail on pages 8-9 of our Health Policy. choices.

19. Toilets/changing rooms based on biology, not identity' NO RESPONSE NO RESPONSE SUPPORT OPPOSE SURNAME FIRST NAME ELECTORATE PARTY Marriage Referendum Conscience of Marriage Law Light smacking Teen Abortion Euthanasia 2017 Marijuana 2017 Trading 2013 are best made 2013 in the context 2005 of Whānau2007 2009 determining 2004 (Projected Vote) (Projected Vote) 2016 Again, we believe that in matters pertaining to life and2013 death, decisions Ora – the whānau DRUGS Leader Seymour has awhānau.

Private We Member’s Bill changing the law to allow suicide / euthanasia.

It would be a conscience vote for to ACT the bestDavid outcomes for their place high value on whakapapa - theassisted sacred genealogical lines of one’s descent.

As Māori, we need beMPs. Support Support Seymour/ legalisation David Epsom Actwhakapapa, SUPPORT 20. Decriminalisation of marijuana OPPOSE * for whanaungatanga, and SUPPORT OPPOSEby ourselves and others. SUPPORT confident that the respect we have for for*tikanga are fully understood 21. Decriminalisation controls) Dunne of medicinal Petermarijuana (strict Ohariu

SUPPORT with strict controls * controls SUPPORT UnitedFuture SUPPORT OPPOSE SUPPORTOPPOSE SUPPORT SUPPORT with strict SUPPORT OPPOSE SUPPORT New Zealand First policy is that the vote on Euthanasia should not be left to temporarily empowered politicians but for the public to decide by a This is a misleading term, as no one is advocating euthanasia in the current discourse. What is being talked about is allowing assisted dying for those binding government or citizens initiated after a periodOPPOSE of public debate.

Clendon Davidterminal #Northland Greenreferendum, SUPPORT OPPOSE with conditions.

The main issue with this is ensuring that no one is beingOPPOSE pressured into taking up assisted dying, which requires appropriate 22. Repeal of prostitution law -checks prosecute NO RESPONSE NO RESPONSE OPPOSE andbuyer balances including sufficient funding for end of life care. With this in place there is no reason toSUPPORT not allow a person to choose how they end Genter Julie Anne #Mt Albert Green SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE their life. Currently that happens with people going nil by mouth – essentially starving themselves to death.

This is a cruel way to manageOPPOSE end of life 23. Ban on brothels in residential areas NO RESPONSE NO RESPONSE SUPPORT choices.

We view it as a matter conscience.Green However, we do think it is time for a wider debate planning. A discussion Graham Kennedy #NorthofShore SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE in the community about advanced care OPPOSE 24. Ban on street prostitution that includes not only euthanasia, but other issues OPPOSE *like palliative care. If there OPPOSE SUPPORT OPPOSE will*be any legislation it should flow after that debate has taken place.

Again, we believe that in matters pertaining to life and death, decisions are best made in the context of Whānau Ora – the whānau Hughes Gareth #East Coast Green SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE OPPOSE determining ALCOHOL the best outcomes for their whānau. We place high value on whakapapa - the sacred genealogical lines of one’s descent. As Māori, we need to be confident that the respect we have for whakapapa, for whanaungatanga, tikanga are fully understood by ourselves and others.

Logie Jan #Mana Green SUPPORT OPPOSE and for OPPOSE

Likely Support

Support

SUPPORT

Support

Support

OPPOSE

Likely Support

Support

OPPOSE

Likely Support

Support

OPPOSE

Likely Support

Support

OPPOSE

Undecided

Support

OPPOSE

Undecided

Support

OPPOSE

Undecided

Support

OPPOSE

Undecided

Support

OPPOSE

Support

Support

OPPOSE

Likely Support

Support

Undecided

Support

OPPOSE

Undecided

Support

OPPOSE

Support

Support

OPPOSE

UNDECIDED

Oppose

Support

OPPOSE

PROSTITUTION

25. Raise drinking and purchase age to 20

OPPOSE *

OPPOSE *

PARTIAL SUPPORT

OPPOSE

Mojo Zealand First #Rangitata Greenon OPPOSE New policy is that the vote Euthanasia should notOPPOSE be left temporarily empowered politicians but for the public to decide a 26. Alcohol lawMathers reform (5+ Solution) OPPOSE * SUPPORT NO RESPONSE PARTIAL SUPPORT PARTIAL by SUPPORT Footnotes – go to ValueYourVote.nz forto source references

binding government or citizens initiated referendum, after a period of public debate.

Denise #Auckland Central Green SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE TAXATION OFRoche FAMILIES

Who Values that includes not only euthanasia, but other issues like palliative care. If there will be any legislation it should flow after that debate has taken place.

WhatYou Value?

27. Income splitting Sage for parents Eugenie

#Port Hills

Green

OPPOSE * SUPPORT

OPPOSE NO RESPONSE OPPOSE

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

We view it as a matter conscience.Green However, do think it is time for a wider in the OPPOSE community SUPPORT about advanced care planning.SUPPORT A discussion 28. Paid parental leave (6 months) PARTIAL we SUPPORT* SUPPORTdebate * Turei Metiria #Te Taiof Tonga SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE BIOETHICS Elected at last Electon (2014) or later 29. Legalisation of surrogacy

Coates

Barry

#Epsom

30. Destruction of embryos for stem cell research

Green

OPPOSE*

NO RESPONSE

UNDECIDED

UNDECIDED

OPPOSE*

NO RESPONSE

OPPOSE

UNDECIDED

Davidson

Marama

#Tâmaki Makaurau Green – go to ValueYourVote.nz for source references Footnotes

Shaw

James

# Wellington Central

OTHER ISSUES

31. Raise levels of broadcasting standards

Ardern

Jacinda

32. Prevent sexualisation of children in media

Green

NO RESPONSE

NO RESPONSE

To order copies Mt Albert Labour for your SUPPORT group OPPOSE OPPOSE NO RESPONSE NO RESPONSE

•Dunedin Email: orOPPOSE call:NO09 261 North admin@familyfirst.nz Labour NO RESPONSE SUPPORT OPPOSE2426 RESPONSE •Dunedin Also onSUPPORT valueyourvote.nz Curran Clarelaws Southavailable Labour OPPOSE OPPOSE* OPPOSE 34. Liberalisation of Easter trading * SUPPORT 35. Stricter regulations PARTIAL SUPPORT* Dyson and monitoring Ruth of loan sharks Hills COST but Labour SUPPORT OPPOSE SUPPORT* OPPOSE OPPOSE • PortNO donations appreciated!

Clark 33. G-rated billboards

David

36. ‘Sinking lid' policy machines Faafoi on gamingKris

Mana

37. Welfare payment risk Hipkins vouchers where Chris children atRimutaka 38. Three strikes legislation

Huo

Raymond

VALUE YOUR VO TE: Election 2017 “The moral values of any politician and SUPPORT of any political morality SUPPORT of our nation’s laws party will determin .You and I have e the account. As you prep are to vote in the upco a duty to hold our politicians to ming General Elec will help you vote tion, this resource for the politicians and parties that share your values.”

Bob McCoskrie – Family First NZ

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

SUPPORT

For more details, go to OPPOSE valueyourvote.nz

OPPOSE

OPPOSE

Support

Support

OPPOSE

SUPPORT SUPPORT

OPPOSE

SUPPORT OPPOSE

Support

Support

OPPOSE

LabourPARTIAL SUPPORT* SUPPORT

OPPOSE

SUPPORTOPPOSE *

SUPPORT

SUPPORT

Support

Support

OPPOSE

Labour NO RESPONSE SUPPORT SUPPORT *

OPPOSE NO RESPONSE OPPOSE OPPOSE *

OPPOSE

OPPOSE

No response

Support

OPPOSE

Likely Support

Support

Support

Support

OPPOSE

Support

Support

OPPOSE

Labour

SUPPORT

NO VOTE

OPPOSE

PARTIAL SUPPORT

OPPOSE OPPOSE

SUPPORT

* We have analysed ALL voting records made on these issues to determine their position. We welcome any documented corrections.

Lees-Galloway Iain the leaders’ Palmerston North and public Labour statements SUPPORT OPPOSE OPPOSE OPPOSE Little

Andrew

Labour

SUPPORT

OPPOSE

OPPOSE