Overflow - Issue 23

Overflow

Photos: Asia Pacific Conference of the Wesleyan Church in Chiang Mai.

FromtheEditor

Tēnā koe, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, 안녕하세요, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia orana, 你好, Noa‘ia, Hello!

This month we celebrate God’s mathematics! It is multiplication month!

Our theme for ConneXion last year was Multiplication and Rev. Brett Jones, National Superintendent, shared in Issue 16 (October 2023 about why this is important.

Recently an article I was reading reminded me about the connections between multiplication and division.

If you ’ re interested you can read the article for yourself.

Dividing to Multiply: God’s Pattern of Creation across the Canon

When we are in the process of multiplying churches sometimes there is a division that takes place as we release some of the members of our congregations to support God’s work in new areas. We continue praying for God’s multiplication.

In prayer,

Denise Barrington Editor

Church Planting…In Jesus’ Name

National Superintendent: Rev. Brett Jones

There have been many fads in the history of the church. Some of these are cultural innovations in one generation, symbols of decay in the next – things like music and clothing, aspects of church architecture, ways of speaking, in-house jargon - Christianese. They come and they go and sometimes they linger well beyond their “ use by” date.

Other times it’s the latest greatest strategy. People in management know what this is like – there is always a new innovation. In the late 70’s Tom Peters launched the search for excellence in organisational management and single-handedly launched the management guru industry.

When we come to church planting, we ’ re tempted to categorise it as just another fad. Sometimes that’s because we ’ ve had a bad experience with it, rather like when our manager tried to help us all become Good to Great and we discovered that we weren’t “ on the bus”! Or it’s treated as “just another strategic choice of the church” which you can opt in or out of.

The truth is church planting is not a fad. And it’s not an optional strategy. Church planting sits at the heart of the mission of God and has done so since the birth of the church. You see there has never been a church started that wasn’t planted by somebody. It’s how the gospel has spread across the face of the planet and why Christianity has the largest following of any faith worldwide by a large margin. We’re very familiar with The Great Commission and the Great Commandment but how about The Great Confession?

18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 Jesus’ intention was that the church would be built, strengthened and extended on the foundation of his life, death and resurrection and his proclamation of the Kingdom.

Verse 19 goes on to say - 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Some of you have had that experience handing over the keys – it’s a moment of great trust and nervous energy – but for Jesus there was no plan B, just A plan: the church.

And the strength of the church, the health of the church, the mechanism by which Jesus’ church would be built – would be by discipleship, church multiplication, church planting. Wherever the church thrived and was healthy, new churches would be planted. The Great Commission foreshadowed a relentless movement towards the nations. The church Jesus was speaking into being would be a church on mission, baptising, discipling, teaching and making more disciples who would go make more disciples. We see this dynamic explode into life in the book of Acts as churches are planted – and we see Jesus’ promise to “be with us ” lived out in the early church’s experience of the Holy Spirit. Two things stand out with great clarity in Acts: the irresistible missionary expansion of the Church, and the power of the Spirit in that expansion.

God's heart for the expansion of his kingdom is revealed throughout the Old and New Testament. God intends the church to proclaim and demonstrate the kingdom so that his kingdom will spread to every people group on the earth. The passion in God's heart for the expansion of his kingdom is a desire for all nations and people to glorify God the eternal King.

He has given the church a commission to go into the entire world and make disciples who are loyal worshippers of the King. The heart of God for kingdom expansion is the foundation for planting new churches.

May this continue to be so in the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand as we embrace the call to being the church, making disciples and extending the reach of God’s kingdom.

Multiplication Month

This month of June is 'Multiplication Month' across our movement focusing on different ways the Kingdom is multiplied! e.g. through Church Planting, Evangelism, Discipleship, Leadership Development and Prayer & Evangelism.

Are you able to make a contribution to the Planting Appeal (offering) to support church planting projects across the movement?

The WMCANZ bank account number for this appeal is 03-0206-0380248-000 Please use the reference: Multiply.

Prayer is a key engine for Multiplication. Praying for multiplication growth is being encouraged in the month (such as the Prayer below for evangelism).

And Rev Jo Verkerk, (Director of Discipleship) also prays for our endeavours to be a ‘disciple making’ people, in an inspiring interview reflecting on the call to discipleship. - see attached.

Reflections on Discipleship from Rev Jo.mp4

GLOBAL MISSIONS

Michelle Yates

Rev Brett, Rev Atu, Rev Mike and Michelle Yates have represented Aotearoa NZ this past 5 days, at the Asia Pacific Conference, part of the wider International Conference of the Wesleyan Church. Following our safe travels, we arrived in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, ready for connecting with old and new friends from 23 countries From Pakistan, Mongolia, to the Pacific Islands and many countries in between.

We have participated in many seminars, worship services, celebrations and heard countless stories of how Our Lord is moving in these places. We have also gained greater understanding of the many politically and religiously challenging circumstances some of our sister churches are suffering, in particular the Wesleyan Church of Myanmar.

We returned later in the week and are keen to share our stories and learnings with you all. May you all feel the Lord's blessings in your lives.

Defend Young Minds

This resource has been recommended by the Rev. Stephenie Couch - Director of Next Generation to support keeping our younger generations safe.

Defend Young Minds is thrilled to introduce a brand new video series, Great Tool, Horrible Master: Helping families establish healthy relationships with digital technology featuring Dr. Justin Rowberry, an internationally recognized developmental behavioural paediatrician.

This 5-part video series includes:

The Harms of Digital Overuse

How to Set a Good Digital Example

The Positive Effects of Decreasing Digital Media Overuse

Top 7 Recommendations to Limit Digital Media Overuse in the Home

BONUS Advice from a Dad (who is also a DevelopmentalBehavioural Paediatrician).

You can view the first video in this week’s article, New Video Series on Digital Overuse Solutions by Expert Paediatrician. There, you can also sign up to receive the entire video series delivered to your inbox completely free. (A BIG thank you to our readers who support us through purchasing our books, guides and curriculum!)

Gain valuable insights from Dr. Rowberry today and learn how to foster healthier digital habits that will improve your family's mental health going forward.

StreamsCommunityChurch-Celebrating21Years!

Streams Community Church celebrated 21 years of ministry across the weekend 14-16 June. A rich time of worship, testimony, prayer and celebration was enjoyed by past, present and future members of the Streams family. Along the way Rev Atu and Frances Lagi were honoured for their sacrificial love for people, their commitment to the lost and the integrity of their following of Jesus. The national church was represented by National Superintendent Rev Brett and Kristen Jones, Michelle Yates (Director of Global Mission), Stephenie Couch (Director of Next Generation), and National Council member Rev Jone Kacivi. Rev Dr Richard Waugh and Rev Amber Livermore were able to send a greeting thanks to the miracle of technology! It was a special joy to have Rev Dr Sifa Lokotui present to bring the Word at the Sunday morning service, along with Rev Hulita Lokotui, in recognition of their support of the new church plant in its early years. Congratulations to the church, its congregation and leadership as they commit to a renewed season of REACH - RESTORE - RELEASE.

The 2024 Hornblow Memorial Ministry Training Trust (HMMTT) funding round is NOW OPEN.. Applications can be found HERE and will be accepted up until midnight on Wednesday 31 July 2024. The HMMTT provides grants to individuals for ministry training and church planting that contribute to WMCANZ priorities.

To apply please complete our online application form using the link above or contact Rev Melissa Powell for an application form. All applications must be received by midnight on Wednesday 31 July 2024. dmf@wesleyan.nz

Ministry Training Workshops

Building Small Group Communities - Rev Kristen Jones

Where: via Zoom Video Conferencing

When: Wednesday 31 July 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Cost: $15/person

*FREE for enrolled/fee-paying WMCANZ Ministry Students & Licensed Ministers

The Preacher's Toolkit - Rev Jo Verkerk & Rev Melissa Powell

Where: AUCKLAND - East City Wesleyan Church

When: Saturday 31 August 10:00 am -12:00 pm

Cost: $15/person

*FREE for enrolled/fee-paying WMCANZ Ministry Students & Licensed Ministers

Event Calendar

Pastor Cluster Group | 20 June

Matariki | 28 June

Donations

We invite you to make donations to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Join us to make a difference and reach the lost with the grace and holiness of Jesus Christ. Using the WMCANZ bank account number below, please include your first initial and surname in the particulars field and 'donation' in the reference field.

03-0206-0380248-000

Particulars: e.g. 'J Smith' Reference: e.g. 'Donation' Please email accounts@wesleyan.nz with your details to receive a donation receipt.

Thank you!

Click on the QR Code to

Looking for your local Wesleyan Methodist Church? Click here to find your nearest Wesleyan Methodist church Services are held in English, Fijian, Rotuman and Tongan with several churches using multiple languages in their worship.

National Resource Centre

Tuesday | 9am-2pm 219 Burswood Drive

Botany, Auckland 2013

Ph: (09) 271 6460

National Support Assistant

Sian Sidwell

Email: office@wesleyan.nz

Overflow Editor

Denise Barrington

Email: overflow@wesleyan.nz

Click here to read the latest news, and for opportunities to respond Get in touch......... missions@wesleyan.nz

NationalSuperintendent

Rev.BrettJones-natsuper@wesleyan.nz Ass'tNationalSuperintendent

Rev.AtuLagi-pastoralcare@wesleyan.nz DirectorofOperations

Rev.PeterBenzie-dirops@wesleyan.nz

NationalTreasurer

KerrinThomson-treasurer@wesleyannz DirectorDiscipleship&Training

Rev.JoVerkerk-training@wesleyan.nz DirectorGlobalMissions

MichelleYates-missions@wesleyannz DirectorMinisterialFormation

Rev.MelissaPowell-nbmf@wesleyan.nz DirectorMultiplication

NationalChurchContacts

RevMikeYates-churchdevt@wesleyannz DirectorNextGenerations

Rev.StephenieCouch-youth@wesleyan.nz www.wesleyan.nz