From the Moderator
I am currently one of the trainers on a Caleb Leadership Course. The course is not comfortable. The participants (who are church leaders) have to speak in front of the class with little notice, converse with strangers, and spend time in solitude. Not only that, they give up two and a half weeks and pay a significant amount for the privilege. If we want to grow, we have to pay a price.
Sitting here, I am reminded that sometimes we avoid any discomfort. In churches we might treat everyone with kid-gloves, yet our task is more important than any other.
Caleb training involves a lot of taught input, repetition, memory aids and practical exercises done in pairs or before the whole class. Other practical exercises take place in the local mall and there is reporting back. Homework is checked and people are expected to contribute intelligently to discussions. There are mentoring groups with one of the trainers as the mentor.
The goal is that people develop skills in many different areas (communication, relationships, management, decision-making etc) and gain confidence that then affects attitude so that the skills become habits.
Of course, built into any public practicing of the skills is some accountability. One sentence that caught my attention was “People don’t do what we expect; they do what we inspect”.
Jesus also held the disciples accountable. They had to get involved in ministry under his supervision, and then debrief about it. They had to answer pointed questions. They were given tasks that stretched them and that they sometimes completely failed to accomplish.
But Jesus had a big goal: to produce Christ-like people who would faithfully carry on Gods ministry. May that would be the goal of our churches as well. Ambitious goals, like that, require rigour. Are we up for it?
God bless you,
Peter
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Last week I met with the Rev Baoping Kan, the General Secretary of the China Christian Council. What amazing stories he had to tell of the tens of millions of Christians who join in worship each Sunday at churches around China. The Chinese based Amity Press is about to print its 100 millionth Bible. Some of what we hear about the church in China is simply propaganda, and where there was once talk of the ‘underground’ church, these are largely now flourishing independent churches.
Of course we have heard stories of religious repression, and through the Cultural Revolution, of terrible things being done to Chinese Christians. However our church has a long and fascinating history of mission and ministry in China, and maybe it is now a good time to look at new opportunities of working with the church in China, especially as China becomes increasingly important for trade and other regional relationships. We will be looking forward for an opportunity for Baoping to visit New Zealand sometime in the not too distant future.
Church Council voting for the Moderator-elect, 2014.
It is not too late to vote for the Moderator-elect for 2014. The names of five nominees for the role of Moderator-elect, along with biographical information and a voting form, has been sent to all Church Councils. All completed voting forms need to be returned to the Assembly Office by 5pm next Friday, August 10, 2012.
Nominating Committee and our national committees
In order to choose people with the gifts and skills that we need for our Council of Assembly, Leadership, Resource and other committees appointed by the General Assembly, it is important that the names of potential members be forwarded to the Nominating Committee. As well as ensuring that skilled people serve on these committees, the Nominating Committee is also challenged with the task of ensuring that as far as possible, membership reflects the Church’s diversity. It is therefore really important that there is a good cross section of suitable people to choose from. For more information please contact the Convenor of the Nominating Committee the Rev Ian Hyslop Please get nominations in as soon as possible. The Nominations Committee meet on 1 September in Wellington.
You can also download nominating forms and information: memo information, nomination form and supporting information form.
Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand (UCANZ) new guide to procedures.
At the General Assembly, commissioners will be invited to vote for the adoption of new procedures governing the operations of UCANZ congregations. We will not be printing out the entire document in the Assembly papers and so would invite all commissioners to download their own copy here and appendices here for study and consideration.
2012 General Assembly.
The Assembly will open at our national marae at Ohope at 11am on Thursday 4 October 2012 and continue from there to Rotorua Boy’s High School from Thursday afternoon until its conclusion at lunch time on Sunday 7 October. All non Council of Assembly reports and any proposals for legislation or any other matter that a church council or presbytery might like to bring to the General Assembly needs to be sent to the Assembly office. The deadline is Friday 3 August at 5pm.
Assembly documents on the website.
There are a number of documents and background papers which, largely because of their length, cannot be published in the White Book. These will be added to over the coming weeks. Please take time to read these from the GA 12 website.
Youth Representatives at Assembly
Orientation day for youth representatives will begin a day before the formal start of the Assembly. Presbyteries may send two youth representatives, but remember that the 2010 General Assembly ruled that amalgamated presbyteries may appoint two representatives per pre-amalgamation presbytery.
Risk management and ministry ethics workshops
Attendance every three years at one of these workshops is now mandatory for all ministers seeking to maintain their Certificates of Good Standing. All presbyteries need to schedule in one of these half day workshops which are being funded from the national budget. For further details please contact me martin@presbyterian.org.nz
Looking for a newly trained minister?
In November of this year seven well trained, enthusiastic and committed interns will be available to be called to a ministry. These students bring with them a range of experience, skills and gifts. Several of them have many years of church ministry experience and all draw from a range of backgrounds which will contribute to the richness of their ministry and leadership. Information about all current interns including those in their final year, can be found here.
Ministry Development Programme
In order for ministers to retain their Certificate of Good Standing, it is essential that they participate in the Ministry Development Programme and complete their first ministry review by October 2013. Many have already benefited from the review process. Ministers will not be in Good Standing if they do not have a review that is less than three years old as at October 2013. This does not apply to retired ministers, unless they are in, or plan to return to, some active, recognised ministry role. See full details here.
Certificates of Good standing are valid for 6 years with a review needed to be undertaken every 3 years.
Please note that the guidelines have been updated to take account of ministers serving overseas and active ministers who are not currently serving in parish or chaplaincy positions.
Knox College
You may have received the latest ‘Council News’ giving details of the forthcoming retirement of the Master of Knox College, Mr Bruce Aitken.
The Council of Assembly commission, convened by Dr John Kernohan, is currently providing governance and management oversight of Knox and Salmond, and is working on longer term, strategic, development and management plans for the church owned hostels.
Council of Assembly Supplementary Provisions
From time to time the Council of Assembly receives reports requiring the development of Supplementary Provisions. These provisions are for the purpose of implementing and giving effect to provisions in the Book of Order. When agreed to by the Council of Assembly they come into force when issued, but they require the General Assembly’s ratification. These provisions are updated on our website. The function of these provisions are described in chapter 3 of our Book of Order which also directs that notification of these regulations be made to all who may be effected by them.
Recent provisions which have been agreed to by the Council and have now been issued relate to the Ministry Development Programme, the transition from Amorangi ministry to national ordained ministry, stated supply provisions and the role of the Pastoral Resolution Committee as well as other matters agreed to by previous General Assemblies.
Thank you again for your generous support and for all the ways you help our Church and its mission.
Martin
Global Mission
As I hand over the reigns of Global Mission to the Rev Phil King this month, this is my final message on Bush Telegraph.
I have had a wonderful time over the past two years, meeting amazing people from all over the world and in Aotearoa. It has been a joy to connect our parishes with far flung lands, where the communities are often just like us – struggling to be faithful and to live in the way of Christ – but with such different contexts.
There have been many challenges: being a commuter and often away form my husband and home (I really live in Palmerston North but have commuted to Wellington for 3 days a week); long hours of travel and so many different beds!
But perhaps the hardest challenge has been to present the work of Global Mission in a way that transforms our mindsets about mission. In our place of privilege in New Zealand, we are so accustomed to a Western colonial mindset that we do not see how wonderfully active our God is outside our realm, calling us to join in God's mission of justice, compassion and peace.
My challenge to the Church is to become part of the adventure, step over the barriers of conformity and apathy, to find a world that is so different from ours, that we see our own place and our God in new ways.
Thank you for your company on this journey particularly to Martin and the team at the Assembly Office. It’s the first time in my life I have worked in an office, and whether it's been about publishing or communications, foreign finance or IT, I have needed lots of help, and it has been readily given.
Arohanui.
Pamela Tankersley
Global Mission Coordinator
Presbyterian Youth Ministry
Sulphur connects two of PYM’s national events that have taken place over the last month. The sulphur filled air of Mt Yasur on Tanna Island and that inhaled lakefront Rotorua were locations for Going Global and Connect.
Going Global
Robyn Burnet and I lead a team of eight young adults from around New Zealand on the first of hopefully many short term mission exposure and training trips to Vanuatu. We were based at Lenekel School and assisted with teaching English, geography, science and sports. We were the first group from the PCANZ to work with the school. Liz Whitehead helped us put together a very good training resource that participants began to do online before we headed over. We then went through the remainder of the six modules together. The six modules on theology of mission, mission as partnership, cross cultural awareness, development work, community, and re-entry all come with short videos. This training resource will soon be available for any of our churches that might be taking a short term mission trip. Some of you might have had the pleasure of following Jeremy Self’s humorous and engaging blog about our trip. If you haven’t do not despair here it is
Connect
This years Connect was our biggest one yet which means it has grown each year over the last four years. The theme ‘Dream Big’ is one we hope our youth leaders that attended have taken back to their churches and encouraged their congregations to dream big for young people who God has called them to be. Follow this link for a more detailed report.
Keep an eye out for the Connect article in the next issue of SPANZ.
Carlton Johnstone
Youth Ministry Development leader
Kids Friendly
Forming and transforming young people’s agency in the world
In the first weekend of August we will be running our seventh Transformers – Raising Up Young Leaders camp at Ngaruawahia just north of Hamilton. 40 young people between the ages of 10 to 13, will be exploring what it means to be a servant leader.
They will engage with five Jesus stories in interactive and creative ways and consider how they can use their God-given gifts to serve their churches and communities.
Adult mentors will accompany the young people to camp and commit to journey alongside them over the next year encouraging their leadership and faith. It’s a full on weekend for all concerned and we are blessed to have a group of eight high school students from Knox Church in Waitara contributing to the camp leadership.
What I love about Transformers’ camp is seeing young people transformed as they engage in activities and discussions about Jesus and embrace Gods way of being in the world. The Transformers codes are learnt and guide their decisions and behaviours as agents of Jesus.
In 2011 we encouraged four young people to go to the Transformers Camp and what an exciting time they had. All have subsequently contributed to our church services and activities and oozed such positivity, that the others can’t wait to be 10 and join them.
There has also been an overflow beyond the church.
One girl told her grandparents “I have done things at school which I never would have attempted before going to the Transformers Camp. I’m so glad I went.”
The Rev Ron Bennett from St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Hamilton says “I heartily endorse the work of Kids-Friendly and recommend Transformers to any church with young people.”
Transformers’ Codes:
I will follow Jesus.
I will put others needs first.
I will set a good example in all I do.
I will respect myself and others.
I will trust God and others can trust me.
Jill Kayser
Kids Friendly national coach
Presbyterian Women
Building bridges with new generations
Greetings to all,
The Project for 2012/2013 has arrived – ‘Disability and Development’. The NZ part in the disability spirituality and faith network aims to:
1.Encourage and promote dialogue within and between the faith and disability communities.
2. Provide a forum for disability communities to explore spirituality.
3. Advocate for disability issues with faith communities.
4. Engage in theological reflection on disability.
5. Promote discussion on ethical issues including those that affect human rights.
Our help is needed in the publication called ‘Welcoming Churches’. They want to produce an up to date relevant publication which would be straight forward, easily readable, and have creative and practical solutions.
Our overseas project through CWS is centred on the Ama Taciloa programme in Tonga.
This programme is empowered by women to encourage and actively participate in development through food security, environmental protection, good governance leadership development, and human rights.
We aim to help by:
1. Strengthening the network throughout the island groups.
2.Training groups in family nutrition and gardening income generated ideas, budgeting, business development, sanitation and water supplies.
3. Increase the traditional crafts and tourism.
4. Providing workshops in disaster risk assessment and procedures in coping.
5. To those women who do not belong to Presbyterian Women groups and would like to support this programme I can send you a full project kit if you email me syjorob@xtra.co.nz)
Donations can also be sent directly to our Treasurer – Mrs Ngaire Pearce, 102 Mountain View Road, Gleniti, Timaru 7910 – before the end of June 2013, with a covering letter stating it is for our project.
This work is so worthwhile in helping Gods people who need our support here and abroad.
Joan Roberts
Mission Convenor
Notices
Raising Up Young Leaders camp 3-5 August
Do you have young people age 10 to 13 in your church? Are they bored, losing interest, not fitting into Sunday School but not quite ready for youth group? Then Transformers “Raising Up Young Leaders” camp and programme is for you! Kids Friendly is hosting another RUYL and we want you to come! Find out more here
Presbyterian Investment Fund
The Church Property Trustees advise that the interest rate paid on Presbyterian Investment Fund deposits remains at 5 percent. This rate became effective from 1 February 2012. The Fund is open to parishes, but not to individuals. For further information, email the Secretary to the Trustees, Heather McKenzie.
Media Prayer Day 5 August
Christians throughout New Zealand are being asked to take a few moments of their Sunday service on 5 August (or any other day that suits) to pray for the spread of the Gospel through NZ’s mass media, and for all who work within this influential industry. If you intend to participate please email info@mediaprayerday.org.nz. For more information visit the website www.MediaPrayerDay.com
Glen Innis vacancies
The next vacancies at Glen Innis, for ministers only, are:
August 20 - 27 Homestead
August 27 - September 3 Homestead
September 3 - 10 Homestead
September 10 - 17 Homestead
September 17 - 24 Homestead
Nominations for church leadership award for women
The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is looking for nominees for a prize that rewards efforts to prepare women for leadership positions in church and society. The deadline for entries is 31 August 2012. Eligibility criteria and an entry form are available at www.wcrc.ch or by contacting SMP@wcrc.ch
Theologian Visiting Wellington 30 July – 2 August
Wellington is hosting the eminent American theologian, Professor William Cavanaugh from De Paul University in Chicago. While in Wellington Professor Cavanaugh will preach at St John’s, deliver four public lectures at Victoria University and present a Saturday morning seminar in the St John’s Conference Centre. Professor Cavanaugh will also be visiting other centres around New Zealand: Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The theme of his lectures is: ‘Migration of the Holy: Questioning the myths of the Secular Age’. For more information on the visit of Professor William Cavanaugh, please see here Or contact Rev Allister Lane a.lane@stjohnsinthecity.org.nz
Presbyterian Women book
Braided River of Faith is the fourth in the series of short biographies of NZ
Christian women, most of whom have served church or community through their Presbyterian networks. The book has 64 different contributions and will be launched at the General Assembly in Rotorua. For a copy of the book email the editor, the Rev Judy Bedford
ARPA annual conference
The Australasian Religious Press Association is pleased to make available up to 20 places to people in the greater Wellington area who are responsible for compiling their church’s regular newsletters. Local delegates will have full access to the plenary sessions on Friday evening and Saturday morning and a selection of nine seminars and workshops during Saturday including one workshop especially for those who compile their own church’s weekly newsletter. Although subsidised, there will be a registration charge of $90 per person for the Friday night session and all day Saturday. Saturday morning and afternoon teas and lunch are included in this cost. Local delegate registrations are strictly limited to 20 people and they will be allocated on a first-in, first served basis. For further information and an application form please go to www.arpanews.org or email the conference chair epa@paradise.net.nz
Heart of Leadership Workshop
Date: Saturday 8 September and Saturday 22 September
Venue: Leith Valley Church and Windsor Presbyterian Church Invercargill
For more info click on flyer or email John Cosgrove
Thomas Burns Memorial Lectures July 31 – August 9
To be delivered by the Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Alabama, the Rev Dr William Willimon. Hosted by the Otago Department of Theology and Religion.
The venue for all lectures is Archway 2, at 5.15pm.
Survey on newborn babies
Natural Winding, a service that focuses on natural prevention, natural cure and early intervention is doing a survey on inconsolable crying, colic and reflux in newborns. If you’d like to be part of the study, email Phillipa Murphy: philippa@naturalwinding.com
Transitional Ministry training
The NZ Branch of the Interim Ministry Network (US) is facilitating a training event for Transitional Ministry at Trinity Church, Dunsandel, Canterbury Plains, from 10 – 14 September 2012. Trainers will be the Rev Chris Bedford, the Rev Derek Harding and the Rev Marilyn Welch. More information here. This training is for those interested in developing skills for an intentional ministry during the period between the departure of one minister and the arrival of the next minister or ministry team.
Christian Pro-Life song writing contest
5th Voice for Life National Pro-Life Songwriting Contest
Auckland, Sat. 24th November. Entries and enquiries donbrebs@xtra.co.nz
The Caughey Smith-Preston Memorial Interdenominational Evangelisation Fund
There is a small amount of funding available that could be available for church or denominational projects that would fit within the criteria of employing evangelists to hold missions in the large cities and towns of New Zealand, or to employ young evangelists to go to the backblocks of New Zealand, or open Sunday Schools for young people wherever possible. All requests are to be submitted to Kelvyn Fairhal
Hymn books for sale
Thirty copies of the ‘With One Voice’ hymn book (pew edition). $35 each (incl GST). Enquiries to: Mornington Presbyterian Church, PO Box 7108, Mornington, Dunedin. Phone (03) 453 5357 or email mpc@ihug.co.nz.
Study Leave Reports needed – now!
Have you undertaken study leave at any time during the past 10 years? Do you have a study leave report languishing on your desk or filed in your study, or almost completed on your computer? If so, NOW is the time to share it with the rest of the Church. Please find it, dust it off, give it last finishing touches if required and send it to us – we will be happy to accept them in whatever format you have them - paper copies or electronic versions. The reports can then be made available online, and will be a wonderful resource for many. We will also be interested to receive copies of relevant dissertations, theses and doctoral research. As is the current procedure, hard copies will continue to be filed with the Presbyterian Archives Research Centre. Study leave reports already filed with the Archives are listed here. The postal address is The Registrar, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, Knox College, Arden Street, Opoho, Dunedin 9010. Email: registrar@knoxcentre.ac.nz
Team Trip to Myanmar 2013
Come see firsthand the work of the church in the local community. Come hear the life stories of our brothers and sisters, and experience God’s love working in this nation. You will be blessed, encouraged, challenged and inspired by these AMAZING people as you share in fellowship with one another. Expressions of interest are now being taken for the February 2013 Team Trip. To find out more info go to www.myanmar.stcolumba.org.nz or email myanmar@stcolumba.org.nz
Parenting Course 30 July – 3 September
Attention parents/carers of children aged between six and 12 years. A Parents Inc. Toolbox Parenting Course is planned to begin 30 July, running for six Monday evenings from 7.30 to approx 9.30pm at the Island Bay Community Centre. Cost: $90 double; $67.50 single (subsidy available). Book online www.TheParentingPlace.org.nz or phone (04) 3835114 or email jebrucefamily@clear.net.nz
SGM Retreats Aug 24 -28
This retreat may be taken as a two day retreat 7.30pm Fri to 4pm Sun or 5pm Sunday to 4pm Tuesday or as a four day retreat 7.30pm Friday to 4pm Tuesday. A substantial part of each day will be in silence in order to listen more closely to God. Facilitators: SGM Team – Terry Alve, Maureen Lamb, Andrew Pritchard, Adrienne Thompson.
Venue: Elm Court Waikanae Christian Holiday Park Waikanae.
Total Cost: $184 Fri-Sun; $190 Sun-Tues; $300 four days
Please register by 17 August with Merle Hiscock (04) 976 4693
PCANZ Yearbook 2012
The Church’s 2012 Yearbook information has been updated to include recent changes to contact details. Please download for July 2012 here using the username and password emailed to you in March.
CWS Notices
Peace Sunday resources from CWS
Peace Sunday Resources: “Making every effort to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace”. Celebrate 25 years of New Zealand’s nuclear-free legislation. Lectionary-based resources for August 5 focusing on the Pacific will be available from Thursday July 26 onward from www.cws.org.nz
Blokey Father’s Day solutions
It gets harder as the years go by to come up with Father’s Day gifts for men who either have everything or even worse have had it with having stuff at all.
Dads, Grand dads are a tough audience to please, quietly keen to be noted but picky about how you do so.
One solution is a blokey gift that gives twice, once to show you thought about it, second to people overseas who are in real need. This year CWS has gone through their gifted catalogue to single out gifts that fit the Father’s Day bill.
You can choose from cement for fence posts in a farm school in East Timor, chickens for family garden plots in Palestine, or seeds, tools and training for Asian small plot farmers.
You can find these or other gifted ideas online or order by phoning 0800 74 73 72.
Live Below The Line now live online
The Live Below The Line website for New Zealand is now live and once again Christian World Service are taking part with the focus on the Maridi Service Agency in South Sudan. It is the second year for Live Below the Line in New Zealand. From September 24 to 28 CWS will be offering people the challenge of living on a daily food bill of just $2.25 a day for 5 days. The promotion is part of a global campaign to provide people with an insight into extreme poverty.
Church Register
Licensings
Mr Jonathan Hone Arapeta Te Rire, Te Aka Puaho, to licentiate, Te Aka Puaho, 24 June 2012.
Ordination and Inductions
Jonathan Hone Arapeta Te Rire, Te Aka Puaho, to Amorangi Minister, Putauaki Maori Pastorate, Te Aka Puaho, 25 June, 2012.
Changes in Status
Rev Chris Bedford, Other Recognised Minister, Kaimai Presbytery, to Member, Kaimai Presbytery, 1 July 2012.
Rev Guy Pilkinton, Member, Taranaki Presbytery, to Special Ministry, Microchurch Network, 50% part-time,Taranaki Presbytery, 1 May 2012.
Removals from Roll (inactive in ordained ministry within the Presbyterian Church)
Rev Alan Hawksworth, Other Recognised Minister, Taranaki Presbytery, was removed from the Roll, pursuant to Book of Order 10.32B, 9 July 2012.
Deaths
Rev Leslie A Howard, Minister Emeriti, Kaimai Presbytery, died on 4 January 2012.
Rev Wallace Christian Hunger, Minister Emeriti, Taranaki Presbytery, died on 19 June 2012.
Rev Keith William Robertson, Minister Emeriti, Southern Presbytery, died on 18 July 2012.
Events
Check out our listing of national and regional events.
Jobs
Check out our jobs vacancies page and the ministerial vacancies table.