On Thursday evening, as part of my lecturing role at Laidlaw College, I sat with community and business leaders from around Christchurch.
Together we discussed what it means to follow Christ in the credit crunch. It was part of a seminar, advertised throughout Christchurch titled “Christ in the credit crunch”.
My task was to explore what Jesus and the gospels say about how we should use our assets (time, talents and finances). Others shared about the state of local businesses, ethics and the implications for leadership.
The overwhelming message was one of opportunity. The financial events of recent months are forcing businesses, societies and individuals to examine their values. Human greed and desire to take the easy route have been exposed. In the face of easy credit and constant advertising, what does it mean to be content, to live life well and to the full (John 10:10)?
This message applies to us as a society. It also applies to us personally. We live in a time of opportunity. Change is happening constantly and quickly.
Often, God uses tough times to get our attention. Are we listening, as a society and as individuals?
God help us to change.
To change ourselves and to change our world.
To know the need of it.
To deal with the pain of it.
To feel the joy of it.
To undertake the journey without understanding the destination.
The art of gentle revolution. Amen
I have spent the week mediating on this prayer by Michael Leunig (from his book 'A Cartoonist talks to God', Harper Collins). It formed the basis of our staff prayers on Tuesday, while change in various ways occupied much of the Board meeting on Tuesday evening.
Reflecting on change, someone pointed me to Jesus. And how often in the Gospels he seemed to be saying, “I’m moving on. Will you come with me? It will change you. It will change your world. Will you join me in living the Kingdom?”
What is challenging is the fact that often, if people said 'no' to change, Jesus simply moved on. I wonder what this means for us as a church? God is changing us. It’s not easy. It never is. It never has been. Such is the call of Jesus. “Will you join me in living the Kingdom?”
Driving home a few weeks ago, a child asked me why we collected money at church. What happens to it and where does it go?
Later that week, I was due to attend a prayer and planning meeting for Soak, our first Sunday of the month Sunday evening congregation. It was a lovely, balmy evening, so I decided to walk. As I walked past the church, one of our pastoral team, Paul McMahon, drove past. He was on his way to a planning meeting, to talk about a local Waltham gathering for Bible study, discussion, encouragement and prayer.
As Paul and I chatted on the side of the road, Andy Dean drove past. He was on his way to the Thursday evening worship practice, preparing for our 10:30 am Sunday service. Andy tooted and we waved and as we did, a young girl wearing a Waltham School uniform, was watching us. She called out, “Was that man who tooted the man with a special ice making machine?” As I walked on, she biked along beside me, chatting about how cool that ice machine was and how much she was enjoying Girls Brigade.
Those few minutes are in fact a wonderful snapshot of our life as a church here at Opawa - the work that goes into our multiple congregations which bring such rich diversity to our life, our pastoral team that walk and serve our community, our growing ministry among the local Waltham community, our programmes which provide community contact.
And those few minutes nicely answer the question, of what happens to the offering. As we give, we are participating in so many exciting opportunities for mission and ministry.
EASTER JOURNEY UPDATE: A number have been asking about the Easter Journey, which for ten years has been a feature of ministry at Opawa. In talking to Pete and Joyce Majendie, there is a general feeling that it is time for something new to emerge. Opawa is changing and so are Pete and Joyce. That process is starting this Easter Saturday, with a day of paper making. Together we will turn flax into paper, both for individual journals and for use at Pentecost. Why paper making? The process of turning flax into paper is a fantastic expression of Christian living, in which we are broken down, to be reborn as something new. The process involves all ages and all types of skills and allows relationships to form and community to emerge in a fun way that is good for body and soul. Easter Saturday, 9:45 am for coffee. Bring lunch to share.
CHURCH UPDATE: As a church we are actively looking for a manager, 30 hours a week. A number of enquiries have been received during the week and we are asking for applications by Thursday, 12 March. In the meantime, Deirdre has offered to stay on in an interim capacity. Thanks Deirdre.
BUILDING UPDATE: This update comes with a deep sense of gratitude to God. On February 20, Denis Winter, on behalf of the church received four tenders in relation to the Building Project. One tender was particularly good. It is within our fundraising target. The tenderer can begin at any time and has provided a well-thought out plan on how to proceed with minimal disruption to staff and ministry during the week.
This means we are now simply waiting upon Council consent, which now revolves around a number of minor details. Once those are sorted, we anticipate being able to release the name of the successful tenderer.
At this stage, we are simply delighted with how things are proceeding, and ask you to join us in prayer that the City Council will act quickly to give us final consent.