13 Aug, 2019 In One Spirit – PRESS RELEASE

AllTogether Insights, enCOURAGEment word by Dave Mann 0 Comments

PRESS RELEASE

True Impact Through a Genuinely United Church

**New book: In One Spirit,by Dave Mann**

New Zealand needs a more functionally united Church

While the Church is no longer in the majority in our nation, it could yet become an effectively activated minority. What is needed is functional unity.

Dave Mann, the originator of the Hope Project, has a released a new book on the need for greater Church unity. In One Spiritreflects and captures the essence of Mann’s conversations with over 1000 Kiwi pastors over the past eight years.

“The authorship of the book can be credited to the city and town pastors’ groups I’ve had the privilege to listen to over the past eight years,” explains Mann.

“Too often unity within cities and towns is little more than a coming together to sing ‘Kumbayah me Lord’. We sing and pray – and this is needed and good,” says Mann.

“But it is necessary that the goal be far more than this. Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17 was made in a context of outreach. We have lost our public voice in this nation, even though our numbers are sufficient to have a positive impact upon public perception and belief.

“Only through a deeper commitment to our unity in each town and city, and then nationally, can we change this. Our individual efforts are not enough.

“While denominations can support the various congregations in their networks well, they are inadequate conduits for local mission alone, and certainly in these times. The kinds of efforts enabled through unity within each place are also needed!

“Churches can achieve things together in cities and towns that they cannot achieve apart. There is real potential here for greater impact, if we are willing!”

A closed FB page has been started for Christian leaders who are interested in this conversation, called Mahi Ngātahi (Working together). This is to enable leaders around our nation to share their various ideas for application of principles, so we learn from each other and develop a common vision.

See BigBookPublishing.co.nz/product/in-one-spirit or a local Christian bookstore for more.

(For another article/blog about the topic of this book, click here)

DAVE MANN. Dave is a creative communicator with a vision to see an understanding of the Christian faith continuing, and also being valued, in the public square in Aotearoa-New Zealand. He has innovated numerous conversational resources for churches, and recently coordinated a 5th nationwide multimedia Easter project purposed to help open conversation between church and non-church people about Christianity take place, including regarding the specifically Christian origins of many of our nation’s most treasured values. Dave is the author of various books and booklets including “Because we care”, “That Leaders might last”, “The Elephant in the Room”, and available for free on this site: “The What and How of Youth and Young Adult ministry”. Married to Heather, they have four young boys and reside in Tauranga, New Zealand.

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Gospel, Insights, Ministry, Outreach

What people are saying

A Baptist Pastor commented honestly that he was late getting on board because he was unsure what the project was going to offer. Now that he has seen it, the answer is ‘Yes!’

I WASN’T SURE ABOUT THIS – BUT NOW IT’S A YES!

A Presbyterian Pastor said that for a lot of their older Pakeha people it was really helpful, deepening their understanding of their Christian context within New Zealand. He felt it would likewise positively help perceptions in the secular world towards the Church.

IT DEEPENED OUR MEMBERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CHRISTIAN CONTEXT WITHIN NZ

A Wesleyan Pastor, who had ‘rallied the troops’ to utilise the opportunity, received feedback from four members who do street witnessing and home visitation. They confirmed that, from their contacts with non-church people, the project was doing more good than people realised.

NON-CHURCH PEOPLE ARE READING IT

From an Anglican minister in Rotorua: "I have been using the booklets in our church Op Shop ever since the Hope Project started – they sit on the counter by the till and when I'm on duty I actively offer them to people when it seems appropriate. We also have some in the book section on our 'free' table, and I quite often need to replenish them, so people are taking them."

BOOKLETS BEING TAKEN

A non-believer was attending a church that showed one of the equipping videos. Due to what he heard he came up after the service and asked what he needed to do to become a Christian – and responded on the spot when it was explained.

EQUIPPING VIDEO LEADS TO NEW FAITH

Someone contacted one of our team members to say they had gone online from a place of fear and phobias and after viewing a number of stories from the ‘Unpacking life’ series, had come away more hope-filled. The quality of these videos was applauded by them, and a number of others – including someone in the media industry who labelled them a powerful tool. Numerous people have requested copies of them on DVD so they can show them to friends. We are now putting 16 of the online stories on a DVD for use by those who are not web-savvy.

VIDEOS GAVE ME HOPE

A Brethren church leader says he really resonated with the vision of project. They have been using the resources in both their services and small groups as a result and it is feeding their faith and vision.

IT IS INFLUENCING OUR PLANNING

Many Christmas and bicentenary events around the country included the giving away of the booklets also – some giving away 20 – and some as many as 5000. In a few places, churches combined to create floats for street parades, with the bicentenary as a theme, booklets being given out, and the Hope Project as a visual ‘brand’ – thus providing a website to refer people to at which they could learn more about the Christian faith and the gospel in our history.

BOOKLETS A FEATURE AT CHRISTMAS AND BICENTENARY EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY

A church member was personally impacted by the project – and people noticed something was different about him. He took spare booklets to give out at work.

CHURCH MEMBER CHANGED

A Baptist Pastor shared how she had visited her uncle just after the booklet arrive, and he asked her what it was all about. Another gentleman had a half hour discussion with his booklet deliverer. Her own involvement in delivering booklets led to some great discussions about Jesus with Buddhists and others.

CONVERSATIONS CAME ABOUT NATURALLY IN THE COURSE OF THE DAY

A youth worker ran a holiday program that used the Hope Project materials. He saw three young people become Christians through this. He was pleased to report that their church also held a Christmas display in their city centre, talking with many people while handing out ‘Hope for all’ booklets.

YOUTH WORKER SEES THE YOUNG COME TO FAITH

Countless church people have contacted us requesting spare booklets. We have fulfilled every request. All booklets are given without charge. Some who are in retirement villages or private apartment buildings that circulars cannot get to had the insight to request them to give personally. Our Comment: We see again that the silence of some Christians in terms of witnessing is not because of a lack desire or belief. It can be a lack of confidence in the methods and resources being made available to them. When given the right opportunity, and shown an approach that their intuition says is realistic for our culture, we discover that there are many more people in our churches who want to share faith than may otherwise be apparent.

MANY INDIVIDUALS REQUEST ADDITIONAL BOOKLETS TO GIVE AWAY

A Salvation Army Officer told us about a couple of members who spoke to their neighbours about the booklet, and then took them through the 10 Day Challenge – with discussions ongoing.

THE UNCHURCHED TAKING UP THE 10 DAY CHALLENGE

An Elim Pastor prayed in a shop for a man from another religion who had particular sickness. The next time they met the man’s sickness was healed. He showed him a booklet – and the man was interested. It was a conversation tool. Rapport continued to build, and conversations continue.

BOOKLET A CONVERSATION TOOL WITH SICK MAN I PRAYED FOR

Loving the amazing testimony videos. We're showing these on a regular basis at church and they are inspiring and encouraging. Thank you so much - Ruawai Community Church

AMAZING TESTIMONY VIDEOS

"Just emailing to say that we met with a young man tonight to help his Christian walk. He has been a Christian for a very short time and made a decision after reading the Hope For All book in his friends truck. He gave his heart to Jesus and is coming of drugs, returning stolen property and asking for help."

YOUNG MAN CHANGES HIS LIFE

A Salvation Army Officer commented that the campaign was tremendous. The booklet was still being used in food parcels. People engaged really well with the materials. Older people at church found it a lovely tool for sharing faith – finding a confidence they had not even had in their youth. It far exceeded expectations.

THE CAMPAIGN FAR EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

"One lady I was in conversation with over Christmas, had never heard of the Gospel and was absolutely delighted to take the first two booklets in the series to take home and read, such a thrill to be able to give this lovely lady such a precious resource." - From a Wellington lady handing out booklets.

THRILLED TO PASS ON THE BOOKLET

A Church of Christ Pastor told us about a young Indian girl who carries the booklet in her bag so she can read it again, and could refer to it at any time. The neighbour of one of our team members said she had kept the booklet and put it on a shelf for the future.

BOOKLETS VALUED BY THE UNCHURCHED

A New Life Pastor who was only able to engage with the opportunity at a basic level, showing 1 or 2 of the equipping videos, had members become very motivated to share faith. Extra booklets left on their front desk were all taken and, while they didn’t have any new Christians from it, a number of people who used to attend church decided to come back.

PEOPLE CAME BACK TO CHURCH

A Baptist Pastor shared how he had been sceptical of this effort until he saw the equipping videos just before the first media project went to air. He rallied his congregation, and they volunteered to personally deliver booklets to ‘no circulars’ homes part of their city. Arriving at his first door he was nervous – but was greeted by a young man he had once met, and ‘who desperately wanted to come to church. He was really grateful for the booklet, and took an extra one to give to his friend.’

I WAS SCEPTICAL – BUT THEN I SAW THE VIDEOS

A letter from one lady (a retired missionary) told us how she had asked her neighbours about the booklet, and two said they read it and liked it. It provided an opportunity to arrange a gathering over coffee at her house to which she was inviting all her neighbours.

MY NEIGHBOURS READ IT, ENJOYED IT, AND ARE COMING FOR COFFEE

A Presbyterian Pastor who actively promoted the project among his elderly congregations, and who is also actively encouraging giving to overseas missions and prayer for outreach, commented that a number of people who thought they couldn’t have conversations found that they could. One was an 80-year old gentleman. More people are hearing of Christ as a result.

AN 80 YEAR OLD MAN DISCOVERED THAT HE COULD SPEAK TO PEOPLE

A lady in New Plymouth started watching the ‘Because we care’ video series a year prior to the first of the Hope Project’s media effort. She contacted us to encourage us that – before the media effort was even beginning - the project was already bearing fruit. With the perspectives and skills she gained she shared that she’d had ‘the awesome privilege of introducing four people to Christ’ already.

I LED FOUR PEOPLE TO FAITH IN CHRIST

An area overseer in the Anglican movement reported that, in his travels, the booklets had been highly visible. He had seen them on shop counters and in GPs waiting rooms. 500 booklets he personally ordered were quickly used at different functions in the region, and one of the churches frequented by tourists gave many out also.

BOOKLET HIGHLY VISIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY

"We're taking a young guy who's a strong Christian and his girlfriend who's a seeker through the 10 Day Challenge. We're doing it to help her understand the Christian faith and realise God is real, loves her and wants her to know Him. We've only done three so far but she's enthusiastic and wants to keep going. They both brought extra questions to discuss last time. She likes the fact that all the presenters are so positive and real. She was willing to ask for prayer for some of her own stuff and we were able to share answers/experiences we'd had with God ourselves so that's been great. Praying she will meet God in a wonderful way. Thanks for the material. Great content and presentation."

YOUNG PEOPLE CONNECTING WITH 10 DAY CHALLENGE CONTENT

A Brethren leader found the personal connections and teaching on starting conversations to be a big positive for their church. They also had a couple of enquirers come to their Sunday Services in response to the TV ads and booklet.

NEW PEOPLE AT CHURCH

"We stopped at a popular café in Matamata a couple of days ago and found it to be owned by a vibrant Christian lady. She will display the books on her counter."

BOOKS AT CAFES

An Anglican Vicar relayed how, after hearing her sermon on conversations, an older lady stopped to chat with a woman gardening on her way home. The fact that they used the same kneeler opened the conversation. When asked why she was so dressed up the member explained she’d been church, extended and invitation – and she came. Another lady who was staying in a motel due to the earth quake talked with a man in similar circumstances who was feeling stressed. During the conversation she invited him to church also, and he has since reconnected with his faith.

EVERY DAY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FAITH ENABLED

An Anglican Vicar who mobilized her congregation to help deliver booklets was encouraged by positive comments at doors when delivering to no-circulars houses. They sat down to trial the 10 Day Challenge resource as a group of three, one being a seeker and the other a new Christian. She was pleasantly surprised by how much discussion was provoked by just the first video. The questions ‘connected’ not only for the seeker and new Christian – but also for her, a Christian for 74 years! They thought they might get through two videos each time they met, but one was definitely enough.

10 DAY CHALLENGE DISCIPLESHIP RESOURCES WAS A SURPRISE

A pastor of an independent Pentecostal church, with significant community involvement, and a high Maori population explained that even though many in his church may not recognise it – the faith and vision of this corporate effort influenced their personal faith and vision. They are now going door-to-door throughout their entire community, praying for people, with a plan to then re-visit each home to strengthen connections.

THE FAITH AND VISION ARE INFLUENCING MORE THAN YOU THINK

A Pastor of a Methodist-Presbyterian Union Parish used the booklets in various ways, including at community events and their op shop. They also used the training videos. They found that Maori people especially responded favourably to the booklets. Their eyes lit up when they read some of the content. One guy said “I haven’t been to church in a long time but my wife does. This has encouraged me to go back.”

IT ENCOURAGED ME TO GO BACK TO CHURCH

We have heard reports of Hope Project booklets being placed in a few churches frequented by tourists running out fast. Some tourist guides who show people through churches have expressed interest in having these booklets to give away because of the relevance of its historical content. We are investigating ways to provide an ongoing supply of booklets for churches frequented by tourists.

TOURISTS HEAR OF CHRIST

When asking a Baptist Pastor how the project had gone for them, he sidestepped the request for stories because he was busy, and there were too many of them. Their church had delivered booklets to ‘no circulars’ homes in half of their sizable city. Members had left notes with some – going back to visit later, engaging conversations. 30 to 40 people were involved in this part of the effort. People who had never knocked on a door before were doing it. The previous week he’d been asked by a non-Church person to sit down for a conversation, and was asked a whole lot of questions about faith. He said it had been really good for their church and there was not enough time to tell of all the good stories.

TOO MANY STORIES TO TELL

A Baptist Pastor commented that there seemed to be a movement of people having conversations. He quoted Wayne Cordeiro’s phrase, ‘Count the conversations, not the conversions’, and is looking forward to updates on what is coming next.

GROUNDSWELL OF CONVERSATIONS – LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE

"The Hope Project is delivering booklets to 1.4 million homes - but more than 1.4 million Kiwi's will read them. I found booklet booklet 2 on my neighbours desk yesterday." - From a member of our larger team. It's true that these booklets are being kept in houses and who knows how many people are actually looking through them!

MORE KIWI'S WILL READ THEM

"Just saying thanks for the 10 Day Challenge which I am going through with a couple of young friends."

THANKS FOR 10 DAY CHALLENGE

A Salvation Army Officer told how they had made good use of the teaching resources. Their active encouragement, and request for testimonies produced results. It helped a lot of people work out how to share their faith, and resulted in many stories of people being engaged in conversations in the community – in work places, buses and tennis courts.

THE EQUIPPING WORKED

One Baptist Pastor ended up in a discussion with a young man who had read the booklet. They ended up meeting to do the Christianity Explained course. He didn’t finish the course – but it was forward steps.

IT LEAD TO THE CHRISTIANITY EXPLAINED COURSE

One Pastor contacted us to encourage us that the project was having an effect on his small and elderly congregation. Not only was confidence to engage spiritual conversations increasing, those who ran the op shop now had booklets to give away, and saw the shop as a place from which to apply this new-found confidence.

OUR OP-SHOP HAS A GREATER PURPOSE

A New Life Pastor who had utilized the opportunity, commented how the booklet provided an easy discussion point with her Christians Against Poverty (CAP) clients. They had a lot of feedback from the community about the booklets. Their community is mostly Maori. It created an opportunity to talk with them about Jesus.

BOOKLET A DISCUSSION POINT WITH MY CLIENT

From a couple in Whangaparoa: My wife and I have supported the Hope Project since Dave Mann shared about it in 2013 and have enjoyed the challenge of walking with him ever since. We enjoy receiving prayer updates and keep praying for visionary people and pastors to lead the Church of Aotearoa. We will press on in prayer, conversations and thanks as we share the Gospel around our communities.

LOYAL SUPPORTERS

An Anglican Vicar who used the training resource, including doing a preaching series prior to Phase I, commented that it led to greater enthusiasm, including some leading an Alpha course.

IT LED TO AN ALPHA COURSE

A Wesleyan Pastor with a moderate percentage of Maori in the congregation commented how Maori appreciated the material. Helping them connect with the past in a way that encouraged them to go forwards.

FOR MAORI, CONNECTING WITH THE PAST HELPS WITH THE FUTURE

The Minister of a Methodist-Presbyterian Cooperating Parish who had gone door-to-door with booklets to 300 houses, said that awareness of the gospel in New Zealand had increased due to the campaign. Immediately after the booklet delivery three families came to church who had never been before. He believed this was due to the impact of the project.

THREE NEW FAMILIES CAME TO CHURCH

A Baptist Pastor who fully utilized the opportunity afforded by the booklets to engage conversations, commented positively on the way the booklet had also impressed and encouraged their Maori and Pacific Island members.

OUR MAORI PEOPLE ESPECIALLY LOVED IT

From a leader in the Asia/Pacific mission field: When I was young and on a journey looking for answers I found a tract in my mailbox in Kerikeri. It was very simple and not as well written and researched as the Hope For All booklets but it was an important step and a turning point to surrendering my life to Jesus a few months later. That affected my life radically to this day. May this material be used in a similar way to bring many people to faith through the length and breadth of NZ in the days to come." - Who knows what kind of christian leaders this nation will have in 5, 10, 20 years from now due to the impact of a humble A6 booklet.

FROM KERIKERI TO THE NATIONS

One Pastor’s husband has a job visiting homes around the region to do health checks on people. He commented that he’d found the ‘Hope for all’ booklet on the dining room table in house after house. They were being read, and this provided an easy conversation point.

THE BOOKLET WAS ON THE DINING ROOM TABLE IN EVERY HOME I VISITED

13 Aug, 2019 In One Spirit – PRESS RELEASE

True Impact Through a Genuinely United Church

**New book: In One Spirit,by Dave Mann**

New Zealand needs a more functionally united Church

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