The Shining Lights Trust exists to identify GAPS between the outreaching efforts of the New Zealand Church, so as to help see them plugged.
This page relates to facilitating / resourcing work we do in connection with city and town pastors’ groups.
The unity of churches in each city and town is vital
A key purpose:
There are things we can do together that we cannot do apart.
Our work in this space:
We are connected with about 80 pastors groups, and with pastors in another 50 locations who we suspect to connect with other local pastors – having presented on the topic of unity hundreds of times in total in pastors’ groups meetings across the full length of NZ.
We write regular articles on the topic. We network people, churches and organisations behind the scenes around common goals. Our quarterly national unity newsletter keeps unity facilitators up-to-date.
The key thought that catalyses a change
The primary purpose of geographic (city/town) pastors’ groups is not relationship – as has usually been asserted, but mission.
Relationship is however a first purpose, or starting point, on that journey toward ‘functional unity’.
> God wants a FUNCTIONALLY (not merely relationally) united Church (Phi 1:27, John 17).
> The question: What could we do together that we could not do apart?
> How do we lift Jesus up in the city? (John 3:14, John 12:32)
The life-cycle of a city or town pastors’ group
-
Coffee unity — building relationship and trust
-
Prayer unity — when prayer is regular, and is for the city more-so than for each other and your respective churches
-
Functional unity — when prayer and trust are releasing leadership and vision, to do things in the city together – that you could to do alone.
What pastors’ group facilitators who have hosted us are saying…
A significant ‘planning’ article for pastors’ groups
10 keys to city unity made simple
This article was written in 2026 to support a specific NZ city pastors’ group that has been looking at how to more purposefully re-shape its efforts.
The goal was for ‘simplicity, with effect’ – the central goal being the creation of a ‘unity culture’ and platform – with potential for much, while also without creating busyness.
The ten points representing ONE vision, anchored within a ‘discipled’ healthy environment. The role of the group facilitator is to carry vision and to disciple the groups’ culture – not to be busy.
It is a profound goal – and it couldn’t be made simpler.
To note – of the 10 points, #4 to #9 are for delegation. The group facilitators role is to carry vision.
This means only 1, 2, 3 and 10 are for the groups facilitator to do – and when you see how simple these are, you’ll smile.
The challenge is that very few groups would yet be doing 1, 2, 3 and 10. Momentum and expansion in the unity space doesn’t come from busyness – but instead from clear vision, functional structures, and healthy boundaries. This needs much discussing.
In summary: The role of the facilitator is therefore one of vision – not busyness! It is about creating a context, or an environment, but not just a relational one. It has to be conducive to intentional direction – even while keeping everything elegantly simple, within clear and defined boundaries.
Unity leadership (or facilitation) is an art – the interweaving of multiple factors, understandings and principles. However, were a very simple instruction manual to be written…
>> Read ’10 keys to city unity made simple’ here.
Recently added…
> Recent articles on unity by Dave Mann
2026 – The hidden demon of denominationalism HERE
2026 – The Parable of the Wedding Feast – Part II HERE
2026 – JWs attract 20,000. Could we, and does it matter? HERE
2026 – “Christ is seen” – Celebrating Hope Project’s representative online Christmas 2025 engagement HERE
2025 – Our Treaty has God’s fingerprints all over it HERE
2025 – Leading atheist comes to faith: What was he thinking? HERE
2025 – The Quiet Revival in NZ – why only some churches will grow HERE
2025 – The Quiet Revival in NZ – a change in public thinking HERE
2025 – Social media, local churches and the gospel HERE
2025 – Four benefits to a church from annual outreach equipping HERE
2025 – Unity – when we’re pulled in too many different directions HERE
2025 – How can closing churches become a growth strategy? HERE
2024 – WARNING: Christians still being silenced in THEIR OWN Christmas events HERE
2024 – Is it wise to tell stories of grief? HERE
2024 – Applauding a new national gospel effort HERE
2024 – Halloween is more Christian than you’d think HERE
2024 – Amidst bicultural tension – we stay on the journey HERE
2024 – The GOAL we overlook (The article to end all articles) HERE
2024 – The LID of our unity is in what we can SEE HERE
2024 – To further unity there is a needed context HERE
2024 – ATTITUDES that sustain and enable unity God desires HERE
2024 -How is the strength of unity to be measured HERE
2024 – Re the “Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care” HERE
2023 – Storytelling – restoring the spiritual consciousness of our nation HERE
2023 – A unity reflection: What if we were more strategic in our PRAYER HERE
2023 – The election is over. What next for the united Church – to engage with the shaping of our nation? HERE
2023 – Marriage week – what and why? HERE
2023 – Mistaken – a comical parable about unity HERE
2023 – Four characteristics of leaders who take city-wide unity from talk to action HERE
2023 – The quiet before the storm (Logically, how should current perspectives shape how we lead?) HERE
2023 – Story – How Gisborne churches united to serve their flood-affected region HERE
2023 – Story – NZ churches can shine when it counts (Napier flood report) HERE
2023 – The independent nature of unity movements HERE
2023 – Is it time to think differently in crisis (How to ‘let our light shine’) HERE
2022 – “One Church” – turning theory into practice HERE
2022 – A SWOT Analysis of the NZ Church in relation to its outreach HERE
> Interview / webinar about unity and innovation, with Roy Crowne of HOPE Together, UK
Click HERE to view the recent webinars along with the Q&A section.
> A vocabulary for ‘unity’ that NZ pastors’ groups can agree upon
Read chapter 15, only recently released, which completes Dave’s book In One Spirit. Over 130 extra conversations in pastors’ groups across NZ were needed to be able to articulate this — to enable a more robust conversation amongst us all about the role and (potentially needed) function of these groups. PDF HERE. As a blog HERE.
> How on earth are we to manage all that might be involved — were we to engage with intelligence within our city together?
Our united capacity is the question, which is somewhat limited by the way we’ve structured ourselves, which reinforces values misaligned to the idea of united effort. Chapter 14 of In One Spirit therefore articulates principles that can enable CAPACITY to be released — very simply – enabling remarkable results in proportion to the absence of any increase in work or administration. But be warned — it’s about a ‘paradigm’ of thinking and seeing ourselves within our city. This therefore requires some changes in how we think – to then change what we do – which could change our results! (Which makes the real question, can we see through what is suggested, to perceive exactly how much difference this might make?) PDF HERE. As a blog HERE. (Full book as a pdf free online – see further down on this page)
PASTORS’ GROUP RESOURCES
Recent Feedback received re quarterly pastors’ group convenors’ updates:
“This email is simply outstanding. The depth and breath of content, the relevance and it’s immediate usefulness hits every nail that needs hitting. Huge thanks to the entire Shining Lights team. Let’s get every prayer and intercessory geared believer going hard in their closets for every item!”
ATTITUDES that sustain and enable unity God desires
The values and attitudes of our hearts matter. In this blog Dave concisely notes points for reflection. These are areas within which Dave believe God’s Spirit wants a ‘submitted heart and perspective from us all. View the blog HERE
FRESH vision (2024) for local Church unity
Hear a wero (challenge), inviting pastors’ groups to consider the idea of PARTNERSHIP – to help them deliver increased results in their cities and towns. Starting with a reflection on 4 things already achieved through partnership – a vision for 3 next steps is proposed. What might stand out to you here is that this is GENUINELY ACHIEVABLE – but only through PARTNERSHIP! So, how about it? View blog HERE including both videos (3mins + 12mins long each).
Interview with Roy Crowne – ABOUT NZ
This interview gave us opportunity to hear Roy’s thoughts – as an recognised expert in this field – after observation of NZ pastors’ groups in cities and towns across 4 provinces.
Four wider goals we could unite together in nationally
These could be achieved through 14 everyday activities we could each embrace as habits, enabling a national effect together. Read more on page 8 of the ‘Outreach Today’ Magazine below, or download PDF here
Unity amongst youth leaders in each city and town is vital
See the four goals at the top of Godtalk.nz, and an outline on the leadership of city/town youth leaders networks here.
A recent message
‘Cultural change and what a united Church can do’ – with Dave
(From an Engage Conference, 2021)
Dave talks about how and why our potential TOGETHER is still greater than we imagine – but also why uniformity won’t get us there. Hear 4 long-range goals we could unite in – all of which are possible which we could achieve ‘in unison’.
In One Spirit — by Dave Mann
Click the image to view the recently released last two chapters of the book.
Engage Conferences and Pastors Gatherings held nationally by Dave Mann in 2021
Click HERE to see an overview of the Engage Conferences and some key messages.
Our work in this area involves…
1
Travel
We have travelled an enormous amount to meet pastors and pastors’ groups relationally across our nation — to facilitate and feed a intentional and directional conversations, while connecting people together, and raising awareness of ministry ideas that are making a difference elsewhere. (We’ve traveled nationally 8 times in 11 years, meeting between 50 and 70 city/town pastors’ groups each time). Into the future we intend to travel less – utilising other (easier) platforms to encourage and connect pastors’ groups with wider vision and resource.
2
Resources
Various resources and updates on a range of initiatives are passed on via quarterly updates for pastors’ group convenors. Updates include things upcoming on the national Church calendar, strategic questions for discussion in pastors’ groups, resources, articles, videos and more – with a view to the role and function of city/town pastors’ groups. We also occasionally host, or partner to host seminars / conferences / webinars with notable guest speakers — to give access to a continual feed of fresh vision and thought on our unity.
3
Leadership Facilitation
(1) We sometimes engage with pastor’s groups as an outside strategic voice, to encourage, mediate, speak into challenges, connect or give ideas. (2) We also engage around ‘hands on’ strategies purposed to help God’s Church have positive visibility via public media – locally and nationally. Hope Project and HeLP Project are the primary ‘brand names’ here – positively reflecting what our churches do to the public – with multiple spin offs in churches and media. (3) For a future time, our analysis of the Church and our culture has led us to a number of additional very simple national outreach-related strategies – but these await a different season to the present. We believe a greater ‘spiritual brokenness’ for our nation will be the key, creating a desire for effectiveness that brings a readiness for change – greater than our our attachment to our current structures and ways of thinking. What we are specifically waiting for is readiness to live and lead more intentionally in the unity-space. For now, few are desperate enough. Doing our own thing – whether as individual churches, or even as pastors groups together in our own city, is easier. Wider visions, that engage with culture itself, are about a different type of thinking!
Resources
In One Spirit, by Dave Mann
Download full book as pdf here.
The Christian Church is no longer in the majority. How could we become an effectively activated minority?
This book is the product of conversations about unity with about 1000 New Zealand pastors.
- The first half considers how culture changes and can be changed. It then identifies 5 cultural trends working against the wider hopes of the Christian community — and 3 working in its favour, to consider their potential interplay.
- The second half is then specifically on the unity of churches in cities and towns, with a focus on the role, function and potential of city/town pastors’ groups.
Download pdf here, or purchase hardcopy for $20 plus $5 P&P here.
Other things NZ pastors are saying…
Our local connection in your area…3 roles
PASTORS’ GROUP CONVENORS
We attempt to remain relationally connected to whoever is facilitating each group, to be able to enable communication lines across which ideas and resources related to pastors’ groups from across the nation can be shared. This includes raising awareness of about 20 ministries that we see significance in for unity and outreach in our nation (as measured by what pastors’ groups have told us), while also networking people and pastors’ groups where it benefits them.
HOPE PROJECT REGIONAL REPS
These are exceptional individuals, usually being retired pastors and business owners, who make phone calls to local churches in connection with something concrete (like Hope Project or HeLP Project) to encourage their continued awareness of various resources (like for conversational outreach equipping), while aiding and encouraging their unity together in some practical way.
DELIVERY COORDINATORS (DCs)
This is the contact person in each city or town for the Hope Project Easter booklet delivery. The role gives a person a servant role to play that concurrently gives them reason to connect personally with a wide range of churches in their city or town. This can be catalytic in the hands of a person who understands how unity works, and who values it for the churches together in their city. This person is usually a pastor in the city/town pastors’ group, though not always.
HeLP PROJECT REP
[Pending / Paused – 2025] This is someone who has a zeal to ensure that the Church as a whole in their city or town is well represented, and ‘looks good’ (as it should) in the HeLP Project online platform, purposed to promote the things local churches are doing to help within each community, so people can find and engage with that help. This is about helping churches learn to represent as one within and to their communities, to make a greater impact – through better-leveraging what they already do!
IMPORTANT BOUNDARIES
In the current season (2017 to the present) facilitating intentional discussions in unity circles on boundaries necessary for unity to become functional within our cities and nation has been our primary strategic focus.
For a boundary regarding ourselves, we are servants in the body of Christ. No person or group has to partner with us, fund us, help us or do anything at all with us if they don’t want to. This ‘volunteerism’ is fundamental to the way Christian unity works.
(For more on the boundaries that can release our unity beyond the limitations of coffee and prayer …please do read ‘In One Spirit’, especially noting the closing chapter).
