Halloween is more Christian than you’d think
As we seek to redeem the cultural intrusion of 'Halloween' there is history to know, because Halloween is CHRISTIAN. This knowledge can help your storytelling....
31 October, 2024
Gospel Tag
Applauding a new national gospel effort
I am completely blown away by a gospel effort connecting with 1.7m homes. Here is information about it so you know what GOD has orchestrated on our behalf!...
30 October, 2024
Application from the Bible Society’s new data
We are blessed in this nation to have people producing data for the Church - in this case the Bible Society. The wider deficit is leadership - to apply logical applications that might spring from...
25 January, 2024
Introducing the YesHeIs FB app
From all that I am aware of online, it doesn't get any better than the YesHeIs FB app (and this is not an over-statement)....
28 November, 2016
What does it take to turn culture?
It’s not something I’d put my hand up for either – but it’s where I found myself this past weekend! With a decade of intentional focus on developing my conversational skills, would this set me...
21 November, 2016
Firestarters – prompted to walk into a church
'Firestarters' is one of our new video series. It will tell stories about people and their personal outreaching efforts. Sometimes the opportunities come to us - like in Delwyn's story. But there was more...
02 August, 2016
Seek first his kingdom
Today I find myself in a situation I've not been in before - and I awake seeking God for perspective. Then our just-5 year old comes into our bedroom and jumps on our bed. "Its...
21 April, 2016
Mission – movement – model – monument
A friend recently recounted the typical journey of all organisations - including our churches and para-church organisation. It is an interesting reflection: Mission - movement - model (mechanism) - monument. (And, does the Shining Lights...
04 January, 2016
Phase III needs a financial contribution
In this November update to partnered church leaders is: 1. A planning calendar to make the most of the final phase at Easter 2016...
02 November, 2015
Flags, ethics and a new national identity
At present, some are pushing for a new flag. You may have seen the FB post which points out the possible connection between the flag and our constitutional foundations. If not - skim to the...
03 September, 2015
BOOK REVIEW: Are you sick of churches hurting people?
Are you sick of churches hurting people? Have you been hurt within a church? ‘Water under the bridge’ is the title of a new book by Don Barry, Pastor of Gateway Church in Hamilton. It is...
27 July, 2015
What are we to make of the claim that we are a secular nation?
This past week I became aware of a friends school that ended religious education classes, and invited local churches to run a lunch-time program instead. I’m not aware of the reasons, however (while this particular...
23 February, 2015
Why avoiding repetition in your pulpit works against you
Educational experts — like teachers — have known for years the importance of repetition in education. The spiral curriculum is a concept of repetition. Every week, month and year teachers intentionally repeat and expand upon...
02 February, 2015
A conversation the NZ Church doesn’t seem to be ready for
Is the mission of Jesus truly the mission of our churches? In recent years our nation has been rediscovering how our early missionaries actually got a lot more things right than they were previously credited for,...
12 January, 2015
Phase I – what was it all about? (summarised)
THE ‘HOPE PROJECT’ — NEW ZEALAND The below are a few paragraphs written for for a Christian audience, to help someone explain the Hope Project effort so far. What they do not communicate in the ‘balanced’...
25 November, 2014
Measuring the results
Our team are very happy with the first effort. Assessment has identified areas that need addressing. The primary of these is the low web interaction / high bounce rate (meaning that many who came to...
17 November, 2014
We rejoice. Heaven rejoices. Thank You!
After the most hectic year of my life the first phase has been achieved, and my mind has space to reflect on things other than only ‘core business’ - like blogs. For me, a big thank...
10 November, 2014
What did we lose in downscaling the Hope Project?
A reflection by Dave Mann, Hope Project Coordinator It is a matter of integrity to me that I’m open about this, because I don’t want to ever be accused of leading people ‘down the garden path.’...
17 January, 2014
Could our faith in ‘evangelism’ be restored?
(A reflection on where equipping such as that contained in the mini-equipping seminars might lead us) Noting the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20, our ‘come to us’ efforts (personal witness to friends, including invitations to them...
03 December, 2013
Did Gospel stories come from ‘Chinese Whispers’ games?
When many people hear about oral traditions being passed down through generations, the children’s game of ‘chinese whispers’ comes to mind. Imagine a dozen children sitting in a circle. They whisper a message, one to...
20 November, 2013