the Hope project bulletin 1

The Good News

in New Zealand

Story

— then & now

This booklet was written by Dave Mann, the Hope Project Coordinator, for free use by Christian Churches in New Zealand

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN NEW ZEALAND

THE GOSPEL ARRIVES IN AOTEAROA-NEW ZEALAND

The Maori invitation to bring the Gospel in 1814.

It was 1814. At the invitation of a young Maori Chief named Ruatara, the ‘Active’ set sail for New Zealand. On board were ten Maori –-­‐ including Ngapuhi Chiefs Ruatara and Hongi Hika — as well as the Reverend Samuel Marsden, who was based in Sydney.There were people from several other nationalities also on the ship.

When they arrived at Ruatara’s Pa, at Rangihoua (now more commonly known as Oihi), they were welcomed with a powhiri (welcome) as they came ashore.

The next day was a Sunday. Ruatara made preparations for his friend Samuel Marsden, to speak about God’s good news for all people. A crowd of 300 to 400 Maori came, some of them coming in waka from the other side of the Bay of Islands, or from the Kerikeri area. Marsden preached from the Gospel of Luke, on “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy”. Afterwards, Ruatara explained what was said. Maori then performed a haka as a celebratory response, and as an indication of their welcome.

MISSIONARIES TO SETTLE IN 1814

Marsden did not stay in New Zealand, but over the years he made seven extended visits to New Zealand. However, from 1814 three families did stay on, living at Oihi. They were the King, Kendall and Hall families. These settlers had been invited by Chief Ruatara, and were hosted by his people.They formed the first permanent European settlement in this land.

In what other nation where Europeans went, do you find such an amicable beginning as this? Our bicultural partnership in New Zealand began to take shape at Oihi.

Samuel Marsden — a mix of a man

This industrious farmer was also a visionary leader and a preacher, and became a local magistrate in the prison colony of New South Wales. His rulings, in that very harsh environment, earned him a hostile nickname, the 'flogging parson’. While strict in justice, and a little grumpy and stubborn at times, Marsden was also a compassionate man. One ex-­‐convict who wanted to murder Marsden pretended to be drowning, for he knew Marsden was the kind of man who would risk his life to save another! Marsden jumped into the water, and they did fight. However both survived, and it is said they became friends.

Marsden was a man with some faults, but also a man with heart.

THE EFFECTIVE 21ST CENTURY WITNESS

THE BENEFITS OF A CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH

Times have changed, and in western societies we can no longer expect to go out and tell people about Jesus and see many respond immediately.There has been a growing resistance to the idea of religious truth in our culture.This has resulted in a general disinterest in the Christian message. However, while many have felt at a loss as to what to do, all is not lost!

The majority of New Zealanders are still spiritual people. For example, about 77% (according to a 2007 study) believe in God or a Higher Power.There is also a timeless method for Christian witness that can work in all cultures. It is simply called conversation! Look at Jesus’ example. Consider His approach. When Jesus talked with people He usually began by asking a question! He showed us a ‘method’ for evangelism and discipleship that works in all cultures at all times: He (1) talked with people (2) with an ear open to the Spirit!

What if we were to adopt this ‘method’ again? Instead of trying to tell people things, we could become proactive in seeking to ask them good questions, at which point we listen — like Jesus did. With the doors for conversation then open, we could master the art of encouraging people toward faith through the use of questions, suggesting different ways of seeing things and asking what they think. Indeed, it is a timeless method. It’s powerful, and it’s easy!

Here are six benefits of a conversational approach

(in which we ask questions more than we talk)

1. It creates space for us to listen to others before we speak
2. It creates space to listen to God before we speak
3. It potentially opens an ongoing conversation
4. If they have criticised our beliefs, it returns the onus of proof to them.
5. It is non-threatening - we can disagree without ever disagreeing.
6. It can cause them to reevaluate their beliefs — which is our desired outcome.

Here are three great questions that can turn a conversation to good purpose

What do you mean by that?

1. Where did you get that idea from?
2. Have you considered…?

The three questions illustrated

If someone hints that they think all religions are the same, don’t argue! Instead be bold to investigate exactly what it is that they are saying (because they are making a religious truth claim).

1. What do you mean ‘all the same’? In what ways?
2. Where did you get this idea from? What makes you think this is true?
3. Have you ever noticed that the world’s major religions actually say majorly diff rent things in the major areas? For example, there can’t be a God, and also not be a God, can there? Which do you think it is?

Through a conversation like this a person can be enabled to see a different perspective. The conversation has called them to consider the possibility that religious truth might exist, instead of dismissing religious truth as being unknowable. If they were interested, the conversation could go further. If they were not, it remains that they might be a step closer to Jesus than they were before.

This is what a conversational approach is about: helping people every day and in every way to take steps closer to Jesus. It’s also achievable for the average Christian, and it is very practical because it’s about how we conduct ourselves in the conversations that take place every day.

PART THREE

SEEING THE GOAL

One goal of the Hope Project is to help we who are in New Zealand’s churches to see that there are actually opportunities all around us to encourage faith. Sometimes helping a person is as simple as asking a question with a listening ear! However, preparation is still needed as engaging people in relaxed conversations about spiritual things is a skill-­‐set.The key to great conversations is great questions — and we can learn how to ask such questions.

In October 2014 people will see the Hope Project’s TV ads and booklet, creating an opportunity to talk about them. For this project to be effective what is needed is people like you who can engage that conversation. “Did you get a booklet? Did you read it? What did you think?” Why not learn a bit more about this, and start practicing what you already know in your daily conversations?

WHAT IS NEEDED NOW

Please pray for the Hope Project, that God will use it to draw many to investigate and better understand the Christian faith.

Please give generously. If we all give a bit, the full project can easily be covered.

Please prepare yourself for the conversations.

FOR MORE about the History of New Zealand SEE…

DVD: Te Rongopai: 200 Years of the Gospel in New Zealand, 1814-2014. A newly released DVD, written and narrated by Presbyterian Minister and Teacher at Laidlaw college Dr. Stuart Lange. From nzchristiannetwork.org.nz

CHILDREN'S STORIES:

The Chronicles of Paki (newly released stories of early NZ Heroes, Maori and Pakeha — www.bigbookpublishing.co.nz

BOOKS:

Keith Newman, Bible andTreaty; Patricia Bawden,TheYears Before aitangi.

ARTICLES:

www.gospel2014.org/history and www.nzcms.org.nz/2014-­‐.

May God use us all to show and share His love every day!

Free concise video teaching via the videos link at www.hopeproject.co.nz

The Gospel in Aotearoa

For more information:

WEB: www.hopeproject.co.nz

POST:

The Hope Project PO Box 6078, Brookfields Tauranga 3146

BANKACCOUNT FOR DONATIONS:

The Hope Project (BNZ) -­‐ 02-­‐0466-­‐0307987-­‐001

PHONE: Office (07) 576 9083

EMAIL:

Project Coordinator:

Dave Mann – dave@shininglights.co

Office Manager:

Wayne Mitchell – wayne@shininglights.co

 

Accounts:

Sharyn Weeks – accounts@shininglights.co

a theology of place re christchurch earthquake

A theology of place

The Christchurch earthquake has seen many churches destroyed. Presbyterian's have seen four churches with major damage. Many of the ministers and others have been heard to say the buildings are less important that the people- And this is true but the loss of the buildings will significantly change Christchurch. Napier is grateful for its Art Deco heritage and the future for Christchurch can be better than it was – but on the other hand so much is lost and with change and loss there is grief. There will be grief because the place where you worshipped is gone or changed, the familiar streets and look and feel will be different. Can we mourn these losses as well as the human one – and why is place important to us?

In Maori culture Tūrangawaewae (a place to stand – home soil – our roots) are places where we feel especially empowered and connected. - it is our mountain, our river, our iwi's land. They are our foundation, our place in the world, our home. In the concept of tūrangawaewae, the external world is a reflection of an inner sense of security and foundation. We belong here, this is our identity. Mountains and rivers last longer than buildings but similar emotions are involved – we say – That is the house where I was born, that is the church where I was married – and these things become part of our identity and losing them or seeing them changed challenges our understanding of ourselves.

A Christian theology of place starts with the planet we are on (earthquake faults and all). Some Christians see the planet as an unimportant holding place where we await eternal salvation. The ignoring of the environment flows from that although the command to rule and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28) could better be interpreted to care for it rather than older attitudes of taking what you want and conquest.

The biblical forefathers such as Abraham Isaac and Jacob also had a strong sense of place, particularly because they didn't have a place of their own yet God had promised them one. When Jacob had a vision of a ladder to heaven he set up a rock as a memorial and reminder so that when generations later passed by they would remember the vision and its meaning. The Jerusalem Temple became a symbol of God's presence and promised protection even through Solomon in dedicating the temple said that God was to big to reside in one place or building (2 Chron 2:6)

This confusion of a place / Church with God's presence is also seen in the hymn

We love the place, O God, wherein thine honour dwells;
the joy of thine abode all earthly joy excels.
It is the house of prayer, wherein thy servants meet;
and thou, O Lord, art there thy chosen flock to greet.

So Christians have this dilemma. A sense of place is important – but not that important. God can be encountered on the golf course or in the garden or coffee shop as well as in the church building. We live with the tension between the real significance of place and the greater significance of relationship. We are both a pilgrim people like the people during the exodus and a rooted people.

There were no buildings for first 3 centuries of the Christian church other than people's homes. So it was the relationships with God and with each other that defined "Church". It was not where do you belong – but with whom. So for some the association of Church with a building is an inferior idea to that of relationship. We need to allow the people of Christchurch to grieve both the loss of lives and the loss of their buildings and heritage- but to remind them also that we are a pilgrim people. That as Presbyterian's we are both reformed and also reforming and that we are rooted in the past but ever ready to move forward.

Please continue to pray for the People of Christchurch with the myriad of losses and the challenge of rebuilding lives and churches for a better future.

This is 3 of our homestay boys in 2010. David George has been with us for 2 years (studying nurseing). Byung Ha was with us for 5 months (English) and max will be with us for a year (he is at High school)





This is sue and I at a Nieces 21st in November (approx)

2010 Christmas newsletter

Walker old year/new year Update

We hope you had a Happy Christmas and have a Blessed New Year! We trust that 2010 has been a good year for you and your family.
A quick overview of the Walker happenings in 2010
Brett has had a dull year in many ways – mostly the same old stuff happening every week/month. Highlights were walking the Milford track and then doing the Otago rail trail just after Easter (see Sue’s comments for details). Things have gone OK in the church with numbers up on last year which is good. We changed youth worker recently and that hand over is going well with 43 present at one of the last evens for the year. I did a preaching seminar via willow creek and that was fun and trained to do minister reviews and will do my first in February. I Haven’t done much cycling this year but have been going to the gym regularly and even did some swimming again. I turn 50 on January 16th so if you are around come to the party (we won’t say who else turns 50 in 2011)

Sue’s comment is “where has the year gone”! I don’t think it could have passed any quicker. I continue working at EIT 4 days a week in the International Centre at the local Polytech and yes I have managed to have most of my Friday’s off this year. We underwent restructuring at the end of last year so there have been a few changes to get used to. I helped out with Youth Group at church but have decided I won’t play such an active role next year. Instead I will concentrate on Operation Friendship (International Student’s meeting Kiwi friends) group at EIT as well as keeping home and family ticking over. I have attended a couple of patch work classes and continue with my card making which I love. Keeping fit walking the dog and gardening are other high priorities. A highlight for the year apart from the up and coming wedding and welcoming David home was our tramp over the Milford track in April with a group of 18 others from Tauranga . We were so blessed with the weather and only had rain as we boated out from the end of the track. What an amazing part of NZ it is. We head off to the beach on 27 December for a week which will be lovely.

Paul’s exciting news is that he is now engaged to Mary Cummings who he met while studying in Dunedin. Their big day is set for 5 November 2011 in Gisborne on Mary’s family’s orchard. Paul and Mary shifted to Wellington this year from Dunedin and Paul has been attending a Culinary Arts course at WELTEC in Lower Hutt. He also works part time in a new Art Gallery Café. He has really enjoyed his course and the change from Computers. They will remain in Wellington and hopefully Paul will get a full time job in a Restaurant. Mary works in the Lower Hutt Living & Giving Store and enjoys her work. They will be with us for a couple of days leading up to Christmas and will travel up to Gisborne to share Christmas with Mary’s family.

David started the year in Dunedin but has had a mixed year health wise and made the decision to move home in September. After making the decision he ended up in Hospital with Pneumonia so that really confirmed the earlier decision. He has had a bit of a struggle gaining better health and putting much needed weight on again but a couple of weeks with his Granddad and Grandma in Nelson helped achieve this. With cooked breakfasts and snacks every couple of hours he now looks much more nourished. He has been helping Sue out at EIT with data entry etc a couple of days a week which she is very thankful for. It has helped keep the boredom at bay for David. He has enrolled to continue his Accounting degree next year at EIT. He has taken over the front lounge so has his own space and with a fridge in situ he can keep his coke, snacks and medication on hand. His newest acquisition is a dance program
for his X Box which he enjoys keeping fit with. He also walks the dog sometimes and cooks a couple of meals a week for the family.

Extra family Members. We have had a settled year students wise with Byung Ha Lim (Korean) with us for the first part of the year along with Francisco a lovely Mexican boy for a few months and then Max arrived in June from Germany. He attends the local High School. Darryl and David George have spent their 2nd year with us. Darryl was working for Uptake a fertilizer Company and trying to do a full time Masters in Agribusiness from Massey University at the same time but a month ago decided to stop earning and concentrate on his Masters which has meant a much less frantic life style. David George has just completed his 2nd year of the Bachelor of Nursing Degree at EIT and is heading towards being a paramedic in few years. The boys all get on well together which is a blessing.