What I’ve learnt over the past 48 hours in Christchurch is that ministry here is complicated, but also a great joy.
Tikanga Pakeha refers to the traditions or customs of all people who are not Maori who have settled in Aotearoa New Zealand. This week the church we’re partnering with in Christchurch belongs to the Tikanga Pakeha branch of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
The church, St Saviours and St Nicholas, is spread across three congregations on the south side of Christchurch, in the suburbs of Sydenham / Beckenham and Barrington.
St Saviour’s has a long history, but in 2004 a group of people moved from St John’s Latimer Square in the centre of Christchurch to help revitalise St Saviour’s. Then in 2012 an opportunity arose to merge with a nearby church, St Nicholas. Six weeks ago a group from St Saviour’s moved to join the 9am congregation at St Nicholas. And this Sunday, a new 6:30pm congregation will officially be launched at St Saviours.
The history of the church has also been influenced significantly by the recent earthquakes. Only recently have the congregations been able to return to the St Saviour’s building after a 3 year absence, and the hall is still off limits as it’s structurally unsafe. In those 3 years many have moved or been relocated to other areas of New Zealand or overseas, along with others moving to the area for work and study opportunities.
As a team we visited all three meetings yesterday, with team members preaching, leading Sunday School, leading the Kid Slot, and enjoying lunch and dinner together with the congregations.
This week I’m really looking forward to learning more about ministry in this part of the world, getting to know our brothers and sisters in Christ here and hopefully sharing the good news about Jesus with whoever we meet.
Ministry may be complicated, uncertain and ever changing, but our God is not. As Psalm 86:5 says,
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Thank you for supporting the Christchurch team, please be praying:
- For Godliness and love for all team members
- For wisdom and clarity for those preparing talks
- For open hearts to hear the good news of Jesus and respond in repentance and trust