UCANZ

Kia ora e te whanau

2024 is under way. Should I say “Happy New Year”, knowing many of us will be facing challenges – both anticipated, and unexpected? Lynne and I had planned a camping holiday between Christmas and New Year. Instead, we found ourselves in Alexandra farewelling her 97 year old Dad as we laid him to rest. As much as we are grateful for a long life, fully lived, and a good death, it’s another reminder as we start the new year that the clock is ticking. To quote Chaucer “Time and Tide wait for no one”. While the concept of “Time” can be quite amorphous, adding “Tide” was a masterstroke on Chaucer’s part – it brings the whole into a sharp focus. It’s another reminder that I have far fewer days ahead of me than behind me. I was also jolted on Sunday to hear of the sudden death of colourful Te Waipounamu Anglican Bishop Richard Wallace. He will be sorely missed. 

None of us know what today will bring.

So, given the challenges and opportunities ahead, I’ll say it anyway “Happy New Year! May you discover the reality of Christ’s presence in all that 2024 offers”.

I was reminded afresh recently in my devotional time, by E. Stanley Jones, that “I can do all things in him (Christ) who gives me strength” (Php 4:13). For Jones this had become a mantra with which he greeted and finished every day, and repeated to himself constantly through his long, productive, and rich life. I’m seeking to add it to my own – “God has not given us a spirit of fear, timidity, or cowardice, but a spirit of power, of ‘can do’, a spirit of love, a spirit of self control, self discipline and soundness of mind” (2 Tim 1:7). This was not just applicable to Paul, as he writes, but belongs to all of us.

Personal and Leadership Resources

• The Ultimate Measure of Success Comes Down to a Few Simple Words

Marcel Schwantes again offers a business pathway that aligns very closely with the Christian Gospel.

Ultimately it’s the people who matter, our relationships, our willingness to care. His article can be read here.

• The worst time of day to be productive

Yes, we already know the answer – it’s self evident. Yet I found this article useful as it gives a number of helpful strategies. More importantly it makes it clear that the difficulty in concentrating in the afternoon is not my fault – it’s simple biology that effects all of us. Rather than beating ourselves up  we need to work around it. The article can be read here.

Homily

My response to this coming Sunday’s lectionary gospel of John 1 vs 35-51 – the calling of Nathaneal by Jesus in Cana of Gallilee. I’ve titled it ‘Never Saw That Coming’. It can be experienced here.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

It’s been a full week and weekend of catching up with ‘blasts from the past’ – people that we’ve known, loved, respected, learnt from, and journeyed with – currently on holiday in Aotearoa.

Next week the UCANZ Standing Committee meets for two days in Auckland. Rather than flying in and out again on the same day, this year we’re having a retreat to reflect on where we are, and where and how we might move forward. It feels to a number of us that we are at a possible inflection point and it would be useful to look at where God might be calling us into the future. It will be for two days at the Hillsborough Franciscan Friary – Tuesday 22^nd and Wednesday the 23^rd. Please hold us in your prayer.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. 10 Tiny Habits That Will Make You More Respected

The subtitle is ‘You must earn respect from yourself first’. This is the key in the article. And it has some very useful tips in how you can go about that – how you can become a person you respect. The reality is that if we have little or no respect for ourselves, it’ll be difficult to expect it from others.

All 10 suggestions spoke to me in some way. The first one ‘Regularly do things that frighten you’ challenges me as I fairly consistently like to stay within my comfort zone. Sometimes, I need to be backed into a corner. On Sunday night just past I was. When I’m able, I’ll attend 5pm Evensong at the ChristChurch Transitional (Cardboard) Cathedral. This is totally foreign to my upbringing, background, experience in the church and its ministry. Yet, I’ve enjoyed it. The Precentrix who leads the Ferial Responses (I never knew what they were called until now) ambushed me on my way in and asked me to take her role next Sunday. I protested my inability to do such a thing – I’m not a good sight reader of music, and certainly haven’t been trained for such a role. She pleaded her desperation, pressed me, asked me to watch what she does, and she’d talk to me again after the service. Once I reluctantly agreed (after the service), the role seemed to suddenly expand. I was caught! This will either be fun, or an exercise in ritualised humiliation.

And it’s the first step on ‘regularly’ doing things that frighten me.

Now that you’ve been thoroughly put off, the article can be read here.

1. Other People's Emotions Are Contagious: How To Keep Them From Making You Sick

As one who has struggled in the past by occasionally feeling overwhelmed by other people’s emotions, I found this article both interesting and helpful. You might also. It can be read here.

Homily

My response to this coming Sunday’s lectionary gospel of Mark 1 vs 14-20 concerns the calling of the fishermen, Peter and Andrew, and James and John.  I’ve titled it ‘Not what it seems’. It can be experienced here.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

As you read this it’s likely that the UCANZ Standing Committee is meeting in Auckland. For two days - Tuesday the 23rd and Wednesday the 24^th - we are reflecting on where we are, and how we might move forward. We will recognise both the challenges and opportunities that are before us.           

Please hold us in your prayer.

Personal and Leadership Resources

• Neuroscience Says 1 Brainless Habit Improves Memory, Boosts Creativity, and Reduces Stress

In this counter-intuitive article Marcel Schwantes extolls the virtue of day-dreaming. I believe I’ve mentioned it before, I often have some of my best problem solving and most creative thoughts in the shower (I know you wanted to know that). Apparently, this is a very common phenomenon. Schwantes offers some strategies to be able harness the value of day-dreaming in an intentional way. The article can be read here.

• Six Insidious Ways Fear Takes Over And Robs Us Of The Life We Were Born To Live

Choosing articles to share is always an exercise in discernment and balancing risk.

If there are bits that you struggle with – where either that don’t fit your world view, or you have made a judgement about the world view of the author - I encourage you to simply lay those things aside. Pick the meat off the bones and leave the bones aside.

As one who considers himself an authority on ‘fear’ (through personal experience) there is so much insight of real value in this article. I can so relate to each of the points that Ahearn makes. It can be read here.

Homily

My response to this coming Sunday’s lectionary gospel of Mark 1 vs 21-28 concerns Jesus first piece of formal ministry recorded by Mark – it’s on the Sabbath in the synagogue in Capernaum, and concerns the deliverance of a man bound by an unclean spirit.  I’ve titled it What Part Does Fear Play?’ Interesting, (to me anyway) that the 2^nd article I’ve offered in this newsletter also concerns fear, and how to be free.  The homily can be experienced here.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

This past week, Standing Committee shared 2 days together in Auckland at the St Francis Retreat Centre in Hillsborough. robyn brown helpfully led us through a team building exercise in seeking to understand ourselves and one another through the medium of the Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator.

As we moved into reflecting on who we are and how we might move forward it became very clear that we need to take our partner churches with us in together recommitting to the Ecumenical Project.

We considered the issues of our own future and funding.

We settled on seeking to be very intentional in getting serious Partner engagement at our next forum – in 2025. Our theme will be ‘Our Future Together’. We’re hoping this forum will be a ‘marker post’ event – one that participants will look back to as a defining moment in our individual and corporate lives. We see one of our key roles as ‘promoting ecumenism in Aotearoa’ – this may end up as a bi-line for our 2025 forum. We had settled on dates in early May, and are intended holding the event at the Onehunga Parish.  As affordable accommodation nearby may be an issue, we may be looking at a slight change in dates. We will keep you posted and broadcast the dates when we have certainty.

We looked at our self-definition, recognising that being labelled as CVs, as ‘Union’, ‘Uniting’, ‘United’, ‘Co-operating’, not only pointed us to the past - to where we had come from - they continue to tend to lock us in, keeping this past as our present reality. So we considered how we might re-brand, to both describe more accurately who we want to be, and make ourselves more relevant in our communities.

Rev Fei Taule’ale’ausumai resigned as our Co-chair due to health and work commitments. We are grateful for the grace in leadership that Fei has given us, and wish her well as she moves forward in all God has for her. She will continue as a member of the Standing Committee.

Rev Jeff Odhiambo takes over as Co-chair. This means that he will almost certainly succeed Rev Andrew Howley as Chair from our 2025 forum.

Personal and Leadership Resources

• 5 simple strategies for changing anyone’s mind

The honour of preaching at a Methodist Synod service on Sunday morning past was given me. I  opened with a story concerning a poster I had on the wall of my office cubicle in my previous life as a Quantity Surveyor. It read (quoting Isaac Asimov) “Those of you who think you know everything, are annoying to those of us who do.” I guess you might know where this is going.

This article is well worth the read. It’s one that I would want to re-read on a regular basis. In fact, I’ve ordered the book that the article is drawn from. While we might imagine that this is a ‘how to’ in the best way of changing the minds of others (after all, clearly, they’re wrong!) it opens a window on how our own minds work. For me, it opened me to the possibilities on how I might more readily allow my own mind to be changed.

Ironically, while steering us away from an ‘enlightenment’ way of seeking to persuade, by pure logic and argument, it ultimately points us back to ancient wisdom.

As I began – well worth the read - find it here.

• How To Use Body Language To Project Leadership Presence

Some useful tips here on how the present ourselves if we want to be heard. The most useful insight  came toward the end of the article where the author makes a plea for authenticity. If we do not believe in what we are saying, are not as committed to the project we are trying to sell as we say we are, then the truth will out. What we really believe will leak out, and will have undermined what we are trying to communicate. The article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard addresses Jesus peerless healing ministry as he focuses on the lectionary gospel text for this coming Sunday - Mark 1 vs 29-39. Find it here.

My response to this same text is quite different, and concerns Jesus keeping his eye on what happens next - his unwillingness to simply settle.  I’ve titled it ‘The Way Forward’.  It can be experienced here.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Today is Waitangi Day. Once again, as a nation, we find ourselves picking at the scabs of wounds that we might have hoped were healing. With every two steps forward, we inevitably take a step back. This is the way of history. Yet we live in hope – I quote the words often attributed to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr - ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Without justice, without meaningful reparations, and without creating space for forgiveness, the healing we yearn for cannot be completed. As the Christian Church we are historically up to our necks in what has happened in the establishing of our nationhood, and we continue to share responsibility for the outcomes. Te Tiriti both was, and continues to be, a covenant entered into between the British Crown and Māori - with our Christian missionaries in the roles of advocate and intermediary.

I’ve been referred to a series produced by Shine TV – it presents a range of voices on the issues involved. While it does not tell the whole story, it opens the possibility of conversation. It can be accessed here.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Given that this is Waitangi Day, and this is a central part of the context in which we as the church engage in mission and ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand, let it be enough.

Homilies

Transfiguration Sunday – both Trevor Hoggard and I start with a similar approach, though, as we might expect, our paths diverge with different emphases.

Trevor’s fulsome sermon can be experienced here.

My response emphasizes the invitation to notice and draw strength from ‘Marker Post’ experiences as we progress through life. It can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden the reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use them as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Last week found me in Auckland for Methodist Pastoral Committee, and then in Taranaki – first of all for the induction of Rev Michael Lemanu as Methodist Taranaki Regional Enabler (it was a great event), then catching up with various before the joy of preaching at the Inglewood ‘Boutique’ Church (there words, not mine). It’s wonderful to see signs and hear stories of new life springing from what many may have regarded as dry trees.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Watership Down

Two decades ago I was part of a large ministers group that met fortnightly around the longstanding leader of the largest and most successful church in the city. On one occasion we were asked to bring our favourite leadership resources to our next meeting. While I’m not a great reader of novels, I brought perhaps my all-time favourites – a book I’ve read multiple times, and would commend to everyone who will listen. It’s ‘Watership Down’ by Richard Adams (pub. 1972). Yes, as I was mockingly reminded, “It’s a book about bunny rabbits”. And it’s so much more. If writing this book was the only thing that Richard Adams did in his whole life – he still served the world well.

The article I’m going to reference is from a writer who has seen the derivative movie, not read the book. I’m interested that she, like many, found the ending a ‘tear jerker’. The ending of the book is, in fact, enormously hopeful and Christian. Still, she picks the essence of the leadership of Hazel, the central character’s (each rabbit is named after a plant). Audrey Tang’s article can be read here.

Better yet, go now and read the book – it’s still available new for around $17 and can likely be picked up for less at second hand book shops.

Procrastination

Although I’ve referenced a number of articles over the past year on this topic, it’s still an issue for me, and I suspect for many of you as well. So, here’s Kathleen Davis gives us another take on why we do it, and how to stop. It can be read here.

Growing Tree Houses?

Finally, something that may seem a little frivolous, yet invites us to think differently.

Homilies

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is Mark 1 vs 9-15. It quickly covers Jesus’ baptism, his 40 days in the desert, and the start of his preaching ministry.

Trevor examines the dualism of good and evil, and God’s ultimate victory through Jesus. His sermon can be experienced here. 

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘Boot Camp’. It can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use them as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Next Forum dates – We’re currently planning our next forum for 30th May to 1st of June 2025 based at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland. Please mark these dates in your diaries and, let me know if there are any significant scheduling conflicts – we’d hate to run up against major partner events, or something like a Taylor Swift concert. We’re planning an intense event involving Partner leaders asked to re-commit to the Ecumenical Project. Our theme will be ‘Our Future Together’.

Song books – I’ve had a note from Grant Thompson - secretary of  Tutukaka Coast Community Church as follows:  “Our church seems to be flourishing in recent months. We are consistently short of our song book, Songs of Fellowship. I understand that other churches have moved to new songbooks. We’re investigating doing so but in the meantime I was wondering whether anyone had copies surplus to requirement that we could purloin?”

This is a good news story – can anyone help? It’s the Songs of Fellowship, by Kingsway Music, Eastbourne, 1991, subsequent reprints. If you have spare copies you’re willing to part with, please contact Grant - [E-Mail not displayed]

Thanks.

I’m in Auckland for 2 days this week for the Auckland Regional Forum, and to hopefully help with a significant property issue – having a background in the building industry and being reasonably familiar with Church property processes might be an advantage.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Google Research Says What Separates the Best Managers From the Rest Boils Down to 8 Traits

Marcel Schwantes hits the ball out of the park with this research based article – my take on the whole is that it all ultimately comes down to one thing – you’ve got to love the people that you lead, and want to see them succeed. The article can be read here.

7 Examples of Poor Leadership Behaviour That Limit Business Success

On the flip side we have this sobering article by Martin Zwilling – ‘sobering’ because I found myself ticking more boxes than I would have liked. A wake-up call – and here’s the good news – we can change. We can all become better leaders, little step by little step. The article can be accessed here.

Homilies

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is Mark 8 vs 31-38. Here Jesus warns his followers of the suffering that is ahead of him and invites each of us to take up our cross and follow him.

Trevor Hoggard picks up the Epistle reading of Romans 4 vs 13-25, and extols the supremacy of faith and the commitments embedded in it, over law. Before addressing the Gospel text, Trevor uses the loving covenant commitment of marriage as a model for the walk of faith. It can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘Who are You Becoming?’. It can be experienced here.

Alternatively, the Transfiguration reading is also offered as an optional lectionary gospel reading for this coming Sunday – it’s Mark 9 vs 2-9. Since I posted a homily for this text a few weeks back and titled it ‘Marker Posts’ it is still available and can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Personal and Leadership Resources

Why Your SWOT Analysis Is Probably Useless

I recently reviewed a parish Mission Action Plan (MAP). It was amazing! Beautifully written. Every possible base covered. A solution for very problem. And totally unrealistic. While the parish was clear about what it saw the needs to be, and somewhat foggy about the resources that may need to be brought to bear, there was no clear commitment to any one of the many wonderful planning goals before them. There was no connection between who they currently are, what they are currently doing, and what resources they have for affecting any of their MAP goals.

I’ve become  quietly convinced that we need to start with who we actually are, where we actually are. And observe that this is where God is now. This is what God is doing now. How might God be inviting us to take the next small steps into mission – usually with people like us? Once we get the sense of how we can reach people like us, then we might be able to start stretching toward those two degrees of separation and more away.  An aged congregation deciding to employ a part-time children’s worker is almost inevitably not going to produce the desired result – if the desired result is ‘greening’ the congregation. Does this mean that aging congregations cannot grow? Absolutely not. It is likely, though, that initial growth will start through reaching more aging people – and that’s something society is making a lot more of.

Anyway, this article is not so much about this – it just got me reflecting. It is about being clear about what we’re on about, and how we define success. It can be read here.

Why leaders need to say no to be successful

While we’re on the theme of deciding what we’re not going to do, here’s an easy read encouraging us to be a little more discerning about what we’re going to say ‘yes’ to, by being clearer about what we need to say ‘no’ to.

Homilies

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is John 2 vs 13-22.

Trevor Hoggard picks up the Old Testament reading, Exodus 20:1-17, the Epistle reading 1 Cor 1 vs 18-25, and the Gospel text which deals with Jesus cleansing of the temple. Trevor considers what happens when Law has passed its ‘used by’ date, and there is need for change – and leads into the change that comes through Jesus. His message can be experienced here. 

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘Who is this Jesus?’. It can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Retirement is an issue I’ve given some thought to. I could have retired four years ago. I didn’t. Why not? Two main reasons.

1. In the short term, I couldn’t afford to. We were about to buy a house in the region in which we wanted to live This resulted in a significant mortgage, much greater than our modest savings. These issues are being worked out and we expect to be fine in the not-too-distant future.
2. Why would I? I still have fire in my belly. While I’m slower than I was, I have experience, and a repository of memory (although not working as well as I might like, I discover that ‘things’ come to mind as they’re needed). I believe I have more to offer today than at any previous time in my ‘working’ life including 31 years in Parish ministry. So, why would I stop?

While there are those that say that we shouldn’t be defined by what we do, I’m wondering who made that rule up? I’ve watched too many (mainly men, to be sure) fall into a hole because they’ve ‘retired’ – just because they clicked over that magical number. (while we think it’s young people - the highest suicide group is men over 65).

Yes, it’s true that I’m substantially defined by what I do. So what? I’m okay with that. I believe I would also be happy stacking shelves or being a security guard at the local supermarket – anywhere where I could be meeting people. I simply want to be able to make a difference. As it is, I’m grateful that I’m being given an opportunity to be the best version of myself – just where I am. I’m reminded of Acts 13:36 where we read ‘when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep’. What could be better than that? What more could I, or any of us, ask for?

Personal and Leadership Resources

Redefining retirement: Why older Americans are choosing work over relaxation

So, this first article, while in an American context, has something to say to us today. I believe we’re heading in a similar direction. And from where I currently sit, on this issue anyway, that’s not a bad thing.

The article can be read here.

4 Soul-Sucking Things That Slowly Drain Your Motivation

Short, pithy, crass - some good stuff here written in a hard hitting style. Opportunity to wake up if you feel yourself being left behind. Can be read here.

You Should Set ‘Anti-goals’ Too

And finally, even shorter – extolling the virtue of establishing what you’re NOT going to do – could be even more important than setting goals. Just imagine how much more might be achieved by cutting out addictive time-wasting activities – including ‘busy work’, which provides the illusion of being productive.  Can be read here.

Homilies

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is John 3 vs 14-21.

Trevor Hoggard considers the way snakes slither their way through scripture, and the final victory of Christ’s kingdom over evil.

His message can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘Look and Live’. It draws a direct line between Moses and Jesus. It can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Coming up

I’m heading into the Waikato this weekend to sit with Anglican leaders at their Waikato/Taranaki Diocesan Conference. On Sunday I’ll be preaching in Hamilton, and Monday will find me in Auckland tending to a couple of pastoral matters.

Personal and Leadership Resources

There are few sermons we remember down the decades. One such was by Rev Russell Rigby, my first District Superintendent. He spoke of sitting down at 8pm on a Monday evening (his day off), with a cuppa, in front of the tv, when the phone rings. It’s a parishioner in crisis, and they need to see him ASAP. This is a semi-rural Parish and they live 20 minutes away. He gets up and heads out to his car - grumpy and resentful. As he’s on his way he’s aware that he’s not in the best space to fulfil his pastoral duties. It occurs to him that he feels he has no choice – he will be going whether he likes it or not. Even though its his day off, this is the job. At this point he recognises that he actually does have a choice – not about whether or not he goes – but about how he frames this mission he’s on. He can continue to be resentful, or he can choose to want to be here. He makes the latter choice. By the time he arrives he is settled and ready to positively and lovingly engage.

Here's the thing – it works! It actually works.

This leads into the first article I want to share

Turning a Lack of Self-Discipline and Willpower Into Success and Fulfillment

This article by Jeff Haden surprised me. I found it oddly inspirational, and it led me down the path of thinking about what I shared in opening this newsletter. Bear in mind what I’ve just said above as you read the article, which can be read here.

5 ‘Power Questions’ So Revealing They Will Change Your Life

This article by Jessica Stillman deserves taking time with, and, I suspect, revisiting at least initially until we ‘get it’. While Stillman offers questions we can ask of others, about others, and helping others, they are ultimately questions for ourselves – they encourage us to look in the mirror to see who we are.

This insightful article can be read here.

Homilies

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is John 12 vs 20-33.

Trevor Hoggard recognises the role of Philip in introducing strangers to Jesus and asks ‘Are you ready to be Philip in your street, in your family, in your workplace, or in your club?’  

His message can be experienced here.    

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘Winning by Losing’. We find Jesus acknowledging what is immediately before him – his suffering and death. Instead of defeat he frames it as victory - a mystery, to be sure.  It can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Home again, jiggety jig.

I enjoyed my time with the Waikato Taranaki Anglican Diocese on Saturday – 180 of us gathered in Te Kuiti, many having travelled up to three hours from either side of the North Island. After the Whakatau, we moved into worship. It was uplifting, and joyful. As one from a different tradition, to experience liturgy woven so skilfully and meaningfully into a more contemporary style of worship was a revelation – it drew me from being a spectator into being a participant. I loved it! All beautifully lead by a couple who clearly loved Jesus – and he, originally a Methodist! As for the rest of the day? I counted it a privilege to be included.

Sunday saw me in the relaxed and authentic environs of St Francis Hillcrest Co-operating Church in Hamilton where I had the privilege of addressing two very different styles of worshipping congregation. I hope it was as good for them as it was for me. Thank you to Tony and Dave and wider team for your generous hospitality.

Personal and Leadership Resources

This first one was written for me, for sure. And if you’re like me, and discover that I almost invariably find that things take longer than I expected, it may be for you also.

Beat the 'Planning Fallacy' to Be More Productive

The irony is that the first thirteen years of my working life were as a Quantity Surveyor, where one of the requirements was being able to make an accurate/reasonable assessment of how long tasks should take to complete. With helpful tips, (a couple of which will require a ‘deep dive’) it can be read here.

A Japanese Phrase Is The Secret To Winning Office Politics And Getting People To Agree With Your Ideas

This second article reflects a strategy I learnt early in Parish ministry, though did not put into effect as often and intentionally as I might have. Apparently, the Japanese have a word for it, which is useful, because once one has a label for it, it is easier to accept ‘as a thing’, and incorporate it more intentionally into one’s tool kit. I have purposely not told you what 'it' is, and although the descriptor refers to ‘Winning Office Politics’, you’ll see that it’s also relevant to church leadership. You’ll just need to read it (I’m a tease, I know). Here is the link.

Homilies

The Palm Sunday Gospel for this coming Sunday offers a choice.

Trevor Hoggard uses the Isaiah 50:4-9a plus John 12:12-16 reading options.

His message, which offers some historical context, can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘Strategic Withholding’. I elected to use the Mark 11:1-12 reading. At only 9 minutes, its short, and can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

We’re in Holy Week.

For many of us this is the busiest week of the year – particularly those in the more liturgical traditions. I was at the Cathedral (Cardboard variety) on Sunday night, and reviewed the plethora of services that the Dean and his staff have ahead of them this week. I felt tired, just reading the program!

Let’s hold all our leaders in our prayers this week – as they offer what God is giving us through them - that they would know the Spirit’s empowerment and grace. And that we might see afresh the love in which we are so deeply held – surely the point of it all!

Personal and Leadership Resources

I’m passing on this for this week – most of you will have more than enough going on.

Homilies

Good Friday

Trevor Hoggard’s Good Friday sermon can be experienced here.

My response - I’ve been thinking a little about Pilate – so I posted a reflection on his role in the Easter narrative titled “Behold the Man!” here.

My alternative response - in 2022, in my previous role, I posted a homily titled  Good Friday, God’s Commitment – It’s still ‘fresh’ and can be experienced here.

Resurrection Sunday

Trevor Hoggard’s Easter Day sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the alternative Gospel reading (Mark 16:1-8) is titled Resurrection, for All and One and can be experienced here.

To repeat that oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

May Jesus, who expresses most fully the glorious commitment of God to each of us, meet you where you are over the coming days – and may you find renewal in forgiveness, in hope, and in new beginnings.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

CHRIST IS RISEN!     HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

Easter has come and gone. I imagine that many of my colleagues will now take a well-earned rest!

Personal and Leadership Resources

Leadership is about who you are, as much as what you do

Above the Line and Below the Line in Leadership

As you click on the article, don’t start reading the opening gambit and then stop, thinking “This doesn’t apply to me.” Persist. This article is not long, and there’s gold here. The principle the author (s) establish, and the strategy for following through, is easy enough for any of us to put into effect. The clue is in the title I’ve given. Here’s the link.

4 Questions To Help Us Focus On What Really Matters

The clock is ticking. When I was 30, I had all the time in the world. My whole life was still in front of me. Same at 40. Same at 50. Same at 60. Having said all that, I did tend to think about death a lot. My own.

I’m about to enter my 70^th year (that’s a way of pretending I’m older than I really am 😊). The ticking has turned more into a steady drumbeat. There is much evidence around me that the next ten years (assuming I survive them) will likely be ones of steady decline (barring catastrophes). I still want to make a difference, and believe, perhaps naively, that I have more capacity now than at any previous time in my life. Sure, I’m slower. I forget things. I ‘drop the ball’ on a regular basis. And yet, and yet….. You get the picture. (I still believe my best years could yet be ahead of me)

This article is not just for pensioners – it’s also for the 30, 40, 50 & 60 year old’s who continue to delude ourselves that our whole life is still ahead of us. This side of eternity, it just ain’t so.

It’s about being clear and intentional. It can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard paints with a broad brush as he expounds the life-changing significance of the resurrection covering the lectionary readings for the coming Sunday of Acts 4:32-25, 1John 1:1-2:2, and John 20: 19-31. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel is titled ‘The Whole Point’. While the lectionary reading covers John 20 vs 19-31, in my reading there are 3 discrete / distinct areas that can readily be identified in this text.

In this homily I elected to focus on the last of these in verses 30 & 31 only. It can be experienced here.

But wait, there’s more. Last year I focussed on the two other discrete areas. I re-offer them, should you find them useful, as follows…..

First, focussing on verses 19-23 titled ‘The Great Omission’ - initially posted  16 April 2023 as part ‘a’. It can be experienced (again) here.

Finally, focussing on verses 19 & 24-31 titled ‘What’s with Thomas’ - initially posted 16 April 2023 as part ‘b’. It can be experienced here.

To repeat an oft used YouTube phrase, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

This coming weekend, and into mid next week, I’ll be on leave for a few days away with extended family. There may or may not be a newsletter next week. I’ll see how I go. The homilies for the following Sunday should still both appear on YouTube next Monday. If you haven’t already, the simplest way to ensure you can readily access them is to ‘subscribe’ when you next click on them.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. You may have received resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, set down for 12-19 May this year sent out by the secretary for the National Dialogue for Christian Unity. I have attached them. One is the original International Booklet and Text prepared by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso, and the other is an adaptation for our context in Aotearoa New Zealand – this is in Word format and can be further modified to suit local needs. Both are attached to this news update.
2. Navigating the Nexus.  NZ Christians in Science are joining with their Australian counterparts to run an online zoom conference on consecutive Thursdays, 8.30 to 9.30pm (I hr), starting the 18^th of April and finishing the 6^th of June (Total 8 sessions) Some of the topics covered will include:

• How should we read the Genesis creation story today?

• Is ageing a creational good?
• How can Christians face the possibility that serious enduring climate change is now inevitable?
• How was Darwin’s theory of evolution used as justification for historical racial conflicts?
• Does science require love?

To find out more and sign up (I have) follow the link.

1. Forge Aotearoa. I’ve had an outreach from Darryl Tempero. Darryl is Lecturer/Ministry Formation Coordinator, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, Knox College. He writes as follows:

Forge has been around in Australia for a couple of decades, and other countries have since joined in.  Basically existing to help equip pioneers for exploring new ways of being church and participating in Gods mission.  

We started Forge Aotearoa in 2022 and ran a course, and after reviewing that have formed a new pilgrimage, exploring "Wayfinding" (a much better word than pioneers we think).  See here for more information, and here for some video information.

Looks interesting! As you’ll see if you follow the links Forge Aotearoa are planning a ‘Haerenga Tapu’  (Sacred Pilgrimage) from  4pm Friday 24th May – 11.30am Sunday 26th May at Te Maungarongo Ōhope Marae. They are inviting all who are interested to join in and together ‘discover the story of God and explore what it means to be a missional wayfinder in Aotearoa New Zealand’.

I encourage you to follow the links – well worth both a read and watch.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard covers both the Acts 3:1-20 text, considering the differences and partnership between Peter and John, and Gospel text Luke 24:36b-48 with the power of the resurrection. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text is titled ‘Same, but Different’. In this homily we focus primarily on the physical reality of Jesus resurrection.  It can be experienced here.

It will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

One of the areas of concern I’m regularly confronted with is property. So, today I’m starting a short series on ‘Property in CVs’. I’m interested in both feedback, and pushback where you think I might be wrong.

Property In CVs  Part 1: Who owns CV Property?

So often I hear expressions like “Oh, this is Methodist Property, or Presbyterian Property, or ……..” -  you get the picture. What is being referred to is who holds title. I want to suggest (perhaps controversially for some) this is different from who owns it.

So, lets start with a thought experiment which will highlight the issue.

For simplicity, imagine an hypothetical Methodist Parish and Presbyterian Parish deciding to form a CV. They look at the two church properties they have, and have them valued. The Methodist Property is worth more than the Presbyterian property, and a ratio is struck at 60:40 in favour of the Methodist Church (I’ll deal with the issue of ratios next week). As they consider the properties – location, utility etc, they decide that the Presbyterian Property better suits their need, and the Methodist property is sold. Because it was a Presbyterian property it continues to be held in Presbyterian title – someone has to hold title. I want to suggest that this is simply an ‘Administrative Convenience’.  Does this mean that the Presbyterian partner owns it? Yes, it does - 40% of it. And the ‘Methodist’ partner owns 60% of it – yet it is held on Presbyterian title.

The building properly ‘belongs’ to the CV, yet as CVs have no legal status (as far as I’m aware – this is invested in the Partner Churches) it is held, looked after, maintained, used, and loved by the CV – on behalf of the partner churches. This has implications legally – about who has power of decision, and relating to issues like insurance, seeking approvals for building related works, and applying for funding for such works. So, while the main authority/responsibility goes with whoever holds title, hopefully we can see that the issues of ownership are much broader, and require an understanding of how each CV got to be where it is. It also requires a commitment from the Partners to working together to secure the best future for the CV – irrespective of who holds title.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Years in parish leadership has consistently demonstrated a willingness to kid ourselves about what our future might look like.

New Study Finds Wishful Thinking Can Have Catastrophic Consequences

My last parish had a fairly stable leadership team over many years. One of the exercises we engaged in was to put ourselves through the Belbins Team Roles questionnaire. We discovered while we were rich in ‘ideas’ people, we were very lean in ‘finishers’ – people who actually ‘made sure it got done!’ One of our team emerged as ‘monitor evaluator’. Until we had gone through this exercise we considered him a pain – he was always the one who would be pointing out the pitfalls and why things wouldn’t work. After the Belbins exercise he was promoted to a valued member of the team, as we recognised that the role he fulfilled was essential.

Having said all that, cynicism sneaks in as I become aware of how few of our grand plans actually seem to really make a difference. Within the church – locally, regionally, nationally, there is a great deal of wishful thinking. This article is a call to realism, and points to the possibility that if we face squarely up to our situation as it is - rather than how we’d like it to be, and seeing our strategies for what they are - rather than the rose-coloured tint we put on them, we might be able to find better ways forward. It can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard covers both the Acts 8:20-40 text – focussing primarily on the grace of God extended to the rejected Ethiopian Eunuch, and the Gospel text John 15:1-8. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text is titled ‘The Real Deal’. In this homily, a response to Jesus claiming to be the True Vine, we reflect on Jesus invitation to a relationship of intimacy.  It can be experienced here.

It will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Greetings from the autumnal South. We had our first frost for the year the end of last week – as hard a one as I’ve remembered in our 2+ years here in Lincoln.

As I indicated last week, one of the areas of concern I’m regularly confronted with is property. So, today I’m following up with Part 2 of ‘Property in CVs’. I had a fair amount of feedback on last week  for which I’m most grateful – thank you to those who responded to Part 1.

Property In CVs  Part 2: Ratios, Land stories, & Insurance

Ratios are established at the forming of the Co-operative Venture. They are simply a percentage proportioning, attributed to the partners, of the monetary value of everything that was brought into the CV. Add them all (if there are more than two partners) and they should come up to 100. When I say everything, I mean everything regarded as of monetary value – this includes all real estate - all land and buildings – churches, halls, houses etc.  It will include chattels if not included in the value of the buildings eg. AV and office equipment (photocopiers, computers and printers etc) – of course this will be valued at indemnity* value, not new. All property needs to be assessed by a registered valuer. Ratios will include all cash and investments that the churches are bringing into the CV. The partners will agree on the values each have brought into the venture, and the ratio is struck. This only becomes relevant at the point of dissolution of the CV – where everything is cashed up and the total is divided between the partners according to the ratio. Ratios can be adjusted by the adding or subtracting of resources. If a CV ‘inherits’ a partner property from a neighbouring parish, or disposes of a property to a partner (where no money changes hands), a valuation exercise is gone through (again, with registered valuers) and the ratio is adjusted and agreed by the partners.

We still have a quite a number of CVs that have no agreed ratio. This in spite of the best efforts of my predecessors. Please take this matter seriously – it’s as problematic as dying without a will, and leaves the partner churches with a headache and the likelihood of having to engage in an arm wrestle to get resolution. We don’t want that. If your feeling overwhelmed by the prospect, and I suspect this may be the case, as I would be, please contact me - we’ll feel overwhelmed together, and come up with a ‘little-step-by-little-step’ strategy to get the ball rolling.

If properties are sold, the proceeds generally go (in the name of the Parish) into a national account of the Partner that holds title. Each partner has their own criteria about how, how much, and for what purposes these funds can be used by the Parish. It’s worth making sure you know what’s going to happen BEFORE you head too quickly down the sale path – it may not turn out as you hope. It may be that you will want to explore other options.

Land Story -  Kōrero Papatupu Whenua  As part of the Methodist Church’s bi-cultural commitment, if the property is in Methodist title it will need a ‘Land Story’ before it can be offered for sale. The Methodist Church would encourage all church parishes, whether with a Methodist component or not, to do their own land story. Find out the land’s history – the chain of stewardship back to its original stewards. To do it well there can be quite a lot of work involved -  it would ideally suit someone who loves doing research by digging into the past. I’ve seen some magnificent ones that have given great  satisfaction to their authors. Again, it’s better to do this sooner rather than later. Follow this link for more information.

Insurance. While in theory CVs could insure property with whoever they like, the reality is that partner churches have their own processes, and insurance tends to follow title. Given the liveliness of this issue as more churches are effectively being ‘driven out of business’ by insurance premiums, I imagine that there will be more open discussion in coming days.

*A story for your amusement - ‘Indemnity’ is the value that will leave you in the same position after any loss event as before – as an example, I had a car stolen and left burning on the Port Hills. The car itself was only covered ‘third party’ so was a total loss. I claimed on my ‘Contents’ policy for tools and items of specialist clothing in the vehicle. The insurance company wanted to settle on ridiculous values. While I was first to admit that the items were used, I knew there was no way I could replace them for the money offered by the Insurance company. So, I suggested to their agent that they didn’t need to pay me anything – that since I only had indemnity cover they could simply go out with their tiny budget and do the 2^nd hand shopping for the items themselves. They paid me what I was asking.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Marcel Schwantes offers a timely reminder of what’s important. As Church it should come as no surprise.                                                                                                                                                 This Famous Harvard Study Reveals the Greatest Predictor of Health and Happiness in 5 Words

I’ll give you a clue – Nobody on their deathbed ever said “I wish I’d spent more time at the office!”

The article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard starts with the gospel for this coming Sunday, Jn 15:9-17, expounding on what the love of God looks like, and then moves into a very helpful and challenging exposition of Acts 10:44-48 (Peter’s encounter with the household of Cornelius). His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text is titled ‘Just Imagine’. In this homily, I ask what our lives, and the world, would look like if we took the words in the gospel text seriously.  It can be experienced here.

It will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

This last week has been full – Friday saw the joy of being part of the now ‘Rev’ Lyn Heine’s ordination in Greymouth. Lyn’s infectious ‘joie de vivre’, along with her insight and long experience with people, will continue to be a blessing to the people of the West Coast district in the years to come.

Sunday offered me the privilege of preaching at the 150^th Anniversary of the Greendale Church. Ably  led by Rev ‘Aunty’ Lyn Sopoaga in her own joyous and inimitable way, it was a day of celebration of what has past and hope for the future.

For Touchstone May 2024

The Methodist Monthly ‘Touchstone’ is the only national communication within the partner churches that I’m aware of. I have a regular column. So, I reproduce my latest offering here….

Change or Die

What gathered steam as a great idea in the 1960s, and almost came to fruition as a form of organic unity in the 1970s, stumbled at the last and crashed to never rise again. I’m talking about the ‘Plan for Union’. By the time the final vote was taken, and it was discovered that the numbers weren’t quite there, the whole thing collapsed – my hunch - more out of exhaustion than a lack of desire.

In the mean-time, the vision, the dream - had nevertheless caught on. Local groups continued to see their future as being together. Around the country today there remain over 100 Co-operating Ventures (CVs) – parishes of different denominational partnerships – no two looking exactly alike. While there have been more dissolutions than new such ventures over recent years, the dream remains alive – if not within the partner churches, yet within the CVs themselves. The reality is that the Partner Churches have, for reasons of their own, steered away from CVs as a viable option from the future. The forming of new CVs is no longer the automatic default option when faced with the possibility of closure, or the possibility of a new church venture in new communities. It seems the general commitment to our current CV model of ecumenism is one of death by attrition.

This is where we are. I have, perhaps, a unique vantage point, a viewing place that allows me to see differently. I have the privilege of being able to engage with the partner churches (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian) at national, regional, and local levels. And it is a privilege. I get to see both the best, and the worst. I’ve met amazing people! It’s easy to be critical of church leaders – yet it also has become clear to me why so many of them are in their roles – the grace of God in them has so often been so obviously recognised. Yet, it’s not enough. Alone, the future looks dire.

My hunch is that our future will need to be together in some way. Yet we are collectively burying our heads in the sand. All the partner churches are engaged in rear-guard actions hoping that the latest ‘shiny object’ in terms of an overseas programme, throwing money at a problem, or simply magical thinking, will reverse our decline as denominations. It won’t. At some level we continue to look backward to the ‘glory days’ when our churches were full, our Sunday Schools amazing, and fellowship groups fully engaged - imagining that if we can rediscover the essential ingredient of our denominational secret sauce, then all will be well. It may. It’s unlikely.

We may need to move to a more permission-giving model of resourcing parishes/ congregations in the future. What I have noticed, is that where CVs are allowed to explore their own way of being church in their specific community – supported, yet unencumbered by denominational strictures – they have a chance of making a go of it. Tragically, we often regard these churches as problematic, as they lack enthusiasm for bowing the knee to denominational priorities.

UCANZ is providing an opportunity for a conversation about our future. We are planning our Biennial Forum for Kings Birthday at the end of May 2025 in Auckland. The theme – Our Future Together. This is not just for those involved in CVs – it’s for church leaders across the board in all our partner churches who have a concern for the Church’s  future.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Adam Hanft challenges a metaphor that I admit to having used fairly consistently over the years.

How Calling Everything a Journey Legitimizes Lethargy

It really got me thinking about the way our words shape our behaviour – while I was reading, I became aware that ‘being on a journey’ doesn’t even necessarily need to imply any clarity about the destination ☹. The article can be read here.

Minda Zetlin mines the insights of Wharton Psychology Professor Adam Grant in this article:                       

The Best Leaders Share These Contradictory Traits

To quote Grant - “Often our highest potential people are the ones who can diagnose a problem that nobody else has seen, and then figure out how to tackle it,”

The article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard canvasses the lectionary readings for this coming Sunday, Starting with a discussion on the replacement of Judas by Mathias as the twelfth Apostle as the disciples awaited the day of Pentecost. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 17 vs 6-19 is titled ‘The Unseen Hedge’ and considers the level of ‘protection’ that Jesus prays for the Father to bless his followers with. In this homily, I ask what our lives, and the world, would look like if we took the words in the gospel text seriously.  It can be experienced here.

But wait, there’s more! Since Thursday the 9^th is Ascension Day, I’ve also put up a homily based on the Acts 1:1-11 reading for the day (which can also be used on the nearest Sunday – which is the 12^th) and titled it ‘Ascension in its context’. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

The question I’m most often asked is “What do we get for all the money we pay to UCANZ?”

There is a basic misunderstanding here. The money is NOT being paid to UCANZ.

Please bear with me. It’s important to understand this. UCANZ is an instrument set up by the partner churches, now Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian - to facilitate the partner relationships at local, regional, and national levels. This is done according to the ‘Procedures for Co-operative Ventures’ (latest version 2021). Let me know if you’d like a  copy and I’ll happily email it to you.

The Procedures lay down three primary Partner roles. The ‘Convening Partner’, the ‘Participating Partner’, and the ‘Appointing Partner’

The ‘Convening Partner’ has primary responsibility in sorting out ‘issues’ relating to the CV (Co-operative Venture), including reviews, change of ministry, pastoral issues etc. The ‘Convening Partner’ should be the first ‘port of call’ when the parish has a question or faces difficulties. The ‘Convening Partner’ should also be in reasonably regular contact to ensure that all is well.

The other partner(s) are ‘Participating Partners’. Their role is to be supportive of the Parish, and should be kept fully informed of what is happening.

These Partnership roles are exercised at Regional level – whether through a Diocese (Anglican), Presbytery (Presbyterian – who’d have thought!), or Synod (Methodist). It is expected that a CV will be appropriately represented at each of the regional bodies in which it has a partnership interest.

While both these Partnership roles follow the 3-year cycle, there is a third Partnership role that does not. This is the ‘Appointing Partner’. In the increasingly rare situation where there is some form of stipended ministry, and it is up for a change, or being initiated, the Parish gets to choose who their ‘Appointing Partner’ will be. This means that in terms of seeking ministry the Parish will use the processes of the Partner they have chosen: if Anglican, then the Diocesan ministry appointment process; if Presbyterian, then the Call system with a Ministry Settlement Board; and if Methodist, then through their Stationing process. This does not mean that the Parish will necessarily get it’s minister from the partner who’s process it is using, though one might expect this to be likely.

While it is likely that parish leadership will refer more naturally to the ‘Appointing Partner’ (where there is one) it needs to be understood that the primary line of accountability and support is through the ‘Convening Partner’.

Now, back to where we started:

The levies are paid to the current ‘Convening Partner’. This is on a 3-year cycle. We are about to enter the 3^rd and final year of the current cycle. There will be a changeover of ‘Convening Partner’ on 1 July next year (2025). If a parish is in a two-way partnership, it simply flips from one partner to the other. In a three-way partnership, it will be according to who’s turn it is.

The rate of levies is agreed every year by meetings of the RAG (Resource Allocation Group) which comprises the General/Assembly Secretaries of each of the three Partner Churches, and the UCANZ Co-chairs and Executive Officer. Levy calculations according to the agreed formula, with approved deductions according to the agreed rules, are carried out in the Waiapu Diocesan Office to which UCANZ has contracted much of its financial and levy related administrative tasks.

The rate for the up-coming year is still being negotiated and should be made public soon.

To return to the Original Question – the Levies are not paid to UCANZ. UCANZ is simply part of the mechanism by which the levies are assessed. As an analogy, as far as this function is concerned, UCANZ it is to the Partner Churches what the IRD is to the NZ Government.

Finally, running UCANZ does cost money – and we are currently funded primarily by the Partner Churches.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Why Habits Fail

Jeff Haden very usefully dives into a Google study that examines the difference between a routine and a practice - what the motivating factors are for each, and which, if trying to form a new habit, is likely to work long term.

The article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard engages in an honouring and heart-warming discussion on the life, work and influence of Charles Wesley – the great hymn writer and brother to John, ‘founder’ of the Methodist Church - ultimately demonstrating Charles’ ecumenical passion. Trevor’s sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 15 vs 26,27; 16 vs 4-15 examines the role of the Holy Spirit. I ultimately conclude that the Holy Spirit continues to lead us forward into truth and new ways of seeing. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Personal and Leadership Resources

50+ years ago I started my working life in the Quantity Surveying office of the Ministry of Works in Dunedin. Eventually, I was given my first ‘Adjustment’ job – managing variations to a contract from the QS perspective. It was, naturally, a small contract. After a couple of months the boss invited me into his office to see how I was getting on. It was awful! I couldn’t find anything when I needed it. My crowning memory was of the heat rising through my collar at the back of my neck - it was an exercise in humiliation. I resolved that it would never happen again. Against my natural inclination, I became the most organised person in the office, running many contracts and always able to lay my hand immediately on any piece of documentation as I needed it.

I’ve reached a similar inflection point. I spent a day sorting out my study/office. This included emptying two drawers from my filing cabinet, and re-purposing them from personal to UCANZ stuff.

And, to follow this theme, I have a few articles I’ve reviewed to share with you

11 of the Best Methods for Decluttering

The magic of this article is that it offers 11 separate methods, from 11 different ‘experts’, on what has worked for them. As an inveterate hoarder I’ve found myself doing a bit of a ‘pick and mix’. Use what works for you:

It can be read here.

And this next one is brilliant!

5 time-saving habits

I’ve already started to put a few of the pointers into action – including having bought myself a $15 timer at Mitre 10.

It can be read here.

Finally, since I’ve recently entered my 70^th year, the issues of mortality have become significantly front and centre, and I’m wanting to spend the time remaining to me as ‘usefully’ as I’m able. Three years ago, I lived against a hill which, for nearly three decades, had provided a wonderful venue for vigorous exercise. Now, I live in the middle of a plane and I’ve blimped out somewhat. I don’t like it, I don’t feel good, and I’m resolved to change. The following article reminded me of the value of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) – which was easy living next to a hill, with steps and steep tracks. I’ve realised I can apply to the same principle to pedaling my old MTB around the rural blocks Lincoln is surrounded by. Here’s the article’s headline -

Neuroscience Says 6 to 10 Minutes a Day Can Make You Smarter, More Focused, and Even Increase the Size of Your Brain

While this might not sound much to be about exercise, this article by Jeff Haden is all about exercise – a particular form of exercise, which we can all do – we may simply need to use a little bit of lateral thinking to settle on what might work for us. While what he suggests clearly has significant positive benefits, his primary motivation is to do what he can to avoid the dementia that became a feature of his father’s life. I get that. The article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard focuses on Trinity Sunday, drawing on the texts – Romans 8:12-17, and John 3:1-17. He provides a very useful (interesting, and informative) explanation of how the Trinity was revealed in the early church, and its transformative effect. Trevor’s sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 3 vs 1-17 is titled ‘Born again, again’. As I’ve described it, this is a consideration of the 'born again' contrasted with and including the 'born from above' translation in this most well known of texts, and the implications of changing the way we understand it. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Personal and Leadership Resources

This week, a few articles I’ve found useful

Starting with the occasional article where one feels like one is looking in a mirror.

Is Your Leadership Style Unintentionally Aggressive?

I was in a couple of meetings last week and came away aware that I’d come across fairly strong. While I make attempts to moderate myself, this is not all that unusual for me – it’s been a habit of a lifetime. Usually I catch myself too late, and the ‘damage’ is already done. I could put it down to my Dutch heritage and the open and often combative way I learnt to deal with the world. There are times when I recognise that part of me is sneakily proud of these qualities. Yet I also recognise that they can undermine what I might be wanting to accomplish, and also hurt or irritate people along the way. While I’ve been concerned about the issue, I recognise that I’m a work in progress and it may ultimately be that we don’t get our strengths without our weaknesses.

Anyway, the article can be accessed here.

I’m sure I’ve touched on this next issue before. If I have, apologies. For me, I know my memory leaks a lot and I need reminding – particularly of good stuff.

Neuroscience Says Making a Simple Change to Your Work Day Will Help You Make Smarter Decisions and Be More Productive

This article simply reflects on our daily rhythms and suggests we can use them to our advantage – organising our work so that we’re at our optimum for the time of day. It also helps in implying that perhaps we can stop beating ourselves up for not being able to handle certain tasks quite so well at certain times of the day. I’ve found it both interesting, hopeful and helpful. I hope you might also. The article can be accessed here.

For something a little different, here’s an article about Apple and it’s leadership that may seem totally irrelevant to church. But I don’t believe it is.

There’s one way to save Apple from irrelevance, and Tim Cook’s not going to like it

It takes the reader back to the original philosophy of Steve Jobs – it was all about the ‘user experience’. It appears that Apple has moved away from this (again) and put profits and the making of gadgets front and centre. The problem, the author highlights, is that ultimately the company ends up making stuff nobody really wants.

There’s something here for the church. Are we thinking at all about how what we’re offering is being received? Or are we simply carrying on, mostly on autopilot, expecting people to like what we’re dishing up because we’ve always done it, and done it this way.

Obliquely it reminds me of a silent retreat I was on some years ago, where the facilitator asks us to reflect on the question ‘What is it they need?’ and after a day he asked the next question ‘What is it they really need?’

Orientating ourselves away from ourselves toward out intended ‘audience’.

Anyway, the article can be accessed here.

Finally, while we’re thinking about Steve Jobs, here’s a nugget from his repertoire

Steve Jobs Said 1 Habit Separates the Doers From the Dreamers

The answer may surprise you – it did me. It was also challenging - because it was against my natural inclination. And also very useful. I’m not going to give the game away – read it for yourself!

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard draws a contrast between the work of the light of God to those who are open to see it, and the darkness of those who would not. He opens with the call of the boy Samuel and the response of the priest Eli in 1 Sam 3:1-10. Then on to Paul’s difficult yet transformative experience of Christ in 2 Cor. 4:1-12. And finally the unwillingness of the religious leaders in Jesus time to acknowledge the grace of God at work in Jesus as we find it in Mk 2:23 – 3:6. Trevor laments the current apparent low expectation within the church of hearing from God and reflecting that where the light shines, the darkness will always fight back. Even a flicker of light is enough. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 2:23 to 3:6 is titled ‘Beneath the Judgementalism’. Ultimately I land with a question –‘What kind of God is it that your worship?’ It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Again because it has a limited distribution, what follows is my latest offering to the Methodist Monthly publication ‘Touchstone’.

In Christ

Born in 1884. E.Stanley Jones was an American Methodist Missionary to India where he served 50+ years. Jones abhorred racism and worked tirelessly in the interfaith space. He was a friend of Ghandi and the Nehrus, and a confidant of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

As we might expect Jones was a committed ecumenist – to quote Wikipedia:

In 1947 in the United States, he launched the Crusade for a Federal Union of Churches. He conducted mass meetings from coast to coast and spoke in almost five hundred cities, towns and churches. He advocated a system through which denominations could unite as they were, each preserving its own distinctive emphasis and heritage, but accepting one another and working together in a kind of federal union patterned after the United States' system of federal union. 

Jones died in India early 1973, just short of his 90^th birthday. He was truly one of the most remarkable people of the 20^th Century.

I’ve got to know Jones a little – his theology, his thinking, his heart. I don’t agree with everything he said, like all of us he had his own foibles, yet his book ‘In Christ’ has been a constant companion over the past two decades. Why did Jones write this book? To quote his introduction:

This twenty-third book is the result of a feeling of a need. The need is this:

Some concept that would reduce the whole of life to the utmost simplicity. If you have that, you're "in"; if you don't have it, you're "out." By "in" I mean "in life," and by "out," "out of life." I felt I had found that concept in the phrase "in Christ." If you are "in Christ" you're "in life"; if you are "out of Christ" you're "out of life." If that proposition be true, then it cuts down through all veneer, all seeming, all make-believe, all marginalisms, all halfwayisms — through everything — and brings us to the ultimate essence of things: If you are "in Christ" you are in life; if you are "out of Christ" you're out of life, here and now, and hereafter…..

The phrase "in Christ" is the ultimate phrase in the Christian faith, for it locates us in a Person — the Divine Person — and it locates us in Him here and now. It brings us to the ultimate relationship — "in." Obviously this "in" brings us nearer than "near Christ," "fol­lowing Christ," "believing in Christ," or even "committed to Christ." You cannot go further or deeper than "in."

To be "in Christ" means to pull up the roots of one's very life from the soil of sin and self and herd and plant them "in Christ." He becomes the source of our life, the source of our thinking, our feeling, our acting, our being.

This obviously involves self-surrender. Not merely the surrender of our sins, our bad habits, our wrong thinking, and our wrong motives, but of the very self behind all these. All of these are symp­toms ; the un-surrendered self is the disease. So the phrase "in Christ" is not only the ultimate concept, but it demands the ultimate act —  self-surrender. …..

One would expect that this ultimate concept in Christianity, "in Christ," leading to the ultimate human response, self-surrender, would be deeply embedded in the New Testament. Is it? It is far more deeply embedded in the New Testament than many things upon which we have built whole denominations — the new birth, conver­sion, baptism of the Holy Spirit, justification by faith, baptism by water, apostolic succession, presbyters, bishops, forms of church government, inner light, absence of forms.

I don’t doubt that the response of some will be “Andrew you’re simply promoting a form of exclusive individualised Christianity rather than recognising the call to participate in the cause of freedom and justice for all.” I recognise the tension.

What I can’t help noticing is that this ‘Missionary to India’ was one of the most effective promoters of the call to freedom and justice for all – and it sprang for a profound  spirituality being rooted ‘in Christ”. There was a deep generosity of spirit within Jones as he reached across all barriers with the love and acceptance that was in him - because he was “in Christ”.

To adapt the words of a well-known series of tv adds – “I want what he had”.

Personal and Leadership Resources

This week, just one.

Why I Told My Dad to Spend More Money

As I read it, it made logical sense. Except, what struck me about it, is that while it sounds simple, we’re asking someone to break the habit of a lifetime.

The reality is that many of us live out of a poverty mindset (guilty as charged), and worry about running out – turning this around may require learning a new skill. At first it will be difficult. As with many changes of habit, it starts with noticing. The short article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard addresses the lectionary readings 1 Sam 8:4-11,19,20;  2 Cor 4:13 - 5:1; and Mark 3:20-30. He makes a plea for a circumspect attitude to politics and refusing to get tied up with the rhetoric of unduly partisan positions which prevent us for listening to alternative perspectives.  Trevor’s sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 3:20-35 is titled ‘Piling On’. I address the issue of that sense of being under attack from all sides - that some  would describe as ‘spiritual warfare’. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m about to hit the road – the end of this week will find me passing through Auckland, into the Waikato, and down into the King Country. Then returning home to Lincoln late next Tuesday.

I hope to have another Newsletter ready for you – if it is, expect it to come via my personal email – [E-Mail not displayed]. People have asked where I acquired this moniker. I took Hebrew at St John’s /Trinity Theological College in Auckland under the tutelage of Keith Carley. One of the first words we learnt was ‘day’ = ‘Yom’. For the next 3 years one of my fellow students continued to call me ‘Yomyom’. If the newsletter doesn’t appear, my homily for the week should be able to be accessed here.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Skinner’s Law Is 86 Years Old. It’s Still the Ultimate Secret to Beating Procrastination

This one goes back to the insights of BF Skinner – one of the pioneers of modern psychology. It struck me that his prescription is not something we’re likely to see today, as we tend to lean strongly toward providing positive incentives for people behaving well, rather than avoiding the unpleasant. Apparently we’re hard-wired more strongly to avoiding unpleasant experiences than seeking rewarding ones. So, if you’re still struggling to beat procrastination, have tried everything else, and are still desperate to succeed,  this may provide the ultimate winning strategy. Jessica Stillman’s article can be read here.

Steve Jobs Said This Is the Number 1 Sign of Remarkable Intelligence

Steve Jobs, apparently very driven and not always the easiest of people, yet, years after his death, continues to inspire and show profound insight. While the title of this article may be a little misleading it’s work some consideration. It seems it may not be as simple as one simple sign. It did remind me of one of the advantages of growing older – we tend to accumulate a much deeper and broader reservoir of experiences, concepts and ideas to draw on, and make creative connections from – very useful for problem solving. The Jeff Haden article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon addresses the lectionary readings 2 Cor 5:6-10,14-17; and Mark 4:26-34. He describes the issues as follows: The human ability to conceive of time and mould the future to our own ends is one of the chief characteristics of the human mind. Yet it is thwart with risk and potential disaster. The Bible insists that human freedom is only relative – that we exercise limited choices within a cosmic physical and moral framework which God himself has laid down. For optimal human flourishing, the Bible urges humanity to live in harmony with God’s rhythms and seasons. In short, the Bible says that ultimately time belongs to God and not to us. Our use of time must respect the greater context of God’s providence. God has written the book, even if we humans determine much of what goes into each page.

Trevor’s sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 4:26-34 is titled ‘Parables, Seeing As We Are’. I recognise that there is no one way to interpret a parable, and as I’ve grown older have seen more nuanced ways of understanding what Jesus may be saying, and saying to me. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m sitting at a dining table deep in the King Country. After a rich Friday with the Waikato-Waiariki Methodist Synod at Camp Epworth, I’ve been privileged catching up with groups and individuals from a Parish that is charting new ways forward. Having come from a relatively dry Canterbury, the almost ongoing rain this region seems determined to bless me with leaves me imagining I can feel the webbing growing between my toes.

Personal and Leadership Resources

How an 18th-century priest gave us the tools to make better decisions

I came across an article this past week on ‘Bayes Theorem’. Thomas Bayes was an 18^th Century Presbyterian Minister who also happened to be a statistician. He came up with a formula that helps us consider the probabilities of events actually happening. It’s widely used in the medical world. The article reminded me of a much more accessible and entertaining one I found a few years back – which I also found very helpful in dealing with some personal issues I was then facing. I’ve tracked down Liv Boeree’s original VOX article and post the link here.

Who do you say that I am, Lord?

I’ve been in Spiritual direction for the best part of 15 years. My director is a Catholic lay person who has journeyed with me over this time. In the early years, when I’d bring an issue before him that I’d been struggling with, he’d invariably ask me the same question – “And what happened when you brought this matter before the Lord in prayer?” My answer was just as invariable – “Until this moment I hadn’t considered that an option”. Sounds silly, I know – yet it was my reality. His response to that might follow the line “Well we’re here now, lets take a moment in the silence to bring it before the Lord, and see what comes.” There’s always something. What I know from experience is that The Lord is much wiser, gentler, kinder, and compassionate than I am.

This article is set in a cross-cultural, interfaith context. For some this may prove problematic. It demonstrates for me that God is at work in all people. Take from it what you will or are open to. It can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys 1 Sam 17:41 – 18:5; 2 Cor 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41; and examines the leadership qualities of David, Paul and Jesus. Trevor’s sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 4:35-41is titled ‘What just happened?’ This references Mark’s account of Jesus calming the storm on the lake. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Lynne and I are about to head out for a week away touring Northland. None of my siblings have been there, so four of us (including my youngest brother – out from the UK), with spouses – seven all up, are hitting the road together. This past couple of weeks has been very full, and I’m wanting to get as much done as possible before heading for the airport.

Personal and Leadership Resources

I’m aware that many of the articles I give links to may require subscriptions, if  we want to read them easily. I am subscribed to a small number of sites – like INC and Fast Company. Some sites don’t require any fee. Others do. Here’s a trick – I don’t read the articles on-line – I simply copy and paste them to Word, and edit them before reading them. This means that I can read them undistracted by adverts and pop-ups. Do what works for you.

Hanlon’s Razor

My friend Frank is a retired School Counsellor. By reputation, in my conversations with his colleagues, he was superb working with teenagers. Frank had a simple mantra, for every kid that he dealt with – “they were all doing the best they could”. It may not look very good to others, but given who they were, their background and experiences – in this moment they were doing the best they knew how. I’ve found it a very good basis for relationships – though I forget it all too often - I readily default to suspicion. Yet the reality is that I’ve rarely met individuals who are truly evil. This is the basis for Hanlon’s Razor. While the article is cast in a business setting, it has implications for the whole of life, and is well worth a read. Remember, copy and paste.

It can be accessed here.

5 Ways to Master Tactfulness

I’m of Dutch and Friese heritage. The Dutch are known to be ‘plainspoken’ 😊. The northern part of the nation is Friesland. While it’s part of the Netherlands they are a breed apart, and even have their own language – which I’m told is closer to English. If you meet someone who’s name ends in ‘-a’ (like my wife Lynne’s family name – I know, what chance do our 3 sons have?) they’ll almost certainly be  Friese. Temperamentally the Friese have a reputation for being like the Dutch – but on steroids!,

So it could be that this article is just for me. Though there could be others out there who will benefit.

It can be read here.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Stay Up Too Late

I’m a morning person – My alarm is usually set for 4.45am. I like to be in bed early, and up early. This article really feeds in to a high level of confirmation bias for me, and may be mildly discomforting for others. Useful either way, it can be accessed here.

Finally Matariki is just around the corner. I’ve been given a link to a Shine TV presentation to explore ways we might engage usefully with it. It can be accessed here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys 2 Cor. 8:7-15 and Mark 5:21-43. Trevor focusses Paul’s call to, and Jesus modelling of, generosity - rather than simply settling on the legal minimum of a tithe. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 5:21-43 is dealt with in two separate homilies.

The first is titled ‘Keeping the Smoke in’ - a response to vs 21-24, 35-43 and focusses on Jesus responding to Jairus the synagogue ruler and his dying daughter. It can be experienced here.

The second is titled ‘What is God doing?’ – a response to vs 24-34 and focusses on Jesus encounter with a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years and only find healing in touching Jesus cloak. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m at the end of my leave time away with wider family in Northland – so this has been prepared ahead of time.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Once again, I’m including an article I recently wrote for publication in the Methodist Monthly ‘Touchstone’. It references time I spent in the North Island recently - pointing toward a larger dynamic at work in CVs. It relates very much to where I currently see us as UCANZ - facing challenges for the future, challenges we need to front-up to together. Here it is………

Thinking Out Loud

I’ve just been with a parish (a CV – Co-operating Venture) that has melted down. I spent three days sitting with individuals and small groups, listing to their stories, reflecting, and praying with them.

This is not atypical. It represents a cohort of CVs that have little understanding, or subsequent commitment to, the partner churches (Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian) that hosts them. Over a period of time, they’ve become increasingly congregational, a community church – reflecting the Christian makeup of the small community in which they find themselves. There are vestiges of their denominational heritages present, but they are small, aged, and hold no part in leadership.

At the other extreme I’m aware of a CV that was formed the same year (nearly 45 years ago), where everyone knows who are the Methodists, Presbyterians, or Brethren. I’m not sure if this is any healthier. As you might guess the average age of this congregation is significantly older.

We are finding ourselves ultimately losing the former category (the congregational community churches) as they find the strictures of partner church polity too burdensome to manage. Some of us may be sanguine about this. My concern is that we have lost an opportunity – these fellowships potentially represent our growing edge – and God knows we need one. Somewhere.

I’ve been struck by the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ narrative of the early church – the first seven years find it exclusively Jewish. Even though they have Jesus’ ‘Great Commission’ and have experienced the pure flush of that amazing Holy Spirit outflow on that day of Pentecost, it has not occurred to anyone that God/Jesus actually intended that they reach out to Gentiles – the rest of us.

Peter’s encounter with God on the rooftop in Joppa, as we find it in Acts 10, was a truly shocking experience for him. It shook him to the core. While the Christian church had rapidly expanded following the persecution resulting from the trial and martyrdom of Stephen, these early Jewish Christians had gone to Jewish communities along the trade routes and settled in to the synagogues, their marae, as they were still culturally and by practice, Jewish. It’s here they got to talk about Jesus as the long-promised Messiah, and the church grew.

Peter’s visit to the Gentile Roman Officer Cornelius at Caesarea, caused a furore in the church. Many believed that the new Gentile converts should be required to follow the Jewish law. All of it. The Jerusalem Council met, Jewish Christians, to decide the Gentile question. Where they landed was even more shocking (to my mind) than all that lead up to this point. They issue an edict. It went like this: ^{Ac 15:28} It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements - ²⁹ You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

That’s it. Four things. Cast more as a good suggestion than a commandment. Today we may even dispense with three of them. They weren’t even presented with a Statement of Faith – things they had to commit to believing to determine their orthodoxy.

Which brings me back to CVs. These are our ‘Gentile Churches’. We’re now in the middle of the 3^rd decade of the 21^st Century. Most of the polity of the partner churches dates back into the 18^th century and for some – much further back. Perhaps it’s time we had a fresh look at what it is we require of our CVs, and as we do, will have opportunity to see what it is we require of ourselves.

Kings Birthday weekend next year will be an opportunity to discuss these matters. I’m actively engaged in recruiting Regional Leaders of the Partner Churches – Bishops, Presbytery EOs and Moderators, and Methodist Synod Superintendents, to be part of the conversation. It will be in Auckland. The theme? ‘Our Future Together’. This could be a defining moment in our life and history.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys Ezekiel 2:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, and Mark 6:1-13. Trevor deals with the issue of what happens after death – through the lens of NDEs (‘near death experiences – though, perhaps, more properly ‘death experiences’). It’s a topic rarely covered in the normal realm of preaching and is worth hearing. Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 6:1-13 is again dealt with in two separate homilies.

The first is titled ‘Grow or Regress’ - a response to vs 1-6 and focusses on Jesus returning home to Nazareth with his disciples for the first time since engaging in his public ministry and experiencing hostility. It can be experienced here.

The second is titled ‘No Safety Net?’ – a response to vs 7-13 and focusses on Jesus' commissioning of his disciples, sending them out two-by-two on their first missions trip. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

A week away with siblings and partners, and we’re still friends! Northland turned on it’s best for us, and we’re grateful. Grateful to have been able to visit and enjoy the hospitality of this beautiful part of our country. Because of road works we were ‘forced’ onto alternative routes. The alternative road between Kaitaia and Kohukohu taking us, I seem to remember through Broadwood, (So we could cross on the literal roll-on/roll-off ferry crossing the Hokianga Harbour to Rawene) was wonderful. I was left wondering, however, if the District had managed a bulk rate for 45kmh signs – I’ve never seen so many – and all on one stretch of highway. Thank you also for the warmth and hospitality of the St Johns ‘Golden’ Church in Whangarei, and the Kaurihohore Church as we shared a day together.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Struggle to bed in commitments you’re wanting to make? Form new habits, and new behaviour patterns? Akshad Singi offers some useful strategies for helping make things stick.

8 Genius Ways To Become Incredibly Consistent At Anything In Life

I really like the way that he builds ‘exceptions’ into his process – allowing enough wriggle room, yet also clear structure, room for ‘forgiveness’, and a simple strategies for getting back on track. It can be accessed here. 

Try This Science-Backed 4-Step Mental Primer

Henna Pryor channels Collin Henderson, a mental conditioning coach and author of several mindset books including Quiet Mind (2021) on strategies for starting the day in a focussed and intentional way that promotes us following through on our hopes and intentions for the day. How many times have you started badly (too much screen time etc) and found the rest of the day turns to custard? Here’s some helpful strategies that can help us start as we mean to go on.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys 2 Sam 6:1-5, 12b-19, and Mark 6:14-29. Trevor observes that the world is facing elections this year on an unprecedented scale that will determine our future, He contrasts Jesus’ style of rulership with everyone else, while observing that unfortunately Jesus is not on the ballot. Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 6:14-29 and is titled ‘Guilt’s Grief’ and is a response to Herod Antipas’ reaction to the ministry of Jesus, seeing it as God’s judgement against him for the execution of John the Baptist. It can be experienced here.

But wait, there’s more – I attend Evensong on Sunday evenings at the Christchurch Cathedral when I’m able. Dean Ben Truman gave a sermon that is worthy of wider audience, so I’ve attached the script to this email newsletter. Enjoy!

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

This weekend was with the Lower North Island Synod / Central Presbytery UPOG sponsored meeting at Rongotea, where we were royally hosted by the local people – thank you, thank you!  UPOG stands for ‘Uniting Parishes Oversight Group’ – a creation of the Synod and Presbytery to provide support to the high number of CVs in the region. For the Presbyterians this represents 41% of their Parishes, for the Methodists 83%. One of the highlights for me was a presentation on the ‘Drama of Worship’ by Peter McKenzie ([E-Mail not displayed] ) – Central Presbytery Executive Officer. I found it thoughtful and thought provoking – and, as one with a tendency to free-wheeling – a challenge to being clear and intentional in how worship is curated and led. It is surely worthy of greater ‘exposure’.

Along with the open engagement times during the day this was an important time together. It was a reminder that without CVs the Partner Churches would likely feel little need to talk with one another.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Jessica Stillman mines Mark Twain – and how his insights have and continue to inform and enrich our lives to the present day. I’m going to give the game away with this title

Trying not to be dumb beats trying to be smart

Stillman riffs into the Dunning-Kruger effect – to quote her - ‘shorthand for the fact that the more ignorant and incompetent among us are often the most self-confident, while genuine experts wrestle with self-doubt.’ Of course that doesn’t apply to me. Or you. The article can be read here.

1. And another from Stillman.

The Ultimate Antidote to Self-Doubt

For both those of us who suffer from ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and those of us who don’t. Either way this is worth a read – we’ll all learn something. The article can be read here.

1. Lynne and I are coming up on our 44th Wedding Anniversary. We have a good marriage. Mostly.

The Psychological Eye Trick That Helps Rekindle Love When One Person Isn't Feeling It Anymore

I certainly don’t feel that our love needs to be ‘rekindled’. Yet, what I started to notice, after reading this article, is how little sustained eye contact we actually make. I want to do better. You may also. I checked with Lynne that it’s okay to share this (yes, I’m a man under ‘authority’). The article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys 2 Sam 7:1-14a, Eph 2:11-22, and Mark 6:53-56. To quote Trevor ‘Christians may have known from the beginning that Jesus was more interested in building a “house” in the sense of establishing a never-ending lineage of faithful Christians’, while recognising ‘sacred spaces matter to people not just within the church, but to the broader community too. It’s something deep and ingrained in the human psyche’.

Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 is titled ‘Boat Time’. I was struck by how the lectionary seems to point to the difference between Jesus’ time in the boat, and the constant demands made of him and the disciples while on land.

It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

How quickly the world changes. An attempted assassination attempt on a former US president, and within days the current president announces he won’t be seeking re-election. Why does it matter? It affects all of us. The result of the upcoming election will significantly affect either what does or doesn’t happen on the international stage – depending on who attains the White House. Both sides agree on one thing - this will be the most consequential election in our life time. While that may be a little overblown, it is clear that two very different visions of the future are before us.

It's likely that across the breadth of the church there will be a variety of views as to which future God most favours. I’ve long been struck by the little story in Joshua 5 where Joshua is spying out Jericho, and he’s confronted by a man with a drawn sword whom he asks “Are you for us or for our enemies?” The answer is unexpected, “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” He could as easily have said “Wrong question. The right question, my question might be ‘who’s side are you on?’”

It's easy to imagine that we have a corner on God, and that, of course, God is on our side. Mmmm, maybe. Maybe not.

Personal and Leadership Resources

Jessica Stillman does it again

1. How to Succeed as Late Bloomer

It’s easy to imagine that life belongs to the young. We often fail to recognise that sure, we may be a little slower, we may not bounce as we once did, yet there are real graces in keeping on into older age. We don’t need to look back too far into history to see those like architect Frank Lloyd Wright who was still doing some of his most important work up to his death in 1959 at 91.

The article can be read here.

1. Sometimes the simplest way of understanding good leadership is recognising where leadership is falling down on the job.

Why Leadership may not be working

Marcel Schwantes considers a series of failures in leaders that undermine both their credibility and effectiveness. The article can be read here.

1. This one seems too good to be true, difficult to test, yet may just work.

Need to Boost Your Brainpower Before a Mental Challenge? Neuroscience Says Do This for Just 10 Minutes

Once again Jessica Stillman comes up with something interesting. This could be the easiest thing in the world to do in preparation for tackling something difficult, yet seems counter-intuitive. Its short and can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys Eph 3:14-21, and John 6:1-21 to reflect on Christ’s sufficiency as reflected in the feeding of the 5000.

Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.  

My response to the Gospel text of Mark John 6 vs 1-21 is titled ‘God’s Abundance’. I ultimately reflect on how God’s willingness to provide is only limited by our willingness to share.

It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I sit looking out the window at the unfolding results of the promised weather-bomb. It continues to affirm my conviction that the most depressing month of winter is invariably the last one. My supervisor trained as a psychiatrist. I visited with him late last week. As is often his want he was wearing a brightly coloured ‘Hawaiian’ style shirt. I commented that on YouTube one can often tell the psychiatrists because the have the most outrageous bowties. We both laughed. And agreed. His explanation for his shirts is that as winter bites most people hunker down with wearing black and greys. He never mentioned it, but had accurately described my own sartorial choices for the day. And he was pushing back by offering some colour back into an increasingly colourless world.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Science Says Embracing 1 Simple Thing Will Help You Live Longer

I’m not usually a fan of obsessing about how we could live longer – it seems to strike at the heart of the gospel by buying into the death-denying culture of the age we’re living in. Having said that, this article is about more than living longer – it’s about how we’re living – longevity may be a bi-product. The Jeff Haden article can be read here.

1. a Huge Myth About Creativity and Success 

Ryan Reynolds may be a famous actor – apparently, he’s also a very successful businessperson. The principles Jessica Stillman highlights from Reynolds insights are as applicable to the church. We often lament what we don’t have, and fail to move forward through a perceived lack of resources. It just may be that a certain tightness of resources can help us clarify what’s important. The article can be read here.

1. Retirement desperately needs a rebrand

While this article references the experience of American women, it has something to say to us in our day and place. As someone who’s allergic to the concept of retirement as we generally perceive it, this article ticks the boxes. It can be read here.

And as a bonus, linking into all three of the above

1. the No. 1 Myth That Keeps People From Being Happy

This article addresses the beliefs we have about happiness. And suggests that we both fail to recognise what it is and tend to look in the wrong places to find it. I’ve long believed that happiness is not to be pursued as an end in itself – that’s like trying to race to the end of the rainbow – it keeps shifting beyond our grasp. Happiness is something that happens along the way. Anyway, the article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers Ex 16:2-4,9-15 and John 6:24-35 and appeals to recognition of the lack of integration in so much of our living – To quote him “We are body, mind and spirit, but just how many humans have their beings ripped apart by false divisions?”

Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 6 vs 24-35 is titled ‘Too Close to See it’. I reflect on reality that most of the 5000 that had eaten to the fill had failed to recognise the miracle of their being fed – to them it was just bread and fish, like they always ate. It just may be that ‘miracles’ are happening around us all the time, and we’re simply failing to notice.

It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Once again, I’m going to start with an article I wrote for the Methodist Monthly Touchstone:

Maybe we got it wrong

“Mission is what the church does when it is dying”. Attributed to Deitrich Bonhoeffer, this is an uncomortable challenge. We don’t want to believe it/him. Like someone dying of thirst we’ll drink salt water – even when it makes the thirst worse. We cling to the conviction that ‘mission’ is the answer to our malaise, even as the pursuit of it (or at least a commitment to the idea of it) is killing us. It’s something we talk about – and don’t do much of. Perhaps it’s simply keeping us focused in the wrong place.

After meeting with a signficant group of Co-operating Venture leaders a couple of weekends ago, I was challenged with being myopic – the church needs to be ‘looking outward’ to ‘those beyond its walls’, I was assurred. Yet the story of one parish in particular has left me wondering if this accepted wisdom is fundamentally flawed.

A small parish of older people that has a Somerset retirement village being built next door. Yes, you know who you are 😊. This Parish has not had paid presbyteral ministry for many years. They run a warm, engaged, delightful service on Sunday mornings with their own rituals, and ways of doing and being. Is it perfect? No, of course not. It is a people who want to be together, engage together, and worship together. And as people wander in from the village next door they sense that this is their kind of place, and these are their kind of people. Their tendancy is to return and stay. This church is growing. I’m not aware of any considered and intentional mission plan. They’re simply being themselves doing their best to love God and one another. Are they engaged in mission? Yes they are. It springs from who they are. They run activities that they will enjoy and benefit from, and invite their friends to join them.

As I said in last month’s offering, the early church grew along the trade routes, where Jewish Christian followers of the way of Jesus sought out people like themselves, in familiar places – the synagogue. Was their primary goal proselytization? Most likely not. My hunch is that they would have been looking for places of belonging – ‘safe’ places - with people who shared their culture, language, world view – and to whom they were bound by familial ties.

I’ve been consistently badgered with the mantra ‘The Church needs to be looking outward, in mission to the world’. This surely will result in church growth. Yet, where do we see it happening?

Perhaps, instead, we could focus inward – in meeting the needs, enriching the lives, imparting joy - to the people we already have. Unashamedly, instead of continuing to make one another feel guilty with a constant diet of ‘try-harderism’, the church might once again be an attractive place – a community of people we’d all want to be part of. Warm, rich, loving, authentic – seeking the way and presence of Jesus. How hard can it be?

The power of story

Since writing the above, I’ve been reminded of a wonderful story called the Rabbi’s Gift. I include here a link to it being told by M.Scott Peck.

After telling this story in a sermon many years ago, I was asked by one of our leaders “Was it a true story”? I responded with “Well, that depends on what you mean by ‘true’. If by ‘true’ your mean ‘Did it really happen?’ I have no idea. But if by ‘true’ you mean ‘Does it tell the truth?’, then yes it’s a true story”. Just like many of the stories and parables that Jesus told – did they actually happen? Almost certainly not – some are border on the ridiculous. Yet they remain ‘true’ stories.

We all live in stories, our own lives are stories – which is why we resonate so powerfully with stories – it’s the stories told that we will remember, rather than the propositional truth statements we might be wanting to point to.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. 3 ways thinking like an athlete will improve your communication skills

Some great tips here on public speaking. As one who, as a 16 year old, never imagined I’d ever get married – not because I wouldn’t find a partner, but because I couldn’t imagine myself standing in front of a church full of people and saying two simple words – “I do”. There are some tried and tested helps here for those terrified of public speaking (apparently 80% of the population will claim to be more frightened of public speaking than dying). The article can be read here.

1. Kamala Harris’s Laugh Is a Campaign Issue. Psychologists Insist It’s Also a Lesson in the Energizing Power of Joy

Time to lighten up. Jessica Stillman makes a case for genuine joy. She describes it as a battery pack. And I think she’s right. Without taking any sides in the current US electoral contest her article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers 2 Sam 18 vs 5-9,15,31-33 and John 6 vs 35,41-51. Trevor gives a very effective overview of King David’s children’s messy relationships and the revolt of Absolom and its consequences. He then contrasts David, Moses and Jesus as a result of the feeding of the 5000, and challenges us with the difficult choices we need to make.

Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 6 vs 35, 41-51 is titled ‘Who is this Bread of Life?’ and focuses on Jesus claims of himself – describing God as his Father and his having come from heaven.

It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’ve been musing about the issue of leadership. The tradition I come out of hasn’t been strong on it - it’s almost as if we have to discover how to do it as we go along. And it’s just possible that it’s not our strong suit – that we’re not gifted for leadership. We may be gifted preachers and teachers, gifted pastors, administrators, intercessors, helpers, even (though apparently, rarely) evangelists, etc, etc. But not gifted for leadership. It’s not on the radar.

I was greatly encouraged by the Kaimai Presbytery partnering with KCML (Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership – is that Darryl Tempero I see there?) in tackling the leadership issue on discerning God’s leading – they’re running a series of workshops on the issue – you can see what they’re doing here. Wonderful! Congratulations! We need more of this kind of resourcing across our CVs, across our partner churches.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Science Says Your Overall Happiness Comes Down to 3 Timeless Strategies

Marcel Schwantes offers wisdom in our self-absorbed, over-scheduled, over-stimulated environment, - by giving yourself time to switch off from work, exercising generosity toward others (actual ‘cash’ generosity – who’d have thought?), and orienting your life toward optimism – for which he gives a simple strategy – you’ll need to read the article! It can be accessed here.

1. Olympic Gold Medalist Kristen Faulkner Is Yet Another Example of Why Successful People Embrace the Navy SEAL 40 Percent Rule

So, you’ve heard of the Navy SEAL 40% Rule? If you have this is a good refresher told in the context of a great story. If you haven’t, then here it is. It’s based on the premise that when you think you’re ‘done’ you’ve actually got a lot more left in the tank than you believe you have. It can be read here.

1. 3 Brutal Questions You Need to Ask Yourself If You Want to Be Successful in Life

In line with the Ignatian concept of the Examen, this is ultimately about recognising that your disappointments are not to be avoided, but learnt from and leveraged. It can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and John 6 vs 51-58. Trevor considers Solomon’s pursuit of wisdom, his failures, along with those of Moses and David, and contrasts them with Jesus and his offering of himself as the Bread of Life - inviting us to follow the Jesus way in the path to true wisdom. Trevor’s offering can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 6 vs 51-58 is titled ‘Jesus, the first century troll?’ and focuses on the outrageous claims of Jesus that only those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will experience life. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Earning the right

I’ve reflected from time to time on the importance of Church leaders loving the people they’ve been called to serve. As I was coming into ‘ministry’ I’d often hear of the importance of being ‘prophetic’ – the priority of calling people to engage in the community in issues of social justice through active engagement. I couldn’t help noticing that ministries with this priority tended to be short. And it was rarely their fault. I’m reminded of Oscar Wilde, who after a disastrous opening night was asked how the play went. His response? “The play was great! The audience was a failure.” One of the most memorable offerings in our Methodism class came from Wes Chambers – a much loved and respected retired minister. He advocated for the importance of earning the right to say the hard things – and doing it sparingly. We needed credit in the bank with the congregation. This was accumulated in our being first and foremost a pastor – in creating a safe place, in being available to people when needed, in seeking to encourage them into the fulness of life that Jesus wanted for them.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Want better meetings? Ask these 4 questions

We’ve all been stuck in meetings where we’re simply going through the motions. They seem to go nowhere in particularly and do it slowly – often meandering up irrelevant alleyways, and leave us wondering why we didn’t take the time beforehand to be more focussed in our preparation. While, when we see them, these questions are blindingly obvious, the reality is that most of us rarely think about what they might need to be, and consequently don’t ask them. Worth a read and can be accessed here.

1. Build a Lifelong Habit of Learning With the 5 Hour Rule

I read this article, and couldn’t find out why it was called the ‘5 Hour Rule’. It looked more like a ‘1 hour’ rule. Mrs Google to the rescue - ‘The 5 hour rule is almost hilariously simple. It was coined by Michael Simmons, an entrepreneur and journalist. It suggests that no matter how busy successful people are, they will spend at least an hour a day — or 5 hours a work week — learning or practicing.’

That aside, the article is still a useful read – a reminder to me that my ‘doom scrolling’ is not necessarily the best way of adding useful insight. It’s about making a consistent investment in our own learning and growth. The returns will not happen over night, but they will happen. It can be read here.

1. Why Sex and God Travel Identical Biological Pathways Inside of Us

Okay, I’m taking a risk with this one – if you’re easily offended and wondering why I would be posting a link to such an article – then don’t click on it! Now you can’t resist, can you 😊?  It comes out of ‘The Big Idea Club’ – a website moderated by Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Daniel Pink and Adam Grant -  a couple of whom I have read and appreciated most of their books. To quote from the article’s introductory paragraph ‘Dr. Andrew Newberg (author) is a medical doctor and a neuroscience researcher who has spent the past 30 years exploring the relationship between our brain and our religious and spiritual selves — also known as the field of neurotheology.’ It can be read here.

________________________________________________________________________________

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers 1 Kings 8:1-6,10,11; Ephesians 6 vs 10-20; and John 6 vs 56-69. Trevor offers a thoughtful reflection on ‘sacrament’, and how it is often experienced in places and encounters. It can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of John 6 vs 56-69 is titled ‘Growing Confidence in Jesus’ and focuses on the response of the twelve to the outrageous claims of Jesus that only those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will experience life. What they had already seen, heard and experienced of Jesus, gave them confidence that his pathway always lead to life, and on this basis they were willing to trust him for the bits they didn’t yet understand.  It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I was shocked to hear of the death of Rev Siosifa Pole. He died peacefully on Sunday morning. Siosifa, as one of the Mission Resourcing Directors of the Methodist Church, faithfully represented the Church on the UCANZ Standing Committee until his term concluded at the end of last year. He had since taken on the role of leading Lotofale’ia Mangare – the largest congregation in the Vahefonua Tonga, (the Tongan Synod), and in the Methodist Church. Siosifa was also a champion for Climate Justice. He will be sorely missed. Please hold Naomi and the wider family in your prayers.

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

Please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there. If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come. The forum is set down for Auckland at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May, and concluding around noon on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Kamala Harris and Her Speechwriters Use Communication Techniques to Express Words that Bring Audiences to Their Feet

This is not a plug for any particular political perspective. It is about understanding simple techniques for more effective communication – something everyone whose business it is to get their message across in compelling ways might be interested in. It can be read here.

1. The Rise of Focus Music

From time to time, when I remember, I click open a folder I have with various options of binaural beats – these are extended files of non-engaging music that quietly play in the background. Here’s an example of what I use click here. The goal is to help keep focus on the task at hand. I’m easily distracted and readily distractable. The ‘Focus Music’ helps me to tune out the temptations to be doing anything except what is right in front of me. Yep, it sounds weird, but it works. Apparently, not just for me.  The article can be read here.

1. Nobel Prize Physicist Thinks Consciousness Must Underlie Universe

Confirmation Bias is a wonderful thing! It’s always gives a warm, fuzzy feeling when a Public Intellectual comes to a conclusion consistent (at least so it seems to me) with my own position. This article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers James 1 vs 17-27, and Mark 7 vs 1-8, 14-15, 21-23. Trevor offers a thoughtful reflection on the way that Scripture acts as a mirror. It can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 7 vs 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 is titled ‘Defined by Dirt?’ and focuses on the response of Jesus to the challenge by the religious leaders to his followers’ lack of personal hygiene in failing to wash their hands before eating.  It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m in Auckland this coming weekend. I’ll be preaching at Onehunga Co-operating Parish, Grey Street, at 10am, Sunday. On Monday afternoon I’m engaging with the Methodist Tauiwi Strategy Meeting. I still have a little space in my diary and could be available to meet with individuals or small groups. I fly out Tuesday evening. I can be contacted on 027 559 9042.

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

I’m going to keep reminding you. Please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there. If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life-giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come. The forum is set down for Auckland at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and concluding around noon on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. What JFK learned about leadership from a NASA janitor.

While this article addresses the sense of belonging and value of employees in business - knowing how important they are to the goal of the company, the real challenge for us springs from the recognition that church is mainly a venture of volunteers. Yet we’re all part of the team – actually the Bible calls it ‘The Body’. How can everyone know that their part is important – where we’re not just passengers, consumers, but are actually engaged in the arena? After all, The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.  It can be read here.

1. A Yale Psychologist Says This Simple Mindset Change Helps People Live 7.5 Years Longer on Average

Terrified that you’re growing older, that the grim reaper may be stalking you? I think about death, my own, probably more than I should. I’m aware of the money people will spend to extend life, or at least extend the appearance of youthfulness while seeking to live a longer life. And we’re moving into an age where technology is making living longer a possibility – especially for those who have money. Lots of it. Perhaps one extreme of where we could be headed is demonstrated in the 2013 Neill Blomkamp film Elysium – starring Matt Damon (I think it’s worth a watch). This article mentions none of that – it does talk about an attitude shift that costs no money, and can make a significant difference not just to how long we live, but to how well we live. It can be accessed here.

1. Carlos Whittaker spent seven weeks screen-free. Here’s how his idea of God changed.

This one is well worth a read. Especially if we have lurking suspicion that we’re spending more time with screens than is useful or good for us. Whittaker was shocked, both by how much time he was actually spending, how traumatic the withdrawal was, and how freeing to come out the other side. Apparently disconnecting is not for the faint hearted. And it’s worth it. This article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers Mark 7 vs 24-37 and James 2 vs 1-17. Trevor considers the reach of the gospel to the outsiders. It can be engaged with here.

My response to that same Gospel text hits a similar theme and is titled ‘A Broader Vision’

It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

This update is being ‘assembled’ in the early hours in an Auckland motel room. I had the joy of sharing Sunday worship with Kaurasi Langi and the 10am Grey Street congregation of the Onehunga Co-operating Parish – probably one of the most culturally mixed (seemingly representing much of the Pacific), and partner rich (with strong elements of Churches of Christ, Congregational Union, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches). Thank you for you welcome and embrace!

Late Monday afternoon found me with Methodist leaders of Tauiwi. I’d been part of this group for seven years, until two years ago. This was a peculiar experience as it was all so familiar, and yet…….

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

Once again, please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there. This will be an opportunity for real engagement across the partners – Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian, at all levels. We’re hoping to have significant representation of both regional and national leaders engaged in our korero. We’re planning for the talking to be both horizontal and vertical, where we all get to hear and be heard. If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life-giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come. The forum is set down for Auckland (Onehunga Co-operating Parish) at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May, and concluding around noon on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Brain science explains how to find joy hidden in your old habits

Finding life a bit flat, mundane, lacking? This article, originating from The Next Big Idea Club, helps us to understand the nature of novelty and how we can re-inject interest and enthusiasm back into our lives. It can be read here.

1. Two Productivity Techniques That Can Help You Do More (By Actually Doing Less)

Getting stuck can be crippling. Where do I start? How do I get this piece of work done? The first strategy offered is pretty much ‘common sense’, yet sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious. The second strategy is novel, and hey, it just might work. It can be accessed here.

1. 3 ways to get better at learning effectively

Really a plug for committing to being a life-long learner, this is a how-to for fitting intentional learning in to a busy life and making it a priority. My suspicion is that if we lose our sense of curiosity then we’ve already got one foot in the grave. This article can be read here.

1. How Kamala Harris Uses the Mirror Effect, the Smile Advantage and Other Top Leadership Strategies

This article has some really worthwhile observations, and useful things to say. That it’s about Kamala Harris is incidental – it’s not a political endorsement. I’m left a little uncomfortable though, when what appear to be natural, inherent, and perhaps cultivated personality traits, are advocated as a way of effectively manipulating others. Yet, worth a read click here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys the Lectionary texts of Proverbs 1:20-35, James 3:1-12, and Mark 8:27-35. He uses the Proverbs text central ‘characters’ – Lady Wisdom and Mistress Folly – as the lens through which to engage the other texts, inviting thoughtful responses to the issues that face us, rather than spitting out the first thing that pops into our heads. It can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 8 vs 27-38 is titled ‘What does  a Messiah look like?’ I consider the difference in assessment of who Jesus is between ‘people’ and his disciples, and why he might have commanded them to being quiet on their view that he is the Messiah. It can be experienced here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Sunday found me at a CV’s AGM. It was warm, open, and honest. There was a healthy acknowledgement of the head winds that the Parish faces. And no intention of giving up.

There was, however, a piece in the Treasurer’s report that bears addressing. It led up to the final two sentences which went like this: “I believe that we are not getting value for money in what we are contributing to UCANZ. However, there is not much we can do about it.” This reflects a common misconception among CVs that their levies are going to UCANZ. They are not. This bears repeating (apparently repeatedly). The levies are assessed by UCANZ according to the formula agreed by the partners. The CVs are consequently ‘billed’ by the partner. The levies go, in almost every case, to the Convening Partner, not to UCANZ. UCANZ is funded separately, out of the levies, by the partners. The best analogy I can give is the relationship between the Government and the IRD. Tax is assessed by IRD, but when we pay our taxes it ultimately goes into the Government Coffers. IRD functions on the bone thrown them by the Government. It’s much the same with UCANZ and the Partners.

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

In case you missed it last week (and the week before etc.) please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there.

This will be an opportunity for real engagement across the partners – Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian, at all levels.

We’re hoping to have significant representation of both regional and national leaders engaged in our korero.

We’re planning for the talking to be both horizontal and vertical, where we all get to hear and be heard.

 If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life-giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come.

The forum is set down for Auckland (Onehunga Co-operating Parish) at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May, and concluding around noon on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. With 1 Sentence, Wharton Psychologist Adam Grant Just Revealed a Quietly Powerful Truth About Communication

I’ve been a fan of Adam Grant for a number of years. While it’s about other things as well, at the heart of this article is a commitment to humility, recognising that we’re not the smartest person in the room, and that others have knowledge, experience, insight that we can all learn from – even when we’re supposed the be the ‘expert’. Minda Zetlin’s article can be accessed here.

1. Want People to Remember What You Say?

This is one for all preachers and teachers. While it focusses on a well-known political figure who is much in the news at the moment, what she has to say is crucial for us as church leaders. We need to remember the two insights she offers, every time we stand in front of a congregation. Preaching is not a call to show how clever we are. It’s not about us. Another one from Minda Zetlin, this article can be accessed here.

1. Four Different Types of Naps (and How to Choose One)

I’m an early riser. At least that’s my excuse. By 1pm most days I’m looking for a nap. Just 15-20 minutes of shut eye. In the moment there are few things worse, than sitting with someone that I’m supposed to be attending to and needing matchsticks to keep my eyes open. Especially when I know that after a short nap, I’ll be good to go. For those of you who also have this issue, (and may be too embarrassed to admit to it) the article can be read here.

Homilies

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon surveys the Lectionary texts of James 3 vs 13 to 4 vs 3,7&8 and Mark 9 vs 30-37. He considers the rock-bottom status of children in the first century, and how Jesus lets the disciples know that they need to be willing to accept this status if they’re wanting to be Kingdom leaders. Trevor then moves into a call for real leadership to be exercised both in Church and society, recognising that world change then becomes a possibility. His sermon can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 9 vs 30-37 is titled ‘The Kingdom of God Way’. Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom of God is entirely counter cultural, and difficult for the disciples to digest and accept. It remains difficult for many of his disciples in our day also. It can be experienced here.

But wait, there’s more

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. The conversation for this coming Sunday based on the gospel of Mark 9 vs 30-37 can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

But wait, there’s even more

Malcolm Gordon of First Church Dunedin offers an original song based on the gospel for the coming Sunday.

Malcolm singing and playing can be accessed here.

If you wish to play it for yourself – here are the words and chords….

If anyone wants to be first - Mark 9:35-37

Malcolm Gordon

    D                                    Bm

If anyone wants to be first

                        D

You must be very last

     Bm

A servant of all

Em                                     A

Welcome these little ones

                 Em              A

And you welcome me

                Em               A          D

And the one who sent me

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

UCANZ Office 

Kia ora e te whanau

On the day before Daylight Saving kicks in (that will be this coming Saturday), I invariably work my way around the house - appliances, clocks, watches, cars, - in changing time in anticipation of the following day. Remember to put your clock forward by an hour this coming weekend. (If your watch reads 9am, set it to 10am).

While it was always ‘fun’ to see who would wander into Church just as the service was drawing to a close (I was terrified it would one day be me), I’m aware that adjusting to rising an hour early took a little time to adjust to – the first week or so could be exhausting. Or is it just me?

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

Once again - please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there.

This will be an opportunity for real engagement across the partners – Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian, at all levels. We’re hoping to have significant representation of both regional and national leaders engaged in our korero. We’re planning for the talking to be both horizontal and vertical, where we all get to hear and be heard.

If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life-giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come.

The forum is set down for Auckland (Onehunga Co-operating Parish) at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and concluding around noon on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Personal and Leadership Resources

The ‘5 Second Rule’ Of Relationships

This article is about diffusing tense interpersonal encounters. It’s so simple, it’s almost hard to believe it can be so effective. Yet, it’s soundly rooted in research-based study. It can be accessed here.

Three Simple Ways to Recharge

It’s easy to imagine that we can’t have too much of a good thing – that as long as I’m enjoying and getting real satisfaction out of what I’m doing, I’ll be fine – that I could never suffer from burn-out. Back the truck up – this is not the case. Here’s an approach that can help when we’ve hit the wall or can see it approaching. Click here.

8 Unassuming Behaviours That Make People Lose Respect For You In Seconds

Finally, it’s wonderful reading articles which affirm how amazing I really am. Until I read one that exposes my darker side. This last article was an uncomfortable read. And important. It may not have any issues for any of you. On the other hand,…. Click here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon responds to the Auckland Methodist Synod’s designation that this coming Sunday (29 September) will be ‘Green Sunday’. Trevor takes to opportunity to focus on UPFs (Ultra Processed Foods).  His sermon can be engaged with here.

Rev. Dr Jordan Redding, Minister at St Hellier’s Presbyterian Church has usefully provided an overview of Mark 10 and where he will likely be going with it in his preaching over the weeks of October. His video can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 9 vs 38-50 is titled ‘Is God Offended by Your Sin?” It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. The conversation for this coming Sunday based on the gospel of Mark 9 vs 38-40 can be accessed here.  

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Charities Commission Requirements

I’ve been asked a question. It goes like this: With the necessity of all groups with charity status to update their constitutions we wonder if U.C.A.N.Z had a basic draft constitution that might save Co-operating and Union Parishes from spending hours redrafting their individual documents and one that would meet the requirements of the new legislation.

I’ve sought advice. Do nothing. Co-operating ventures are all under the umbrella of the ‘Procedures for Co-operative Ventures’. It’s believed that given these and the covering of the Partner Churches, this will be sufficient. We will be looking at ‘tweaking’ the Procedures in the near future. In the mean time, relax, breath, and carry on with life as usual.

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

Another reminder - please, put the dates in your diary, and plan to be there.

This will be an opportunity for real engagement across the partners – Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian, at all levels. We’re hoping to have significant representation of both regional and national leaders engaged in our korero. We’re planning for the talking to be both horizontal and vertical, where we all get to hear and be heard.

 If you’re not present, you stand to miss out on what we hope will be a once-in-a-generation event which helps set a life-giving course for the Church in Aotearoa for the years to come.

The forum is set down for Auckland (Onehunga Co-operating Parish) at Kings Birthday weekend starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May, and concluding around noon on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Personal and Leadership Resources

100s of Studies (and Adam Grant) describe the Best Leadership Style

Jessica Stillman offers some useful insights. It even spills over into parenting advice – which happens to be very different from the church milieu I grew up in. Yet I believe it to be correct. And, I’m a big fan of Adam Grant (Organisational Psychologist at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania) – I’ve just started reading his latest book Hidden Potential – a must read for all who would reach for the ‘more’. Stillman’s article can be accessed here.

New Research Confirms Adam Grant Is Right: To Be Smarter and More Successful, Think More Like a Scientist

In for a penny, in for a pound. While I’m extolling the virtues of Adam Grant, here’s an even better article from Jessica Stillman on how we can all be smarter. It starts with curiosity, accepting that we might be wrong, and being willing to hold our certainties a little more lightly – not something as Christians that tend to come easily to us. The article lays out a strategy on how to proceed. It can be accessed here.

20 Life (Not Business) Lessons For Leaders

Finally, from Forbes. As the title suggests this stretches well beyond the business realm. This list may be one we could all Blu-tack to the wall in front of our desks. It can be accessed here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon considers the origins of evil, and offers a thoughtful reflection on the  lectionary texts Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, and Mark 10:2-16. His sermon can be engaged with here.  

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 10:2-16 focuses on the issue of divorce, and the hardline way Jesus responds to it. My homily is titled ‘Divorce? That’s an option?’  It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. The conversation for this coming Sunday based on the gospel of Mark 10:2-16 and can be accessed here.   

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Forum 2025 – Our Future Together

Please post and share as appropriate (attached)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Leaders: Is Your Desire to Be Right Holding You Back?

This one’s serious – I could have written it (bit didn’t). It’s written with brutal honesty about the need that some of us have to have all the answers. I’ve referenced previously that in my previous life working for the Ministry of Works (remember when there was such a thing?) I had a poster on my office wall that said ‘Those of you who think you know everything, are annoying to those of us who do’. You get the picture. The article can be accessed here.

2. The Art of Leading a Team Smarter Than You

Developing the theme of not needing to be the smartest person in the room a little further, this article offers some useful tips.

3. Most Speakers Face Public Speaking Anxiety, Even Barack Obama’s Speechwriter

As a 16 year old I never imagined that I would get married. The idea of standing in front of a church full of people to simply utter 2 simple words “I do”, completely freaked me out. That regularly standing in front of churches not usually so full of people has become a significant part of my life work is full of irony, and testimony to the grace of God. This article has a few good tips on public speaking. Of course, much more could be said, but this article covers some important principles. It can be read here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon offers another thoughtful reflection on the  lectionary texts Job 23:1-12; Hebrews 4:12-16, and Mark 10:17-31, considering the issue of prosperity through the lens of Job, and the call to follow Jesus as central to our experience of eternal life. His sermon can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 10:17-31focuses on Jesus encounter with the rich young ruler. My homily is titled ‘Too much to lose’ and considers Jesus concern for our growth, freedom and wellbeing.  It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here.  The conversation for this coming Sunday based on the gospel of Mark 10:17-31 and can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m on the road this week – In Wellington on Friday for the National Dialogue for Christian Unity (an annual meeting between leaders of the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Society of Friends Churches), and on to Gisborne for the weekend. I’m looking forward to it!

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. When to delay a conversation

Here’s a great reminder. Experience tells me that initiating that difficult conversation before I’ve prepared my own heart and mind for the encounter, and before I’ve held the encounter before God in prayer, is so often a recipe for the whole thing going south. Part of my preparation is to engender within myself a spirit of openness and inquiry – making sure I understand the whole, and have a fair representation of the perspective of the person I’m having the conversation with. It’s all to easy to come in, mind made up, all guns blazing, judgement simply needing to be delivered. There’s so much more I could say. The article can be accessed here.

2. Want to be a Better Leader – Learn to Let God of Control

We may talk about team, yet so often in churches we don’t really have them. It’s difficult as ‘Pastor’ to let go of the need to be in control. So much of what happens in church reflects on us – for good, or for ill. And yet, if we’re truly the church, recognising that each have their God-given gifts, we need to ‘trust’ ‘our’ people to be able to do the tasks entrusted to them without the need to micromanage what they do and how they do it. This could be a wake-up call for those of us who find it difficult to not be calling all the shots. The article can be accessed here.

3. Psychology Just Discovered the Type of Zoom Background Your Brain Likes Best

It’s true – blurring the screen, having moving scenes, or boring ‘professional’ background images is not the best for our mental health. And, apparently having to look at oneself constantly is both exhausting and nerve wracking – the article doesn’t tell us that we can disable our self-view – but we can. For clues as to what works best for ourselves and for others read on here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon offers a somewhat pointed reflection on the  lectionary texts Job 38:1-7; and Mark 10:33-45, considering the competitive nature, seeking of status, not only of the first disciples, but also us in our time. Jesus is clear that the pathway to greatness in leadership is found through the doorway of service and suffering. His sermon can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 10:35-45 focuses on the request of James and John to sit at Jesus left and right when he comes into his kingdom. My homily is titled ‘So, You Want to Lead?’.  It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here. The conversation for this coming Sunday based on the gospel of Mark 10:35-45 and can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

A reminder (again)

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

Home again Jiggety-Jig. NDCU (National Dialogue for Christian Unity) were, among other things, blessed with an insightful presentation on Tiriti issues by Alistair Reese. After a few hours as a guest in Koru with great company (where I did most of the talking ☹), it was on to Gisborne where I was kindly taxied to my motel by the Anglican Primate and his family (Thanks again!). I had a wonderful weekend with the people of Mangapapa Church – the main point being to make connections with the Parish and their new leaders - recently arrived from the UK. The Parish has struck gold. As have the Roche family. I hope they enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed them.

Coming up, we’re three weeks away from the Methodist Conference in Pōneke/ Wellington. It’s at this point that I complete my term as Ex-President of the Church and the limited responsibility connected with the role.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. A framework for resolving conflicts

This article provides simple, useful, and seemingly common-sense strategies for dealing with those potentially destructive events that can eat at the very soul of an organisation. Yet, it’s amazing how uncommon common sense can be. The article can be accessed here.

2. 7 Successful Strategies to Win Over a Resistant Team

While we’re dealing with conflict, here’s an article particularly useful if you’re new in a place with an existing and perhaps entrenched team. The article is about what it says it is, and can be accessed here.

3. The Secret to Building a Successful Team According to Malcolm Gladwell - The Law of the Magic Third

I’m a fan of Malcolm Gladwell. This article picks up a section in his latest book - Revenge of the Tipping Point (which has just arrived and I’m yet to read). His thesis is that for a minority perspective to get traction there needs to be a critical mass of representation. Perhaps the key line in the article – ‘That critical mass for newcomers is somewhere between a quarter and a third’.

At a political level this may just have something to say to those determined to keep even token Tangata Whenua voices away from Local Body tables. The article can be read here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, while including the lectionary readings of Job 42:1-6 and Hebrews 7:23-28, focusses primarily on the gospel text Mark 10:46-52, - Jesus encounter at Jericho with blind Bartimaeus. His sermon can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text of Mark 10:46-52 also focuses on Jesus encounter with blind Bartimaeus. My homily is titled ‘Once in a Lifetime Opportunity’.  It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here.  The conversation for this coming Sunday based on that same gospel of Mark 10:46-52 and can be accessed here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

A reminder (again)

Don’t forget to mark the dates for our Biennial Forum in your diaries. It will be staged through King’s Birthday Weekened at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland – starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and finishing around lunch on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Now would be a good time to start booking flights where this is the best travel option for you.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

We’ve been shocked and grieved by the death of Rev Jannet Mudavanhu, who has been in ministry with Trinity (Newtown) Union.  Jannet had a brain bleed caused by an aneurism on Sunday 13^th October. In the days following she made some progress and was able to talk with her sister Tendai who had come over from Africa to be with her. Ultimately Jannet failed to wake up on Friday morning and died on Saturday just past. Once again, we’re confronted with our own mortality and grieve the passing of one who was still relatively young, had so much vitality and pastoral giftedness. It seems so unfair. We hold her family and those close to Jannet in our prayers. Messages can be sent via Nicola.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. A Stanford professor explains how to develop the communication skill that sets great leaders apart

With the effective use of an acrostic, S-I-M-P-L-E, Professor Flynn lays out an effective presentation template for all leaders – whether in sermons or speeches intended to inspire. By using tools that connect, and make the message more memorable, just as Jesus did, there’s a greater likelihood of transformational change. The suggestions are accessible and easy to apply. The article can be read here.

But wait, there’s more

1. Excellent public speaking skills requires dedicated practice. Follow this 5-step guide to rehearse effectively for presentations.

Without cutting across the previous article, this one adds an extra layer - to help ensure that you’re communicating what you want to communicate and have prepared adequately to be able to deliver it in the most effective way. It can be read here.

And for something completely different

1. Leading Is Hard. Just Ask Fourth Graders

I talk a lot. The challenge of this article is, rather than having all the answers, to have the knack of being able to ask the right questions. Apparently, we need to put 4^th graders (8 yr olds) in charge. What is it they do that we can all learn from? The article can be accessed here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, includes the lectionary readings of Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, and Mark 12:28-34. He starts with a very interesting and challenging interpretation of the Ruth story as a push back against the narrowness of Ezra’s ‘purifying’ post exilic reforms – reminding us that Jesus had Moabite blood in him. Trevor then moves into the gospel account – with both stories describing a conversion point, both for Ruth, and then the Scribe, followed by the realisation of an expansive vision of God’s love for the whole world, not just the chosen few. Trevor concludes by challenging the church to see the Moabites among us and making room. His sermon can be engaged with here.

My response to the Gospel text for November 3^rd of Mark 12:28-34 deals with Jesus heart encounter with a Scribe who ‘gets it’. He understands the very heart of the gospel – both for the Jew and the Christian, and, with Jesus, offers a compelling and achievable pathway to making the gospel a reality in one’s own life. The homily is titled ‘Can Love be Commanded?’  It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. They examine four issues – one gives background to the text, then they consider their challenges, Good News, and application (the ‘so what?’). The site with all its options can be accessed here. Unfortunately the conversation for this coming Sunday based on that same gospel of Mark 12:28-34 has not been posted yet. Hopefully, clicking on to the general site (above), in the next day or so will give you access to it.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

A reminder (again)

Once again, please don’t forget to mark the dates for our Biennial Forum in your diaries. It will be staged through King’s Birthday Weekened at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland – starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and finishing around lunch on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Now would be a good time to start booking flights where this is the best travel option for you.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’ll start by sharing an article I offered for the November edition of the Methodist monthly ‘Touchstone’.

The Ecumenical Basis for Mission

Appeals for an ecumenical future will often reference Jesus ‘Upper Room discourse’ found in John’s Gospel chapters 13 through 17. These chapters champion a Trinitarian basis for our relationship with one another -  both with God, and inside the relationship within God.

Our relationships with one another are to reflect the relationships within the Trinity – relationships of absolute mutuality and interconnectedness – and are to be lived within the Trinity itself - “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us - so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)  

Let’s notice three things in this prayer of the Son

1. That in our relationships with one another we imitate the relationships within God,
2. That we are included in that relationship within God – now a fourth entrant into the relationship we have known as the Trinity – in our loving of one another and God, we belong in God.
3. That this, our interrelatedness in God, then becomes the basis of our mission in the world. It’s who we are in God with one another that becomes the most powerful advocacy for the life-changing efficacy of the Spirit’s work within us. ‘Eternal life’ becomes seen by those who observe the strength of our in-God relating with one another. Those ‘outside’  see us and say to themselves “I want what they’ve got”.

Imagine, instead of seeking ideological conformity, we celebrated our differences, celebrating the graces we each bring, and prioritised our relating to one another within our Hahi - in open, generous, and honouring ways? At personal, local, regional, national levels?

Imagine, then moving beyond our particular sect, we extended this same grace to other Hahi?

And maybe, imagine moving in this grace even beyond other Hahi – recognising that the underpinning basis of all mission is “God so loved the World”. 

Imagine if, rather than seeking to bend others to our way of seeing, we received each other as reflections of the life and love of God - recognising that we are all equally loved by God, difficult though we might find that to believe.

The most difficult part is that it needs to start with me, with Andrew Doubleday, and with each me among us.

Just imagine…….

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. 10. Maximize the health benefits of your daily walk

I stopped walking our dog about a year ago (the dog’s no longer up to it). I recently started morning walks again. On my own. Felt a bit odd at first. I’d forgotten what a rich time for thinking and prayer walking can be. It’s such a positive activity, and sets me up for the rest of the day. I imagine how much praying, thinking sharing life, the early apostles did as they walked the known world. And, how much the ‘wasted’ time, getting from one place to another, was the engine room for their life and ministry.  This article adds a little more - it can be accessed here.

2. 8 Reasons Every Pastor Should Laugh More

And not just every pastor, everyone. This article can be accessed here.

3. Chris Voss – Look for a ‘no’

Chris Voss was lead hostage negotiator for the FBI. One of the best books I’ve read describes how he’d go about it. It’s titled ‘Never Split the Difference’ with the byline ‘Negotiating as if your life depended on it’. Well worth a read, and having on your shelf. Here, he turns our usual way of getting agreement on its head, all in 20 seconds. This very short video can be accessed here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, includes the lectionary readings of Hebrews 9:24-28, and Mark 12:38-44. Trevor offers a comprehensive look at Jesus interaction with the religious leaders through Holy Week before concluding that the point of the story of the widow’s mite ultimately is to ‘Live as those for whom Jesus gave his all’. His sermon can be experienced here.

Jordan Redding is focussing on the book of Ruth for the month of November, recognising that only the first two Sundays are covered in the lectionary. His introductory video overview can be accessed here.

My response to the Gospel text for November 10^th of Mark 12:38-44 deals with story of the Widow’s Mite, where I explore a number of possibilities for why she gave the very last of her finances into the temple treasury. It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. They examine four issues – one gives background to the text, then they consider their challenges, Good News, and application (the ‘so what?’). The site with all its options can be accessed here.  The conversation for this coming Sunday based on that same gospel of Mark 12:38-44 and can be engaged with here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

A reminder (again)

Once again, please don’t forget to mark the dates for our Biennial Forum in your diaries. It will be staged through King’s Birthday Weekened at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland – starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and finishing around lunch on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Now would be a good time to start booking flights where this is the best travel option for you.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

I’m ‘writing’ perched on a stool in our hotel room in Wellington. The Methodist Conference is in full swing. After preparatory days the Conference proper commenced on Saturday morning with the Powhiri, the Service to acknowledge those who have died, and the Induction of the incoming President - Te Aroha Rountree, and Vice President - Peter Norman. Their theme for the coming two years ‘Don’t change, transform!’

Sunday morning saw me preaching at St Ninians in Karori (thanks friends for your hospitality), and the afternoon saw the Conference meet for the worship highpoint of the Church – the Ordination service. While Anglicans ordain regionally into their diocese, and Presbyterians ordain into their first parish, Methodists ordain into the Connexion – the national church, and this historically happens at the annual Conference. It’s always a joyful event, and this year was no different.

Yesterday (Monday) saw us at the sharp end with Conference business proper starting – after the establishing of the theme for the day – Climate Justice’, and the welcome, response, and gifting to guests from partner churches in Australia, the Pacific, and nationally (Including UCANZ 😊).

The food has been amazing! We have been royally hosted.

The Conference concludes early Wednesday afternoon with the Covenant Service (another very valuable gift of Methodism to the wider church – if you haven’t experienced one, and wish to - let me know and I’ll send you a copy).

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. Stop Over-Explaining - Why Pausing Is The Key To Better Communication

I talk a lot. There, I said it! (And so have others!). I was confronted with the opposite in my 2^nd year at Trinity College with Principal for that year, Rev Jack Penman (Wonderful man!). In being ‘interviewed’ by Jack, he had a habit of saying very little, and leaving large gaps silent. I felt I had to fill them, and disclosed far more than I would have wanted to.

This article address our need to fill the gaps, and the value of leaving those gaps open to allow the conversation to breathe. It also point to our tendency to load in too much information, and while this phrase is not used its one I often reflect on – particularly in the context of sermons and worship events – ‘Less is more’. Hopefully you’ll be able to access this article at.

2. 3 subtle traits of successful late bloomers

I’ve just started reading a book co-authored by James Houston. Houston was the Founder of Regent College in Toronto. This ‘Regent’ College is a post-graduate evangelical institution. The book, ‘A Vision for the Aging Church’ was published in 2011. Houston would have been 89 at the time. Most of his books have been published from his late 70s onward. His latest book was published in 2022. Houston is about to turn 102. Amazing! Inspirational! There’s hope for us yet.

This article, discussing the traits of those who get going later in life, can be accessed here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, includes the lectionary readings of Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-14, and Mark 13:1-8. Trevor picks up somewhat on the apocalyptic nature of these texts. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text for November 17^th of Mark 13:1-8 was prepared and posted a couple of weeks back – before I knew the outcome of the American elections. I was expecting a Kamala Harris victory. While I rarely touch on politics in my homilies, the text this time ‘demanded’ it. I’m not sure how well the message has ‘travelled. It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. They examine four issues – one gives background to the text, then they consider their challenges, Good News, and application (the ‘so what?’). The site with all its options can be accessed here. The conversation for this coming Sunday based on that same gospel of Mark 13:1-8, and can be engaged with here.

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

A reminder (again)

Yet again, please don’t forget to mark the dates for our Biennial Forum in your diaries. It will be staged through King’s Birthday Weekened at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland – starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and finishing around lunch on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Now would be a good time to start booking flights where this is the best travel option for you.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

Kia ora e te whanau

This coming weekend sees me in Greymouth, inputting to a leaders gathering, and preaching at the Uniting Church on the Sunday morning. Looking forward to it!

At the end of October, I noted that Jannet Mudavanhu’s life had been tragically cut short by a brain aneurysm. Her family and friends from Africa gathered, and she was finally laid to rest last Thursday. Jannet’s funeral can be seen here.

Personal and Leadership Resources

1. How to Be a Servant Leader Comes Down to 6 Behaviours

While the tide of fashion may be turning against this concept in the business world, it’s a drum that needs repeated beating. Marcel Schwantes knows how to do it well. His article can be accessed here.

2. Am I in the Right Role?

It’s a question worth asking – especially if you have a nagging doubt that you might not be. While this article is written from a business perspective, it still raises some useful questions, and offers some helpful ways of understanding where we are and where we might need to be. If you’re wanting to explore this further, especially seeking a sense of where God might be in such a decision making process, I commend a readily available book covering how we discern – ‘What’s your Decision? – An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making’ by Michael Sparough, Jam Manney, & Tim Hipskind. The article I’m pointing to can be accessed here.

3. The Three Secret Strategies To Great Decision-Making

This one comes via Forbes. It’s also about discernment – but using technical tools to do it. It’s quite complex and won’t be for everyone. I was struck by the title of the 3^rd strategy ‘Finesse Without Attachment’ – one of the keys to the Ignatian process for discernment is to develop a ‘Holy Indifference’, which means that I’m not attached to any outcome, and that either option will be okay. While this article doesn’t address this, it will be useful for some, and (hopefully) can be accessed here.

Homilies & Preaching Resources

Trevor Hoggard’s sermon, includes the lectionary readings of 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8; and John 18:33-37. Trevor picks up the theme of Christ the King. His sermon can be experienced here.

My response to the Gospel text for November 24^th of John 18:33-37 focusses on Jesus appearance before Pilate. While the lectionary focusses us on Christ the King, I’m not convinced this is the central point to the exchange in the text. Jesus is talking about truth – the truth he claims to be, leading up to Pilate’s rather cynical question “What is truth?” It can be experienced here.

Michael Godfrey (out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese) hosts a conversation of 4 Theologians and Practitioners at the beginning of each week around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. They examine four issues – one gives background to the text, then they consider their challenges, Good News, and application (the ‘so what?’). The site with all its options can be accessed here. As I send out this newsletter I’ve yet to see the latest conversation for this coming Sunday, which I expect will be based on that same gospel of John 18:33-37. Keep checking and hopefully it will appear soon 😊

Again, it will help broaden all our reach if you ‘subscribe’ and ‘like’.

Once again, use the videos as you will.

Methodist Conference Decision on the Treaty Principles Bill and Participation in Hīkoi mō te Tīriti

The Church’s Public Statement can be viewed here.

Rev Tara Tautari, the General Secretary on the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa has written to the Church and offered the following:

Kia ora e te whānau,  

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

I write to inform you of the Conference’s decision not to support the Treaty Principles Bill currently before Parliament. This decision reflects the Church’s deep commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our ongoing bicultural journey. As Te Hāhi Weteriana, we believe in the importance of honouring the covenantal relationship between tangata whenua and tauiwi, and we are concerned that the proposed legislation does not uphold the mana and integrity of Te Tiriti as the foundation of this partnership.  

We commend to you the attached Public Issues statement, and encourage you to read it prayerfully and to consider how we, as a Church, might continue to stand in solidarity with those advocating for justice and the recognition of rangatiratanga.  

In recent days, I have heard from many of our members who have expressed their support for the hīkoi mō te Tiriti as it journeys towards Parliament. It is heartening to know that members of our Church are standing together with others across the motu in this important expression of faith and justice.  

Tomorrow, President Te Aroha Rountree, Tumuaki Arapera Ngaha, Rev. Keita Hotere, and I will join the hīkoi to Parliament. We go as representatives of Te Hāhi Weteriana, carrying with us the prayers and hopes of our Connexion for a nation that truly honors Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  

May we continue to seek God’s wisdom and guidance as we navigate this challenging and vital journey of faith, justice, and partnership.  

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary

A reminder (again)

Yet again, please don’t forget to mark the dates for our Biennial Forum in your diaries. It will be staged through King’s Birthday Weekened at the Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland – starting at 9am on Saturday the 31^st of May and finishing around lunch on Monday the 2^nd of June.

Now would be a good time to start booking flights where this is the best travel option for you – they’re almost certainly not going to get any cheaper.

Finally.

As always, if you find you’d prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please let me know and your address will be removed.

Ngā manaakitanga

Andrew Doubleday

UCANZ Ministry Facilitator

UCANZ Office