yay! it worked!

1. Carol Dobbe

We’re delighted to announce that Carol Dobbe has been appointed as our new Children and Families Pastor.  Many of you will already know Carol through her recent work in India  with NZBMS.  Carol comes with a vast range of experience and skill for the role, which will be of great value to our church and community.  The role is two days per week and Carol will join us early in October.  We look forward to having her on the team.  

2. Communication about church AGM

Our church AGM will be held on 25^th September, straight after the morning service.  Just a reminder, if you have names to recommend for the Treasurer or Leadership Team roles, please contact leaders@fbc.nz, or discuss with anyone in the leadership team as soon as possible.  This enables an opportunity for the leadership team to discuss details about the role with individuals, to prepare for nominations.  

Minutes from the last church meeting and previous AGM will be confirmed and emailed in the next week. Please note that Monday 5^th September is the deadline to let me know about any other voting information, so that we can communicate this to the church in advance before the AGM.  The AGM is an important opportunity to celebrate what God is doing in our church community.  I’d like to emphasise significant milestones in life and in ministry.  Please let me know if there are important celebration points that you would like to make note of this year.  You can email any of this information to leaders@fbc.nz or tim@fbc.nz. 

3. Courses

There are a few courses coming up that I believe will be timely and beneficial to many.  The CAP money course and the Alpha marriage course.  See the newsletter for more details.  Both of these, marriage and money, will be helpful and strengthening to anyone.  In other words, you don’t have to have a problem or to be in crisis to attend.  These courses are well presented and very helpful.

I’m really looking forward to Sunday, as we begin a new series about Prophetic Encouragement.

See you then!

Grace and peace,

Tim

Kia ora whanau!   Thankfully our household is out of isolation, and covid didn’t spread beyond the one individual.  We appreciate for your prayers!

Exciting to see It was great to see the new Craft group meet together today.  I’m praying that this setting will be a place of joyful creative connection and support, for those who come along, and for those who are welcomed from the local community.  This is a wonderful example of a few people responding to the prompting God placed on their heart.  I love the way God uses each person in the body of Christ, with their unique interests and gifts.   I wonder what God might be prompting you to join or to start at this time?

Next few weeks This Sunday we begin a new series focusing on the blessing of singleness and marriage within our church community.  Our services will be seated around tables, to emphasize the importance of relational connection.  I’m really looking forward to this time, as we gather together in worship, God’s word and conversation in caring faith community. Also just to let you know that over the next two weeks, I won’t be in the church office.  The first week with a block course for my professional development, followed by a Baptist regional Hui.  The following week I’ll be on holiday with family.

NZ Baptists One way to keep in touch with some of the conversations happening in the Baptist movement is through podcasts.  Here is a link to a number of podcast conversations between Baptist leaders.  https://baptist.nz/podcasts/   I’d like to invite you to pray for NZ Baptist leaders and pastors at this time, particularly for those in the Auckland and Northland as we gather at Hui this week.  Please pray for Rachel Roche in her role as Kaitiaki Regional Advisor in the Baptist Northern Association.  Please pray for churches facing significant times of change and challenge.  Please pray for God’s mission into every local neighbourhood around our country.  Please pray for churches running the Alpha course this term.    Just a reminder that it’s not too late to invite people to the Alpha courses at Franklin Baptist church next week.  Monday 10am or Wednesday 6:45pm.    May you know God’s presence and courage in your life today Grace and peace,   Tim Palmer Senior Pastor, Franklin Baptist Church

Greetings church family,

This week I have been very encouraged by some testimonies of God at work in our church community:

• through church members visiting and caring for each other 
• through Marian’s message
• through meals and care packages provided for households in isolation with covid
• through God’s presence impacting people during our worship and prayer ministry on Sunday
• through people offering their time to paint fences
• through the online Karakia page and the stories that are emerging from around our nation

I’m blessed to be part of this church!

Just a reminder about our church meeting this Sunday 24^th July, after the morning service.  The main focus of our church meeting is the budget, as summarized in our email last week. 

In order for us to respond to specific budget related questions during the meeting, it would be helpful if you could email me in advance.

The agenda for the meeting will be:

1. Welcome and prayer
2. Budget and loan repayment project
3. General business
4. Pastoral update
5. Prayer

The leadership team also mentioned that we would provide more information about the permanent executive pastor role.  This is offered below in a question/answer format.  Recently a few people have asked for clarity about the staff structure and the process of appointing this position, which may be helpful for others as well.  

Without exception, all of the feedback I have received about Penny in this role has been positive and affirming of this decision.  I have clearly seen the Holy Spirit’s guidance through the body of Christ during this discernment process.

Grace and peace

Tim

Executive Pastor role

Here is some more information about the role in a question and answer format:

What are the key focus areas of the executive pastor role?

There are three main focus areas: employment relations/supporting the staff in their roles, strengthening volunteer led ministries, and working with the senior pastor and leadership team thinking and planning strategically for the years ahead.

What has the appointment process looked like?

The leadership team has made this permanent part time appointment, with the recommendation of the senior pastor, in accordance with our constitution and advice from the Baptist National Administrator.  This follows a successful interim trial, review of structures, feedback and prayerful discernment.

Who does the executive pastor and other staff report to?  

Senior pastor reports to the leadership team.  Executive pastor reports to senior pastor.  All other staff now report to executive pastor.

This structure maintains healthy alignment of the ministry of all of the staff team.  While there is a clear line of accountability, we also seek to work collaboratively as a team that reflects a “priesthood of all believers” in the body of Christ, modelling shared respect rather than hierarchy.  

What other church structures are Baptist churches utilising?

Currently there are many different pastoral staff structures represented in the Baptist movement.  This includes: co-pastoring (having two people share the senior pastor role – ideally a male and a female pastor); campus model (where a church chooses to relinquish its autonomy to work under the leadership of another church – in this scenario the campus lead pastor is able to put their best energy into ministry and mission, rather than operations); team led (having a team of equal pastors with no senior pastor); senior/executive pastoral team (having an executive pastor to focus on operations working closely with the senior pastor).  In our setting at FBC, this last option seemed the most suitable step.  It is interesting to observe the value of each of these different NZ Baptist church structures, and to remain open to how God may lead our church in the future.

Why is it called “executive pastor” and how does it relate to other pastoral titles?

Under the NZ Baptist framework for pastors, this role is the same level as an “associate pastor”, so that title was another option.  The word “executive” indicates some of the specific focus areas that sit with the operational side of pastoral ministry.  (In the same way that “children and families pastor” indicates focus on a specific area of ministry.)  “Executive pastor” acknowledges the changing needs of church ministry which require a professional grasp of operations, finance, employment law, and volunteer supports in the not for profit sector.  However, the most important word is “pastor”.  In a church, operations are inseparable from the care of people.  This role is not a director, manager, executive officer or business leader, but a pastor.

Why do we need this?

Under our church structure, the senior pastor role carries the responsibility for all of the ministry, management, and mission of the church.  Whilst these areas sit within Tim’s strengths and passions, there is often a tension between the spiritual vs operational needs of pastoral ministry.  Delegating some of the operational responsibilities to an executive pastor role enables Tim / senior pastor to have increasing focus on the spiritual health of the church.   

Are we going to replace the full time youth pastor and other full time associate pastors?

We deeply value the ministry of our previous pastors.  We also believe that youth ministry is vital in our church.  Unfortunately it is not sustainable to replace these roles as they were, and staff reductions have been the only realistic pathway forward in this season.  Again, the strategic focus for staff moving forward needs to be equipping volunteers.  Appointing a permanent executive pastor is an important part of this wider strategy.

When it comes to fulltime associate pastors, many would consider it more valuable to have 3x separate part time roles that add up to a fulltime equivalent.  It may be subjective, but part time pastoral staff can be seen as a positive approach to provide connection with a greater range of people, with more focused specialised ministry.  

Is 10 hours per week sufficient for the executive pastor role?

Barely.  20 hours per week would be more ideal for the executive pastor role.  In addition to this, Penny offers considerable experience in other areas of pastoral ministry.  Therefore a fulltime role could easily be filled with the strengths she brings.  However, 10 hours is what we can realistically afford at this time.

If the interim role was initiated to help Tim’s burnout recovery, why do we still need it now that he has recovered?

An executive pastor role had been considered by the leadership team for many years (even before Tim’s arrival).  In addition to this, the senior pastor and other staff have absorbed other pastoral tasks and responsibilities from Luke and Steve’s role, while the staff team has reduced from roughly 7.0FTE to around 4.0FTE church-facing time.  There is still a need to keep shifting toward volunteer-led ministries, yet the post-covid challenges related to this have increased.

The interim role enabled us to trial this, and it has proven to be helpful.  Penny brings expertise to the team that fits well with this direction.

What has the role looked like over the last year?

In the interim role, Penny has provided leadership and accountability structures for the staff team.  This includes revision of individual employment agreements, human resource policies, and staff reviews.  In addition to this, since she started there have been some unexpected pastoral challenges, such as lockdowns; ongoing organising teams amidst staff and volunteer isolation disruptions; the transition of children and families pastor and related review of that role, advertising, interview process, and managing of current volunteer leaders.  Tasks which would otherwise have fallen back on Tim. Some of the other unexpected challenges this year have required extensive follow up with other organisations, legal input, and health and safety review.  Overall, this has clearly reinforced the value of this role.

Is Penny the right person for the executive pastor role?

Yes.  As a qualified experienced senior pastor in a previous setting, Penny also holds a degree in Business Management.  She has a high level of trust and credibility within Franklin Baptist Church. The last year has demonstrated the value of her ministry.  We have received only positive feedback about Penny’s ministry and affirmation for her in this role, and we are grateful that God has placed her here.

We ask for your continued prayer for Penny, and for all of those involved in ministry at Franklin Baptist Church.

1. Carey Baptist College Flourish Conference

It is great to see that Jordyn Rapana will be one of the speakers at an upcoming Carey Conference on Monday 18^th July.  Here are some more details if you are interested in attending https://www.carey.ac.nz/about-carey/carey-events/flourish-conference/

2. Reflections on Matariki

Last week’s conversation about Matariki generated a lot of positive feedback (…alongside one or two negative reactions/concerns).  Overwhelmingly, people are grateful for the tools to discern and navigate this new holiday with the families, schools etc.  I want to acknowledge Paul Windsor, the previous Principal at Carey who first demonstrated the “Four Chairs” approach to this kind of topic, which I adapted in the message on Sunday.  I’m also grateful for Christian organisations that are continuing this conversation and resources.  At a nationwide level, this new event is being defined and shaped by many leaders.  As you’re aware, some of it is concerning.  But it is tremendous to see leading Christian Māori engaging with the opportunity, and in some settings they have been able to shape and define events from a Christian worldview.  Here’s a great example from Bradford Haami… Karakia message with Brad Haami

3. Renew Together

This month we begin our annual focus and fundraising for Global Mission through Prayer and Self denial, now called “Renew Together”.

On Sunday we have Carol Dobbe sharing, as she concludes her mission work overseas.  I wonder what kinds of questions you would ask her?  I’m really interested in understanding how her missions experience affects her approach to living in New Zealand again.

We’re also looking forward to a shared meal together after the service.  Please join us!

Grace and peace,
Tim

1. Basil Clark

On Wednesday afternoon Basil went to be with the Lord.  He was 91 years. Our hearts are with Steve and Lynley and the extended family.  A funeral service will be held in Whangarei at 12pm on Tuesday (a livestream link will be available).  

Steve shared these words:

“On the 18th May my Dad was promoted to heaven to be with Jesus and reunited with mum. I will miss you heaps, you were my role model in life, you passed onto me a wonderful faith in God, you showed me how to give above and beyond and that going the extra mile was not a burden but a blessing. Thank you for your friendship, your love and your grace and for always being available to me. Thank you for coming and sharing the last four years of life with my family and being present in the ups and downs of family life.  You were a true gentleman and man of integrity and generosity who loved to serve your Lord and to serve all those you came in contact with. What a blessing to have had you as my dad and I thank God for you and rejoice with you as you enter into the presence of God.” Steve

2. Resurrection people

Our current series “Resurrection People” has been really profound.  It’s not too late to link in to the daily devotional e-book that goes alongside.  To download a copy, click this link. 

Resurrection People personal devotion ebook

A number of people have also asked for a summary of the steps that I’ve found helpful over the years, “What to do with doubts and questions”.  …my mum thinks it’s one of my best sermons, and she even sent me a link so that I could listen to it! 😉 

What to do with questions and doubts:

1. Write the questions
2. Pray and be open to the Holy Spirit answering over time in different ways
3. Recognise the invitation to discover Christ (the question is not a dead end – it’s a doorway to discover more about God)
4. Active attentiveness (“I’m willing to actively learn”) versus passive pride (“…this is a barrier, but I can’t be bothered reading/listening/learning”)
5. Seek God more than solutions (the goal of faith is relationship with Jesus, not information/answers).

3. Baptist Leader – Charles Hewlett

Here’s a link to a webpage that helps connect us with Charles Hewlett, the NZ Baptist Leader.  It includes some interviews, photos, and written reflections.   It’s a great way to stay in the loop with some of the things he is highlighting in the Baptist movement. https://baptist.nz/our-team/national-leader/

May you know God’s grace this week.

Blessings,

Tim

1. Appointment of leaders

For those who missed the AGM on Sunday, we’d like to announce the formal appointment of Erin Temu and Alan Calvert to the leadership team, and the re-appointment of Dave Stevens and Penny Day to continue their role on the leadership team.  We are very grateful for the gifted leaders that God has placed at Franklin Baptist Church at this time.

2. Loan repayment project

We also presented a Loan Repayment Project.  At FBC we have a current loan of (approx) $469,000 with Christian Savings. We are looking to reduce this more quickly than we have been doing and present the following as a project.

The project has 2 different activities with the ultimate aim of eliminating our loan.

1. Interest free loans – FBC will seek to cover the current loan by using interest free loans from church attendees and use the money currently being paid to Christian savings (mixture of principal and interest) to pay back the loans (principal only). Keeping in mind that these loans can be called on at any time, it was felt that the ideal scenario would see 5 lenders of $100,000 or 10 of $50,000 – smaller amounts could be more difficult to manage especially if lenders requirements changed at short notice and refinancing was required. There is quite a lot of detail around documentation and timing of these loans but it would be better to cover this off with those who would like to pursue this option individually.
2. Fund raising and donations – a generous member of FBC has offered to match dollar for dollar on any donation/funds raised over the next 12 months to a maximum of $100,000. This is for money donated that is not already earmarked for usual tithes and offerings but allows for many church attendees to contribute to the project even if they are not able to give an interest free loan. It would allow for small groups to fund raise by doing cake baking, car washing etc knowing that each dollar is worth $2. Perhaps someone would like to organize a post Covid garage sale – the choices are endless. It could include the tax refund for either the year just completed or committing for the year we are already in if you are not already giving that back.

All giving for this project should be tagged as “loan repayment project” and will be kept separate from general offerings and reported on separately as the year progresses.

3. Congratulations Rachel Roche!

We want to congratulate Rachel Roche on her new role as Kaitiaki Regional Advisor in the Baptist Northern Association.  This is a significant leadership role, advising pastors and leaders of around 100 Baptist churches from Bombay to Cape Reinga.  In this capacity she will develop and utilise an audit tool to help gauge the health of churches/faith communities in this region, and work alongside pastors and ministry teams towards their goals to strengthen the health of these churches.   

Rachel we recognise the leadership gifts God has placed on your life, and your calling in the Baptist movement.  We pray for God’s blessing, as you embark on this new role!

Grace and peace

Tim Palmer and the FBC leadership team

Instead of the typical “3 things” email, I felt to share a personal journey.

An extended personal reflection about burnout recovery 

I went to the petrol station to pump up my tires, and left in despair. I had been standing, staring blankly at the air pump for a long time, with no recollection of what number to set it to. Was it 2, or 15, 60…? The longer I looked, the more confused I became. There was nothing within me that could grasp an answer. This simple everyday task, amidst the dysfunction of burnout became impossible. It didn’t even occur to me to pull out my phone and google it. I considered asking for help, but had no emotional energy to start this simple conversation with a stranger. Tears flowed, blurring the numbers on the air pump. I drove away defeated.

As we approach our AGM I was reflecting back on the last AGM in November 2020. A year and a half ago, because of the unprecedented times navigating COVID restrictions and vaccination divisions.  You’ll also be aware that our church had another layer of complexity to add to the challenges over that time – my burnout situation meant that I wasn’t able to be at that AGM.  In light of that, I think it is helpful now to share part of this burnout recovery story, because of the impact it had on our church and leadership team decisions.  This is not easy for me to share, but important.

I’m grateful for the way our leadership team handled this season, when the senior pastor crashed and dropped everything.  The caring and courageous way our leadership team responded has enabled me to fully recover and continue in ministry.  In fact one significant Baptist leader reflected that he had never seen a pastor recover from the level of burnout that he had observed me go through.  Recently, I’ve been approached numerous times by other churches and pastors facing similar burnout experiences, asking if I could share insights about what Franklin Baptist Church leadership team did to enable this recovery.  Our story has helped other churches, pastors and ministries, as well as families within our own church who have been affected by stress and burnout in recent years.  Here’s an overview of the journey. 

In September 2020 during my family holiday, I crashed emotionally.  This was later diagnosed by a psychiatrist as burnout, caused by stress accumulated over many years.  There were several factors that contributed to this, primarily relating to the pressure of pastoral ministry and expectations.  Pastoring is a job that is never complete, and carries significant emotional pressure due to the collective pastoral circumstances of a congregation.  There are increasing legal requirements, health and safety demands, with responsibility that sits squarely on the senior pastors role, alongside a public dynamic that significantly impacts the whole family.  None of my other year group peers who trained as pastors are still in ministry.  The calling of ministry and mission sit heavily on my heart, as I desire to see our church fulfil the Great Commission.  Over time I have struggled with the reality that some areas of ministry have not flourished under my leadership at Franklin Baptist church.  I am passionate about being a pastor, and feel called to live my life for God’s kingdom.  But gradually my ministry hours were over-extending, and time off increasingly interrupted.  Lockdown in 2020 was a very difficult time for me personally, alongside some significant health circumstances within my family.  Early in September 2020 I crashed emotionally.  I was completely unable to function.  The petrol station air pump was just one example of what life looked like at that time.

I scrambled to find advice/diagnosis/wisdom, meeting with medical professionals, mentors and trusted counsellors.  As a pastor, this health journey is also inseparable from big questions about ministry.  “Was I still capable of being a senior pastor? Was I still called to ministry?”, which created even more turbulence and uncertainty for myself, my family and our church leadership team.  I want to express gratitude to my wife Jenni who is phenomenal.  She has been so strong and caring.

At the time, we were guided by the advice of a Christian psychologist who specialises in stress and burnout. His recommendation, supported by our leadership team, was to return to the role at a reduced capacity, and recover in that setting.  Apparently, research shows that recovery is proven to be faster and more long-lasting if it can happen in the setting where the stress occurred.  He advised me to find “life giving” areas of strength in ministry, and focus on these, instead of taking extended time off.  Thirty years of experience dealing with pastors with burnout had led to his concern that if I took extended time off at this stage of burnout, I would be unlikely to return to ministry.  

This is a small snapshot of what our leadership team was carrying at the time – the very real possibility that the senior pastor’s burnout situation could end his ministry.  The leadership team have been incredibly gracious and helpful, and have demonstrated amazing leadership and care at this time.  It is important to acknowledge that they could not share any detail with the church.  I understand that it may have been hard for the church, and there are still some lingering misunderstandings about communication and decisions that the leadership team needed to make at that time.  But I am deeply grateful for the provision of privacy that was necessary for recovery.  It must have been a challenging time for our staff and leadership team, as unfortunately I dropped everything in ministry. 

Based on this professional recommendation, in October 2020 the leadership team and staff picked up the immediate ministry responsibilities, releasing me to gradually re-enter as I was ready and able to.  In particular, John Wilcox carried a significant ministry load, which few could have.  I honour John for his timely leadership.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that I believe God worked through him to hold our church together during that season, and that this support directly enabled my recovery in ministry.  I’m also grateful for Faye Snook and Philip Kelsey who visited Jenni and I in our home every fortnight, simply to listen and pray for us.  We felt very supported and were able to be completely transparent in navigating the next steps.  

Through October I had reduced hours and minimal responsibility.  This recovery time was very difficult.  Even just being on site at church felt overwhelming and caused pain/pressure to resurface.  Every day I had to consciously choose to face and work through barriers in small steps (eg going to the office; attending a staff meeting; meeting with an individual; opening the emails; going to church on a Sunday; taking a small role in a wedding etc).  I can’t overstate how challenging every one of these steps was, due to extent of the burnout.

I also discovered that feeling 50% doesn’t look consistently that level across all areas. Rather, it looks like 90% in some areas, 10% in some areas, 50% in other areas.  This meant that I was soon able to lead well in some areas, like preaching, quite quickly.  While other areas, like management team responsibilities, I needed extended time away from.  Overall, this time was an “unpredictable roller coaster”.  I genuinely felt competent to contribute meaningfully in some areas of ministry; but in other areas, one simple email or conversation would trigger a whirlwind of confusion.  However, in November I was back full time, focussing on areas of ministry strength (…for those interested, responsibility is a high value to me, so I fastidiously recorded my time to ensure that I wasn’t a ‘liability’ to the church. Any leave or reduced hours I took was covered by accumulated sick leave, and annual holiday leave).  

As we approached 2021 we decided to invite a Carey summer pastoral student to relieve pressure from the team.  Sacha was an amazing fit.  Few will realise how much Josh, Sandra and other staff members had to cover for me at that time.  Around this time, Esther also picked up an enormous workload with a project from the Baptist National office that would typically have sat with the senior pastor.  I’m very grateful.  Having permission to focus on areas of ministry strength was life giving.  I felt a renewed sense of calling toward pastoral ministry, biblical teaching, leadership, spiritual formation, discipleship and mission.   There were many valuable lessons learned about healthy rhythms of life, rest, and boundaries in ministry.  Every month through 2021 I felt increasingly healthy and stronger in ministry. 

This health is also attributable to a shift in focus of the senior pastor role, by investing my best energy into ministry and mission, rather than management.  At our church meeting we discussed a new interim part time executive pastor role (10 hours week), to carry some of the pastoral organisational management tasks that often sit within the senior pastor role.  Penny was undoubtedly the right person for this role, as an experienced qualified senior pastor previously, who also holds a degree in business management.  Having Penny already on our church leadership team was another strength during a season of recovery.  It enabled a sharing of ministry responsibility and communication, that did not hang too heavily on one person.  This is a ministry model that we have observed working well in other Baptist settings.  We learned from their accountability processes to ensure it would not be a problem having another staff member on the leadership team.  I believe this has been tremendously beneficial for Franklin Baptist.  This has enabled me as senior pastor to put my best energy into ministry and spiritual leadership, rather than organisational leadership, pastoral management and systems.  I believe this arrangement has helped us navigate the last year and will set us up well to move forward into the future.

As a final note of reflection on the recovery journey, it is important to comment on the extraordinary challenges of the past six months for all churches around the country.  Never before have I observed such division and distress in the body of Christ, as we have seen with the vaccine mandate and omicron restrictions.  At this time the pastoral needs of our church vary enormously.  From those desperate for church as a hospital to find healing in Christ, spiritually, emotionally, physically.  To those who are hostile because our pastoral decisions didn’t fit their perspective.  Church ministry is challenging.  Not just for the senior pastor, but for every member of the body of Christ.  It’s realistic to say that I fully recovered from burnout last year, but also that the last six months have been more difficult for the church of NZ than any time I can remember. 

Amidst all of this, Jesus is still calling. I have felt attuned to God’s presence, and a rekindled love for God’s people and God’s word.  I am increasingly aware of my personal limitations, and the need to rely on God’s grace and strength.  We are walking through turbulent times, yet God has placed many amazing people together at Franklin Baptist church and I am deeply grateful for each one.  I know that it is not going to be easy, but I am moving forward with a sense of hope and optimism about how God is calling our church at this time.    

Thanks for listening.

Grace and peace,

Tim

tim@fbc.nz

1. Resurrection people series and daily devotional

There is a daily devotional e-book that goes alongside our next series “Resurrection people”.

This will be ideal for personal use or life groups.  To download a copy, click this link. Resurrection People personal devotion ebook

2. Easter reflective stations

A few people have asked for the opportunity to say thank you to the people who created the “Enter” reflective stations art work and resources.  I’d love to offer some encouraging feedback, especially if there is an art piece that particularly impacted you.  You’re welcome to email me back (tim@fbc.nz) with a few words to pass on. 

The stations will still be up for this Sunday if you missed out.  You are welcome to come to church early, or spend time after the service with these spaces.

3. Would you like to share one Sunday?

This term I’d love to see more people of all ages sharing in parts of our Sunday service.  

Here are a few specific areas:

• A bible reading
• A prayer (you could prepare this, or read a prayer we provide)
• Prayers or bible readings in other languages
• A brief story/example about what it looks like for you to be a follower of Jesus in your secular workplace
• A brief story/example about sharing your faith with others
• A brief story/example about God’s provision, generosity, or trusting God with finance
• A brief story/example about spiritual gifts in your everyday life

Please contact me (tim@fbc.nz) if you will like the opportunity to share in this way. 

This week, may you know the joy of our resurrected Saviour.

Grace and peace

Tim

Orange light changes

Today we shifted to Orange on the traffic light guidelines.

These are the immediate implications for church:

• There is no limit for indoor or outdoor gatherings.
• You do not need to wear a face mask at a gathering, but it is encouraged.
• Workers and volunteers at gatherings must wear face masks — unless they are exempt.
• Food service restrictions removed.

Shaping Sundays 

As we return to Sunday services onsite, it is a good time to consider why and how we gather as Christians.  

• What could we add or adapt, to strengthen our faith and discipleship?
• How do we continue to build upon the valuable small group settings that have been so enriching?
• What are the best ways to disciple children and youth, to see them grow in multi-generational relationships and active participation in the life of the church?
• How is God calling us to serve outwardly in our neighbourhood?
• What can we learn from the church in Acts 2

How could these questions shape our Sunday gatherings as we move forward?

I’ll leave these questions here for now, and come back to them soon.  In the meantime, I’d like to call us to pray and consider what the Holy Spirit might be saying to us in this season.

Easter reflective stations tonight

Over the years, our Thursday night Easter service has always been one of my favourite church settings.  Tonight is going to be quite special, and quite different.

The evening focuses on scripture and artwork that points to Jesus.  Reflective stations of the cross, as we consider all that Christ has done.

Here is a link to the “Enter” reflective service digital booklet that we will be drawing from tonight.  Enter stations booklet.  You can use this link on your mobile phone as you go around the stations tonight (limited printed booklets will also be available).   This link also enables those who will be away to create their own time of reflection where ever they are.

I’m grateful to my friends Naomi and Mark Compton, Baptist leaders who have created and shared this wonderful resource and podcast. 

The long weekend will provide time of refreshment, connection with family …and chocolate.   But it is so vital for us to take time at Easter to immerse ourselves in the journey of Jesus.  

This weekend, may you be reminded of God’s incredible love for you, demonstrated through the cross and resurrection of Jesus.  May this be a time of deepening relationship with the Lord, as you centre your life around Christ.

Grace and peace,

Tim