Issue 17 November 23
Overflow
ISSN 2815- 9322
Conference Reflections from an 'Oldie' (or from a 98 year old?)
ConneXion Multiply - Rev. Brett Jones (National Superintendent)
WMCANZ National Council Update Community Service - Aviation Chaplaincy
From the Editor Tēnā koe, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, atu, Kia orana, , Noa‘ia, Hello!
你好
안녕하세요, Fakaalofa lahi
Such an encouraging time of fellowship, food and focus together as we spent time understanding some of the ways we can reach, grow and serve together the communities we find ourselves in. There was much time to reflect on what is already available, hear about new initiatives and consider our next steps - individually and collectively. Have you taken time to return to what you heard, talked about and decided? We pray that the details in this month’s edition of Overflow will encourage you on the journey of being all that God has called you to be in your own context.
Denise Barrington
Editor
ConneXion - Multiply 2023 National Superintendent - Rev. Brett Jones Brett Jones shared a message from Acts 13 at the opening of the 2023 Conference - in this article he shares some of the key thoughts from the opening.
I don’t know whether it was a complete surprise that day when the Holy Spirit spoke to the church at Antioch and asked them to set apart Barnabas and Saul. I don’t know whether there had been some discussion about strategic opportunities or some personal revelation to Barnabas and Saul. But what the text makes clear is that it was the Holy Spirit who was setting the agenda for the church and for Paul and Barnabas. He was calling them by name: 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” What is also clear is the posture of the church was towards surrender, it carried an expectation of seeing and hearing from the Lord. The Holy Spirit was able to call them by name because they were listening. But there’s another layer here. The group that was present was of a very different nature from the early church leadership teams in Jerusalem. Paul was a diaspora Jew from Tarsus in modern Turkey with a specialty in persecution. Barnabas was a Levite, from the Jewish priestly line, who came from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Simeon, called Niger, which suggests that this Simeon was from Northern Africa. Lucius of Cyrene, the capital of the Roman province of Cyrenaica in northern Africa (modern Libya). Manaen, a proper Jew who was closely connected to Herod Antipas, maybe a foster-brother. Hardly something to recommend you as a leader of the early church.
This is a remarkably multicultural group of leaders for the time. Their background implies that they considered themselves as missionaries in Antioch, establishing congregations in the city and surrounding region. The Holy Spirit is multiplying disciples and he is calling them by name. He is calling them from diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences. What unites them perhaps is a radical experience of God’s grace. They are simply unable to remain as they were. Once the Holy Spirit called, things moved quite quickly for Paul and Barnabas. 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. In order to be set apart, you have to say “yes” to God’s call. But you also have to say “no” to some things. It can be a very painful process to say “no” to the present in order to embrace the uncomfortable future that God is calling us into. Saying “no” to what might prevent us from saying “yes”. For Paul and Barnabas that meant saying no to a pretty successful ministry in one of the largest and most influential cities in the Roman world. In one sense, it didn’t make sense. It would have been easy to make an argument to stay. It wasn’t really part of the plan that they would leave. The church at Antioch was also saying no to the fruitfulness they were experiencing. They weren’t just releasing surplus capacity, they were sending their best. They were sending 40% of their leadership team. Imagine God sending 40% of your leadership team. God is asking for our best. Not our leftovers or our surplus, the ones that we can spare. But the ones we think we cannot. The very ones that are making a difference. Why wouldn’t He need the best to take new ground for the Kingdom?
Who are those among us that God is calling to pastoral ministry? Who are those among us that God is calling to church planting? Who are those among us that God is calling to Global missions? It might be you. Not the person sitting next to you. Well, them as well. But you. Our prayer is that we might be sent as well. That we would have the same posture as the early church - submitted in worship and prayer to the whisper of the Holy Spirit - to discern his call to be set apart for whatever God would call us to, to discern his generosity to us and to be generous in the way we sow our resources into his call, to pray into his call to others that there would be workers for the harvest. That we would be a church that is multiplying disciples and leaders, pastors and missionaries and church planters, and that we would be multiplying churches here and around the world.
Conference Reflections from an ’Oldie’ (or from a 98 year old?) Rev. Frank Rigg In my 34 years (1955-89) of full-time ministry with the Methodist Church of N.Z. I came to endure rather than enjoy the Annual Conference. Multiple reasons. For me, I saw the increasing influence and control of liberal theology. The Word and the Spirit were no longer central. Moral and spiritual values inevitably declined. Bi-culturalism became an end in itself. Long welcomes were given in Māori. No interpretation. I rebelled inwardly! The Wesleyan Conference experience was so different! I enjoyed the wit, joviality and comraderie between the leaders, and more generally. Worship 'set the tone'. Good opportunities to reconnect with old friends. The Holy Spirit's presence was tangible. The agenda is missional and forward looking. Prayer was important. I praise God for the solid Bible-based and Spirit-led foundations laid down and lived out by John and Charles Wesley and give thanks for the way our New Zealand 'transplant' (led by Edgar Hornblow and Richard Waugh) is progressing. The vision, skills, and commitment of our ongoing leadership is to be commended. My heart leapt when I discovered that our monthly 'paper' was entitled Overflow. We can only give out what we've got! We have excellent resources for ministry, outreach and youth work. There is a good response in recruiting new trainees for ministry. We have a great goal MULTIPLY! But let's all remember "It is the Spirit who gives life;" Jesus in John 6:63
We live in exciting and challenging times. There is a growing hunger for righteousness as the things and institutions that are worldly fall apart. More prayer groups are springing up. The need for unity in the Body of Christ is becoming apparent. We yearn, in these 'last days' (quoting Joel in Acts 2) for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit - on ALL flesh! Let us all seek more of the Holy Spirit through prevailing prayer. He will reach in in healing and renewal, enabling us to reach out to others through the overflow of His transforming love and power! If we, as God's people, will humble ourselves, pray, and turn from our wicked ways, God will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. 2 Chron. 7:14 (my paraphrase)
National Council Update
WMCANZ Privacy Policy was approved.
Council affirmed the National Board of Ministerial Formation decision to make the satisfactory completion of Safe Church and Good Practice training mandatory for all WMCANZ ministers to maintain ministerial good standing. Council noted that good progress is being made on addressing the recommendations of the 2022 Pathfinding Report relating to child protection with Those recommendations which inform a “Child Protection Policy” being addressed in the Safe Church Policy. Those recommendations which relate to the employment of paid staff who interact with children being addressed in the Safety in Employment Policy. The remaining recommendations being addressed as part of the development of risk mitigation strategies for the priority risks identified as part of our Strategic Risk Register and being included as a schedule to future Council agendas to help Council hold itself accountable for delivering on the decisions taken in October 2022."
Community Service
Aviation Chaplaincy
To mark 25 years of aviation chaplaincy by Rev. Dr Richard Waugh, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, presented an international award to him at a special dinner at RNZAF Base Whenuapai on Saturday 4th November. A Livery Company of the City of London with King Charles III as patron, Richard was awarded the Company’s ‘Sir Alan Cobham Memorial Award’. This award was in recognition of his voluntary community ministry in the aviation industry since the late 1990s, including working with many families, organising the Kaimai Range air accident plaque and memorial services and other similar events, and working to advocate for the Erebus National Memorial - now a major Government project. Richard was unable to attend the international livery dinner in London on 26th October so the Master of Air Pilots, Captain Jonathan Legat, who was visiting New Zealand from the UK, made the presentation to him in Auckland. Richard comments, “It’s always been a privilege working in the name of Christ in the aviation industry. Over the years I have had so many special times with people, funerals to lead, plaques to unveil, memorial services for accidents and my work in the air accident area. I would encourage all our Wesleyan Methodist ministers to consider at least one aspect of community service outside the busy church environment. It is about us all being ‘salt and light’ in God’s world.”
Welcome Melwyn Welcome to our new National Safe Church Officer - Melwyn Le Comte. Melwyn's warmth, empathy, experience and general approach to life suit her well for this very important role. Here's a short introduction from her: Hi everyone. I've been married to Darrien for 18 years and we live in Papakura. I attend Cession Community Church, where I serve as a servant leader and occasional cooker of mac 'n cheese. My big hobby is dragon boating, and I'm a member of the Pink Dragons team. We are all women who have had breast cancer. I'm a selfconfessed sci-fi geek, with a particular love of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who. I also love cats! I'm looking forward to serving the wider Wesleyan church in this role. Thanks, Melwyn
In this role Melwyn will: Oversee the provision of strategic guidance, advice, practical training and support so our local churches can be physically, emotionally and spiritually safe. Manage complaints of Harassment, Bullying or Violence in accordance with the WMCANZ Safe Church Policy and Procedures. Safe Church Awareness Video As a Wesleyan movement we have embraced the concept of a "consistent life ethic" and are oriented toward those things that enable life to flourish towards God’s intended purposes. And that includes our churches. In this video we explore together how our churches can be places of well-being that enable this to happen in the life of everyone. Watch the video here
Employment Opportunities Youth Pastor - The Well Christchurch We are looking for a Youth Pastor! Are you passionate about the spiritual formation of young people? Do you get excited about developing a team of leaders? Do you want to serve local young people in their school? If so, you might be just who we’re looking for. We are seeking someone who can lead our growing high school youth ministry at The Well Church. Central to this role is the need to lead out of the overflow of your own relationship in and with Christ and a proven ability to lead a team of volunteer youth leaders, disciple young people, and support parents in the spiritual formation of their teenagers. You will also serve as our 24-7 Youth Worker at Cashmere High School. The position is part-time: 20 hours per week (10 hours church, 10 hours school). Are you interested? Or do you know someone who might be a good fit? To apply or enquire about this position, please email David Graham: david@thewellnz.org. Applications should include your resume and a cover letter. Applications close 9th November.
News from Global Missions, Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand Click here to read the latest news, and for opportunities to respond Get in touch......... missions@wesleyan.nz
www.wesleyan.nz
National Church Contacts
National Resource Centre Tuesday | 9am-2pm 219 Burswood Drive Botany, Auckland 2013 Ph: (09) 271 6460 National Support Assistant Sian Sidwell Email: office@wesleyan.nz Overflow Editor Denise Barrington Email: overflow@wesleyan.nz
National Superintendent Rev. Brett Jones - natsuper@wesleyan.nz Ass't National Superintendent Rev. Atu Lagi - pastoralcare@wesleyan.nz Director of Operations Rev. Peter Benzie - dirops@wesleyan.nz National Treasurer Kerrin Thomson - treasurer@wesleyan.nz Director Discipleship & Training Rev. Jo Verkerk - training@wesleyan.nz Director Global Missions Michelle Yates - missions@wesleyan.nz Director Ministerial Formation Rev. Melissa Powell - nbmf@wesleyan.nz Director Multiplication Rev. Mike Yates - churchdevt@wesleyan.nz Director Next Generations Rev. Stephenie Couch - youth@wesleyan.nz
Our Values | Enduring Foundations | Embracing Grace | Embodying Oneness Flourishing Churches | Celebrating Belonging
Event Calendar Good Practice Workshop | 25 November Click here for our full WMCANZ National Calendar
Donations We invite you to make donations to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand. Join us to make a difference and reach the lost with the grace and holiness of Jesus Christ. Using the WMCANZ bank account number below, please include your first initial and surname in the particulars field and 'donation' in the reference field. 03-0206-0380248-00 Particulars: e.g. 'J Smith' Reference: e.g. 'Donation' Please email accounts@wesleyan.nz with your details to receive a donation receipt.
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