LoginHome » News » Bush Telegraph » Issue archive » February 2003 » Moderator
From the Moderator
For most of you a new year of activities and your more normal routine will be beginning again. For me the reverse is happening, because after six weeks being parish minister again, I am soon to "hit the road" in Moderatorial guise; this month to Hawke's Bay and Wanganui.
This transition time is more pronounced in the light of two series of events that have happened or are happening.
In the last six weeks five strong leaders in the Presbyterian Church have died, and we do well to pause and honour them. George Knight was one of the great scholars who shared a very broad ministry among us, his adopted Church; and whose influence in the church in Hungary and the Pacific may never be fully known. Owen Baragwanath was one of the great pastors of our Church, whose ministry reflected the truth that every person is to be valued as a child of God. Keith Hadfield was one of the great servants of the Church, noted for his love of people, his encouragement of them and his friendly, down-to-earth nature. Doug Storkey was an outstanding preacher of the Church, with an amazing way with words in sharing the Gospel and a unique sense of humour. Sir John Turei was a humble, gentle leader in Maoridom, and for Tuhoe people particularly; who saw good in everyone and who called his people and us to "weave together the emblems of faith, justice and love, to unify our people and nation".
Nga mate haere, haere, haere,
hoki atu ki te kainga o te Kaihanga.
To the dead, farewell. Return home to your Maker.
What an amazing family this is, that has been gifted so much by such leaders.
The second series of events point to the future. In December I was asked to share the story of the development of our Assembly decision-making processes with the Reformed Church in America. In the last two weeks I have had a follow up enquiry from the World Council of Churches, and I have received a copy of an address to the Society of Friends in America which speaks of our way of working "as a very effective and orderly way to build consensus in a large gathering".
I mention these so we can note that there are some parts of our life that are offering leadership in the world Church. In the light of the recent research into the spirituality and attitudes to the Church of people who do not go to Church, I am now asking myself the question, "Can our response to this research be another ground-breaking moment?"
This qualitative research project we commissioned last year provides us with a significant opportunity. Its findings are being released this month. What will we do with this? It is well worth your immediate and on-going attention. But be warned - if we take it seriously it will call for all the courage and imagination we have. And, if we do take it seriously, we may also have, again, a significant gift to offer the wider Church beyond us.
In the meantime, back on the farm, as they say, may God strengthen you in mission with courage and imagination for 200.