Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

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Moderator

<typohead type="3">Churches of vision</typohead>

One of the books I read over the summer was the recently published Sir Peter Blake by Alan Sefton. I was particularly taken with the description of Team New Zealand’s challenge for the America’s Cup in 1995. This was the era of an amazing yacht - NZ32 Black Magic, of stunning expertise within tight budgets, of fantastic teamwork, and of an enthusiastic, patriotic New Zealand.

I was struck by Team New Zealand’s vision statement, which reads:

“For the Team New Zealand America’s Cup Challenge, our aim is to build a challenge that can win for New Zealand and that we can be proud of – to succeed in all aspects.

We want a small, informed and fully motivated team that:

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Works in an environment which encourages every member to make a meaningful contribution

Has a high degree of personal integrity and group honesty

Recognises personal goals but not hidden agendas

Continuously monitors and improves its performance

Is fun to be in.”

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Wow - no wonder they won! Now, here’s an exercise. Transfer that vision statement to your local church and see how you measure up. Work through it point by point asking questions like:

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Our congregational environment – does every member get to make a meaningful contribution?

Do we experience real group honesty or are there conspiracies of silence?

Do personal goals and corporate goals get equal attention?

Are we intentional in evaluation and growth?

When we meet - highlight of the week? Are we laughing enough?

What are we succeeding at? Go on – name it.

Do we have fully motivated teams?

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And so on – these can be such energising conversations. During 2005 I will be visiting many of our presbyteries and churches, and I am really looking forward to talking with you about the challenge of mission, the experience of your parish team, and to have some fun.

In this new year of ministry that is already well under way, may you know the motivating, enabling and captivating grace of God.

With my kind regards in the peace of Jesus,