THINKING OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE

I am very encouraged by the way many union/cooperative churches are responding to their call to ministry and witness in this new century. But being effective parishes/congregations in this post modern, post denominational, post Christian, post Christendom era is a huge and constant challenge to us all.

IT IS A NEW WORLD. Like many others, I feel absolutely sure that trying to do what we've always done, but doing it better, JUST WON'T WORK. That is like looking through the wrong end of the telescope or trying to get ice cream into the cone through the bottom. It's coming at things from the wrong end. That's thinking 'Inside the Circle' - looking out from where we are. THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. We're not where we were anymore.

The first (and major, huge) step for any congregation wanting to be real in 21st Century New Zealand, is to understand today's community and HOW THE COMMUNITY SEES CHRISTIANITY and the CHURCH. We need to step outside our circles, see ourselves (our congregations) from the outside looking in. We need to think outside the circle.

I have prepared a one day or two evening discovery/action program for congregations which feel they're ready, like Abraham, to explore moving into a 'new country'. Let me know if you're game.

FROM THE UNITING CONGREGATIONS NATIONAL OFFICE

Parishes have received (June 13)
- Information/registration forms for the biennial Forum of Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand, Riding the Wave, to be held in Upper Hutt, November 8-11. I urge all union/cooperative congregations to be well represented. Any partner congregations can have members present - not just uniting congregations!

Nomination forms for the positions of president, vice president/president elect (subject to this position being approved by the Forum) and standing committee members. Nominations close August 7.

A notice board notice regarding 'complaints procedures' in partner churches.

Information re procedure for registering union/cooperative parishes with the Charities Commission.

CHURCHES' AGENCY ON SOCIAL ISSUES TO CLOSE IN DECEMBER

In May the Council of Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa - New Zealand announced a decision to cease funding CASI from June 30. At a subsequent meeting of Christian Churches, Methodist and Presbyterian representatives, the decision was taken to wind up CASI. I imagine that most members in our union and cooperative parishes, and many others, will be saddened to see this partnership disbanded and concerned at the haste and general process followed. Maybe ways will be found for it to be 'saved'.

CASI will be working strongly through to the end of the year. A key contribution it makes to the life of our churches is providing resource material for forming our thinking to major issues. Outlook - Still Unsettled is a climate change discussion resource at the printer (& already on the web site) right now. The latest bi-monthly Broadsheet (July) helps us think through imprisonment/parole issues. Resources related to our binge drinking culture will be coming soon. Necessary? You bet!

(Christian Churches/Churches of Christ joined CASI in 1999; earlier the Association had its own Public Questions Committee. Janet and Hugh Scott are our representatives. Hugh is currently chairperson.)

PROPERTY IN COOPERATIVE VENTURES - THE BASICS

Property in union/cooperative ventures confuses many people. Few now have the 'original' memory. I have prepared a one page hand-out summary of the basics that can be shared with all members of parish councils or others interested. If you'd like this, this ask me for an original which you can copy.

CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE COUNCIL MEETING

The annual meeting of the CWS Council was held on May 19. Angela McMorran (St Andrew St Church of Christ, Dunedin) is the official representative of the Association on the Council. As she was unable to attend, I attended at her request. The meeting - and the work of CWS - is very positive. Through the Council we have a direct say in CWS, New Zealand's only 'home grown' churches' aid agency. On our behalf CWS takes action to end poverty and injustice throughout the world.

Its main areas of work are:
1. Funding groups working in their own communities to overcome poverty and build decent livelihoods for local people. CWS works with local partners who decide what is needed most.
2. Responding to humanitarian emergencies - again through grass roots partners.
3. Raising awareness and educating within Aotearoa New Zealand. Unless we understand 'aid' issues, huge errors will be made and money will be wasted. Yes, our ignorance can get in the way of real solutions.
4. Campaigning against the causes of global poverty and injustice. The 'top down' causes of poverty must be addressed to ensure grass roots help is effective. (We all understand that ambulances and fire engines are needed but we also know we must invest primarily in health care and fire prevention to make a long-term difference.) CWS responds to people in greatest need, regardless of race or religion.

Recognising that local people are best placed to understand local needs and find their own solutions, CWS supports the initiatives of community organisations. Inspired by faith in God, CWS strives for a just social order through community partnership and service. What can you do? CWS has many excellent resources. Go to cws.org.nz or phone (03) 366-9274 . Be an active CWS advocate in your congregation. Make this year's Christmas Appeal a record in your congregation! God is lifting up the world's poor before us - our neighbours.

FORMER DISCIPLES' LEADER TO HEAD CHRISTIAN CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE USA

Dr Richard L. Hamm, a former General Minister and President (CEO) of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the USA and Canada, one of the three streams of our movement in the USA, has been appointed Executive Administrator of Christian Churches Together in the USA . He will assume the post on August 1.

Officially organized in 2006, Christian Churches Together in the USA is composed of 36 churches and national organizations, representative of the diversity of US Christian families, who are committed to meeting together for fellowship and worship and to working together on issues crucial to Christian witness in the USA. At its 2007 annual meeting Christian Churches Together focussed on evangelism. Its 2008 meeting (January 8 - 11) in Washington DC will strengthen and expand efforts to overcome poverty in the United States.
'I have always been drawn to the vision of the various parts of the church of Jesus Christ in the United States seeking common ground and working together in all ways possible,' Hamm affirmed. 'We must seek every opportunity to manifest the unity that is ours in Christ if we are to have a significant impact on this culture and nation.' He called Christian Churches Together an 'appropriately post-modern model, with its focus on networking, consensus building and action. The prospect of helping to shape and grow such a post-modern organization for the sake of common witness and mission is truly exciting!'

Christian Churches Together in the USA, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (ctbi.org.uk), Churches Together in England (churches-together.net), Action of Churches Together in Scotland (acts-scotland.org) and Churches Together in Wales (cytun.org.uk - web site under construction) provide contemporary models of Christian cooperative vision and action desperately needed in New Zealand but apparently beyond our willingness to grasp.

ECPAT - Ending Child Prostitution and Child Pornography

We share the following email (July 2) from Ron O'Grady
Dear Friends - Have you a concern for issues relating to child prostitution and child pornography? If so you might like to look up the new ECPAT-NZ blog we have just started - End Child $ex Abuse. I will be writing a weekly comment on the news and others will contribute from time to time. Go to: www.nochildsex.blogspot.com Hope you might find some of it helpful. Ron.

BOOK NEEDED - FORWARD INTO FREEDOM (Second request!)

I have two people who would love to have copies of Forward into Freedom, Murray Savage's book two on the story of New Zealand Churches of Christ missionary endeavour in Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. If you have a copy of this book that is no longer needed, please mail it to me (address below) and I'll pass it on. (Any 'extras' will be kept to meet future requests.) Thanks for copies of Achievement (book one) sent or promised!

CELEBRATING AND SHARING!

Sunday July 15: July New Zealand National Bible Sunday www.biblesociety.org.nz
Sunday August 5: World Convention Sunday (Christian/Churches of Christ/Disciples of Christ global day) www.worldconvention.org
Monday August 6: Hiroshima Day. Focus on peace.
Sunday October 7: World Communion Sunday
Sunday October 21: World Week of Prayer for World Peace
Thursday - Sunday, November 8-11: Uniting Congregations Forum www.ucanz.org.nz
Thursday - Saturday, 15-17 November: Christian Churches/Churches of Christ Conference.
Now beginning Thursday instead of Wednesday. www.churchesofchrist.org.nz
Sunday December 2: Beginning of Advent - first Sunday of the Christian year.
Launching of Christian World Service Christmas Appeal. www.cws.org.nz

MY ASSOCIATION DIARY

Please contact me with comments or questions for these meetings.
July 11-12 - Uniting Churches of Aotearoa New Zealand Standing Committee. uNETy will be published following this meeting.
August 11 - Church Extension and Property Trust Board quarterly meeting (Nelson).

Lyndsay Jacobs
Christian Churches NZ/Associated Churches of Christ in NZ
Uniting Congregations Partner Representative
PO Box 211, Kirwee 7543 (new postal code), New Zealand.
Ph: +64 (0)3 317-8011 . Mobile: +64 021 424516
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