Many Māori see the Treaty in spiritual and Christian terms as is seen in one of their names for the Treaty: ‘Te Kawenata o Waitangi’ (‘the Covenant of Waitangi’). Covenant is a very appropriate word to use. The word itself is of Latin origin (con venire), meaning a coming together.
What is the “spirit” of the Treaty of Waitangi? Often discussion of this question is focussed exclusively on the text of the Treaty itself. But it is also helpful to consider the wider ceremonial context in which the Treaty was first enacted.
Dr Stuart Lange lays out some key prayer points at the start of the year for Aotearoa New Zealand
As Christians, we need to work hard to keep Christ central to Christmas. Our modern secularised society primarily sees Christmas as a special festive family get-together, with lots of food and drink, and as the start of the summer holiday season. Such a cultural tradition has its place, for sure, despite the pressures of getting everything ready.
We believe it will be stimulating, inspiring, challenging, thought-provoking, instructive, encouraging, Gospel-minded, and biblically grounded!
A couple of weeks ago NZCN news reflected on the ongoing necessity of Christian believers sharing the good news of Jesus with others – in conversations, and in the teaching and preaching of our churches. We need to do that in ways which are loving, prayerful, clear,...