World Evangelical Alliance Deerfield, IL – March 15, 2020
On behalf of the World Evangelical Alliance, Secretary-General Bp Efraim Tendero offered the following prayer amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Our Almighty Father God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, as Your children living in every corner of the world we come before You today to intercede for our nations, almost all of which are currently affected or under threat of the COVID-19. We praise You that You neither slumber nor sleep and You are watching over our lands and our peoples, especially in perilous times such as these.
Our help comes from You. We cry out for Your mercy and protection against this virus. We declare that You alone are our refuge—our place of safety. We pray that You protect our peoples from this deadly disease and rescue our lands from this dangerous trap.
Grant our governments and the various national and local leaders wisdom and understanding as they establish and implement guidelines, measures, and strategies in fighting against COVID-19.
Enable our health officials and medical personnel with Your strength and power as they attend to the sick and vulnerable, and allow this pandemic to pass quickly. Lead the medical scientists around the world who are working double-time to find the antidote to COVID-19.
In these dangerous times, grant us Your grace and peace to stay calm and to overcome fear, because the spirit of fear does not come from You. Instead, You have given us faith, hope, and love. You have given us power and a sound mind. Your Word says that You will keep in perfect peace those whose eyes are fixed on You.
You have given us faith, hope, and love. You have given us power and a sound mind. Your Word says that You will keep in perfect peace those whose eyes are fixed on You.
Help us to reflect the image of Jesus Christ in caring for the less affluent who could hardly afford to buy for their daily need and are left vulnerable as more affluent people buy stores empty. Move us to selflessly extend comfort and help to the isolated and lonely, just as we receive comfort from You in times of difficulty.
Finally, we pray that in the midst of this pandemic, You would unite us in love, bind our nations in peace, and bring hope and healing to our lands with Your grace and Your power. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN.
Bishop Efraim Tendero Secretary-General World Evangelical Alliance
As 2020 gathers momentum, warm greetings from the NZCN leadership team.
The Lord alone knows what a year may bring: what calamities, what challenges, and what encouragements and breakthroughs.
Our world continues to be troubled by conflict, oppression, tyranny, greed, corruption, poverty, and a deepening climate crisis. And now a possible pandemic. In many countries, there is active persecution and violence against Christian minorities.
In Aotearoa, secularism has contributed to a diminished societal awareness of the true and living God, and a growing indifference towards Christianity. Many New Zealand Christians appear to lack full confidence in Christ and the Gospel, have privatised their faith, and seem preoccupied with less important things. Deep prayerfulness appears not as prevalent as it should be. Some churches are doing fairly well, but many are not. The whole New Zealand church appears to need a fresh spiritual renewing and reinvigoration.
In September New Zealanders will vote on referendums about legalising marijuana and allowing voluntary euthanasia. Parliament will shortly be voting on significantly liberalised abortion legislation which contains no regard for protecting the life of an unborn child.
So, all in all, is this a year in which Christians should plan to be complacent, and live and act just the same as before? Would a better starting point be to ask: what can we each do differently – individually and together – to make a real difference?
Also included in this newsletter are:
Resources about Waitangi, which reflected significant Christian influences
Waitangi Day isn’t just a national holiday. It marks the birth of our nation. Although the Treaty remains a mystery to many, it appears that people are starting to realise that knowing about the history of Aotearoa-New Zealand is fundamental to calling ourselves New Zealanders. Last September, the government announced that NZ history will be taught in all schools by 2022 and will be compulsory from years 1-10, and from year 11, schools will choose which subjects their students are required to take.
How much of NZ’s history are we acquainted with? Particularly our Christian heritage and the role the church and early missionaries played in helping form this nation. See our special Waitangi section below, with links to some articles and resources you may wish to peruse.
Top musical Māori artists joined forces to produce a visual album showcasing the live recording of eight moving and uplifting waiata whakamoemiti (gospel songs).
Information on many opportunities, invitations and events coming up soon
Rounding out the newsletter is an extensive list of opportunities, invitations and events coming up soon. Please take the time to check them out. There is something for everyone, including those in ministry, and information about some critical matters currently before Parliament.
Updates on the road to the 3rd reading of the proposed Abortion Legislation Bill
The next week or so is a very critical time for our nation, with major life and death implications for generations to come. The New Zealand Parliament is in the final stages of voting on the Abortion Law Reform Bill, a bill which further liberalises New Zealand’s laws on abortion. The aim of the Bill is to make abortion simply a medical procedure for the mother.
The Bill gives no consideration at all to valuing the life of unborn babies, or to protecting them. The protections in the current legislation (which have proved weak) are swept away. The Bill assumes that unborn babies have no inherent human worth, and no human rights. The Bill would establish abortion on demand up to 20 weeks gestation. From 21 weeks through to birth, all that is required is the agreement of the medical practitioner (the one about to conduct an abortion) that an abortion is “reasonable” with regards to the health of the mother – but with no regard to the life of the baby. Presumably “health” will include her emotional wellbeing. Will this apply to cases of Downs Syndrome, or the wrong sex? Even a baby born alive after a failed abortion will not be safe: MPs have voted down an amendment that would have required the baby to be given medical care, rather than left to die.
Most Christian people do not oppose abortion under all circumstances, and feel compassion towards those women who have been in a very difficult situation and have agonisingly decided to have their baby aborted.
The New Zealand public needs to understand, however, that this Bill is very unbalanced: it entirely takes the side of the pro-abortion lobby, and completely disregards the intrinsic value of unborn human life. Regardless of whether or not unborn human babies are currently recognised in our society’s laws as fully-fledged “human beings”, they are still unquestionably human babies. Respect for the value of all human life is a basic building block of a safe society. Justice and compassion call out for the protection of the powerless and the voiceless. Christians – and many others – see every human life as a sacred gift of God, and the destruction of innocent lives as a terrible stain upon our nation.
We strongly encourage all Christian people to shake off apathy, to be constant in prayer, and to urgently contact members of Parliament and make known their deep concerns (be courteous, clear, well-informed, and brief). MPs names and contact details are linked below.Church leaders also need to speak out (see here a plea for that), and here is a good sermon on abortion from last Sunday.
Mark Maney speaking at Massey Presbyterian Church, Auckland – 8 March 2020
Dr Stuart Lange, National Director New Zealand Christian Network
Abortion Legislation Bill — Second Reading 3 March 2020
One organisation has observed that it is still possible to swing the decision in the final reading. How?
21 MPs need to be change their vote at the final reading. This would produce a tie.
Of those, if the amendment for a referendum on the issue is not passed, all 9 NZ First MPs will apparantly vote against the bill. +
Therefore, only 12 MPs from National / Labour would need to change their votes to ‘No’. The MPs listed above with an asterisk * are ones they particularly recommend be challenged on their position.
3 Things
YOU can do
to change the tide
Pray for our MPs… Thank the lord for their service and ask that He give them wisdom making decisions that affect the inhabitants of Aotearoa New Zealand. And pray for yourself. Pray for wisdom and courage to contact your local sitting and list MPs and seek guidance as to other MPs you should approach.
Explain your connection: do you live in their electorate, go to the same church, are part of the same denomination, are members of the same club or ethnic group? RESPECTFULLY challenge their position – they also have a right to their opinion.
SPREAD THE WORD. Talk with your peers and encourage them to make a stand. Abortion isn’t a silent issue.
A letter urging Christian leaders to demonstrate a united voice on the abortion issue and against the proposed Abortion Legislation Bill
Tracy Kirkley
9 March 2020
Dear Leaders,
I am writing this to a collective group because I do not know how else to reach the leaders en masse. My hope is that it will actually be forwarded and read by YOU, the leadership of the large churches, movements and denominations. I would love to come and meet with and speak with you directly. I am one of the key people who got “March for Life Auckland” up and running – but I am not writing in that capacity. It is as a fellow believer who is greatly concerned that we are not seeing or hearing a united and collective voice from our church leadership (across the multiple denominations). That is no easy thing, but when was it ever meant to be easy being a follower of Christ? We are trying, but we need leaders to step up.
I attended the Open Heaven NZ event in early Feb. Church leaders from the larger (Pentecostal/Charismatic) denominations stood up and rallied us to pray – we collectively gathered to pray for our nation. We worshipped. We felt the presence of God. We sang songs declaring ‘’We are an Army“ and I was left thinking… Really? Are we? We certainly don’t act like it on the big issues – the nation shaping events, laws etc.
We are scattered on so many things and when a clear and pressing blatant issue (such as the abortion bill) is right in our faces, we leave it to a few privates, corporals and volunteers to lead on. While our Lord Jesus, the one we all serve, is highlighting this pressing issue. The timing of it – is happening now; a group of Christians across various faith streams joining to make something happen. The many who sent in submissions to the Bill. The many praying, lobbying. The March for Life Auckland team… We requested your assistance. That the issue could be declared, spoken into, to focus the 10,000 on an issue that is life or death.
We didn’t get it, so we simply handed out all our flyers to the many streaming into the venue. That was effective. The silence and lack of mention of the issue at the event was deafening. I left thinking, “Do these leaders actually truly, deeply care about what happens to families, women and the unborn who are being slaughtered… every day?”
Something was missing. It was a “show” of UNITY… But the depth and breadth of it translating into an actual tangible… felt lacking. I’m open to having this conversation… Are you?
This nation is facing the reality of an Abortion Law being passed, that will allow abortion – up to birth. So many Christians who care and are acting on this issue are looking to church leaders, those who hold an carry a movement, a large congregation to UNITE and LEAD – demonstrate a voice in this issue of life and death.
We know you care. But if this seems like simply another “thing” to add to a busy schedule or workload. What’s wrong? Tangible action. UNITED CHURCHLEADERS that our nation can see is what we lack. And that has weakened the church, many times over, when these issues arise. We don’t see UNITY and a VOICE rise to speak – the collective song sheet being sung loud and clear for our nation. So people like me, and the next-gen, rise up and just get done what needs doing.
We sent out emails to 800 churches in the Auckland Region. We did phone ups and call arounds. We spoke if anyone gave us an opportunity. We blitzed social media. We advertised on radio. We paid a price. We got very mixed responses. We are not radicals or crazy people. We are simply believers who care enough to do something. And those who got the message – responded. Some let their people know it was happening – many didn’t. (We got feedback – it might take people away from a conference, a church thing being organised… it wasn’t something they would speak about.)
Yet, the people came, those who did hear – it was a majority of believers who came. They cared. They marched. They spoke. We prayed. We respected and reflected. It was initiated by a mostly young team. This was incredibly heartening and humbling to be a part of. No big names, no “known” church leaders or voices, just people who turned their care, their prayer, their voices into action. And NZ responded.
It may not be your “thing” your passion, something you will speak to from the pulpit. I challenge you. WHY NOT? Are we too afraid of upsetting people? Isn’t Love our goal? Love for the women still grappling with her grief or guilt or shame… for the unborn, the women who would make a different decision, if she knew that whanau, people around her, truly cared and would support her? No condemnation, no shame. For those in Christ. That is our goal.
If other organisations can band together and sign letters “supporting” this heinous Bill – why are we not seeing the voice of righteousness from our church leaders in In NZ? The world can do it. So why can’t we?
A joint effort – across the various faith streams, Baptists, Anglicans, Charismatics, Pentecostals, Catholics… collectively saying ‘NO this is not right for our NATION.’ It gets left for the brave few. So unity is not demonstrated at a leadership level.
So what does God do? He hands it onto those who are listening – and who will act. It is left to a handful of people who are passionate about the cause to stir, convict, advocate, lobby and make others aware. I am left perplexed why we have had resounding SILENCE at a National level from church leadership. Do you just leave it to those “other” organisations? What message does that send our society? That the church – the Body of Christ – is not UNITED and cohesive in being a voice, the salt and light we are called to be.
This isn’t a ministry that is trying to promote itself, It isn’t a program to win people to Jesus and into congregations. It is the most vulnerable members of our humanity that we seek to give value to, and a voice for – and protect. It is a reflection of Gods Heart.
The time is NOW… If not… When?
Psalm 139, Proverbs 24.11
It takes ONE leader to do this. I am not a leader of a denomination or church. I am simply a fellow believer who cares deeply enough to ACT. And I challenge you to do the same. Reach out to other leaders – any who will UNITE and speak as ONE – to send a message to the leaders of our Nation who are taking us down a dark path.
If you know and turn away, doing nothing, it is on your head. Will you respond?
With respect and an openness to meet, to strategise, to stand in prayer – and action.
Over three thousand pro-lifers at March for Life in Auckland today.
Saturday 29 February 2020
Three thousand five hundred Kiwis attended the March for Life in Auckland today.
With Parliament just days away from voting on a Bill to liberalise abortion-up-to-birth in New Zealand those who marched made a public stand for the unborn and their often vulnerable mothers.
“We showed Parliament today that unborn life is not without advocates in New Zealand, chanting ‘love them both’ and ‘a person’s a person no matter how small’ throughout the march,” says Emma Rankin, March for Life Auckland spokesperson.
The family friendly and peaceful March for Life finished with speeches at a gathering in Aotea Square. “One speaker shared about the pain she still experiences from remembering her three abortions, but encouraged those who have had abortions that healing is possible.”
“Another spoke about the shame he carries having driven 14 year olds to get abortions without the girls’ parents knowledge or consent while he worked in the school system, highlighting the fact that this happens frequently across New Zealand”, says Rankin.
Members of Parliament, including Agnes Loheni, Alfred Ngaro, and Simon O’Connor also addressed the thousands present, encouraging them that we as a nation must be the voice for the unborn.
“This Abortion Bill before us in Parliament is a wake-up call. A time for us as a society to sit-up. … This Bill seeks to remove outright what little legal rights are left for the unborn child. Proponents of this Bill will tell you otherwise, but this Bill is effectively abortion on demand up till birth”, said MP Agnes Loheni March for Life Auckland was a grassroots event organised by a team of dedicated Kiwis who are passionate about the future for our country.
“We all come from a range of different cultures, faith backgrounds, and lived experiences, but we all agree on one thing, that extreme abortion laws are not who we are as Kiwis and that women and children deserve better than abortion,” says Rankin.
Bedside gatherings at Canadian euthanasia deaths are normally an adults-only affair. Of course we’re not privy to most of them, but occasionally a journalist describes the last moments of an elderly man or woman in a magazine feature. Sometimes there’s a party, glasses of champagne, hilarity — until the doctor arrives. The friends and relatives gather around the bed while the doctor administers a lethal injection.
In fact, most of these deaths are of people well over 65. Very few are of an age to be leaving youngsters behind. It is their children or grown grandchildren who are with them in their last moments.
What about people with young children? One experienced MAiD doctor suggests that young children will benefit from becoming involved.
In a blog entry at a University of British Columbia site, Dr Susan Woolhouse, who has been involved in some 70 “assisted deaths”, says “instinct told me that involving children in the MAID process of their loved one was possibly one of the most important and therapeutic experiences for a child. My past experiences during my palliative care rotations reassured me that children could benefit from bearing witness to a loved one’s death. Why would MAID be any different?”
She gives some tips about how to explain the process of dying to young children:
Assuming that children are given honest, compassionate and non-judgmental information about MAID, there is no reason to think that witnessing a medically assisted death cannot be integrate as a normal part of the end of life journey for their loved one. If the adults surrounding them normalize MAID, so will the children.
“These conversations can easily be had with children as young as 4,” she says.
Dr Woolhouse estimates that between 6 and 7 percent of MAiD deaths are of people under 55. As the numbers grow, “this will result in more children being impacted by the assisted death of a loved one.”
This is how she would explain euthanasia to a child:
“In Canada, when someone has an illness that will cause their body to die, they can wait for this to happen or they can ask a doctor help. The doctor or nurse uses a medication that stops the body from working and causes the body to die. This is done in a way that isn’t painful …
“I am going to give your [loved one] medication over a period of about ten minutes. This medication will make her very look very tired and then she will very quickly go into a coma. This means that she will no longer be able to hear, see or feel any pain. You might hear strange breathing sounds, however these do not cause her any pain. Her skin will get colder and maybe even change colour. She will stop moving her body. Her heart will eventually stop beating and this means that her body has died. When a body dies, it can no longer see, feel pain, or hear. It can’t ever be fixed.”
I wonder if a child will find this explanation convincing. The doctor will not be around to answer her questions as she becomes a teenager, a young adult, and a parent. One researcher found that, years afterwards, some children still described the death of a pet as “the worst day of their lives.” How much worse will it feel to remember the day that your mother or father was put down?
Dr Woolhouse’s brief essay leaves some questions up in the air. The obvious question is “where is Dad now?” She can’t offer the child the comfort of an afterlife. Dad isn’t anywhere anymore; he’s just dead.
In her description of her hypothetical patient’s last hours, it’s clear that he is not suffering unbearably, at least at that moment. Why, the child is bound to ask, did Dad want to leave me? Why did he choose to die and leave me an orphan?
But Dr Woolhouse is right about one thing: if you want to normalise euthanasia, what better marketing device could there be than photos of little kids watching her give a lethal injection?
This article by Michael Cook was originally published on MercatorNet under a Creative Commons licence. The original article can be found here. You may republish it or translate it free of charge with attribution for non-commercial purposes following these guidelines.
by Helen Calder peer-reviewed by Wayne Kirkland (Naenae, Lower Hutt, New Zealand)
Many churches struggle with balancing the books and with inspiring their congregation about giving. This eight-point approach was developed in two large churches in the UK. It emphasises the importance of a vision and mission for the church that is understood and owned by the congregation.
Many churches rarely mention money in their sermons or in their communications until there is a financial crisis. At that point they often only talk about the deficit, rather than inspiring the congregation with the vision and mission that together they are engaged in.
In my experience every church needs a joined-up plan, a jigsaw if you like, which integrates several aspects of the church’s activities. I call this a strategy for giving. Each church needs to develop and implement its own customised giving strategy. This can be based on the strategy and the methodology for developing and implementing a strategy explained in this resource.
It’s important to recognise at the outset that giving isn’t just about money, it includes time, talents, practical service and prayer. In any congregation there will be those who are “richer” in some aspects of these than in others.
An eight point giving strategy includes
An agreed Vision for the church’s mission within & beyond the local area, which is owned by the congregation.
Regular Prayer for the vision and mission of the church, to include prayer for this to be fully resourced, both financially and practically, and trusting God to provide.
Biblical Teaching about generosity, money, good stewardship and giving. The giving aspect should always be in the context of giving as part of Christian discipleship, to provide for the church’s vision and mission. It should also explain the responsibility of members of the church family to support the church financially whilst acknowledging the giving of time and talents as equally important.
Practical Education about how to give (including tax effectively) and about money management. This can be through testimony and practical explanation in a church service, as part of a discipleship course, through articles on the church website and in a magazine. An information sheet, the availability of advisers at the end of some services or separate training events may also be helpful.
Regular Communication inspiring the congregation about the church’s vision, as well as raising awareness of the financial resources needed to deliver that vision and mission. The latter delivered in a simple and interesting way which demonstrates that funds are well managed and that the budget prioritises the ministries in the church vision.
Regular Feedback & thank yous. This engages people: inspire them with the outcomes of the activities that have taken place such as: an evangelism course, the homeless shelter, the food bank, the children’s holiday club, the work of mission partners overseas, the Christmas services. Thank them that this is as a result of their giving, as well as their prayer and practical service. Update them (eg quarterly) regarding the income and expenditure for the year so far and how that compares with the amount needed to fulfil the vision and mission for the full year.
Providing Opportunities to pledge and to give, as well as a variety of ways to give. There need to be plenty of opportunities which could include an annual pledge day or membership day at the start of the calendar and/or financial year, gift days for specific projects as well as a thanksgiving prayer (for all that has been given by whatever means) at every service. In addition collecting cash, cheques and charity vouchers at services, online giving, text giving, direct debits and/or standing orders should be available.
A competent Finance team to oversee and undertake the practicalities. This will include setting a budget for the year with a “balanced portfolio” across different aspects of the church’s ministry and mission.
Six steps for developing and implementing the strategy
Here are a series of steps to help you develop and implement your tailored church giving strategy.
1. Engage the leadership team (PCC, elders, diaconate or ministry team) in discussion to ensure they understand and support the church’s vision and so that they buy into all the aspects of the giving strategy (or to developing one) and to the method of implementation.
2. Use an interactive approach to obtain feedback and to facilitate the cross fertilisation of ideas. With a larger group (such as a church council) it may help to use a structured conversation process (known by some as a World Café) for opinion and information sharing in which small groups discuss a series of topics at several tables, each with a well-briefed table host. People move tables every ten minutes or so and are introduced to the previous discussion at their new table by the table host. The host records the comments, questions and ideas on flipchart paper on the table for all to see.
Here are some suggested questions you could use, grouped by 4 themes that link to the strategy:
Vision, Mission & Prayer
What is (or should be) the church’s current vision and mission?
What would help church members understand and own the vision and mission better?
How can the church community pray more effectively about its vision, mission, activities and finances?
Finance & Giving strategy
What’s good about the proposed giving strategy concept that’s been outlined?
Is there anything you’d add to the giving strategy for this church?
Is there anything you think should be removed from the giving strategy?
Should anything be done to strengthen and support the church finance team?
Finance & Giving strategy
What’s good about the proposed giving strategy concept that’s been outlined?
Is there anything you’d add to the giving strategy for this church?
Is there anything you think should be removed from the giving strategy?
Should anything be done to strengthen and support the church finance team?
Preaching, teaching & practical education
What topics around money, giving, generosity and stewardship/trusteeship does our congregation need preaching and teaching on to help them in discipleship?
What other ways could we practically educate our congregation about:
How can we raise awareness & increase congregational engagement with:
The church’s vision and mission.
The annual budget in the context of the vision & mission.
Current income levels, the financial forecast for the year and where appropriate the need to increase income/giving
What opportunities and practical means might facilitate an increase in giving?
Of course you may also like to ask all church attendees to answer these questions, perhaps undertaking an on-line survey using Survey Monkey www.surevymonkey.co.uk
3. Ask each facilitator to write a summary of views and suggested actions from all that’s been discussed on their theme. This should be given to the person or team tasked to develop the strategy. The answers will be different in every church.
4. The feedback is worked into a draft implementation plan or several plans (one for each of the discussion themes) by the person or ideally a small working group tasked to develop the giving strategy. The tasks identified will need to be prioritised. Each plan should have a champion and the plan will show tasks with the name of the person undertaking on each task and a suggested completion date. Tasks can be shared between ministers, treasurer, other members of the leadership team, church staff and congregation members, as relevant to the particular setting. NB The exercise may identify that the congregation (and even some leaders) aren’t clear about the church’s vision and mission or there may not be one in place yet. This is the priority before giving can be addressed.
5. The giving strategy and implementation plan is reviewed by the church leadership, then edited as appropriate, before being affirmed and approved by them.
6. The champions implement the tasks in the plans and report progress to the church leadership for example at leadership team meetings or church council meetings at appropriate (eg quarterly) intervals.
Intended Outcomes
The congregation understands and owns the church vision and mission.
The congregation is better informed and better educated about money and giving, including their responsibility to give and how to go about it.
The congregation is inspired to give and use the opportunities provided to increase their giving.
The church is able to fulfil its vision and mission more effectively.
God, as ultimate provider, honours the prayers and giving of His people.
HH: “A balanced portfolio for mission support” suggests a method for analysing and reviewing how a church budget is allocated across different types of mission and ministry locally, nationally and globally.
HH: “How much to give?” Offers a personal method for discerning what to give to and amounts to give.
“Just Money: the vision of shalom” by New Zealand author Wayne Kirkland offers insights and suggestions on how we can live a life of faith in a materialistic culture, looking at what the Bible says and how to live counter culturally.
“The grace of giving: money and the gospel” by John Stott and Chris Wright goes through the Apostle Paul’s teaching on giving. Its 10 principles of Christian giving answer questions about when to give, what to give, and in what spirit to give.
Stewardship is a UK charity helping the Christian community to give www.stewardship.org.uk It has a wealth of resources and blogs on its website including:
