Kia ora e te whanau
Almost snow. Not quite 
. No magic – Just the misery.
Leadership & Personal Development Resources
What the Weather Really Does to Your Mood
Seems appropriate as the bit where winter usually bites is now upon us.
My personal supervisor is an ‘almost psychiatrist’ (officially a ‘medical officer’ specialising in drug and alcohol addiction.) I remember him suggesting some years ago that if we live south of Palmerston North we may benefit from having a ‘light box’. Time properly spent with a light box can counteract the depressive effects of lack of sunshine during the winter months. He has one. He seems a generally ebullient individual. But I’m pretty sure he always has been – with or without the light box. This article usefully explores not only the effects of weather upon us, but also the effects of our earliest experiences of weather (when in the womb – yep, it’s all mum’s fault). And it recognises that we’re all different – what is great for one, is torture or misery for another. The author suggests we don’t need to be victims of our weather experience, and offers some simple strategies and perspective shifts. A good read, it can be engaged with here: https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/weather-really-mood-according-science-bookbite/60830/
Your Courage Strengthens Others
An easy read from Rick Warren against the background of ‘Daniel in the Lion’s Den’. Warren reflects on the infectious nature of courage exercised in leadership. I suspect the recent expulsion of Saddleback Church (of which he was founding and decades long lead pastor) from the Southern Baptist Conference in the USA because of their unwillingness to toe the denomination’s increasingly conservative line in disallowing women in pastoral leadership, may have something to do with this.
Simple, short, and to the point, this article can be accessed here: https://www.pastors.com/free-resources/your-courage-strengthens-others-
Booted from evangelicalism, a progressive, ‘post-evangelical’ church blooms in Texas
This one surprised and delighted me. It will likely irritate those of a more conservative bent (reading the comments at the end of the article lays it all out there). The possibility of an evangelical church, that loves the Bible (seeing it as ‘Word of God’), shares in generous, contemporary worship, and is open, welcoming, and inclusive, has become something of an oxymoron. What further delights me is that it found a place of belonging in the United Methodist Church. I feel less lonely. The article can be accessed here. https://religionnews.com/2026/07/28/booted-from-evangelicalism-a-progressive-post-evangelical-church-blooms-in-texas/
Better Sleep Starts in the Morning, Not at Night
This is an issue I keep returning to, not because poor sleep afflicts me (it doesn’t), but because I know it’s an issue many do struggle with. I hope this may help. One of the key issues that comes through repeatedly is the false belief that sleep is something that we need to do right. Obsession with our sleep is the most counterproductive way of engaging it. The author is selling a book (links included) – the Next Big Idea Club article can be accessed here: https://bookoftheday.nextbigideaclub.com/p/better-sleep-starts-in-the-morning
I Un-Retired After 14 Months – 12 Brutal Things Nobody Tells You
Recognising that a significant part of our partner church clergy and leadership are in the run-down-to-retirement stage of life, (with many having already ‘crossed over’) this article lays out the traps, and offers useful strategies for managing this transition. It resonated strongly with me. The article can be accessed here: https://slogangenius.com/i-un-retired-after-14-months-12-brutal-things-nobody-tells-you/
Homilies and Preaching Resources
My simple response to the lectionary Gospel for the 9th of August – based on Matthew 14 vs 22-33 is titled ‘Walking on Water’ and focusses on Peter’s adventure in getting out of the boat to meet Jesus. It can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIXZcjTXhcg
Gospel Conversations – out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese. They host a conversation of (usually) 4 Theologians / Practitioners. The site with all its options can be accessed here: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/gospel-conversations/. Led by Michael Godfrey, rather than the Gospel text, this year they are generally focusing on other parts of the Lectionary. For this coming Sunday, they explore 1 Kings 19 vs 9-18 – Elijah’s encounter with God in the ‘still small voice’. This ‘Conversation’ can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKIQBkKSOTs
Rev Darryn Hickling (Methodist colleague leading the Rolleston Project) has posted an Instagram reflection focussing on Matthew 14 vs 22-33, and titled ‘Beyond Fear: Reimagining Church in Challenging Times’. It can be accessed here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbksCqxBo-9/?igsh=MXkxazVqdGFpd24xaQ==
Engaging the Text – Tonight (Tuesday the 4th) at 7.30pm
I’m hosting a zoom encounter for ‘whomsoever will’ to engage with the Gospel Lectionary text for next Sunday – 9th of August which will be Matthew 14 vs 22-33. To get the most out of the encounter it would be good for each of us to have spent some time with the text beforehand. The same zoom link will roll over week by week and is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84220736362
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Ngā manaakitanga
Andrew Doubleday
UCANZ Ministry Facilitator