Kia ora e te whanau
I’m curious.
I’m aware that parts of both the Presbyterian and Anglican Churches have made significant investments in the ‘City-to-City (Australia) Revitalisation’ project. I’m looking for conversations with congregations that have brought into this program. I’m not looking for those that have the opportunity for a new plant (Youth, young families – in significant numbers) being established alongside the existing congregation – it seems to me that it would be difficult to get this wrong. What I am interested in, is congregations in the ball-park of those that would regularly have less than 40 present on a Sunday morning with a median age of 75 (which the 2023 NCL survey determined for CVs). I’m interested in your experience of the process, the costs, the short term outcomes, and what you anticipate the medium term outcome (same 5/10 years) is likely to be.
If there are any of you out there willing to engage with me – you may even be a Bishop, or a Presbytery EO (or have the ear of one), I’d be very keen to hear from you. Please contact me on 027 324 9540, or at yomyom@xtra.co.nz.
In case you missed my news last week, I’m finishing with UCANZ with my last newsletter on Tuesday the 2nd of December – The rest of that month I’ll be on leave.
Leadership & Personal Development Resources
Ditch “Any Questions?” – Try These 5 Better Questions Instead
This article requires a little thoughtful engagement. It’s not one you’ll walk away from automatically remembering. Yet, it has gems embedded in it. It’s so easy to default to the obvious at the end of a presentation / strategy conversation with “Any Questions?” This article demonstrates the potential for mining more deeply by asking much better questions. Given that this is a Forbes subscription article which you may not be able to access, I’ll simply give the article summary which has the 5 questions (without exposition).
The common phrase “Any questions?” after a presentation is often ineffective, placing the burden on the audience and fostering “pluralistic ignorance” where confusion is masked by silence. Attendees may hesitate to speak due to fear of appearing uninformed, challenging authority, or doubting the presenter’s openness. Instead, presenters should ask specific, targeted questions to genuinely gauge understanding and uncover concerns. Five effective questions are: “Which part would be hardest to explain?”, “What concern are we underestimating?”, “Where is this most likely to break down?”, “What did we decide, and what is still open?”, and “What happens next, who owns it and by when?”. Allowing time for responses and utilizing formats like written answers or anonymous polls can further encourage candid feedback, ensuring true comprehension and addressing potential issues.
If you can access the article it’ll be found here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andymolinsky/2026/09/08/ditch-any-questions-try-these-5-better-questions-instead/
10 Strange Things Your Brain Does When It Cannot Decide What Deserves Your Attention
It’s not just me. I loved that this article provided ready explanation for the way my mind so often finds it so difficult to focus on the task at hand. And it’s not dementia 
. A strategy for dealing with the issues is usefully offered at the end. It can be accessed here: https://discoverwildscience.com/10-strange-things-your-brain-does-when-it-cannot-decide-what-deserves-your-attention-1-416054/
8 Regrets Almost Everyone Has by the Time They Turn 70
Great article – whether we’ve crossed that marker or not (I have). Since I’ve announced my pending departure from UCANZ I’ve been consistently asked, “What are you going to do next?” There’s always an assumption that there’s going to be a ‘next’. Which is not unreasonable, as I’ve consistently said that I have no intention of retiring. Ever. And yet….. So, what I’ve said is that I’m open to anything interesting, or nothing. What I am clear about is that I’m not interested in tedium – no matter how well it pays. What I am interested in is prioritising the important relationships in my life. The precious few. And, in offering where I can to make a positive, life-giving difference. Or, nothing – there is much I can do around home, and I enjoy property maintenance and building things.
One of the issues that I’ve recently come to terms with is ‘having enough’ – mainly in terms of a cash reserve. I don’t. A traveller visiting Lynne’s work (she’s a practice nurse) had come to the conclusion that he’ll never have enough. He’s right. So, he’s stopping his ‘work’ anyway. Elon Musk will never have enough. So, let’s quit while we’re behind and trust to the grace of God. My experience of this is that God’s grace has shockingly been more than sufficient – especially when my expectations have been very low.
This article is well worth a read. If you’re younger – make changes so you don’t end up living in regret. And, if you’re older, even small recalibrations of your trajectory will be rewarding. It can be engaged with here: https://worthexplorer.org/blog/8-regrets-98-of-people-admit-to-when-they-reach-70-c1kdk/
Homilies and Preaching Resources
My response to the lectionary Gospel for the 27th of September – based on Matthew 21 vs 23-32 is titled ‘Observe what they do over what they say’. Jesus has just entered Jerusalem in his ‘triumphal procession’, has cleansed the temple of merchants, money changers, and ‘product’, and has set up school. He is challenged by the religious authorities and makes his response. The homily can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MChnA2LXSyM
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 consider Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32, ‘reflecting on collective and individual responsibility. We may have inherited — and contributed to — the world as it is, but we also have choices about what happens next. What might we need to change to “turn and live”?’ It can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3a9ho7Ew84
Rev Darryn Hickling (Methodist colleague leading the Rolleston Project) has posted an Instagram reflection focussing on Matthew 21 vs 23-32, and titled ‘Nah, Yeah and the kingdom of God’ . It can be accessed here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdiiC-JBF4T/?stkn=MWxvZWx4bjF2d2RwNg==