Kia ora e te whanau
I trust your Easter experience has been enriching.
This was one Easter where I stayed away from church. This is a very rare thing – where Easter, particularly Good Friday, tends to have been the most focussed day in my ecclesiastical year. Good Friday found Lynne and I in a motor camp that had filled up overnight from nothing the night before. No local churches were offering any Easter events – a sign of the decline of church in rural New Zealand. What was noticeable, was the level of community within the camp. Lynne and I were outliers (just the two of us) – many seemed to have gathered with extended groups of family and friends in booking out sections of the camp. While church may not be important, community and connection clearly is.
Leadership & Personal Development Resources
The Hybrid Meeting Problem
In the latest edition of the Methodist Monthly ‘Touchstone’, Peter Lane offers some very useful tips on when we should, and when we shouldn’t, use hybrid meetings (those where we have a number present in the room with a few on-line) – and offers some useful tips on how to manage such meetings where they become unavoidable. The article can be accessed here: https://hail.to/methodist-church-of-new-zealand/publication/2hEJmZ3/article/lZiBC2w
The 50% Rule: Why Active Surrender Is The Ultimate Career Power Move
This Forbes article offers those of us who need to have all the answers, to make sure that things are done our way, an opportunity to discover the freedom of allowing others space and opportunity to contribute. The scary invitation to let go of the need to be in control, provides a greater level of team engagement, and consistently guarantees overall better outcomes. For the control freaks among us the article can be accessed here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/03/31/the-50-rule-why-active-surrender-is-the-ultimate-career-power-move/
Intolerably Aging
This was a slightly uncomfortable read. And, an important one. It raises the question of apparent changes in us as we age – the tendency of many of us to become more difficult, obstinate, cranky. The author suggests that it’s actually the real ‘me’ that is emerging. Holding up a mirror can be a mildly unpleasant experience, yet can also allow us space to choose an alternative future. It has caused me to reflect on the changes I observed in aging relatives – prudence prevents me from sharing my insights. The article can be accessed here: https://vegoutmag.com/lifestyle/d-psychology-suggests-people-who-become-intolerable-to-be-around-as-they-age-arent-becoming-worse-people-theyre-becoming-more-concentrated-versions-of-the-person-they-always-were-and-the-tr/
How to Stop Being So Defensive (Even If You’re Right)
I suspect a challenge for many of us. We’re put on the spot. It feels like a criticism, an attack, and, if you’re like me, the heat goes immediately to my face. My initial response tends to affirm that I’m defective in some way. This useful article has strategies to help steady the ship and move into a more productive space. The article can be accessed here: https://www.self.com/story/how-to-be-less-defensive-tips
KCML(Knox Centre for Mission and Leadership) – reminder of their series on AI
As I said last week, KCML are running a 7pm on-line series at 7pm over 4 Wednesdays, May through June. Each sessions is scheduled for 2 hours, as follows:
- May 6: Dr. Stephen Garner — AI and the spiritual life
What are the implications of AI for personal and communal spiritual life and discipleship? - May 13: Dr. Stephen Garner — What’s next? Robot preachers and worship leaders?
Is there a place for AI in the worshipping life of the church? - May 20: Dr. Andrew Shepherd — Salvific Myths and Dystopian Realities: A Critical Theological Reflection on the Technologies of AI
- June 3: Matt Ensor — Appreciative Insights on the Use of AI: Possibilities and Challenges
Insights along with a no-jargon opportunity for questions.
For more info, and to register: https://knoxcentre.ac.nz/module/ai-and-christian-life/
I’ll post another reminder a little closer to the dates.
Homilies and Preaching Resources
Today I’m focussing on just a part of the Gospel Lectionary for the 12th of April. The full text is John 20 vs 19-35, where we tend to be overwhelmed by the ongoing drama of the ‘doubting’ Thomas narrative. I choose not to go there, because in doing so we miss the pearl of great price found in the first 5 verses of the text – John 19 vs 16-22. I’ve titled it ‘Didn’t see that coming”. It can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHwP1D5zJ5Y
Gospel Conversations – out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese. They host a conversation of 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, they are focusing on other parts of the Lectionary. For this coming Sunday the 12th of April, they’re focussing on Acts 2:22-32. It can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5D8MO0i1yw&t=50s