The Spectacular Acts of God

Last week, around 500 people representing the 250 Baptist churches of New Zealand gathered to learn, be refreshed, encouraged, challenged, and inspired.  The theme was the Spectacular Acts of God, and over the course of three days we explored Spectacular Jesus, Spectacular Calling, Spectacular Church, Spectacular Youth, Spectacular Mission, Spectacular Future and Spectacular Power of God. 

After a year of working through our direction as a church, it was affirming to see similar themes being outworked in other places.  Te Kapa Rautaki – a group tasked with guiding the Baptist movement in our bi-cultural journey said this: “our guiding metaphor has been “take the waka into dry dock and prepare it for the next big journey ahead.”  Does that sound familiar?  It should! It’s been our guiding metaphor for our own Haerenga Nui, our Great Journey.  For us it is a strong affirmation that God is guiding us, and that we should take courage in that as we step into unknown waters.

We were challenged to invest more in youth and provide greater opportunities for authentic relationship, collaboration, companionship and space to contribute and lead – that young people are essential for a healthy church and a healthy church attracts young people.

We were challenged to open the door for more creative expressions of worship through the arts – music, sculpture, painting, weaving, writing – something that aligns with that part of our new mission which states that we will live out the beauty of God within our spaces and communities. 

God is doing something new! The Spirit of God is bubbling away and calling people to participate in ways they have never before.  What is God calling you to?  If you feel like you are being called to step out in new things come and see Colleen or me to talk it through!

Adam