National leader

By Rodney Macann

The past month or two have been times for me of immense privilege. I’d like to take you on a journey as I track significant events where, by virtue of my role as a Baptist leader, or in one case a husband and father, I’ve been drawn into the lives of others.

Read more: Heart, communication and family

Recently I’ve read some searching articles and letters in the NZ Baptist by Murray Robertson and others as the question has been put: Have we lost our evangelical heart? I’ve also been part of a number of conversations where that same concern has been shared. Some have spoken of a collective loss of confidence in the gospel in the evangelical church and how we share in our current cultural context.

Read more: Have we lost our evangelical heartbeat?

By Rodney Macann

I’ve been asked to write something about the current scandals that are swirling around the Catholic Church and the covering up of historic sex abuse cases. In seeking how to respond to this sensitive and tragic issue I read through Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. In Matthew 7 Jesus says, “Do not judge others and you will not be judged” (v1) and, “why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own” (v3).

So here are a few thoughts.

Read more: Sexual abuse, media and ‘saltiness’