Dear Friends

The last week of April has seen historical moments of great significance for part of the western world and Christendom – Easter, Anzac Day, and a British Royal Wedding.  Some people will have been immersed in one, two, or all three of these whilst others will have ignored some or all of them.

 I am not a history student but am cognisant of the fact that history is important because our culture and spirituality arise from the past thus we must ensure the lessons there from are learned well and some events celebrated appropriately. The latter can create debate – which events and what is appropriate?

 The central events of our faith must be celebrated well because in so doing we renew our own experience with God and expression thereof as well as teaching our children and those new to walking with Jesus what being Christian is all about.

 Alongside this “theory” there is a current tension for me.  What are appropriate means of celebration for the baby boomers, not only for the major moments but probably more importantly to do with the weekly worship gatherings of our Christian communities?   Having been part of church for all my life there are times when I sense “I have heard, seen, and done, it all before.  What is new, what does it mean for me now, is there anything meaningful currently?”

 There are heaps of people like me who are slowly (and not so slowly) dropping out of regular participation in church life – why?  What needs to be done to retain them?  I suggest this is a huge challenge for us to work on very soon in order to keep alive the faith, energy, witness, wisdom, and contribution of a good portion of the church community.   Is anyone doing any work on this subject?

Easter is behind us and some great stories have come from the camps around the country. Now we look forward to Pentecost. I pray you will plan well for this next major event in the Christian calendar. And for those churches using May as the month of Mission with the tranzsend Self Denial theme of Enabling the Harvest, may your horizons be expanded and your discovering of what Jesus is doing with our people overseas be a blessing and challenge.