Tena tātou katoa e te iwi mīhana… (Greetings to all the people in mission)

This month’s whakatauki (proverb) is: “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini ke” (My strength does not come from me alone but also from others).

Our world spends so much energy on the question “who am I?”, when we are better to ask “who are we?”. In the NZ Herald Newspaper’s July 30 2016 Review section, journalist David Fisher attempted to address afresh the “who are we?” question as it applies to quintessential Kiwiness. He concluded his epic road trip journal believing there is less certainty of who we are now than our classic Kiwi narrative would suggest. Basically, he says, “we are decent people”. Aotearoa is summed up as “good”.

“…New Zealanders are the Jedis of the world.”

However, Fisher thinks that should be interpreted as, “morally righteous. ‘Who We Are’ is a force for good. In short, New Zealanders are the Jedis of the world.” Nice one mate. Says a lot for our national concepts of religion and spirituality. Along the way he also met individuals who felt our place allowed them to dare to dream, to hope and live, unshackled from the heavy burden of entrenched culture. “We are small, flexible and independent enough to change our destiny if we choose.” We can see beyond the No.8 wire. We are diverse and the stronger for it. Our ‘bi-cultural’ Treaty provides the basis for our increasingly multi-cultural reality.

Although it could be much better, I believe our unique ability to harmonize difference is core to our mission to the world as a nation. As the people of God in this nation, we should be leading the way, with the ministry of reconciliation (in Christ) at the forefront of the grace God has given us to share, from and within Aotearoa NZ.

The recent “Black Lives Matter” campaign in the US was met with the response, “All Lives Matter”, especially from white Christians. While in a sense true, it doesn’t do the issue justice. If we read Galatians 3:28 in context we see that Paul isn’t speaking of becoming the same (denying difference) but rather being treated the same.

When racial prejudice is fully considered, whether in the US, NZ or elsewhere, oppression is obvious. Those of us in Christ Jesus cannot ignore it, especially in our midst. Whether we are Maori, any version of European, blessed to be from a Pacific Island or an Asian ethnicity, homeless or mansioned, we are, together, in all our rich diversity, one in Christ.

That means treating each other with due respect and helping as we’re able. We are stronger together and it’s the unity possible within the Church of Aotearoa NZ that will be our blessing to the world, so long as we #stayonmission. 👊🏼

Nga mihi nui (warmest greetings),

Jay