It wasn't intended, but it feels fitting sitting down to write this outside, in front of the fire listening to the river, the insects.......and the stags roaring in the distance. Often, I forget that my wife Amilie and I are in the process of trying to replant an Anglican church in the rural context of Ohakune.

Rowan Williams states that: ‘One of the simplest possible definitions of the Church is to say that it is meant to be the place where Jesus is visibly active in the world.’

The church in Aotearoa is at a crossroads. Many congregations are aging, and younger generations are disengaging. While leaders strategise about church models, discipleship, and community engagement, a crucial piece is often missing - we have forgotten about creation care.

Humble wonderings on replanting a church.

“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.

I have an allergic reaction to ‘Life Groups’. Anyone who has led alongside me could tell you this.

“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.

“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.

“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.

“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.

“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.

As a little kid I grew up with an awareness and belief in God. I prayed often, and I knew Jesus was my friend.

Five years ago I was sitting next to a friend on a park bench.

I’m the first to say there is no one right model for the church. As I have seen the rise in prominence of the micro church movement around Australia, I have noticed some really encouraging side effects for the predominant church model.

Over the past decade we have seen God move in incredible ways in our community in Naenae, Lower Hutt. Along this journey, we have learned of the crucial relationship between prayer and action, and how Jesus seems to use one to inspire greater passion for the other.

I see within myself, and many around me, a constant pull to live beyond our limits, trying to prove something, though exactly what I’m not sure.

This week, Central Easter Camp announced they won't be running the year. The reason? “We don’t have enough people to make camp happen.”

Have you heard it? The Divine Scream? That Holy cry of rage and despair?

My wee girl kept breathing only via a machine, and was surrounded by nine focussed medical professionals working on her tiny body in the A&E department in Palmerston North.

The community I am a part of sets aside the month of October every year to enter into an intentional time of discernment. This time has become so part of who we are, that the phrase ‘Discernmentober’ has become commonplace.