If I had to sum up my biggest learning in parish renewal, it’s this:
the church is not a golf club — it’s a field hospital.

When we first launched Multiply Movements, we had no idea what the journey ahead would hold. We began with five small churches and a deep conviction that God was calling us to multiply disciples and churches across our region. Three years later, that number has grown to more than fifty.

“To be in Christ is to be shaped by the narrative of Christ’s self-giving love, a narrative that always takes the form of the cross. Cruciformity is the reenactment of the story of Christ in our lives, a life of faithful obedience and self-emptying love for God and neighbour.” — Michael J. Gorman, Cruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the Cross 

There’s a powerful moment in the New Zealand film Whale Rider that captures a quiet but courageous kind of leadership.

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.