Missing In Action – Student Leadership Conference (SLC)

This week sees the start of our TSCF Student Leadership Conference.  It’s a busy, but fun week, as we bring together our student leaders from around the country to be involved in training & teaching.  Our theme this year is “Fit For The King” & we will be looking at 1 Peter. 

Andy Shudall, who is our Head of Training (HOT!) will be leading the Bible teaching, though the students get chance each day to explore and study for themselves the passages we are working through.  Please pray for Andy, as the teaching really sets the tone for the whole conference.  Andy has been off work for some time following a bicycle accident, so it’s good to have him back and we look forward to his input.We also spend regular time in 3 tracks, which are designed for students at different stages in their University life.  I will be inputting into each of them, though specifically working with the folks in the early stage of their time at University.  We’ll be thinking about making the most of friendships, planning outreach events and for the third track (those about to graduate), I am giving some input on the Gospel and travel. 

So, all that needs to be said is don’t fear – I’m not really missing, hopefully, I will be in action!  I won’t be around to blog or email this week, but we would really value your prayers for this conference.  Please pray it would be a significant time of training and growth for our students, and that this would be felt on our campuses next year as we seek to prepare to make the most of every opportunity.

The Great Escape

I’ve always enjoyed the film “The Great Escape”.  The combination of good humour, goodies & baddies, suspense, drama and excitement, has always appealed to me.  I’ve watched the film more times than I can remember and at comical moments in my life have managed to quote lines from the film which bring much amusement.  The fact Steve McQueen is one of the heroes of the film adds to it's appeal.  The war-time hero which McQueen plays holds an appeal which the sex and violence of James Bond could never quite equal.  For me, that Steve McQueen put his trust in Jesus in later life also gives extra pleasure when watching the film.Whenever I travel in Continental Europe, I am reminded of the thrills of the film.  My lack of ability in other languages (I only have very basic GCSE French & German) seems to heighten the sense of feeling a foreigner in a strange land.  The excellent train network throughout Continental Europe also brings to mind memorable scenes from the film. 

This morning, I woke in Schloss Mittersill, in the heart of Austria.  Snow was falling and the Alps were resplendent in their majesty with their snow-covered peaks.  For the past few days, I have been at the IFES European Evangelists’ Conference.  At the invitation of my friend, Lindsay Brown, I joined a group of around 80 evangelists & emerging evangelists from all over Europe, along with one or two from Eurasia and North America.  It has been a real thrill and encouragement to hear from folks sharing the message of Jesus throughout Europe.  Each day, we met to listen to sample talks given in a variety of settings by folks with experience throughout Europe.  We would then meet in small groups and discuss the talks, as well as giving some sample talks of our own & critiquing them.  For me, it was a real pleasure to be involved in a group with significant leaders from around Europe, headed up by Rev Michael Green, former Rector of St Aldates Church, Oxford and one of the leading evangelists worldwide in the last 50 years.  We had great fun, in our group particularly with some of the leaders of the student movements in the Balkans & that region.  I spoke on “She’ll Be Right, I’m Alright & You Can’t Tell Me How to Live” (“She’ll Be Right” is a very Kiwi phrase!)  For the rest of the week, I was often met by my group saying “She’ll Be Right!” with a slightly Eastern European lilt to it.You may be wondering - “Why start by talking about the Great Escape & then go on to the IFES conference?”  The answer is simple, when I woke, for some reason, my first thought was of the Great Escape.  Schloss Mittersill brings many of these war-time images to mind – it was first documents in 1150 so resounds with history, but between 1939-1944, it was occupied and used by SS Officers (including Himmler).  Upon waking, I was going to be leaving early in the morning from the conference and had several friends who I wished to say goodbye to.  For me, it brought to mind the clips in the film where some of the escapees say “goodbye” as one walks along the train carriage saying “Tally-ho” in hushed tones.    Our goodbyes didn’t have to be quite so secretive, although they were still hushed.

As I also reflected upon the conference and thought of the film, I was reminded by the conversation Steve McQueen’s character, Hilts has with Bartlett (played by Richard Attenborough)

Hilts - “How many are you taking out?” (referring to POW escapees) 

Bartlett - “Two hundred and fifty”

Hilts - “Two hundred and fifty?!”

Bartlett - “Yeah!”

Hilts - “You’re crazy!”

Lindsay & the IFES Europe team have the goal over the next few years of training and developing 50 evangelists to be speaking across Universities in Europe – as Lindsay puts it “They’ll be tearing Europe up!”  In many ways, it’s a crazy goal, but with God’s help, I pray it will be as significant in the cause of the Gospel as the Great Escape was in the cause of the Allies.  On the last day of our conference, we commissioned some of those attending as they were heading around Europe to be involved in University mission work proclaiming the message of Jesus on numerous campuses in the next few days.  It reminded me of the POW escapees spreading far and wide from having been together and going about their mission.

Why do IFES have such a mission?  For me, the answer comes from the film – again, let me quote.  This time, it is Group Capt Ramsey who speaks

“Colonel Von Luger, it is the sworn duty of all officers to try to escape. If they cannot escape, then it is their sworn duty to cause the enemy to use an inordinate number of troops to guard them, and their sworn duty to harass the enemy to the best of their ability.”

And later, Ramsey asks Bartlett

“Did the Gestapo give you a hard time?”  To which he replies “Not nearly as rough as I now intend to give them.”

We have no reason to escape this spiritual war we are in – we must fight.  However, as we fight, it is our sworn duty to cause our enemy havoc and harass him to the best of our ability.  The cost may be great, at times, the work may be hard, but we fight for a King who has already won.  We do all we can to fight for our King and make it as rough a time as we can for our enemy. 

In closing, the words of Ramsey & Flight Lt Hendley spring to mind as they reflect on the death of (Roger) Bartlett killed by the SS.

Ramsey - “Roger's idea was to get back at the enemy the hardest way he could, mess up the works. From what we've heard here, I think he did exactly that.
Hendley -Do you think it was worth the price?
Ramsey - Depends on your point of view, Hendley.”

For some, the work I am involved in seems strange and pointless, it has its costs and sacrifices.  Is it worth it?  It depends on your point of view.

“He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  Jim Elliott, martyred aged 28.

Ground-shaking Student Ministry

We recently held an event at our house for those students who were coming to the end of their Undergraduate studies at Victoria University in Wellington.  It was great spending time with this good group, reflecting and giving thanks for all that has happened in the past, and looking forward to the future. 

We spent some time thinking about the new opportunities of a graduate’s life and ways that students could stay involved with TSCF, Catalyst (our Graduate’s ministry) & IFES.  Whilst we were talking about these things, we had a ground-shaking experience – one of the many earthquakes we experience in NZ struck and shook the house.  It was the first time it’s happened to me whilst I’ve been speaking, and as ever in Wellington, there was the split-second thought of “This could be the Big One” (The Big One is the big earthquake that is anticipated at some point in Wellington).  Thankfully, it wasn’t!

Of the group who were there, the possibilities and potential is great.  They are a particularly committed and keen group, who have had a positive influence on the work in TSCF over recent years and we will miss them greatly.  Here are some of the things they are hoping to do over the coming years:

* Further studies at Victoria University, Wellington (Mel, the current CU President graduates this year, but is continuing with her Masters & staying involved in leadership.)

* Further studies overseas in USA or UK, and Malaysia (which is home for some of our students)

* Lecturing here in Wellington.

* Getting a job in teaching, with a view to longer term going on the mission field in the S Pacific or SE Asia.

* Getting work in NZ.

* Join our TSCF Ministry INTernship Year (MINTY).

We are excited that the current crop of students who have been reaching other students for Christ are now going into a variety of settings to reach others for Jesus around the world.  In many ways, it’s fairly simple, but we long that it would be more than ground-shaking, but world-changing.

When September Ends

Looking back on the past few weeks, so much has happened & I trust some significant things done.  Thank you to those who have prayed for us – here’s a few bits & pieces, some reflections on what’s gone on & some pictures to go with the comments.

The past 2 weeks at Victoria Uni CU, we have looked at Relationships, with my talk on “When Sinners Do Relationships” – looking at relationships from a married perspective & then the following week, Gina Wong spoke on relationships from a single person’s perspective.  Both weeks, we used films to show how relationships are portrayed in popular culture, mainly through film, music & literature and then sought to look at what the Bible says.  The CU had an unusually large attendance of students who were keen to think about relationships and what the Bible has to say about them.  In talking to students, relationships are often where the rubber hits the road & the talk of Jesus being Lord of one’s life has to be lived out.  The students listened well & I particularly appreciated the comment of one of them, Simon, who is coming to the end of four years at the University. 

“I liked the way the gospel was central to what you talked about... that was the big lesson for me. I have heard and thought about most of the themes before, however not with the gospel context.”

It’s always good to feel appreciated, but particularly when students see the Gospel being lived out in the practical application of nitty-gritty life.

On the Friday, I was up in Auckland and spoke with the Overseas Christian Fellowship there. Again, we were thinking of the implications of the Gospel, but this time on friendships.  It is a constant challenge to get students to think outside their current friendships and comfort zones and think how they can best reach those around them on their campus.  I am keen to help encourage the students there to think outwardly rather than being inward focused.  I was encouraged by Ray Wong’s desire to see students do this & am continuing to meet with Ray on a regular basis to help him & the OCF do this.

Big Ali Lauititi (a Leeds Rhinos & Samoa RL player) with a much smaller Ray Wong! 

The Saturday was a real highlight of this year.  I had been invited, with around 30 other guys, to join Paul Windsor on his annual ‘Pilgrimage"’ to the Marsden Cross up in the far North of NZ in the Bay of Islands.  It’s probably 300kms North of Auckland and a significant journey on winding roads.  However, it was well worth the trek.  We were driven by Andy Shudall, along with Nigel Pollock and Mark Grace from TSCF, before we eventually met the rest of the group.  Paul had deliberately invited friends and family from the various decades of his life, and at each of the stops introduced that decade’s friends, along with sharing some of his life from that time, before we sang a hymn from each decade.  Judging by some of the hymns we sang, I suspect Paul’s upbringing may have been similar to mine.  The lyrics of the hymn from Paul’s teenaged years was one that we sang at City Evangelical Church in my teenaged years – the words resonated with me again:

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak, in living echoes of Thy tone;

As Thou hast sought, so let me seek, Thy erring children, lost and lone.
O use me, Lord, use even me, just as Thou wilt and when and where;

Until Thy blessed face I see; Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

It was a marvellous day, and as we arrived at the Marsden Cross, which was where Samuel Marsden first arrived and shared the Good News of Jesus in New Zealand, I felt the emotion of it all.  To think that a Yorkshire lad from Horsforth could have made it across the Seas to this remote point, and all because he wanted to share Jesus with those who had not yet heard was such a powerful reminder to me that this is why we are here.  The history of the place, the beauty of the surroundings (we have not been that far North before, but would like to again) and the sense of fellowship with believers from around NZ was wonderful.

In my home town of Horsforth and the neighbouring village of Farsley, are 2 monuments which commemorate Marsden and his work.  I’m including them in these pictures, as they link together with the Marsden Cross in understanding who he was and why he travelled so far.

         

Paul had asked me to share a devotional thought at the cross.  What a privilege!  I decided to read from 1 Samuel 7:12 where Samuel takes a stone and calls it “Ebenezer” saying “Thus far has the Lord helped us”.  I reminded those there that an Ebenezer, the Marsden Cross and indeed the cross itself, remind us to look back & thank God for His help in bringing us this far.  They remind us to look forward and remember we are not finished – there is work still to do.  And then, together, we looked to God and prayed with thankfulness, but also a sense of need of God to come and work again in these islands.

It was a marvellous day & one I will never forget. 

From one Samuel to another…our wee man is doing well and growing rapidly!  He’s not sleeping too well during the daytime at the moment, so is tiring Jen in the process.  He’s bringing us much joy & happiness.  Here’s a few photos from recent days which you may enjoy.

 

However, in the midst of our happiness, there are others in our area who are in the midst of great sadness.  The Tsunami of last week in the South Pacific destroyed parts of Samoa, American Samoa & Tonga, but the impact is felt much further afield.  Anthony Hubbard, writing in the Sunday Star Times here in NZ commented

“Samoa is now a kind of virtual suburb of Auckland, or perhaps Auckland is a virtual suburb of Samoa.  You can swap between them in not much more than three hours, and there is a kind of commuter Samoan equally at home in both places.”

The links between New Zealand and many of the Pacific Islands are inextricably close as the newspaper headlines below show.  There are almost as many Samoans living in New Zealand as in Samoa, and the third most commonly spoken language in NZ is Samoan (after English & Maori).  In parts of Auckland and Wellington, the Pacific Island community is very evident.  Last week, as we heard reports of the tragedy, it felt much closer to home.  On the National news, one reporter broke down in tears as he shared of one family’s loss of 14 family members.  At the various sports events this weekend, there was a tangible sense of grief as together we joined with our Pacific Island brothers and sisters who have lost so much.  One of the stand-out pieces of news footage was a woman filming the Tsunami, who immediately started praying whilst filming.  In the Pacific Islands, there are many who are God’s people, but also an increasing number for whom the beliefs and traditions of the past have been rejected.  We are encouraging our students to think of ways which they can help support the relief efforts in the Pacific and join with those in need.

In such a time as this, we need to be reminded that:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

I know what you did last summer…

Sunday night (NZ time) as I type this, I’m about to enter a busy week.  I knew it was going to be busy when I agreed to a number of speaking engagements, but a number of circumstances have meant I agreed to a variety of speaking opportunities.  I would certainly value prayer for the different talks I’m giving & for those who will hear.  Here are the places I am this week:

Tues 22nd – Day: TSCF Wellington Team Day (not speaking, but would value your prayers!), Evening:  Hutt City Baptist Young Adults Event – speaking on “Jesus: Mon – Sat, Yeah Right!”

Thurs 24th – Victoria University Christian Union – speaking on Relationships

Fri 25th – Auckland University Overseas Christian Fellowship – speaking on Following Jesus with Friendships

Sat 26th – Heading with Paul Windsor & friends to Marsden Cross

Sun 27th – Morning: Preaching at Kumeu Baptist, Auckland on Evangelism & Discipleship to Students, Evening:  Preaching at North Shore Baptist

As a man of my word, some time back in a blogpost, I had promised some pictures from the Victoria University CU/ICF Cultural Marketplace, which was held way back at the start of August.  For some reason (probably a young chap called Samuel), that didn’t happen – however, here they are.  Whilst in the Northern Hemisphere, August is now last summer, here in the South, we’re just entering Spring, which means drawing nearer to the end of the University Year – it’s good to look back & remember what was an excellent night put on by the CU/ICF groups here in Wellington.  Enjoy the pictures!

           

 

MIT Spirituality Week

Yesterday, I headed up North to Auckland to attend the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) Spirituality Week’s opening day.  Heather Brockett (TSCF Associate Staff Worker & Chaplain at MIT) had asked if I would come up to help with some outreach on campus.  I had agreed and wasn’t really sure what would be happening or what was best to do, but willing to give it a go.

I was given a 20 minute slot to speak on the “stage” held in the centre quad of one of the 3 MIT campuses.  It really was a case of “Jesus amongst other gods”, as I spoke there were stalls representing Buddhists, Muslims & the Bahai faith.  It’s some years since I did open air speaking, but in the brief time we had, I sought to grab the attention of those standing by & also to challenge people to consider the unique claims of Jesus Christ.  It was a privilege and challenge, so was great to have one or two other students supporting, as well as some of the other Christian Chaplains.  Sarah Kwok & Michael Misomphane, who have both become Christians through the work at AUT in the last 3 years shared briefly what Jesus has done for them and how He has changed their lives.  It was great to have them and to be able to bring home what being a Christian really meant.

Later, we spent time at the Visual Arts campus giving away Milo & encouraging people to read Luke’s Gospel which we were giving away – we had a number of good conversations through the day.

In many ways, it was a small event and we “played it by ear”.  However, the opportunity to present the claims of Christ on campus is significant & I’m hoping to look into doing similar outreaches on other campuses.  They are good as simple outreach, but also in training up others in the work of sharing the Gospel.  I texted Michael later in the day to thank him, to which he replied

“Hey Ben, no need to thank me.  I should thank you & Jesus for giving me the opportunity to come help serve & be a witness to Jesus.”

Oh for more like Michael!
Do pray for others as they continue the work the rest of this week & that we could build on this work with the students in our MIT groups.

Here’s a few photos from yesterday.  Enjoy!

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Climb Every Mountain

It often feels that my blog-posts start with an apology for not writing for some time.  I’m sorry that it’s been some time, but often it feels better to have written something of significance & substance than to rush a blog post up. 

Much of the past few weeks has been catching up on jobs from previous weeks & preparing for a busy few months ahead in the final part of the University year.  Most of our students only have 6 weeks of studies left until their end of year exams.  It feels like we are in the final strait for this year and so much can be done in the last moments of a race (unless you are Usain Bolt!).  We are encouraging our students to make godly choices and prepare and plan for next year so that we make the most of every opportunity.

Last week was our TSCF Staff Training Conference.  It’s held just up the road from where we live and is a great opportunity for the TSCF team to join together from around Aotearoa (NZ) and think about how we do our work, how we can be more effective and strategic in helping students reach students for Christ.  We had a great few days & took the time to soak ourselves in 1 Peter, which we will be studying with students later on this year at our Student Leadership Conference.  I loved reading 1 Peter afresh & being reminded it’s all about living in Christ and for Christ in a world where we will suffer with Christ.  For me, those times were the highlight of the week.

The last 2 days were with the National Leadership Team, which consists of the those leading the work in the regions.  Again, we had good times thinking about all we do – at times the conversations were honest and robust, but it’s all part of moving TSCF forward and more importantly, part of advancing the Gospel here in NZ.

During the NLT meetings, Nigel took time to talk about our vision for the future.  As with many things, he provided a helpful visual illustration of where we are at and where we are headed.  I’m hoping that in time, he will blog it in his own words, but for now, you’ll have to hear it from me! 

One of the most iconic Kiwi heroes is Sir Edmund Hillary, who died last year.  For me, he sums up much of Kiwi ideology & thought – the pragmatic, no-nonsense ordinary person who seeks to do extraordinary things.  Of course, he’s remembered as the man who conquered Everest.  I think this picture captures some of the ruggedness and toughness that epitomised the man. 

Nigel helped us look back at the past few years in TSCF.  He moved out here in 2006 and so reflected on things that have happened in those 3 years.  Although we have not been around for all of them, I can see the changes and have heard people describe them even since I visited in July 2006.  The greater unity and clarity of purpose for TSCF is more obvious, the growth of the staff team and the healthier financial position both speak volumes and altogether, there is a sense of moving forward together for the cause of Jesus here in NZ.  Nigel described where we’ve come from as being like the lower ranges of the mountain – we’ve climbed them, tackled them and made it to Base Camp.  He even began to sound Churchillian as he described us at being at “the end of the beginning”. 

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”  Sir Winston Churchill

I’m not a climber, but even I know that getting to Base Camp takes hard work and effort.  The past 3 years have been harder at times than people thought (I think even for Nigel).  There has been pain and toil, but there has been progress.  In recent weeks, I have heard of a number of students who have come to faith over the past year – it’s easy to look up and see the task ahead and feel daunted, but when you look back and see where we have come from, there is much for which must give thanks to God.

As we look forward to the future, the task of the next few years remains the same – the climbing is familiar – the work involves students coming to our campuses and we must seek to reach them, share Christ with them and see them grow as disciples and leaders.  However, there are some peaks which lie ahead, which though they are challenges will provide highlights on the journey.

09/09/09 (yesterday) may have been a date etched on many people’s minds, but here in NZ, we were reminded it was exactly 2 years to the day that the 2011 Rugby World Cup will start.  It’s the third biggest sporting event in the world (after the Olympics and Footy World Cup) and will be huge here.  It provides us with some unique opportunities to share the Gospel and we are putting significant thought into how we can seize them.  Please pray as we seek to make this a significant time here & not just a bandwagon that we jump on.  It is a sizeable peak which provides great opportunities for us and the Gospel.

Christmas Day 2014 may seem some time away and it is.  However, it will also be a significant moment in the history of Aotearoa.  It will mark 200 years to the day since the Gospel first came to these shores from Yorkshire(!).  Again, seizing the opportunity of this peak.  Samuel Marsden and the Gospel he brought have had much impact on this nation, but we long for more and we long for a renewed awakening to God’s power at work.  Incidentally, in a few weeks, I am going with a small crowd to the Marsden Cross (in the Bay of Islands in the far North) to remember what God has done in the past, but also pray for the future.  I’m sure pictures and thoughts will appear on this blog in the future.

Those 2 dates (2011 & 2014) provide points in the distance where we can look towards and see where we are heading.  Nigel used them as places we are climbing to, however, they are not the only things we work towards.  We long to see more students reached on our campuses – we currently have campuses where we have no staff or groups.  Repeatedly I am reminded of Luke 10:2 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

As we paused at Base Camp, we were reminded as we seek to press on there will be dangers and difficulties ahead – we may need to come back to Base Camp over and over again, but we must advance and the Gospel cause must go forward here in NZ.  We go forward not for our own glory, or even that of NZ, but for God’s glory and for God’s Kingdom. 

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, we “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

So, back to work, back to the climb – there may only be “blood, sweat, toil and tears” ahead, but we are on the winning side.  Whilst times past may have been great , they are past and as we look to the future, we look ahead to what may be the finest hour.  Thanks for being with us on the journey – it is great being reminded of those who are with us, supporting us and encouraging us on.  And so, for now, let me close with words that keep our focus on why we climb and what we are about.  It is because so many do not know our God that we must go on.

Psalm 115:1-8

¹ Not to us, O LORD, not to us
       but to your name be the glory,
       because of your love and faithfulness.

² Why do the nations say,
       "Where is their God?"

³ Our God is in heaven;
       he does whatever pleases him.

⁴ But their idols are silver and gold,
       made by the hands of men.

⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak,
       eyes, but they cannot see;

⁶ they have ears, but cannot hear,
       noses, but they cannot smell;

⁷ they have hands, but cannot feel,
       feet, but they cannot walk;
       nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

⁸ Those who make them will be like them,
       and so will all who trust in them.

It’s Good to be Back

So much has happened over the past few weeks & it has been an exciting time for me and for us as a family.  Sam and Jen are both doing well.  Sam is growing and is now almost back to his birth weight.  He’s feeding well & becoming more alert and attentive.  He’s still learning to get into some of the normal routines of life, but generally is feeding, sleeping, crying & all the other things that babies do.  Jen is recovering from the C-section & doing well at being a mum for the first time.  She’s not allowed to drive for 6 weeks & has to be careful with some of the normal household chores, so I’m trying to ensure that I’m around and helping out with the everyday stuff.

We are thankful to friends both here in NZ & in the UK who have been so kind and helpful to us.  It’s great to have friends who become part of the wider family.  TSCF have been brilliant to me and ensured I took 2 weeks Paternity Leave.  I’ve realised many folks don’t get this privilege at their workplace, so I’m very grateful that we are well looked after in TSCF – it’s very hard to say thank you to an organisation, so as I know some of my colleagues read this, let me make my gratitude to them known on here!  Church & other friends have been making and supplying frozen meals & biscuits/cookies/muffins galore which have kept us well supplied over the past few weeks.  We have particularly appreciated the strong sense of community within our church and their care for us has been great.

 

Today marks my return to work after Paternity Leave.  And, whilst I’m sad to be away from Samuel & the hours of watching him & marvelling at how good-looking he is (people have said he looks like his dad, so I’m just taking that as a given), it is also good to be back.  The past 2 weeks have been amazing – the reminder of the goodness of God in the wonder of creation, the incredible experience of new life and all that entails and the new adventure of parenthood.  However, they’ve also afforded some time for thought & reflection on the student work that lies ahead.  I am keen for the next 6 months (and beyond) to be significant, both for me, but also for the work of the Gospel here in NZ.

The challenges are huge.  My colleague Andy Shudall was interviewed yesterday on NZ’s Christian radio station, Radio Rhema about the decline in church attendance and involvement amongst young people.  You can listen to him here.  After some conversations with students just before Samuel was born, I have realised the 4 major challenges we face with the Christian students we work with are: the crisis of friendship, the obstacle of engagement, the problem of discipleship & the challenge of leadership.

The crisis of friendship is that so many Christian students live in a Christian bubble.  In fact, let me broaden that – so many Christians live in a Christian bubble.  One of my students honestly shared with me “Ben, we don’t have any non-Christian friends.”  Whilst disappointed at the statement, I appreciated her honesty.  I want to think more about how we can help students in this regard & to implement things which may help them.

The obstacle of engagement is the next step along.  When students do have unbelieving friends, many struggle to engage them in meaningful conversations about what being a Christian is all about, who Jesus is & why they believe what they believe.  Again, this problem needs addressing.

The problem of discipleship is an over-riding problem.  It’s part of the reason for the first two crises.  In talking with our students, most of the issues that crop up are to do with basic discipleship.  As a teenager, I remember bemoaning that I had not been discipled by anyone (which now I look back on it was not strictly true!), but thinking that I shouldn’t moan about it, but rather get on with discipling others so they weren’t in the same situation as I was!  We long to see students going on as fully-committed disciples of Jesus in the Universities around NZ.  Part of the problem is the need for more workers, but it is broader than that – we need a culture of discipleship and a zeal and enthusiasm to see discipleship happening widely.  I am hoping to up the ante in this regard in the coming months.

The challenge of leadership is one of the more noticeable problems.  There are potential leaders around, but they are in short supply.  We long to see students lead and be led in a godly manner and yet are aware of the difficulties this raises for many in our current generation.  Leadership is daunting and yet, it is also exciting and adventure and we long for more people to join the ride! 

I hope to be able to blog more about some of the happenings regarding these in the months ahead, but for the moment would appreciate your prayers & even insights as we seek to address these issues.  They are issues that I am wrestling with here in Wellington, but that we are also wrestling with throughout TSCF and beyond.  For me, the past few weeks have been significant in “breathing space” away from the day to day hustle & bustle which have allowed some thinking time about all I do and am, and how we can be more effective in the future. 

There are times when things happen in the student world which you can claim no involvement in whatsoever.  At times, that can be a good thing, as if something goes pear-shaped, you had no responsibility.  But, when something goes well, you can claim no credit.  On Saturday, the 2 TSCF groups in Wellington, CU & ICF organised a “Cultural Marketplace”.  It was a fund-raiser, a promotional event, but also came out of a desire to engage with the cultures of our students.  I had no involvement in any of the planning or running of the event.  However, in spite of this…no, probably because of this, the event went brilliantly.  Nigel Pollock, TSCF’s National Director described it as

“one of the best organized student events I have been to - not just in NZ – ever.”

Foolishly, I chose not to take our camera (I’m a bit photo-ed out at the moment!), but regret that.  Probably a couple of hundred people were there over the course of the evening buying & sampling the 10-12 foods from different cultures, as well as enjoying the music and dances provided by various other student societies, Embassies and cultural groups.  Mel and Peng, the 2 Presidents of our groups explained what the groups are about and why they exist.  They have both been good examples of students who have stepped up to the plate of leadership and have sought to befriend, engage & disciple those around them.  I am thankful to God for both of them.

Jen and I took Samuel along for his first big outing.  He enjoyed it thoroughly and slept through it all, including the rather loud, but impressive Chinese Lion Dance.  Yesterday, he had his first visit to church, which again, he seemed to enjoy – he slept through most of it too! 

I’m waiting for students to post pictures on Facebook of the Cultural Marketplace so that I can post some pictures on here – when they have, I will post some…but for now, enough of my ramblings, it’s good to be back…

African Tsunami

I think you’ll understand things have been busy for us the past few weeks.  I will try to post some pictures/thoughts at a later stage (for those on Facebook, I am posting pictures regularly there), however, despite the drama and excitement of a new son for us, the world continues with its needs and troubles.  I saw this picture on a blog & it challenged and rebuked me again.  We have so much and waste so much, where so many struggle to live from day to day.  This picture sums up the struggle.  I post it aware that I have much to thank God for, but also aware that I need to be a good steward of the resources I have & to help those less fortunate than myself.

The title of the cartoon is “African Tsunami”, the cartoonist is Alberto Sabat, and the cartoon was published in La Nacion in Argentina.

I am reminded of the verses in Matthew 25, which say “Whatever you did for the least of these for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me” and “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these , you did not do for me.” 

Introducing Sam

The past few weeks have involved much watching & waiting…so, it’s great to finally be able to introduce our new arrival Samuel James Carswell. He arrived on Monday morning (20/7/09) at 11.28am (NZ time) following a 13 1/2 hr labour & an emergency C-section.

Jen & Sam are both doing well & we are thankful to God for his safe arrival and the good health of both he and his mum.

For those interested, he was named Samuel James for several reasons – we like the names, Jen’s dad is named Samuel, we liked the Biblical name links & both names were those of great Yorkshire missionaries of yesteryear – Samuel Marsden, first missionary to NZ & James Hudson Taylor, found of the China Inland Mission, now OMF.

There are more photos from day 1 & 2 since his arrival with us here and here, but for now, let me leave you with two or three of my favourites.

^{Psalm 139: 13-16}

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.