Catalyst

We had a great weekend at Catalyst. Held at Harvest Christian Church in Papakura, Friday night was a Youth Event involving about 10 Youth Ministries from around Auckland. Saturday was a Leaders Training Day.

Friday night we had a great move of God with many people recieving agreat touch from God and many people making decisions to follow Jesus.

Friday Night

Saturday Training:

Becoming 100% YOU - Part 2

How do we find out who I am?:



1. Stay in step



Galatians 5:2 ‘Since we live by the spirit let us keep in step with the spirit.’



Keeping in step with the spirit is only possible when we remain tuned in.



We can often have the courage to step out and start moving on this journey but then we gradually drift out of step, we can get distracted and no longer listen with the same intensity that we did in the first place.



If you want to be in step with God then you have to walk closely to him and you need to follow his every move. You can do this by being in constant communication with God, praying and reading the bible. Living out of step won’t make you a bad person, but it will slow you down on the journey to becoming 100% ‘you’.



You need to get to a place where you completely trust and listen to his voice and are tuned in to his whisper.



What does your journey with God look like? Is he dragging you around to discover more of what is in you or do you keep standing on his toes because you won’t let him lead or are you gliding gracefully and keeping up. Are you allowing him to teach and guide you or are you doing your own thing. The Holy Spirit wants to lead you, but he won’t force you. He will simply prompt you and then its in your court to follow and keep up.



Posted by: Andrea

Becoming 100% YOU - Part 1 of 5

This is a message I spoke at our young adults camp just recently. I really believe that it is something we need to continue to journey on our whole life. I hope these words will help you to either start your journey or be motivated to continue your journey to become 100% you.

Life is too short to do things that you don’t enjoy and not being yourself

People ignore the value of what they already have and who God has made them to be and are trying to be like someone else.

Nelson Mandella quoted a saying from Marianne Williamson
'Our deepest fear... is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.'

Have you ever asked yourself ‘who am I’?

If so what was your answer?

Do you answer with:
- I’m a teacher, graphic designer, connect leader, builder, student, wife, friend

Or do you answer with:
- I am a daughter/son of God, righteous, God gifted, loved.

It is important that we move beyond answering this question with a title, a label or role that you currently fulfil in your life. If you answer this question with a job description or an explanation of what you currently do in life, then this shows that you are hiding behind what you do.

This question ‘who am I’ challenges us to think about what makes us unique and makes us think about what God has placed in our life that sets us apart from everyone else. It also causes us to examine what makes us stand out from the crowd and makes us different from everyone else.

Who had trainer wheels on their bike when they were a kid?

While they were on, they protected and stabilised you and helped you go straight, but when your parents thought it was a good time to take them off, we begin to wobble and maybe fall off, but we get back on and do the same thing over again, until we learn how to balance.
This is what it’s like when we set off on the journey to discover who we really are.

I am still on this journey, while I was working at church I used to have people say to me all the time, you’re the pastors wife, you’re the girl behind the information desk, you’re the one in the church office, I would always respond with a smile, yeah that’s me. But on the inside there was something that was saying no actually I think I’m more than that. Yes that’s what I do, but it’s not who I am.

This is probably how they recognised me but we can often take that on board and hide behind these things that people put on us. But I didn’t know where to start to find out who I was. I began to hide behind the things I did, my job, Braden, but once I realised this I have been on a journey ever since to find out who I am in Christ and it is one I continue to battle with everyday.

The journey of identity I believe is a life long one which we must thoroughly explore if we are to discover who we really are. Once I decided to find out who I was I had to makes some sacrifices, I have had to detach myself from some people, comforts and securities and keep making a decision everyday to continue to do this so that I have nothing stopping me from moving forward.

Everyone has incredible potential but the only way to maximise it is to commit to the journey of becoming the person God created you to be.

When you are 100% confident in who you are as a person you need nothing else to define you.

Jesus is a great example of this. He wouldn’t conform to any mould placed upon him.

Matthew 16:13-16 ‘When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

Jesus heard their answer but didn’t rush out to correct the people who said he was John the Baptist or Jeremiah and explain how wrong they were. It didn’t matter to him what the people thought of him.

This is such a great example of how we should be living our lives. Jesus modelled what it means to live being 100% yourself. He wasn’t held back by people’s feelings or approvals, He only cared about what His Father thought of Him.

So many Christians are not 100% about anything, especially their identity because many are not 100% sure of their own identity in him.

There is no one on this planet that is just like you or just like me. You have an individual thumb print, the iris in your eye is different to everyone else’s, you have a unique DNA code.

Braden and I get sent an email each week telling us where our baby is up to in its growth stage. This week it told me that it now looks like a miniature new born checking in at 10.9 inches (about the length of a ruler) and almost 1 pound. Its skin will continue to appear wrinkled until it gains enough weight to fill it out. Your baby's eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks some pigment. Your baby's lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line.

Isn’t that so amazing! God already knows all about our baby, and has already created it like no one else on this entire earth.
Sometimes it is so much easier stealing someone else’s identity than spending time to find out who you are.

For example, I can't be anyone of you who are reading this right now, I can only be myself.

Our personality is something we need to cherish about each other and help each other discover who we are. It is part of what makes you ‘you’ and we need to embrace it.

Posted by: Andrea

Life 08

It was great to catch up with so many New Gen Leaders at Life 08. Here are some photos from our Lunch. The conference was amazing, with some of my favourite speakers. If you were there, why don't you leave a comment about what you got out of the conference.

Posted by Braden

Working With Other Denominations: Part Two

The easiest answer is to do away with doctrines and just get on with it, but it’s not realistic. After all, doctrine is what gives us our identity as a Pentecostal, Anglican, Catholic, Brethren, and so on.

I have spoken with people, who genuinely believe that this is the right way to achieve unity. That we throw our doctrine and identity out the window and just become “disciples of Christ” together. I don’t know if you’ve heard this theory yourselves, but I really don’t think that will ever work. Because every believer receives different revelations on the word of God, and in reality not every opinion is wrong. There can be different perspectives on different practices. So naturally we begin to gather with others who share our convictions or perspectives. This is an important key to unity.

You see, I believe that unity starts with you identifying with one church and denomination, becoming planted in its house, vision and mandate. Once you have a home and you have established what your belief system is, you know who you are in Christ. I meet at an A/G church because I agree with the belief system of the movement, otherwise if I didn’t I’d go to another denomination where I felt I could identify with the belief system and go on to fulfil the call of God on my life. You see doctrine and belief systems are very important. They define us in Christ. We know who we are, and when we hear something that opposes or challenges that, we won’t be fazed by it.

So how do we establish relationship & unity with others who don’t share our belief system? The answer, in my experience, is Education. There is a big difference from accepting another person’s beliefs and understanding them. In the last part, I stated that most churches automatically put up divisions with churches that they don’t agree with. You can tell these sorts of walls are in place when you here statements like “we’ll come only if that youth group isn’t going to be there.” They are worried that the belief systems of the other group’s young people will begin to be accepted and then practiced by their very own youth. And this can happen.

If I have a heart for unity with the body of Christ, and one of my young people comes to me and says, “I visited one of my friends churches the other night and I witnessed something I’ve never seen before and honestly I don’t think its right.” I should find out exactly what it is and check to see if it is a doctrinal belief of that church. If it is and in most cases it will (sometimes not and that’s a whole other lesson), it’s my job to educate that young person on that doctrine so that the following is established:

1. A realisation that not every church is like ours.
2. An understanding of where their church stands on that belief (this may require research on your behalf. Talk with someone you know at that church if you feel you can)
3. An understanding of where our church stands on that belief (it may not be practised at all or practised differently and that should be explained – scriptures are the best evidence)

In this process, I feel it is important to not “put down” the other church, remembering that they are part of the body. Avoid statements like “That church are ignorant” or “They are wrong”, instead use statement style answers “They believe this because they have interpreted it this way”. Not negative or positive reinforced statements.

Remember your goal is to educate not judge. The person you are sharing with should leave feeling as though they could go into that environment again and not feel worried, because they understand what is going on, but also because their own belief system is not challenged. They are certain in what they believe.

I deal with youth workers in our city every week. Some of the guys (that means gals too) belong to churches that I have a completely different standpoint over doctrine. But, because I know who I am in Christ, that my belief system is stable, I can enter into relationship with them and build unity with them. I love the body of Christ. It’s so awesome meeting with people from different walks of life, and knowing that they are living for Christ also.

I hope what I’ve shared has got you thinking. If you want to call me about anything that I’ve stated on unity, feel free to call me. I have really only scraped the surface of this and there are other situations that arise in working with other denominations. I just pray that you desire to love the body of Christ even if you don’t agree on how your faith is lived to the stop.

Posted by Ben Hoyle

Lessons from the Land of Smiles

Lessons from the Land of Smiles

I have just had a couple of weeks in Thailand. Here are some thoughts based on five key areas of Thai culture.


1. Sabai – Relax (Everything is ok!)



The concept of sabai comes form the Buddhist idea of fatalism. It is reflected in their driving! Everyone pulls in front of each other, but it is all sabai. Nothing seems to phase them! If anything goes wrong it is fate.

We can learn something form this. Everything is sabai. When we trust in God we can relax.

Trusting in God’s sovereignty is not fatalism. We still have to make wise choices. However when circumstances are outside of our control we can relax and trust in God.

Romans 8:28 ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3)Job faced all sorts of trials but never drifted in his faith.Job 1:21 “I came naked from my mothers womb and I will be stripped of everything when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord.”Give your worries to God for He cares about you - 1 Peter 5:2.


2. Sanook – Fun

One thing the Thais love is fun. Everything they do must have an element of fun involved or it is just not Thai! We can learn something form that as well. Enjoy the journey! Live in the present

The bible abounds with the promises of God for our futures. For example:

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

However we can’t just focus on the future, we msut live in the present. William Booth said “To change the future you must disturb the present”.

Our daily decisions determine our destiny.

We must have a vision for the future, but look at it through the lenses of today.

Be In The Present
Learn From The Past
Plan For The Future

3. Mai ben rai – It’s nothing (literally – nevermind)

Mai ben rai is used in situations such as when someone has given you something they and you say “Thanks” they often reply “Mai ben rai” or “Its nothing”. It reflects a willingness to serve and put others first.

Here are some thoughts on serving.

To get ahead, put others first.

Mark 9:35 ‘Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’

We were put on earth to make a contribution. To add life, not just take it.

We serve God by serving others.
‘Whatever you do for the lest of these you do for me.’



4. Puapar -Generosity

I am always blown away by the generosity of people I meet in Thailand. Often they have very little themselves yet they give so much. I wonder if their generosity is a result of them having a simplicity of life which rejects a materialistic way of thinking.

We need to battle daily against materialism.


Here are some thoughts on generosity.

Your candle loses nothing when it lights another.

Proverbs 11:26 ‘A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.’

True generosity isn’t an occasional event.

Be grateful for whatever you have. Generosity rises out of contentment, and that doesn’t come with acquiring more. Millionaire John D. Rockefeller admitted, “I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” If you’re not content with little, you won’t be content with a lot. And if you’re not generous with little, you won’t suddenly change if you become wealthy.


Don’t allow the desire for possessions to control you.
Richard Foster writes, “Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it; and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion.” If you want to be in charge of your heart, don’t allow possessions to take charge of you.

Regard money as a resource
As E. Stanley Jones said, “Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If it gets on top and you get under it, you will become its slave.”

Develop the habit of giving
Richard Foster advises, “Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon greed.” If you are enslaved by greed, you cannot lead.



5. Hi Giat - Honouring


The Thais are an incredibly honouring people. This is reflected in their greeting, the Wai, where they put their hands together as if they are prating and give a slight bow.

Eph 5:21 reminds us that we are to treat each other with respect and honour.


Honour is The OPPOSITE Of Judging, Loving UNCONDITIONALLY, having FAITH In Someone, listening, and enlargening others.

Posted by Braden Matson

Working With Other Denominations: Part One

In our city, we have been privileged to inherit a unity among the churches that is really amazing. Many folk from outside visit our place and end up asking a bunch of questions about how it has been achieved. I've also had leaders of national ministries come to me and tell me about the problems of running inter-denominational ministries, where some youth groups will only turn up if another youth group doesn't, or if a certain practice isn't exercised.

The reality that we have to face is that, the main problem we have with other denominations or movements is Doctrine. Doctrine defines our identity in Christ. There are churches that believe in speaking in tongues, and there are those who feel it is heretical. There are churches that believe in certain forms of baptism, that others have different interpretations of. There are so many different standpoints on giving and tithing across the church. So if we identify with certain practices that others despise or practice differently, we will tend to distance ourselves from those groups, after all they are not "in line" with our belief system.

The problem I see is, that as bible believing Christians, we read in John 17, as Christ is praying for the disciples and then goes on to pray for all believers, that He desires us to be united.
Verse 23 : "I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

We all know the verse, "Where there is Unity, God commands a blessing", and quite often we put it in the context of our local church. You know?, that the pastors and leaders work together in one vision and God will bless the vision and so on. But, here in verse 23, Jesus is praying to the Father about ALL believers being ONE.

You see the devil has done such an outstanding job of dividing the church over the centuries to the point that we are more at war with each other than with the principalities and powers. This is it, isn't it. Our doctrines are what divide us. The funny thing is, that any church that agrees "Jesus is Lord" are Christians and therefore part of the body of Christ. Jesus desires those people to be united.

This is the hard part though. We have established that it is Christ’s desire for the church to be united. We have also established that it is our doctrines that divide us. So the question is: How do we achieve unity?

To Be Continued…
Posted by Ben Hoyle