BULLETINVol 20 No. 07 JULY 2020

INSIDEIDEA: The Paradox Of Patience 02

EQUIP: Polycentric Partnering 03Missions Agencies? 05

GO: COVID-19 Field Team Impact 08Engaging With The Bible 09Why Take The Risk? 10SDGs + Missions (Pt 1) 11

CARE: Pandemic Slump 12

PRAY:Prayerlinks 15SPOTLIGHTS: 16

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the

spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage,

for the coming of the Lord is near.

( James 5:7-8 NLT)

This month’s whakataukī (proverb) is: “E noho e, kia raungāwari” [Wait and be flexible | Sit down and bide your time]. Back in March 2018 I noted that this

proverb to me evokes “something like a cross between ‘patience is a virtue’ and ‘be still and know that I am God’. In other words, ‘Chillax, God’s got it sussed’”.Last night, I stood outside and watched a vortex open up in an otherwise cloudy canopy, revealing a clear sky and bright moon beyond. The wind must have been swirling at just the right height to create the spiral opening. As I watched the natural phenomenon, it brought to mind a random thought. In an age of rapid narration, where stories go from incident to climax to resolution in a 2 hour movie or a 40 minute TV programme (or less on YouTube), it never occurred to me that the end of the world as we know it might happen as if in slow motion over a matter of months. I'm not prophesying Jesus' immediate return (just yet), but we could well be slowly spiralling toward a new climax of historic significance.COVID-19 has shown itself to be a catalyst for significant change in the world—increased economic stress and heightened injustice exposure for example. From the earliest days of its spread beyond China to Italy, Iran and Western Europe, futurists were predicting severe impact. They were not wrong, they are not wrong. We have felt some of the early impact, but there is much more to come. A few days ago Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO warned that the end of COVID-19 “is not even close... the pandemic is actually speeding up”. In New Zealand, where the virus is currently contained to quarantined arrivals at our border, it is very tempting to relax and rush back into things as if they were continuing as normal. It might currently feel that way—but it will be a short-lived fantasy. We need to stay buckled into our seats, this ride is a long way from over.“Are we there yet?” used to be a familiar whine from kids in the back seat on road trips. Not so much today thanks to digital entertainment and mobile broadband. When I (used to) travel, a 12 hour flight whips by with iPad in hand. The digital world has created an illusion of truncated time and space. I liken it to those long rides we used to take at Christmas, parents strategically setting out late at night so us kids would fall asleep in the car and wake up at our destination as if we'd travelled in an instant. But in our current milieu, it would be very dangerous for Jesus-followers to seek ways to anaesthetise ourselves on the journey ahead. This historic moment is what we were born-again for. This is a missional moment. It is time for Christ's Church to engage in unified

compassionate action so the world will know and believe that the Father lovingly sent the Son (John 17:18-25). I am speaking here of a paradox of patience. On the one hand, settling into the long journey of change that will result from the chain-reactions created by COVID-19. On the other hand, not becoming complacent, but instead embracing opportunity. The “Be still” of Psalm 46:10 does not mean ‘cease activity’, but 'calm the restlessness'. Jesus' command to the tempest (Mark 4:39) is a wonderful illustration of this. The Psalmist relates our calmness with the fulfilment of God's mission: God exalted among the nations—something God will achieve, sometimes through us, but not by us. The Psalmist ends with the promise of God's presence with God's people, exactly the same way Jesus concludes His commission to the disciples in the gospel of Matthew. God's presence is peace, and our participation requires patience.In his marvellous (and missional) book, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Alan Krieder turns evangelistic fervour on its head and argues that the missional mark of the early church was actually patience. He writes, “throughout the early centuries the Christian churches continued to grow numerically. Arguably, a significant reason for this growth was the Christians’ patience” and notes, “People who live a patient lifestyle trust God and do not try to manipulate outcomes...” The early Church focused its energies on living out the shalom values of the Kingdom of God, loving one another in new-covenant unity that was attractive to a world fragmented by power and greed and callous disregard for others—and the Church added to their number daily, for more than three Centuries, under persecution. Their lifestyle was in stark contrast to those around them. Their witness was welcomed. I believe the liberal morality of secular humanism will decay rapidly in the days ahead without the Judeo-Christian foundations required for them to function. This will provide an opportunity for a prepared Church to shine all the more, as we live in perfect peace, empowered by the Holy Spirit presence of the living God to love one another with mutual commitment. Maybe it is time for missions to focus more on going deep—committing to communal mutuality in unreached localities. Border shut-downs will continue to frustrate expatriate aspirations, so indigenous missions must ascend, with cross-border support from global resourcing commitments. Let's listen to the Spirit through Scripture, calm the restless desire to achieve what only God can do, and look for the new opportunities to move, Together: On Mission.

EDITORIALTHE PARADOX OF PATIENCEBy Dr Jay Matenga, Executive Officer, Missions Interlink.

Tena tātou katoa e te iwi mīhana...

IDEA

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We have seen enormous changes in the land-scape of missions over

the past 100 years. Today we can rub shoulders with brothers and sisters from many different continents in a ‘polycentric world’, different backgrounds, North and South, East and West. Rather than passing the mission baton from the Western world to the Majority World Church, God is adding “more hands” to it.

Professor Andrew Walls insightfully highlighted the concept of polycentrism in global mission: the riches of a hundred places learning from each other. He believes that there is no one single centre of Christianity or one single centre of missionary activity. He said, “One necessitates the other.”1 Each centre enriches the others and there is a need for one another.

However, despite this inspiring concept, we do face a challenge. While the numeric centre of gravity in terms of Christian growth has shifted to the Global South, the fiscal centre of gravity remains in the Global North, though this might be changing [update: COVID-19 may reset this yet again, ed.]. Nevertheless, the concept and the

practice of the “powerful” bringing the good news to the “powerless” is rightly being challenged.

PARTNERSHIP: MULTIDIRECTIONAL SHARINGPartnership involves sharing in multiple aspects far beyond resources sharing. It is sharing of pain and joy, victory in Christ and suffering for Christ.

The early church in Jerusalem faced that problem when leaders rebuked Peter when he went to the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them (Acts 11:2). Sharing was not meant to be. Surprisingly it was the new emerging Gentile church in Antioch, the seemingly peripheral group, who collected the offering and contributed towards the needs of the Jerusalem church when they heard about the need in Jerusalem (Acts 11:28-29). Sharing requires humility, respect and acceptance, accepting the “weaker” partner, as equals as well as accepting one’s own inadequacy.

In Romans 15, Paul exhorted those who are strong to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. But who are the weak? Most likely the weak were, for the most part, Jewish Christians, who had a strong spiritual heritage. Paul exhorted the younger Gentile believers to accept

the “weaker” Jewish Christians. With the significant growth of the Majority World/Global South Church and the decline of the Church in the West, what should be our attitude towards the Church of the West/Global North?

The Antioch Church shared its resources with the Jerusalem Church. But God’s resources are not only about money and certainly not about the exercise of power which money often brings. In the Antioch Church model, it was the “powerless” who brought resources to the “powerful”. In our global family, some will bring quite different gifts. Some will model faithfulness in the face of suffering and persecution and show us a vital element of authentic gospel living. Some will bring years of experience of commending the Lord Jesus Christ in the context of another world faith. Some will show how to live with shining trust in God despite poverty or injustice. Others will bring deep traditions of believing prayers. The Body of Christ needs all of these, and much more and in true partnership we shall each bring what we have, not what we don’t have, to bless the world church in its missions. And we will respect and rejoice in diversity, rather than impose on others our way of undertaking missions.

POLYCENTRIC PARTNERINGTHE NEED FOR COOPERATION IN MISSIONS

by Rev. Dr. Patrick Fung, Director of OMF International. He is the 10th International Direct of OMF (formerly China Inland Mission) and the first Asian General Director in the 140 years since the organisation was founded. This article previously appeared in OMF NZ's Serving Asia magazine, Issue 62, April/May 2020.

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EQUIP

PARTNERSHIP: IN THE GOSPELIn 1992, South African missiologist, Dr David Bosch delivered a lecture in Paris in which he dealt specifically with the challenge that modern, Western culture posed to the gospel. He began with this statement:

“We have truly entered into an epoch fundamentally at variance with anything we have experienced to date... The dominant characteristics of the contemporary world are its throroughgoing secular nature and its radical anthropocentricity [human centredness].”2

This challenge is not only one facing the Western world but rather the Global World. The Global Church needs to be united in proclaiming the gospel faithfully and relevantly. It demands not only our confidence in the Bible but also our reading of the Bible together, across our boundaries.

We must become ‘an international hermeneutical community’3, where leaders from different parts of the global church help one another to interpret (hermeneutics) the Bible from

various cultural contexts and check one another’s cultural biases. We are committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in ALL its fullness with the world. For God’s intent is that, through the Church, the global community of God’s people, in unity and diversity, the manifold (colourful) wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 3:10). Biblical partnership not only brings an earthly impact but a cosmic one. It is to this great work we have been called.__________

FOOTNOTES1. Christianity Today, February 2007.

2. David J. Bosch, Believing in the Future: Toward a Missiology of Western Culture, (Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1995), p1-2. Italics added by David Smith.

3. A term used by Paul Hiebert in Missiological Implications of Epistemological Shifts: Affirming Truth in a Modern/Postmodern World, Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1999, p113.

POLYCENTRIC PARTNERING cont...

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The challenge that missions agencies face is to discern how Jesus is building his

global church in this new world and to understand how their unique organisations fit into what he is doing. The danger is that they will work hard to maintain traditional structures and ways of doing things and miss out on what the Lord is doing. Recently, my friend Peter Rowan, the co-director of OMF in the UK, posted an excellent series of tweets on some of the impacts of COVID-19 on world missions. You can see the original tweet below and then I’ll post the whole thread as a quote indented to draw out what Peter says more clearly.

Five potential missional consequences of COVID-19 (from a colleague in Asia) All 5 are an acceleration of trends already being felt…

1. A shift away from Western-led mission, as funding bases derived from Western-based economies are undermined by the economic collapse.

2. Renewed emphasis on local approaches to mission, Benedictine models of mission, emphasizing stability and locatedness within a community framework, are likely to re-emerge. This represents a huge challenge to current models of global organizations which exist around

modern management structures. This potentially calls for more embedded, long-term, incarnational approaches, rather than ‘hit and run’ short-term, project style mission

3. A challenge from religious extremism, xenophobia and anti-immigration movements. In all likelihood, religious extremist groups will ally with nationalist movements to influence the political arrangements in states where the economic impact has been pronounced. This is likely to result in greater restrictions on mission in many contexts. Arguably, the greater threat may come from extremism within Christian communities, linked to ethnic supremacy movements

4. A need for mission to be more integrated with social and economic concerns, and at heart, to be able to respond to the uncertainty around what it now means to be human. This not only demands new missions practices, but a renewed and revised theology of integral mission. A core question may well be: what do our missions have to do with rebuilding societies, economies, and emotional resilience in the current era? If so, what kind of theological, intellectual and technical resources will be needed to engage in communities who are suffering?

5. An urge to retreat into traditionalism, sectarianism and, essentially, the past. There’s a danger of turning missions activity into some kind of ‘heritage industry’, creating or maintaining a kind of familiar haven in which to shelter from the realities of the world around us. [End thread.]

As with any predictions about the future, these need to be treated with a degree of caution. Only time will tell if they are truly accurate. However, my own intuition is that they are likely to turn out to be pretty accurate.

I’d like to add some observations of my own which will play into some of what Peter has written.

The most important thing to highlight is the fact that Christ will build His Church; nothing can or will stop this. God’s mission will go on. However, we must not confuse God’s mission with the human structures that have been developed to support it. While the Church will continue and will grow, there is no promise that mission agencies will do the same.

With that thought in mind, I’d like to back up and take a big picture view of the way in which the world seems to be developing. The issues that I raise are not caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, they are part of a long process; however, they are being hastened by the current situation.

We are in the midst of the development of a new political/economic world order. We were already seeing the slow eclipse of the post-war, north-Atlantic system which was dominated by Europe and North-America and sustained by multilateral organisations such as the UN, the IMF and the World Bank. This decline will hasten as the global focus shifts to the Pacific [Asia], while Europe is increasingly sidelined.

Related to this point is the likelihood that globalisation, as we know it, will decline. The rise of sentiments such as 'America First' and frustrations over the complexity of the international trading system (shown most obviously

MISSIONS AGENCIES?IMPLICATIONS POST PANDEMIC

by Dr. Eddie Arthur, veteran of 30 years membership with Wycliffe Bible Translators, has recently completed a PhD in missions agency theology and practice. Based now in the UK, Eddie researches, writes and consults about the future of missions.This article was curated from Eddie's blog Kouyanet, posted April 27, 2020.

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in the difficulty in obtaining protective equipment for medical staff) all demonstrate a pressure to return to focusing on the nation-state rather than on international bodies. This is exacerbated by the growing tensions between the US and China as they compete for economic, cultural and ultimately military supremacy.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, it seems unlikely that easy and affordable world travel will return in the near future and crossing borders is likely to become more complex with tighter visa restrictions and health passports being imposed globally.

I think these trends, which were already underway, but which are now accelerating will have a number of impacts on missions agencies, beyond those that Peter highlights above.

The first is that many international missions agencies reflect other international bodies such as the UN or the IMF in their structures. They have dispersed offices in many countries coordinating their work and they rely on reliable, affordable travel and easy access from one country to another in order to keep on functioning. Online

video calls and conferences are going to continue to be the order of the day for missions leadership teams long after lockdown has ended. Travel costs and logistical difficulties will mean that international team meetings and large conferences will no longer be as feasible as they once were. If large agencies are to remain viable, they will need to reconsider how they coordinate their actions.

As globalisation winds down and national interests take precedence, Evangelical Christians face a big question; will we divide along national/regional lines or will we buck the trend and reflect our true multi-national, multi-lingual identity? I believe that we are at a point where deliberate evangelical-ecumenism is incredibly important. We are very good at drawing lines and at excluding others who do not sign up to our theological minutiae and we are living in a world in which we will face cultural pressures to distance ourselves from Christians around the globe. If we do not deliberately take steps to broaden our evangelical horizons, we are likely to find ourselves cut off from brothers and sisters elsewhere.

I believe that this is an arena in which missions agencies are uniquely placed to serve. Helping to forge links between believers and churches in different parts of the world and demonstrating our essential unity in Christ in a situation in which our differences are being highlighted will be an essential function of agencies in the future. We must resist the temptation to take cover in our safe ethnic and theological trenches.

At the moment (April 2020), missions agencies, like other organisations, are scrabbling around trying to work out how to carry on functioning in a very different world. New patterns of working are being developed and will slowly bed in. However, agencies need to deal with the fact that we will not return to the way things used to be; we are not going back to “normal”. As I noted from the outset, the challenge that agencies face is to discern how Jesus is building His global Church in this new world and to understand how their unique organisations fit into what he is doing. The danger is that they will work hard to maintain traditional structures and ways of doing things and miss out on what the Lord is doing.

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Like many of you

our team has been facing the challenges of navigating through this crisis while living in another culture. We’re not strangers to change, transition, travel and visa difficulties and having to be flexible. As missions workers, we’ve come to accept another culture as a ‘new normal’. But now we’re facing a different kind of ‘new normal.’ The world has changed. We have to accept that some things won’t be the way they were. We also need to process the puzzle of what’s happening to ourselves and the communities we serve, being like the men of Issachar who understood the times (1 Chronicles 12:32).

This is also a time to rethink, review and evaluate what we do and how we do it and prepare for life in this ‘new normal’. It’s not simply a case of ‘keep calm and carry on.’ Keep calm yes, but change and adapt as necessary.

Here are a few questions that I hope will help us as missions workers to navigate, process and prepare in the weeks ahead:What is God saying or teaching us? Make time to listen to God; don’t just plough on. Block time for it. There are lots of voices and opinions; value

God’s above them all. This week our team is having a Day of Prayer which will include listening to God for direction and insight into how to go forward. It’s so easy to try and fit God into our lives instead of fitting our lives and ministries around God, His will and plans.

How is our world and our local community changing? How will that affect what we do and how we do it? Our aim can’t be to just get back to what we’ve always done. The countries we’re serving in have changed. People’s lives have been seriously affected. There are some things to keep doing but likely some things to let go of or put on hold that are no longer effective or relevant.

What new or different needs are there in our local communities and how can we serve? Where I live thousands of people have lost their jobs and many families are struggling to have enough to eat. Members of our team are finding ways to respond to this, including partnering with local churches. We’re also seeing a reverse migration from the cities back to the family home in the villages. Let’s do some research and keep our eyes and ears open. Perhaps this is a time for beginning or renewing partnerships with the local church where possible.

What do the people on our team need right now? Too often we assume

we know. Ask. We need to make an extra effort to look out for each other. Now is a good time to review how well our member care is working. We did a survey using some of the questions used here to gauge where people were at as well as hear what they think is happening in the country.

What do I need right now? Those of us who are looking out for others need to look after ourselves too. Practice self care. You, your family and team will be glad you did. Operating in crisis mode is exhausting; we need to still be functioning in the medium and long term, not just the short term.

What have we lost? It’s important to acknowledge losses and grieve them. Process along the way so it doesn’t hit you later in one big wave that takes you out (I’ve been there, it was horrible). Some of our team are living in limbo while their placements are on hold, others couldn’t say goodbye properly, some feel like all their plans are up in the air, while others are stuck out of the country when they’d rather be here. Our country isn’t the most stable at the best of times and this has brought another level of instability and fear. Staying hopeful is important but so is acknowledging that this is hard for everyone. We lose trust if we’re out of touch with reality.

(Continued...)

GO

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FIELD TEAM IMPACTPROCESSING THE PANDEMIC PUZZLEby Alex Hawke, a Country Team Leader with Interserve in South East Asia where he serves with his wife Ellie and their two sons. This article was curated from OSCAR UK's blog, published June 1.

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FIELD TEAM IMPACT cont...

What are we grateful for? Gratitude is a powerful weapon against hopelessness, despair and despondency. Give time to give thanks. Maybe this crisis has shown us some things we’ve taken for granted until now.

How can we stay true to our vision and mission even though the way we do things has had to change? With the need to adjust, don’t forget why you exist as a team or why you personally came to your country of service in the first place. Crises have a way of helping us see what really matters and what just isn’t as important as we thought it was. This is a good time to revisit and review our vision, mission and values and check we’ve got our priorities right.

What new possibilities does this situation create? The cliché is true: in every crisis there are opportunities. Don’t miss them. New ideas and initiatives could be waiting to develop. Also, as one National Director in our organization noted, we now have something in common with everyone on the planet which we didn’t have before. Though it’s not true that we’re all in the same boat, the shared experience the world is going through can help us relate and identify with people in a new way. There is also clear evidence of increased spiritual hunger right now which we must make the most of.

What are we learning that we don’t want to forget as things improve?

Some of the things we had to come up with now can be kept along with insights God has given and lessons He has taught us along the way.

A prayer: Lord, we’ve never been here before. Please help us to navigate this territory and perceive what is happening. We ask you for insight and wisdom to serve effectively. We pray we would learn the lessons You are teaching us and not forget how much we need You. Shape us for what lies ahead. Holy Spirit make us brave to face the changes this is bringing upon us. O Lord be glorified through Your people in this critical hour. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Amen.

ENGAGING WITH THE BIBLECELEBRATE, READ, GROW

by NZ Bible Society.

The Bible should be an essential ingredient in the lives of every Christian believer. When people engage with the Bible, lives can be changed and transformed for good. This year Bible Society New Zealand wants to help more people engage with the Bible through their Bible Month project being run during the month of July.Bible Month is an annual celebration to help churches to both celebrate and focus on the Bible and this year’s theme is “Engaging with the Bible together”. There's something special about gathering as a community and reading God’s Word together. To help you do this, several free resources have been designed for church leaders to use based on the Gospel of Luke.

They include a Kiwi audio Bible on Luke, sermon notes and a Bible quiz.

Unlike previous Bible months, all of the resources this year are based online and can be viewed at www.biblemonth.nz.

Church leaders will be able to register on the website and download their free resources to encourage their church groups to engage with the Bible.

Even though the Bible can be read alone, there is something special about reading and learning from the Bible together. Bible Society New Zealand’s hope is that you will find this year's Bible Month resources useful for you and your church.

Isam* had been looking for Christian resources in Arabic when he found our ministry

website. At the bottom of the page is a number to message our response team via WhatsApp. After connecting, Isam shared his story…

I’d been taking a class with a group of foreigners and had befriended a guy called Nathan. He was kind and helpful. One day after class, he pulled me aside. He told me he was a Christian. He said his church was having a party at the end of the week, and I should join him.

I was very hesitant. I’d never been to a church before, and I had no idea what to expect. What if there was dancing? Or alcohol? But I trusted my friend, and part of me wanted to find out what it was like. I decided to go.

It was amazing—Not like I’d imagined it at all! Nathan’s friends were so friendly and made me feel like I was very welcome even though I was an outsider. Over the next few weeks, I went with my friend to his church. People started telling me about their faith and about becoming a Christian. My new friends even gave me a Bible. I didn’t understand much—I’m from North Africa, and they’re from Asia. They’re so kind and lovely, but they explain things differently to how I think. I wanted someone to answer my questions in a way I understood, but I was too afraid to go to an Arab church. Despite all this, I felt more and more drawn to Christ.

As I was sitting in my home one afternoon, I began thinking over what had happened in these recent weeks. My friend had taken a huge risk telling me he was a Christian. And these people at the church were sharing with me, a Muslim. Why do this? Why take the risk? They might get arrested… maybe even deported!

I felt overwhelmed. The tears spilt from my eyes and rolled down my face. I didn’t know what else to do, so I began praying with my whole heart, and I called out to Jesus. Immediately, I felt his peace. I couldn’t contain the joy welling up inside me. I had to sing. Worship songs filled the room. I didn’t understand what I was singing in English, but I knew God heard me. I sang in Arabic too.

Soon after that, I tried to find out more about Christianity. I wanted to know if there was more out there in Arabic. And that’s when I found your website. You explain the Bible in a way that makes sense to me.

I’m trying to talk to my family and friends about my faith, telling them about the relationship I have with Christ. You can just come before him, just as you are. People don’t get that. And it’s hard because they don’t want to doubt Islam. Muslims believe that the Bible is corrupt. God’s word cannot be corrupt!

My life has been transformed, and now I want to serve the Lord.

* We protect the identities of all our contacts by choosing pseudonyms for each one. Isam means ‘security, promise’, and we felt this name reflected this young man’s testimony. We rejoice that Isam has found security in God’s promise of love. Nathan's name also changed. Image above for illustrative purposes only.

PRAYPraise God that Isam decided to dedicate his life to Jesus. Pray for him as he grows in his faith and understanding of the Bible.

Intercede for Isam’s family and friends. Though they have said they ‘do not want to doubt Islam,’ pray that their hearts will be open and receptive to the gospel.

We are grateful that Bahrain is more open and tolerant of religious expression than other Gulf countries. However, evangelising Muslims is illegal. Pray for the safety of seekers and new believers as they explore Christianity. Pray also for the existing believers as they live out their faith and disciple Arabs who want to know Christ.__________

We love sharing these encouraging testimonies with you. God is moving in the Arab world and transforming lives from Mauritania to Oman.

Encourage a family member or a friend by sharing Isam’s story via email or Facebook // Instagram // Twitter and tag us @arabworldmedia.

WHY TAKE THE RISK?THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

by Arab World Media (a ministry of Pioneers). This testimony was curated from AWM's website, March 17, 2020.

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Over the next few months I will be publishing here my initial work on behalf of the WEA to

articulate an Evangelical apprach to the SDG's. These short reflections are being reviewed and refined by other WEA leaders ready for a media campaign in September in the lead-up to the UN's "Global Day of Action" (September 25).

GOAL 1: NO POVERTYIn its earliest days, the early Church manifested the fulfilment of the Old Testament ideals within the concept of shalom: “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that

what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had… There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.” Acts 4:32,34-35. They did this because of their faith in Jesus as the anointed one, the Lord, the Prince of Peace (shalom), who makes shalom a social reality by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work in the followers of Christ. In

Luke 4:18-19, when Jesus claimed to be the fulfilment of the vision of Isaiah 61:1-2 (to bring good news to the poor and the release of captives), the coming shalom reality is what He had in mind. As James makes clear in his epistle, equity must be a hallmark of every local church. Our collective communal strength in-Christ then becomes a blessing of public good to others in need. From our love for God and one another flows our love for neighbour and ‘enemies’. From our common wealth as followers of Christ, we challenge injustice and we meet the needs of the poor. In-Christ the oppressed are freed and economic harmony can be created as a witness to the world of the now/not-yet time of the Lord’s favour (Luke 4:19).

GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGERWhen Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John

6:35), it was not merely a metaphor. He promises to provide for those who would believe in Him (John 5:36). The

regular provision of our collective “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3) is a promise of sustenance as part of the life in all fulness that Jesus imparts to those who follow Him (John 10:10) and remain in Him (John 15:4, Philemon 1:6). This promise is as real today as the day Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:15-21 etc.). God provides (Psalm 107:9, 147:14), but a new covenant rendering of the Deuteronomic principle applies here (e.g. Deuteronomy 6:3): the promise is contingent on obedience—to Christ. The promise of provision under the new covenant is to the Christ-centred community of God’s people. Yet, as God supplies so we are obligated to share, not just with one another but with our neighbours in need. In our new covenant shalom reality, Christ-followers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfil God’s injunction through Isaiah 58:6-14, which includes “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them…” (Isaiah 58:7). Generously sharing God’s provision to us with those in need in wider society is a beacon of God’s light in a world grappling with darkness (Isaiah 55:1-3).

To be continued next month.

SDGS + MISSIONS (Pt 1)JOINING THE CALL FOR A BETTER WORLD

by Dr. Jay Matenga, Director of Missions & Evangelism for the World Evangelical Alliance, Executive Director of the WEA Mission Commission, and Director of Missions Interlink NZ. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or "Global Goals") are an initiative of the United Nations that was adopted by all UN States in 2015. They were developed to provide a shared global blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. Rooted in our understanding of declaring and demonstrating the shalom Kingdom of God, the WEA is encouraging Evangelicals to join the call to "Make A Better World".

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Feel down? That's not unusual. Without a doubt this year of the pandemic

and all its “shut in” realities and uncertainties can make any of us feel depressed. It is a normal and common response to the distressing events in our world right now. If you are a sensitive and caring person, to feel down right now is normal. To not feel saddened is the abnormal response!

Even in usual life without a pandemic most people experience one or more periods of depression at some point. We know certain life situations are more likely to lead to depression. These can include major life changes, such as post-partum hormonal shifts in the body and brain. Others include being displaced, as a refugee or when one moves to another country or culture. Relationship losses can contribute, as do loss of dreams and unfulfilled expectations. These are all exponentially up with this pandemic.

This article is about how to help yourself. A drop in your mood is a natural part of the ebb and flow of life; modern perspectives on mental health have made people more aware of it.

Though one does not want to ignore the symptoms of a persistent depressed state, simply on the hope that it will go away, one can do a great deal to help yourself rebound.

Acknowledging a depressed state early and beginning a regimen of self-care can prevent it from becoming entrenched.

With some help, mild depression can be resolved in about six months. When it is prolonged or very severe, professional care is recommended for recovery, but the practices described here will help most people most of the time. You can use them every day to boost your mood and avoid getting stuck.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?As a life-long melancholy person, prone-to-depression myself, I have learned much about how it “comes on” and how to resist it and to overcome it. Growing up, I seemed to have a deep and endless pool of sadness within me. That stayed with me into middle adulthood. Many “adverse child events” (ACE) filled my life. We moved numerous times due to my father’s whims, when he would come home from sea after another round of service in the Merchant Marines. Though I did not know it as a child, I learned later that one grandfather had committed suicide; the other became alcoholic after the death at an early age of my grandmother, leaving him with five children to rear.

I never knew any of my grandparents or extended family, having met only one sister of each of my parents. Gradually I learned enough family

history to discover patterns of suicide, depression, and addictions on both sides. These patterns have continued in my family of origin, with addiction a problem for most of my fifteen siblings and 65 nieces and nephews of the next generation, plus the next generation of 100 or so after that—my grandchildren’s generation.

As a silent, almost mute, child in a big and noisy family I started to learn early about depression. I learned much from my mother, who had every human reason to be depressed, losing one husband to sudden death, having fourteen pregnancies, and living with the multitude of uncertainties brought about by having married my father. Yet, most of the time she rose above those human reasons through her faith in God.

For me, deep melancholy was paradoxical. Though I experienced it often, I also learned how to recognize its appearance and to how to stymie it, to avoid it taking over my life. I acknowledged it but discovered I did not have to live by it, or to live it out.

Thinking about that recently in my work as a counsellor, I decided to list what kept me buoyant, to identify the things I had learned.

PANDEMIC SLUMP25+ WAYS TO BEAT COVID CONSEQUENCE BLUES

by Dr. Lois A. Dodds, a Board Certified Counselor and Trauma & CISD Specialist, co-founder of Heartstream Resources for Global Workers. Dr Lois is a developmental psychologist and counselor, specializing in the care of crosscultural humanitarian workers. This article was curated from the Heartstream Resources website, abridged and edited for clarity.

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CARE

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Here are the 25+ habits I started learning early in life which kept a depressed state from consuming me. These have all been validated in my own life, and in recent years with multiple research studies. They are multi-dimensional, as are the negative patterns we might naturally choose to follow. What we do to help in one area of life, such as the physical, also bears fruit in the other domains, such as cognitive. Together they form an integrated schema for helping ourselves. As one or my peer readers pointed out, they also help us reject lies and build us up in our social/relational circles.

WHAT CAN 25+ DO FOR YOU?This is what one of my clients told me after I shared my first version of this list: “These 25+ things form a framework for my day! They give me specific things to do so I have something to think about besides how badly I feel. They keep me engaged in thinking and behaving in overcoming my depression, not succumbing to it.” She says they gave her a new way to see that reality was bigger than her own painful feelings—how down she felt. Perhaps they can do that for you too, right now, during this pandemic!

FIVE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR DEVELOPMENT AFFECTED BY DEPRESSIONThese 25+ practices affect five very crucial dimensions of your being. As a developmental psychologist I marvel at how these practices, even those I learned very early, are so sound and so universally health-producing. They are the common-sense means of self-care built into us by our Creator, relating to five dimensions of our well-being.

God built into us, at creation, what our bodies, minds, and spirits need to heal ourselves:

• Spiritually• Physically• Actualizingly (activate potential,

especially cognitive and talent)• Relationally/Socially• Emotionally

At Heartstream1 we use the acronym “SPARE YOURSELF” as a reminder to care for ourselves in all these dimensions of growth and health. I believe the foundation starts with the spiritual practices and habits we can change to help ourselves. Those move us into the physical and physiological.

Spiritual:1. Meditate on God. Even reading one of the praise and thanksgiving Psalms can boost your degree of gratitude and remind you of God’s creation and love. It can also enable you to see that God created every emotion, and that we do not have to hide ours from Him; He always understands. Even five minutes can set the tone of your day. Longer time reading, meditating and reflecting is even more helpful! You can also encounter God in the Bible or in other ways, especially in nature. Connected to Him, you feel less alone.

2. Tell God you accept His strength, His power, His wisdom for your day. Remind Him of His promise that He gives us “love, power, and a sound mind” and that the “spirit of fear” is from the enemy of our souls. (This principle, has proven powerful and lasting in AA.)

3. Listen to Music to boost your mood! Comforting, encouraging, uplifting lyrics and many types of instrumental music can help you. Lyrical, gentle music, choral or instrumental, is especially helpful, such as some worship music. Chant is very healing. Heavy beats, however, can make you feel fragmented and anxious.

4. Pray. Even if you're not sure if God hears you, expressing what your struggles are and what you need is good for ‘mental health.’ Praying for others takes the focus off yourself. There are now books full of research studies that show the power of prayer by you and for you.

Physical/Physiological:5. Sunlight! Let the light in and get out in the light! Open your curtains and blinds and expose yourself to a maximum amount of light, immediately upon arising. Even your skin absorbs light. Light therapy is proven to help your whole sense of well-being. A full-spectrum light lamp in addition to real sunlight, is very helpful during winter and gloomy days, especially if you are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

6. Get up early and get dressed immediately. Put on nice clothing and comb your hair. For women, make-up can help you look and feel more cheerful. How you see yourself, what you see when you look in the mirror, has an impact on you for the whole day. It is worth looking your best—for yourself!

7. Make your bed. That creates a sense of order and being ready to face

the day. Plus, it is cosier to climb in at the end of the day when you turn your bed back in preparation for sleep. You feel more cared for, the way you do in a nice hotel or when someone you loved put you to bed.

8. Have a “cuppa” as my Kiwi friends say—a warm cup of coffee, tea, milk, or whatever you enjoy. Make it a morning ritual while you take a few minutes to get awake, before your usual breakfast. Before bedtime, a (non-stimulant) drink can help too.

9. Walk! Getting outside your home or apartment is helpful. Getting out in nature doubles the benefit! Anything that gets you moving helps both brain and body, as well as your spirit.

10. Eat Colour! Consume colourful and nutritious food! Take time to prepare aromatic, fragrant, beautiful food. It is therapeutic to create something, in addition to seeing the foods themselves. Eating food of every colour is the easiest 'meal plan' and insures you have a wide range of nutrients. What goes through your mouth is what builds your body, as your food holds the building blocks of your new self—your new cells. If you are being fuelled by junk food, you court depression.

11. Sleep. Plan for how you can get best sleep at night. Turn off the television, phone, and other electronics two hours before bed time. Read or listen to music instead of getting hyped up before sleep. If you can’t sleep get up and do something useful or read something boring [i.e. not the BULLETIN] or soothing [OK, the BULLETIN]. Get up at the same time each day. Don’t get in the habit of “sleeping in” as your sleep rhythm gets distorted. This is a big challenge for those of us who travel internationally, as we have to constantly re-set our circadian rhythm. It’s a challenge during these “work from home” days too when it is tempting to stay in PJs all day.

12. Plant something or cultivate a potted plant. A green leaf, a colourful blossom (colour!) boosts your mood.

Actualizing your potential and cognition:13. Bring colour into your life—flowers from the garden or even a colourful shopping bag can help. Wear colour too. It does not cost any more than dressing drably, and it can raise your mood. As my artist colleague Alan

PANDEMIC DEPRESSION cont...

PANDEMIC DEPRESSION cont...

says, ‘colour your life with all the colours in your Crayon box—don’t limit yourself to the charcoal sketching stick.’

14. Be neat. Keep your personal space in order. Beautify it when you can. This helps your state of mind. Sloppiness and sloth reinforce depression and lead to a sense of not coping.

15. Write. This takes something from inside of you and puts it outside. You might write down what you are feeling and find a pattern in it. Write a poem. Write a journal. Write a friend an encouraging note.

16. Think differently. Cognitive restructuring is a fancy way of saying, “Stop! Stop the negative self-talk and change it to positive!” See a situation differently by looking from a different angle. For example, if you think, “Oh, no. It’s raining again so I will have a miserable day.” Change your thought from pessimistic to optimistic and say out loud: “The rain will make everything grow and it can feel cosy inside on a rainy day.”

17. Build new frames. Re-frame your view. This is a way to see something differently. For example, is it raining when you plan to hike? A black frame makes that picture look gloomy. A white frame shows you sitting in a nice gazebo in the forest watching the mist and letting the rain soothe you.

18. Look up to someone. A person ahead of you on life’s journey who exemplifies wisdom and stability, joy and tranquillity can increase your sense of worth and give you hope for a future. This practice has been shown to increase the likelihood of life success in children who grew up deprived or abused. It is a powerful antidote to depression and despair.

Relational and Social:19. Act UP! How you feel is not the whole of reality. If you behave “down” because you feel depressed, you will become more depressed. If you act “up” (behave better than what your emotions are saying), without being self-centred, you will feel better. The better feeling follows the decision to enact more positive behaviour.

20. Do something nice or helpful for someone else, even when you don’t feel like it. The very act of accomplishing something nice for someone else gives you a feeling of coping and lends a new perspective.

Sometimes we receive back appreciation, a bonus which adds an extra boost to our mood. Keep helping even if you don’t get thanked.

21. Connect with people you love, as well as with people who love you. During the pandemic this is a challenge. Yet, find ways with phones and screens. Talk. Talking to and taking time with people who love you unconditionally is always enriching. It builds hope and life into you. In these times when you are alone so much, reach out to others who need a smile, a “virtual touch,” a kind deed. Time with others can break the cycle of morose introspection which usually accompanies depression. Even a three-minute phone call or writing a note to someone cheers you up; it gets you out of yourself!

22. Talk to a friend about how you are feeling. This transports your feelings outside your own head and self and makes it easier to examine them and to identify distortions.

23. Laugh. Even if you don’t feel like it, read funny stuff and watch a funny film with someone you love. Laughter can cure disease, including depression.2

24. Look at photos of people you love. Recent research show this too can be very effective.

25. Join a virtual group. This connects you to others. A choir or other music group is great, as both singing and playing are therapeutic, even with the online challenges. Music therapy can be self-administered. Even an online play group with kids is uplifting.

26. Give a 'gentle answer' when anyone is upset with you. That defuses and diffuses conflict and hard feelings, thus fending off depression. Don’t ruminate on it.3

Emotional:27. Talk to yourself. This is an age-old remedy for pain, negative thinking, and difficult relationships. See the Psalms for examples of powerful self-talk. King David was a pro at it.

You will recognize that many of these habits and practices span more than one dimension of your being. These, for example, also help emotionally:

(4.) Pray some more. Of course, praying is highly emotional, expressing your thoughts, needs, desires to God and then listening to Him. I love the ancient passage that describes God’s

care for His people, “In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.”4

(16.) Laugh some more. Again, even if you don’t feel like it, read funny stuff and watch a funny film with someone you love—or even by yourself. Laughter has powerful healing effects. Norman Cousins laid the groundwork for our understanding of the power of laugher to cure illness with his landmark book on cancer.5

(21.) Connect with someone you love. Again, if you are physically alone, reach out to others who need a smile, a word, a kind deed. Connection time with others can break the cycle of morose introspection which usually accompanies depression. Even a three minute phone call or writing a note to someone cheers you up; it gets you out of yourself!

SUMMARYMy own life and the thousands of persons with whom I have counselled testify to the power of treating our own depressed moods. The wisdom offered to us first in both Old and New Testament, and then verified through countless research studies, works. So much of it is common sense. It is practical. It is free. Most of these practices, which we can make habits, are ageless principles that we find in much historical literature as well as in the Bible. Professional help may be difficult for people to access due to the pandemic. Treating yourself could be the best option you have.

As you apply these 25+ ways for ‘self-treatment’ for a depressed state you can speed your recovery and strengthen yourself for any future slump experiences. You hold great power to change your life!__________

FOOTNOTES1. Visit our website (click the logo at the top of the article to connect with Heartstream in New Zealand).

2. Cousins, Norman. 1981, 2005. Anatomy of an illness: as perceived by the patient.

3. Proverbs 15:1 NIV

4. Isaiah 63:9, NIV

5. Norman Cousins, The anatomy of an illness.

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PRAYERLINKS

PRAYER FUEL FOR MISSIONS

BIBLE LEAGUE NZPraise God that even during this challenging time, Hmong churches in Vietnam have been studying the Project Philip resources. Recently, two new churches have been planted. Pray for continued growth in this region and for many more people to follow Jesus Christ.

EASTWEST COLLEGEPraise God that our students have completed their first semester of classes, after a season of huge changes and digital learning. Praise God for the opportunity to learn how to deliver classes online and for new initiatives that have emerged from what has been a challenging year worldwide. Please pray for new applicants for next semester and for 2021 for Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies. Pray for hearts around our nation to be stirred for missions, and for people to step out in faith in this area.

FEBC NZFEBC Ukraine broadcasts Wounded by the War programmes to address the real needs of soldiers and their families, as well as others affected by the long running war with Russia in Eastern Ukraine. Sergei called our team requesting prayer, "I was wounded during the conflict and have been in and out of military hospital. I can't sleep with these night terrors." Please pray for veterans and their families to receive the help and hope that Christ can give. Pray too for our teams as they visit and minister over the air. Covid has made it more complex to reach the vulnerable in this war torn region.

MISSIONS INTERLINK (MI)Praise God for the Spirit's leading at our recent Council meeting, which (among other things) established the strategy and budget for 2020/21. Thanks to Jay's split role with the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission, we have been able to minimise the anticipated operation deficit, while accounting for potential negative effects of COVID-19. Pray for God's continued provision of resource and capacity for MI to continue serving our members well as we facilitate participation in God's mission. Pray for Jay as he continues to participate in global missions discussions and presents webinars online. Pray too for wisdom as we start to develop a "Future of Missions" series of day-gatherings around the country later in the year.

OMFWe thank God for technology that allows our candidates to continue to connect with their existing supporters via Zoom, WhatsApp, phone, and Mailchimp during this socially distant time. Pray for God to open doors and sustain our faith while we are facing travel restrictions, medical insurance limitations, and quarantine or self-isolation requirements. Pray for wisdom and protection for those who need to keep a low profile online while they do partnership development. Pray that we can be supporting and encouraging each other to cope during the uncertainty and challenges, and work out some practical steps to move forward at this time.

OMS (One Mission Society)Pray for OMS NZ as they are commencing the process for looking for an innovative person to lead OMS NZ into the future; embracing the new mission environment with initiative and vision. Ask God to raise up the right person/people with vision for how OMS can continue to contribute to God's global mission. (Contact the OMS office if you would like more information.)

SIM NZPray for the victims of human trafficking as SIM workers seek to restore and empower them with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. For women freed from the sex trade; for job skills that will provide gainful employment and keep them from otherwise returning to it. Pray that God will raise up more SIM workers with a heart to prevent human trafficking in Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Ethiopia and other places.

WORLD CONCERNSThere is a lot happening around the world, leading us into heightened uncertainty. Our trust remains in God, the Lord of history and the future. Pray God's will be done in the light of: COVID-19's acceleration in impoverished contexts, Putin's permission to rule Russia a lot longer, the US (and NZ, among others) elections, China's flexing of power (especially in Hong Kong and influence elsewhere, including the Pacific), the impact of oil price drops (and ensuing Middle East instability), global economic depression, and techonological surveillance innovations, etc.

PRAY

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SPOTLIGHTS

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OMF ONLINE PRAYER OPPORTUNITYJoin OMF NZ online on 18 July to pray for the people of East Asia. This interactive event is an opportunity to hear updates about OMF, share stories of God at work, and connect with others who have a heart for missions. Register a small group to pray together and receive an afternoon tea pack! To register yourself or a group, or for more information, contact Sarah by email: NZ.Mission@omfmail.com.

TEEN MISSIONS TRAININGTeen Missions International continues its goal of "Training Tomorrow's Missionaries Today" with an in-country programme honing practical and evangelism skills this coming summer at Waikato’s Karakariki Christian Camp who are field a team and project for Kiwi teens.

Karakariki Christian Camp471 Karakariki RoadWHATAWHATA 3289December 26, 2020-January 24, 2021Check out Teen Missions' website or FaceBook for more details, or phone Elizabeth: 07 362 8585.

PERSPECTIVES INTENSIVEThe South Pacific version of the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement is being run again as a block course in West Auckland.

Rosedale, Auckland AUCKLANDJuly 13-18, 2020 (8:30am-5pm)Learn about Perspectives here. Contact Michael Simkin for further details by email: msimkin2015@gmail.com.

HUIA COME HOME BLOCK COURSEEastwest College of Intercultural Studies is hosting Huia Come Home (based on Jay Ruka’s book of the same title) as a block course on campus. Delivered by Luke Goodwin, this 5-credit block course is about engaging with the story of Christianity in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Read more at: eastwest.ac.nz/block-courses.

Eastwest College21 College Drive GORDONTONJuly 20-24, 2020 Cost: $220To register or for more information, contact the Eastwest College office: office@eastwest.ac.nz.

JOIN THE PEACEMAKERS COMMUNITYPeacemakers (peacemakersretreat.org.nz) is looking for two families or individuals to join our residential community in Parakai. Peacemakers has a 30 year history of Christian ministry and currently is focused around; hospitality, debriefing, spiritual direction, membercare, creationcare, contemplative spirituality and bicultralism. Expressions of interest can be emailed to peacemakers@safetynet.co.nz.

SEEKING SHORT TERM PLACEMENTSCOVID-19 has shut down overseas travel so the 17-20 year old participants of Headspace's Gap Year Training are not able to fulfil their cross-cultural requirements in Thailand. The new leaders of the training programme are looking for national opportunities for a team of 6 young people and 2 adult leaders to serve in a cross-cultural (or lower socio-economic) capacity.Volunteers, able to travel (assistance with accommodation may be required) and available to teach TESOL type programs, run children’s programs, complete practical jobs i.e. sanding, painting, cooking, gardening, etc.

NATIONWIDE Mid-July to Mid-OctoberContact Matt Lister for further details by email: youthdirector@gc3.org.nz.

A CAR MINISTRY OPPORTUNITYSince 2001 Tedz-Cars has been offering reliable vehicles to the Mission and Christian Community at rates that are far less than Commercial. This ministry has proven an inestimable blessing to countless travellers over the years. We would love to think there is someone else with a missions heart willing to take this vital ministry on and continue serving missions and ministries with low cost domestic travel options for visitors.If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more, please contact Ted Crawford either by email: tedz-cars@maxnet.co.nz or phone for a chat: 09 297 7346.

ABOUT USExecutive Officer Jay MatengaAdministrator Pauline Wood

Executive TeamRob Reynolds (Chair), Glenn Carter (Vice Chair), Jon Horne (Treasurer), Russell Thorp (Secretary).

MI CouncilAlpha NZ, Asian Outreach, Bible Society NZ, Church Mobilization, Eastwest College, GC3, Interserve, LeaDev-Langham, MAF, MotiVate (Missionary Ventures), NZBMS, NZCMS, OMF, OMS, Pioneers, SIM, WEC, with individual member: Jon Horne.

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from and within Aotearoa NZ for God’s glory everywhere, always.

Our PurposeWe facilitate collaboration towards participation in mission from and within Aotearoa NZ. We nurture the missions community in Aotearoa NZ to connect, converse, and conduct mission with the aim of working together: on mission.

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MI members FREENon members $40 per spotlight

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