How do we communicate

This is an article I put together in 1999.

It is still something is fundamental to doing church..

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How do we communicate? Are our ideas one dimensional with no room for interpretation? Do we give people a chance to see the things that mean something to them?

Jesus is the greatest teacher and communicator ever seen. His ideas and thoughts were full of life and imagery relevant to his culture. Imagery is a key. The human mind loves to discover for itself rather than being force-fed. Through the use of imagery we have the opportunity to enable the audience to draw out for themselves their own truths.

Solomon in Proverbs gives us truths embodied in an image, "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam".

Through this one comparison we can see how an argument may be small to start with, but it will grow and become more and more destructive. Like a small hole in a dam, it grows till finally it destroys all life near the dam and the dam is left empty.

Jesus used parables (short descriptive stories) to explain truths and answer questions. Some of these parables were mysteries to the crowds that gathered. The truth was hidden and it was only if your heart was touched that the meaning would be revealed (see Luke 8:4-15).

I believe that as Christians we are to communicate as Christ did, using imagery which is relevant to our culture. This imagery maybe in the lyrics of music, a poem, a play, a written story, a painting, sculpture, dance, comedy, any creative act inspired by Jesus. For so long we, as the church, have been stuck in a form of "church" which doesn't use the powerful imagery that God would have for us. Our culture is used to hard hitting imagery; It takes sex, violence and scandal to make us look twice. It is hungry for more and what is new today becomes old tomorrow. In this culture we need a fresh perspective to see how we can be a light which attracts attention, tapping the creativity and uniqueness that God created in us.

The imagery we use may be a mystery to the crowds. But through the Lord softening hearts a spiritual truth will be discovered. The Bible tells us that the Gospel is like foolishness if you don't know Jesus, so it is through Jesus that the truth can be revealed; We just need to provide him with material and opportunity.

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in see the light."

The imagery we get needs to be on display, if it is hidden the light will not be seen.

"See to it that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you." [Luke 11].

Our imagery should be lightness not darkness. If our imagery is just a reflection of the darkness, what have we achieved? Probably a poor substitute. We have something unique to offer which comes from a different perspective, a heart of light. So our art and imagery should reflect this.

Ask God the creator to stir up the creative in you; Pick up your pens, brushes, dust off your instruments, get into character and create. Put the lamp on its stand!

Why do you breathe?

Where is your hope?

What do you live for?


To Worship, to live a generous life, to follow Jesus.

To play sport, to watch sport

To spend, to build up stuff, fill the garage

To look after your kids

Passion. What do you live for?

On Saturday night we went to the final game for the Air NZ Cup. Waikato and Wellington were playing. It was a huge game the atmosphere was electric. It was passionate. The noise was overwhelming.

It was an experience where you were hit with the raw emotion and the fact that Waikato won was also a highlight. Confirming that the Waikato is the best place in NZ.

What is Passion::
1. intense emotion: intense or overpowering emotion such as love, joy, hatred, or anger

Passion in bible:: several translations

Pathos translates to ‘evil desire’

Pathein refers to Christs suffering and death. Else where translated as suffering
Acts1:3
3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Heb 13:12
12And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Passion can be pretty crazy, for example Rugby last night, out of control, exciting, wild emotion.

What about the Passion that Jesus showed us. "Pathein" ("to suffer") the suffering he went through so he could win the battle of the Kingdoms.

This passion had a focus, it was to see us connect with God again.

In Isaiah 53: (700 BC) it describes what Jesus in his "passion" would achieve for us.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, (rebellion)
he was crushed for our iniquities; (sins)
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, (be whole)
and by his wounds we are healed. (be healed)

Then we see this worked out in the gospels. In Matt 27 we see the conclusion of Isaish 53. We see Jesus mocked, flogged, humiliated, mocked by the religious leaders and finally crucified.

The Death of Jesus
Matt 27:45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,[c] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"[d]

Then out of that passion he was raised the battle won.

In the end I think it can be easy to loose sight of what this life is about. Why do we breathe? Houses, cars, family, work, study can suddenly drown out the passion of Jesus that he has called us to live. He had a heart that was after his sheep, he would passionately and selflessly do all he could to see the sheep saved. Remember in Jesus’s final conversations with Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep. Jesus passion is for people.

He wants us to share his passion. A passion that is not all about its own pleasure but is selfless and after the good of others. It may mean we share in his suffering.

Phil 1
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

1 Peter 1
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.

These verses show us that passionately following Jesus will result in some hard times.

But the great thing is that he walks through this with us, He is:

The God of All Comfort
2 Cor 1
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

Unlike Jesus we have him to walk through this suffering with us. To comfort us and to motivate us to be patient in the struggle of showing his passion to the people around us.

So after a night of great rugby I feel the challenge to be a people that are passionate followers of Jesus that live a life of true “passion” (Pathein).

Classic Vineyard

Today one of our team spoke. He has seen vineyard grow and develop from the early years and recounted his memories of vineyard today.

He described what he thought was "classic vineyard". He recounted his memories of going to some of the first Vineyard meetings in the US where John Wimber was meeting in the Gym. Being hit with the worship, no OHPs, Hymnals just a music team being used to lead people into worship. He described it as like being hit with waves of worship.

This is similar to my first experiences of Vineyard where we walked into a small vineyard church and were hit with worship that was like rain to our souls. It brought life and refreshing like rain in the desert.

He went on to describe another aspect of "classic vineyard", the teaching around the "Kingdom of God", that it could break through into our lives today. That God wants to heal, wants to set free and we can invite him to break into lives.

Another aspect of classic vineyard was "mercy", works of grace and mercy, looking after the poor. Described the street parties in the US, where they would bless a neighbourhood with food, fun, music and gifts.

Also that we are to all be involved, its not about the pastor, everyone can pray, everyone can hear, we can do the stuff everyday.

So as a church over the last month we have felt God call us to rediscover our identity, what is at vineyards core. Why are we vineyard?

We worship
We ask and expect to see Gods kingdom break into this one
We actively show mercy
We all do the stuff, see healing, deliverance and abundant life

So another great day at Liverpool St.

Waikato Plant

Waikato Plant

Had a huge weekend. A great turn out to our new building party on Sunday. A lot of new faces, we doubled in number. We had some great worship, shared our story over the last 2 years and had a great BBQ together.

On the move again

We moved into a new building this Sunday, 26 March 2006.

It has been another God organised lease, flexible, the right price and an awesome location.

Felt god was wanting me to talk about the concept of being a "shepherd".

This new building will be a place where God is going to gather his people that have given up on church "the exiles".

A church of shepherds

Jeremiah 23

1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.

Acts 20:27-29
27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

1 Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

shep'-erd (ro`eh, ro`i; poimen, "a feeder"):
The sheep owner frequently tends the flocks himself (Genesis 4:4; 30:40; compare Ezekiel 34:12), but more often he delegates the work to his children (Genesis 29:9; 1 Samuel 16:19; 17:15) or relatives (Genesis 31:6).

P`ASTOR, n. L. from pasco, pastum, to feed.
1. A shepherd; one that has the care of flocks and herds.

The shepherd's equipment is a simple one. His chief garment is a cloak woven from wool or made from sheepskins. This is sleeveless, and so made that it hangs like a cloak on his shoulders. When he sleeps he curls up under it, head and all. During the summer a lighter, short-sleeved `aba or coat is worn. He carries a staff or club (see STAFF), and a characteristic attitude is to make a rest for his arms by placing his staff on his shoulders against the back of his neck. When an especially productive spot is found, the shepherd may pass the time, while the animals are grazing, by playing on his pipe (Judges 5:16). He sometimes carries a sling (qela`) of goat's hair (1 Samuel 17:40). His chief belongings are kept in a skin pouch or bag (keli) (1 Samuel 17:40). This bag is usually a whole tawed skin turned wrong side out, with the legs tied up and the neck forming the opening. He is usually aided in the keeping and the defending of the sheep by a dog (Job 30:1). In Syria the Kurdish dogs make the best protectors of the sheep, as, unlike the cowardly city dogs, they are fearless and will drive away the wild beasts.

Shepherd -
A word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead (Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Psalms 23:1; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; 44:28; Jeremiah 25:34,35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11,14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4).

The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34).", Deane's David.

New Building

We have moved into a new building in Garden Place. Its been great to be in a building we can use all week.

Since moving in we have been able to setup the building with cafe/lounge feel.

We have had a lot of visitors since moving in.

A new chapter has opened for Waikato Vineyard.

Worship Night

We had our first worship night this Friday. We grabbed an old church hall up the road from where we normally meet. It was a great atmasphere, candles, food and hanging out in one of the oldest churches in Hamilton.

We kicked off at 8:30pm and went through to 10:30pm. Presence of God was really there, a great opportunity to declare God's name and worhsip him.

We had some visiting guys playing along with some of our own team.

I feel like we should start meeting more just for worship at night, so we will see what venues are available and who wants to be involved.

For me Friday was one of many highlights in being involved in seeing a Vineyard established in Hamilton.