I’ve spent the last couple of days with three Kiwis visiting from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. They’re over for a regional church conference on healthy church DNA being run by the Uniting Church in Australia.

Andrew Norton (on the left) I first met back in the early 1980s when we were both training for ministry. I worked briefly with Andrew in the start up of a Campus Life club in North Dunedin. Until I realised how hopelessly overcommitted I was. Andrew was a helpful source of wisdom in my days as a youth worker, and later when I was a minister. I still quote Andrew occasionally… “If you’re hitting your head against a brick wall, think about who’s doing the hitting.” Andrew’s minister at St Columba, Pakuranga, a regional church in Auckland. He posts his thoughts weekly at 4U.

John Daniel, (in the middle) is National Mission Enabler for the PCANZ. It’s a tall order, taking on a responsibility previously carried by a team, in a resource-strapped environment. I was part of the Mission Resource Team in the PCANZ back in the 1990s. Talking to John reminded me how fortunate I am to be working in a well resourced team.

Fiona Stenhouse is Human Resource Manager for the PCANZ. I appreciated her positive approach to team culture and collegiality.