wardens Letter 7th august 2026

Chris Worsley

Kia ora All Saints,
 
I've had the great privilege recently of serving on the Alpha team helping with tech & other things, and of course, taking in the Alpha videos so far, along with the discussion, which is also very stimulating. In parallel, a work friend who couldn't make it watched the video online with me.

Wow!

At the same time, I've also been reading through Acts, with the CBD Bible Study which grew out of our Lent group & meets each Tuesday lunchtime. (And yes, we'd love you to join us at the Anglican Centre 12-1pm Tuesdays - let Guy or myself know!). The latter part of Acts follows Paul's Missionary journeys - filled with announcing the good news in synagogues & local places of prayer to Jews, then later to Gentiles in meeting houses and marketplaces, then to Governors and Kings, with many coming to faith, but also opposition arising, and narrow escapes. Paul was always contextualising his delivery to the mindset of his hearers, but always staying true to the good news of Jesus.

It's like reading a masterclass in sharing Jesus with people!

I couldn't help thinking - what I'm doing seems so small compared to Paul..

I've been praying for a number of people a long time, some of these I've had significant conversations with, and yes, one of them is coming along to Alpha, and that's great. 
But Paul's call was much more intense, his output much higher, not to mention the many miracles accompanying his words...

I found myself asking God - what's going on here?

And I felt like God was showing me that we are all gifted and blessed differently. But what's the same is being true to what He asks us to do - not to what He asked Paul or anyone else to do... The faith and the obedience God asks for are still the same.
 
Over this last week we've continued our Big Picture series, looking at Exodus 12 & God's continuing plan to rescue His people Israel, staying faithful to His promises to Abraham (in Genesis 12). Abraham believed the Lord (and His promises to him), and it was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham then continued to trust and have faith in God, following what God showed him to do.
 
Trust & faith, and obedience to God
It's the same for Abraham
It's the same for Paul
It's the same for us.
And it's at the heart of the Kingdom of God that He calls us to invite others into as well.
 
May the peace and love of God be with you,
 
Chris W