Theologians and Biblical scholars claim that reader’s context is vital in the task of interpretation.(J. S. Croatto, Biblical Hermeneutics, 3; F. S. Fiorenza “Theory and Practice: Theological Education as Reconstruction, Hermeneutics, And Practical Task” in Theological Education, 83-86; S. A. Havea, “Christianity in the Pacific Context”, in South Pacific Theology, 11).

I believe homilists would have the same response when it comes to the preacher’s task of conveying a message to their congregations in a local church. The local context is crucial in the application. If the message has no connection with the congregation it is neither meaningful nor likely to have any influence at all.

When I was still in Tonga, preachers who preached about the lost sheep in Luke 15 seemed to portray that they knew the context of the text. The way they interpreted that text prompted the congregation to think that they had experienced shepherding in a country that has no shepherds or sheep wandering about, like in the wilderness of Palestine. It definitely requires a special skill and expertise to interpret the text in a way that relates to the context of the audience. This also applies to the task of creating resources for church communities. The role of Mission Resourcing as stated in the Law Book is to resource Synods, parishes, and congregations for contemporary mission and ministry. What does that mean to us as a Connexional church with our bi-cultural structure? How can we apply this notion of ‘contemporary’ in the Tauiwi part of our church with its diversity?

The issue of diversity is not new to our church and applies to society at large. We are different culturally, theologically, geographically, ethnically, psychologically and spiritually. This is the reality of our contemporary context. However, our differences sometimes become a barrier rather than a bridge that can connect and enrich us. The questions that I’m wrestling with are, How can we embrace our diversity? And, Have we got the passion to work together in creating resources in the midst of our differences?

We might have different answers to these questions but one of the answers I would expect is that each one of us has unique gifts. Our church has been enriched by the diverse gifts of our people in the past and surely at present and it will be in the future. These gifted people have become valuable resources in the life of our church. They come from unique backgrounds and contexts, which are reflected in the resources that they have produced. I have attended training sessions in some of our synods and I observe the diversity of resources that have been developed by our people. These resources are produced for the particular needs of the local parishes of these synods. However, I believe these resources can be reshaped and utilized in other parts of our church.

I am mindful of the Presidential theme, “What is in your hand?” which in my view is appropriate in addressing the issue of resourcing our people. It is a question that relates to considering what we have already. If we can explore around the wider connexion we can identify and locate people who already have the resources to assist local parishes and congregations in their ministries. These resourceful people are familiar with the needs of their local communities and capable of creating resources that are relevant for them.

I was fortunate to attend the Auckland Synod School of Theology thought-provoking and inspiring event, ‘Making Theology’. Participants were encouraged to find ways of creating theology pertinent to their own contexts. Facilitators David Bell and Terry Wall, encouraged everyone to share their own story by presenting an item or artefact as a way of making theology their own. I believe that in order for our church to create resources that cater for the needs of parishes and congregations, we must consider their contexts and needs as paramount. It would certainly benefit our church if the resourceful people around the Connexion share resources from their own contexts for the purpose of equipping our people to be confident in their ministry.