As we come out of Conference 2021, we continue to reflect upon the theology of our Church Mission Statement, willing to be led by the Spirit and to be transformed in the discoveries we find. In the Conference Thematic workshop – How are we known? we reflected on our work as church in society. How we are known, seen, experienced to reflect and proclaim the transforming love of God as Weteriana today. We explored how we are seen to be “good news” for the 21st century? Our conversations involved understandings of the Mission Statement with a 21st century lens of where our church is at today.

These discussion points sparked energizing discussions about how we are perceived as a church in the religious marketplace and perhaps the need to rebrand ourselves. What is our ‘point of difference’ that sets us apart from other churches? Understanding who we are as Methodists, reimagining ourselves, there was a strong call to create spaces for our young people who might enliven that point of difference. We reimagined where we might locate Jesus in our context and time, exploring indigenous theology and echoing the need to provide a sense of belonging, a place for everyone.

These discussions drew me into conversation about the theology of life programme first brought to us through the World Council of Churches ‘Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation’ unit. Our indigenous response in Te Taha Māori circles during the 1990s talked of gospel centered theologies borne of this land, and expressions of a Ka Ora theology developed. A theology that was an exploration into alternative ways of affirming life and witness in Aotearoa. The focus centered on building ka ora relationships and networking, ka ora ministry and ka ora ways of being. Today we talk of building resilient communities. In my opinion little has changed. We need to continue to denounce those theologies that oppress and diminish our capacity to grow and express our indigeneity.

No one prayer or Mission Statement can say all that could be said as we continually revisit our understandings of who we are today. Cognizant of our colonial past and the seeds planted by our Weteriana forebearers, we build upon these strong foundations, and this calls for further unpacking by all generations as we move towards the bicentenary of our Church in 2022. As with previous generations of Methodists before us, we continue the discussions to unpack meanings for us today, whatever that might be and where that might take us. Always open to where the Spirit might lead us next and keeping the Christ light before us.