John looks at what we think sufficient success on earth is and compare that to what it might have looked like for Jesus. In his story it meant being accused of being possessed by the evil one, described as out of his mind by his family, people leaving him because if got too hard, and then crucifixion. So what is sufficient success on earth for us?

John looks at Taika Waititi’s comments about how New Zealand is “racist as ****” and explores how our structures can either deprive people of life or they can help people thrive. Te Pouhere has the potential to help us thrive if we let it

John uses the story of Nicodemus to suggest that rather than trying to understand God as Trinity, we might instead start with the relationship with the Trinity. Using the ancient metaphor of that relationship being a dance, he invites us to learn to live in the dance. What might the idea of “Trinity” offer us in our daily lives?

John briefly explores what that first Pentecost was all about - turning frightened an confused people inside out and sending them out to live the good news of hope found in Jesus. We see that same story in this land, with much of the first evangelistic work being done by Maori, some of them not very likely. We saw that same Spirit at work in our recent General Synod Te Hinota Whanui in New Plymouth. That same Spirit is at work in us sending us out to live the good news of hope found in Jesus.

Pentecost is less about what happened 2,000 years ago and more about what the Holy Spirit is doing now.

Bonnie Hebenton uses her experiences growing up in New Plymouth and now as a teacher using Play Centred Learning to explore the gospel for this Sunday after Ascension - John 17: 1-11- It's OK to take risks - God will protect us

As we prepare for Mother’s Day next week John invites people to talk about how would you describe a family?what is the role of mothers in families?what do families offer us and what do we offer families?He then explores different kinds of family, and what Jesus teaches us through these about our priorities and about God’s love

Lets stop calling Thomas “Doubting Thomas”. It distracts us from what is going on in this story.The resurrection is God’s Big Yes to the way of the cross. In the way of the cross we are reminded that all people are made in the image of God and we are invited to see God’s image in all people. In the resurrection God is faithful to all the covenants, that through Israel humanity is renewed and creation restored.In the resurrection we are invited to live in the way of the cross

John suggests that the reasons why Marks version of the resurrection is so short is that he wanted his readers to know that Jesus had gone ahead to "Rome" and to tell their stories of encountering the risen Jesus. We walk in the footsteps of those first witnesses to the resurrection - the women. How have we encountered the risen Jesus.

This year I explored how John’s version of the Palm Sunday story has a different feel to the other three gospels and ask What do we hope for in this Jesus? What do we need to set down if we are to meet this Christ who rides of donkey?