Thoughts & Comments Podcast

For some it's a season, for others, a lifelong calling. And for humanitarian worker Stephen Court, even an ambush on his young family could not shake the conviction that he was exactly where God wanted him. 

World Vision NZ's Director of International Partnerships sees humanitarian work as the holistic outworking of God's vast love, and says the need for global aid is greater than ever. He joined Andrew Urquhart in the studio ahead of World Humanitarian Day (19 August) to share what led to a career spanning nearly two decades, a hundred countries, and the extremes of human existence. 

(www.wvnz.org.nz/CHR)

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

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Is a political candidate's religious affiliation enough to earn your vote?

John Peachey (www.TheThinkfarm.org) discusses how Christians can approach Elections 2026, maintaining that voters should consider evidence of a candidates's professed faith. He highlights three key criteria he finds useful in making an informed and prayerful decision:

• Character
• Competence
• God's direction

The leadership mentor points to renowned historical leaders who stumbled or crumbled, reminding us not to expect flawed Parliamentarians to spearhead moral transformation.

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

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Although last week's leadership turmoil has settled, the election trail remains volatile as more parties get into campaign mode.

Following Te Pāti Māori's low-key campaign launch, Dr Bryce Edwards explains their MMP "gaming" strategy which asks voters in the seven Māori electorates to give TPM their candidate vote, not their party vote. Combined with a surge in young Māori voter registrations, the Democracy Project analyst says this can maximise TPM's MP seats without diluting party vote share.  

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former National MP notes Chris Penk's impending departure from Parliament makes him the latest Christian MP to be lost to the cut and thrust of politics.

Minister Penk was stripped of his Cabinet portfolios on Wednesday following his alleged part in the latest challenge to Christopher Luxon's leadership. Ex-Nat Simon O'Connor, now with Family First, discusses the likelihood that the real instigators remain a rot within Christopher Luxon's caucus that may destabilise National's election hopes.

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sacrificial lamb rather than a lone wolf - is that a more likely description of the National MP singled out in yesterday's Caucus announcement?

LifeNet's Brendan Malone joins Andrew Urquhart to discuss the repercussions of another challenge to the Prime Minister's leadership, focusing on MP Chris Penk's alleged involvement. Both note that the recently promoted Cabinet Minister had accomplished much good across his various portfolios and was a principled Christian voice in Parliament, regarding him as an unlikely candidate for chief instigator of a mutiny.

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.  

Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report shows demand for faith-based schools now outstrips both supply and schools' ability to expand, but is spiritual hunger driving the demand?

Andrew Urquhart talks with Reverend Dr Stuart Lange of the New Zealand Christian Network about whether the prevalence of liberal ideologies is sending parents to the relative safety of faith-based schooling - for example, Christian groups in state schools are now under 20%, compared to the rise of LGBTQ+ groups; and whether this influx could result in the secularisation of Christian schools.

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

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Potential trigger warning

New Zealand holds a lamentable world record, being amongst the worst ranked countries by UNICEF for mental health and youth suicide rates.

Leadership coach John Peachey considers the multiple complex factors that contribute to rising psychological distress in children - from technology-heavy lifestyles and social triggers, to over-diagnosis and medication as default treatment.  Are we imposing adult paradigms on vulnerable children? And in a bid to adopt a posture of openness and acceptance, are we increasingly normalising bad mental health?

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

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There's a huge leap from verbal sparring to temple riots, and a fine line between hyperbole and inciting violence. Did Brian Tamaki jump it? 

Andrew Urquhart discusses the case and the principles behind it, with Douglas Brown of the Free Speech Union (Free Speech Union: If Brian Tamaki committed a crime, prosecute him. Don't punish speech through the back door. | Free Speech Union NZ).

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Media chaplain Frank Ritchie and Andrew Urquhart discuss elements of social engineering in today's hot-button issues, where consumer trends and social policy are used to inflate differences and orchestrate 'culture wars'.   Rathen than indulge in conspiracy theories, it's a challenge to recognise media hype and market manipulation.

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the recent conflagaration of public debate over national identity and immigration policies, Andrew Urquhart ponders the Church's attitude to migrants of different cultures and faiths.

Leadership mentor John peachey (www.thethinkfarm.org) comments on the part that media mischief plays in inflaming a hot topic, and turns to the early church model of peaceful engagement.

Text 8168, keyword 'Comments' to share your thoughts.

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Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Support Rhema: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=rhema&utm_source=omnystudio&utm_medium=link

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.