The Role of the Church in a Post-Quake City

27-Sep-2011

The annual Christchurch Leaders' Day has become a bit of a tradition. Held at Clearwater Resort, Laidlaw College offers leaders in Christchurch stimulating content, great food, and the opportunity to spend time with each other in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Eighty-four leaders attended the recent event - probably our broadest cross-section ever. The theme was “Rethinking the Church in the City: Biblical Perspectives on the Role of the Church in the Rebuilding of a Post-Quake City”.

Many great seminars were being held in Christchurch post-quake offering practical advice on all kinds of relevant issues. We thought that Laidlaw could make a unique contribution by addressing some of the biblical and theological themes that might undergird the church being involved in rebuilding the city.

Unfortunately Rod Thompson was unable to attend. His opening session was ably filled by Martin Sutherland who spoke about living in the light of hope, reflecting on Christian hope from Romans 5 and 8.

Steve Graham spoke about churches relating together using the social trinity as a model for inter-church relationships, and generating mission momentum with a focus on God’s heart for the lost in the city.

Alistair Mackenzie spoke from his international research about churches resourcing people for life and ministry. He challenged leaders with the importance of equipping people for the task ahead. He highlighted dynamics that are present in churches that do this well: a theology of work, a theology of mission, a theology of the city and appropriate leadership that was not fearful of this.

An indication of the success of this day is that discussions in Christchurch continue around these themes.