Incoming Moderator the Rev Peter Cheyne has chosen “Making disciple-making disciples” as his theme.
Peter, who is minister of Calvin Community Church in Gore, will become Moderator at General Assembly 2010, which starts on Thursday 30 September in Christchurch.
He says the theme alludes to the importance of helping people grow in their faith.
“It is about making disciples who become sufficiently mature to then make another generation of disciples.”
Peter says he chose this theme because Jesus’ parting words to the disciples were “go and make disciples” and it’s something he is passionate about.
Even though we might all agree making disciples is important, he says, we often don’t know what one looks like or how they are made.
“Many of us wouldn’t know where to start. It is not even clear that we know that this is our core business.”
But this doesn’t mean he is setting himself up as an expert on the subject. “As an individual, I am not a good disciple-maker by any means - but I am committed to being part of a church that is good at it.”
We can learn from Jesus’ example, Peter says. “After Pentecost, the disciples immediately began making disciples. They knew how to do it because Jesus had modelled it. The book of Acts then describes the resulting growth of the Church.”
He hopes during his two-year term as Moderator to explore the theme at a regional and local level. “I expect to learn from churches that are making disciples of Jesus Christ and perhaps be able to share some of their understanding and ideas.”
This year the General Assembly meeting will be one day shorter than in 2008, and Peter says slightly more time will be allocated to worship and prayer than in the past.
“It is my desire that people will leave General Assembly 2010 inspired and hopeful.”
There will also be a focus on equipping so that people go back to their churches feeling resourced for mission, he says.
“Many of the issues the Church is grappling with are about mission and that will be reflected in the business of the Assembly.”
The keynote addresses will be given by Auckland-based Mick Duncan, who is a minister, writer and well-known speaker (watch out for a profile of Mick in the September issue of Spanz)
Peter says he feels a mixture of excitement and apprehension about becoming Moderator.
“In many ways I feel inadequate for the role but I am assuming God has some reason for my selection. My part is to discover and follow his plan, trusting him for the results.
“I long to see a Church that is faithful, vibrant, united, joyful and growing.”