LEADERSHIP
The role of every believer is one of leadership. Not every person has a position with a title but all are leaders. If you are a father or mother you are called to lead. At home, work, school or wherever, as a believer, you are the spiritual gateway to bring the kingdom of God into that place. The Holy Spirit has been given to every believer, making it possible for each to have a significant role in bringing transformation to individuals, groups, even cities and nations. It would be fair to say that the greatest responsibility for us has not so much to do with how good we are at leading, but how good we are at following. God is not so much looking for good leaders but good followers of Christ. We are designed to live under the influence of the King and His Kingdom. It is not so much about trying to get people to follow us. To the degree we are impacted by the King and His kingdom, and hear His voice, will be the degree we will impact those around us. True leadership always empowers rather than controls
CARPE DIEM: A Holy Encounter in the Week Before Christmas
Froly Lelengboto Horn
Having had a big hunk of my focus swallowed by the task at hand, time had moved on unnoticed. Suddenly, the eerie stillness of our wooden house rose up like a swell of a gigantic blue wave in the Pacific Ocean this morning. With the final finishing touch applied to the design of a Christmas Eve Celebration invite, I let out a long sigh - a mixed feeling of satisfaction for a task done and weariness for hunching over the computer for too long at the beginning of a Saturday -. The huge window on my left displayed the morning and the spacious green meadow with a few tiny birds flying over it. The sun was half hidden, the sky was bluish grey, but a pleasant day stood to promise. From behind a serious book, Rob mumblingly suggested that it might be a good chance to do some small Christmas shopping. ‘Seize the day,’ he said. I smiled at his quip, the quote seemed strangely incongruent to the referred purpose. Never mind. So off we trotted to Manukau City mall, a throng of nations at the feet of commercialism and sheer togetherness of being in the same city at the end of an eventful year.
In perfect cliché of many other malls in cities all over the globe, retailers’ efforts to persuade would-be-consumers were blatant in an unashamed ritual of bold brash glittering silver and gold decorations, and an assortment of equally brash Christmas sound. Ten minutes into the place, my head started spinning. I aimlessly wandered into a glamourous looking shoe shop. Nausea hit me hard - a persistent un-physical allergy I suffer at this time of the year whenever I plunge into any mall -. Surely this can’t be happening again. Desperately gathering my wits together against the onslaught, I quickly planned a quick exit. But before I could ask Rob to please take me home, there before me was a group of five very young faces dressed in black, preparing themselves and their violins to do their Christmas bit. Oh..this is hopeful..’
I stopped. Rob joined me, and so did many others. A fresh river of ancient music soon flowed out of the young hands and their violins, enthralling the burgeoning crowd. We were mesmerized, and my nausea was soon forgotten. Suddenly, a slight movement to my right caught my eyes away from the young violinists. A little dot of a blond girl, wearing white top and jeans, was gracefully swirling to the music, oblivious to her surrounding. Lips like tiny strawberries, opened up to a smile as new as spring rain in the morning light; her baby legs and body swayed unhindered with a perfect rhythm. No one noticed this delightful distraction, except her mother, and I. She was barely three. The violinists arrived to a quiet part of the piece, creating a hushed ambience; the toddler princess bowed low towards the ground, hands crossed neatly as a dancer in the court of a king….. taking my heart away with her. As the music built up to a crescendo, she lifted her hands up slowly to a position of adoration, innocent blue eyes raised skyward. A surge of tremor passed through my spine. The mall and its grotesque display had disappeared. I was now aware of an added Presence that is not of this world, summoned forth by this exquisite master piece of creation. The musical crescendo was still rising, and the little dancer with hands still in the air, bent deep to the right, then deep to the left, all the while her eyes were following something unseen. Tears were now filling my eyes. Just as the violins’ strings shrilled out to a triumphant climax, the little girl lifted her whole delicious being on tiptoes with such assurance, positioning herself to a final royal freeze. And there she remained for a few long seconds, beaming face tilted upwards, hands straight up to the heavens, eyes swimming with golden stars, she concluded the heaven’s choreography of a worship dance. Her eyes found mine. Tears now freely flowing, I gave her a standing ovation along with her mother. Still no one else noticed. I walked away with my cup overflowing taking with me that intimate moment. Seize the day.
Auckland Summer, Dec. 2008
Happy Hanukkah,A Joyful Christmas & A Great New Year
Southside Dreaming
IT IS THE DREAM of welcoming people-children, youth and adult alike-of differing cultural and ethnic background to come and find love and acceptance. Where they will feel honored, respected and embraced. Matthew 21:13 "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
A place where worship of God is the highest priority, and where the people will find the freedom to worship God in the truest expression of who they are, exalting Jesus Christ above everything else. Our strength will be UNITY IN OUR DIVERSITY.
IT IS THE DREAM of a place where the hurting, the oppressed, the broken-hearted, the bound, the wounded and the sick can come and find freedom, deliverance and healing. 2Corinthians 3:17 "Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom"
IT IS THE DREAM of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom with the thousands of residents of Manukau City. That we would be a place where sinners are attracted, welcomed and loved. That we would have a heart that loves the lost. Mark 2:17 "It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the Righteous but the sinners"
IT IS THE DREAM of equipping every believer that comes to us for a significant ministry by helping them to discover the gifts and talents God has given them. To release them so they will be able to fulfill their dreams and destiny Eph 4:11 "It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ might be built up"
IT IS THE DREAM of developing people to spiritual maturity and to build strong relationships among people through various small groups, training modules and bible study groups.
IT IS THE DREAM of sending Dozens of missionaries, church planters and workers all over our country and the world; of empowering every member for a personal life-mission in the community. It is the dream of sending out hundreds on short-term missions throughout the South Pacific, South-East Asia and beyond. John 20:21 "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you"
In confident assurance, we can declare that these dreams will become reality. Why? Because they are inspired by God.
Robin and Froly Horn
Senior Pastors
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