Why it’s important to choose an executor for your will.
When it comes to choosing an executor for your will, it's vital that you choose someone who will protect your legacy. A person you trust to fulfil your final wishes set out in your will. Scott Errington, Principal Trustee at our Timaru Customer Centre had a chat with stuff.co.nz recently on the importance of an executor for your will.
Check out the article in the link below.
Seen, Unseen, and Still Serving — Before We Speak: The Measure of Our Responsibility and Trust!
Why work, mental health, public service, and respect demand a deeper understanding of sympathy and empathy as we embody the body of Christ and bear witness to others?
At first glance, the debate surrounding working from home versus working in the office appears to centre on efficiency, accountability, and organisational performance. Yet, such a framing remains insufficient. At a deeper level, this debate reveals something far more searching about how society understands work, how it speaks about those who serve within complex systems, and how readily empathy is extended when suffering is not immediately visible.
Too often, public discourse proceeds as though all workers experience labour in identical ways, as though personal circumstances are uniform, and as though human resilience is inexhaustible. In opposition to this, Scripture resists such flattening of experience. More precisely, humanity is portrayed as embodied and relational, entrusted with meaningful labour rather than labour that overwhelms or diminishes dignity, as stated in Genesis 2:15.1 From this standpoint, when work is discussed without attentiveness to context, power, and vulnerability, harm inevitably follows.
For many individuals, working from home has enabled continued participation in employment that might otherwise have become unsustainable. Of particular note, reduced commuting demands, increased flexibility, and greater capacity to attend to health and caregiving responsibilities have allowed people to remain engaged rather than excluded. Viewed in this way, remote work has not constituted indulgence but survival. On this basis, the biblical call to bear one another’s burdens is not theoretical but profoundly practical, as stated in Galatians 6:2.
Set against this, it must also be recognised that working in the office continues to carry relational and communal significance. It is worth noting that physical presence allows trust to emerge through ordinary interaction, mentoring to develop organically, and concern to be perceived before distress escalates into crisis. Within such settings, the workplace may function as a site of shared responsibility rather than surveillance. In parallel, Scripture affirms this relational vision, reminding communities that formation occurs not merely through shared task but through shared life, as stated in Acts 2:42 – 47.
At this point, a more confronting question arises. Put plainly, how readily are judgments formed about experiences never personally encountered? By extension, how frequently are circumstances interpreted through one’s own lens rather than approached with a willingness to understand another’s? At this juncture, the wisdom tradition speaks directly into this tendency, urging restraint in speech and attentiveness in listening, as stated in James 1:19. Absent such restraint, debates about work move beyond disagreement and begin to wound those already carrying exhaustion, grief, or quiet struggle.
In answer to this, traditions that prioritise listening and discernment offer a necessary corrective. Notably, the New Zealand National Baptist Hui of 2024 and 2025, convened in accordance with commitments to collective reflection and shared responsibility, were grounded in the conviction that wisdom emerges through attentive presence, humility, and openness to diverse perspectives. Practically speaking, these gatherings prioritised shared discernment and prayerful listening, thereby modelling a form of community that resists efficiency as its primary value. Within this framework, difference was approached with care rather than suspicion, and herein lies a challenge to contemporary workplaces and public discourse alike. Taken together, such an approach affirms that understanding is formed relationally rather than transactionally. In turn, these hui offer a compelling example of how communities may be shaped by humility, restraint, and mutual regard rather than assumption or control.2
With this in mind, the manner in which public servants are spoken about demands particular care. Over recent years, many within the public service have endured sustained pressure, heightened scrutiny, and a marked erosion of respect from members of the public. In effect, such roles require absorbing frustration and hostility directed at systems over which individual employees hold limited control, while simultaneously maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and restraint. As a result, these conditions impose an undue and unnecessary emotional burden upon those whose labour exists for the benefit of the wider community.
Beyond this, public servants operate within constraints rarely visible from the outside. Specifically, legislative frameworks, political direction, confidentiality obligations, and persistently high workloads shape daily practice, often amid limited resources and minimal margin for error. Importantly, evidence from the Public Service Commission confirms that significant proportions of public servants experience ongoing work-related stress and mental health strain. On that note, these findings are not abstractions. Rather, they represent people who continue to serve faithfully while carrying responsibility for outcomes that affect the well-being of communities and the nation as a whole.
Within this reality, assumptions that working in the public service is easy require gentle but honest correction. For those who hold such views, placing oneself within these roles would offer a sobering and necessary perspective, as only lived experience reveals the intensity of the work, the constraints under which it is performed, and the moral weight such responsibilities carry. In that light, public servants do not merely complete tasks. Instead, such roles require acting ethically and professionally at all times, upholding the Privacy Act and a wide range of government legislation, the scope of which varies according to department and sector. Moreover, many public servants are sworn under a secrecy oath, binding them to protect sensitive information, internal processes, and the public trust, even in the face of misunderstanding or criticism. Furthermore, ethical integrity is consistently required, including the declaration of any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest, such as when family members are employed within the public service, and this obligation must be upheld with full professionalism at all times.
In fulfilling these obligations, responsibility is borne for people, information, and decisions that shape the life of communities and the country, often under considerable pressure and with limited freedom to respond publicly. Within these constraints, public servants are frequently able to disclose the stress arising from their roles only to a trusted counsellor, bound by confidentiality and professional care, and not within their own family.
Alongside these demands, another reality remains largely unspoken. Namely, confidentiality and non-disclosure requirements frequently prevent public servants from speaking openly about workplace experiences. As a consequence, inaccurate narratives are often left unchallenged. Silence, however, is easily misinterpreted. Here again, Scripture cautions against such misjudgement, reminding readers not to assess one another by outward appearance alone, as stated in 1 Samuel 16:7.
Nor, importantly, does the impact of public service necessarily conclude when employment ends. Instead, transitioning out of such roles can prove difficult, as skills developed within complex public systems are not always readily recognised elsewhere. At the same time, many former public servants continue to live with the mental health consequences of prolonged stress, including burnout and anxiety, while carrying the fear of being questioned about why employment ceased or has not resumed. In such moments, even casually posed enquiries may reopen wounds that remain unresolved.
Consequently, a persistent cultural assumption endures that working for the government is easy or insulated from harm. To maintain such a view, however, is to overlook the intensity, constraint, and moral responsibility inherent in public service. On the other hand, such assumptions often fail to recognise the degree of trust and honesty upon which public service depends, without realising that public servants can be trusted to act with integrity, including where such individuals serve wholeheartedly in their ministry roles voluntarily as well, even when their work is misunderstood or unseen. In reality, these roles uphold systems that sustain education, health, justice, social support, and democratic trust. Through such labour, communities are shaped, the vulnerable are protected, and society is enabled to function.
In light of the above, the present conversation demands more than opinion. Rather, it calls for inward examination and outward care. Specifically, it calls for sympathy that acknowledges suffering, empathy that seeks understanding, and love demonstrated not merely through words but through restraint, reflection, and action. Equally, it calls for resistance to boundaries that isolate, exclude, or silence, particularly when such barriers deepen loneliness rather than foster community.
Finally, the question is not whether working from home or working in the office is preferable. Instead, the more pressing question concerns how one chooses to speak, judge, and respond. Most importantly, if life appears easy from a distance, then perhaps the invitation is to step into another’s shoes rather than to speak from afar. Nevertheless, such a posture requires humility, attentiveness to inward thought, and love enacted through outward expression.
Let’s allow this discomfort to form us, for such unease often marks the beginning of greater understanding and demands sympathy, empathy, and support, calling us decisively towards unity and shared responsibility
Thank - you.
Atua (God) Bless.
** Please check out the article below, which I have published on Substack: substack.com... .
Living the Acts 2 Movement: Deepening Friendship, Unity, and A Call to Faithful Community!
Are Leaders and Individuals within Our Communities Truly Living Friendship, Unity, and Repentant Community?
First and foremost, the 2025 NZ Baptist National Hui provided a profound reminder of the journey our Baptist whānau is undertaking together. Across multiple sessions, leaders were invited to lean intentionally into the Acts 2 movement, not merely as a biblical passage, but as a Spirit-led framework shaping collective life, witness, and strategic direction for churches throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Firstly, strong emphasis was placed on the call to deepen friendships and strengthen bonds with one another as a central expression of the Acts 2 movement. Notably, we are clearly reminded that the early Christian community flourished not through programmes or organisational structures, but through people intentionally sharing life. Devotion to fellowship was expressed through practical, everyday rhythms, grounded in hospitality, presence, and mutual accountability. Thereby, church leaders today are invited to embody the same relational intentionality and commitment.
Furthermore, deepening friendships means choosing to spend good quality time together, engaging in unhurried conversations, laughing together, praying together, going away for at least two to three days, and undertaking shared activities, making the effort whenever people are available. Thus, such patterns reflect the life of the early church in Acts 2, where believers met regularly, broke bread together, and shared in ordinary realities of daily life. When such rhythms are prioritised, relational bonds grow stronger, and church communities begin to mirror the unity, generosity, and shared devotion evident in the first-century church.
Henceforth, attention was drawn to situating local stories within a global narrative. With the 2000th anniversary of Pentecost approaching in 2033, leaders were invited to participate alongside approximately 51 million Baptists worldwide who are committing themselves afresh to the Acts 2 movement. Global participation is framed around five pathways flowing from Acts 2, namely Bible, Story with an emphasis on discipleship, Deepen Friendship, Care, and Justice. In addition to these pathways, churches gain a shared framework for faithful engagement within diverse contexts and communities.
Besides this global framing, particular weight was given to friendship as foundational to discipleship and spiritual formation. Long-term friendships provide the context in which individuals are known, encouraged, and nurtured. It is within such relationships that believers learn to journey faithfully, endure challenges, and rejoice together in milestones. Strengthening bonds demands intentional slowing down, prioritising presence, and engaging in life beyond superficial interactions.
Moreso, pathways of Bible and Story with a focus on discipleship reinforced that formation occurs through attentiveness to Scripture and to one another’s lived experiences. Collective engagement with Scripture, openness to the Spirit, and sharing testimonies of God’s work cultivate alignment with divine purposes. As stories are exchanged and heard, friendships deepen, and the community becomes more attuned to the Spirit’s movement.
In accordance with this emphasis, pathways of Care and Justice expanded the scope of relational responsibility. Care calls communities to notice needs, bear one another’s burdens, and respond practically within the body. Justice extends concern outward, challenging churches to stand alongside the marginalised, advocate for the voiceless, and participate in God’s restorative purposes. Together, care and justice demonstrate that strong relational foundations equip churches for faithful and compassionate engagement.
Significantly, it reinforces that we are one body with many members, united by one Spirit who brings coherence and purpose. Every member belongs, every contribution matters, and no one is redundant. Emphasis was placed on the Spirit’s ordering of each part as intended, with diversity functioning as strength rather than weakness. Imagery from 1 Corinthians affirms that even parts perceived as weaker are indispensable, and each unique contribution is vital for the flourishing of the whole.
Consequently, unity was framed not as uniformity, but as relational belonging grounded in mutual honour. On the other hand, when one part of the body suffers, the whole body is affected, and likewise when one part is honoured, all share in that honour. Belonging is strengthened through intentional space-making, mutual care, and recognition of every member’s contribution. In accordance with this vision, unity within the body of Christ necessarily requires a rejection of any form of discrimination, particularly toward those from minority groups or those with different abilities. On that note, such commitment calls the church to deeper attentiveness and responsibility, hence strengthening the integrity and witness of the whole body.
In light of the above, honouring one another demands more than passive inclusion. Genuine unity calls the church to listen attentively, learn intentionally, and seek understanding, especially where difference exists. In light of Acts 2 and the teaching of 1 Corinthians 12, no part of the body may be dismissed, overlooked, or marginalised without weakening the whole. Most importantly, learning to understand people whose experiences or abilities differ from the majority strengthens the body and reflects the Spirit’s work in forming a community where every person is valued, needed, and integral to the life and witness of Christ’s church.
Finally, Hui 2025 offered both encouragement and strategic direction. Participation in the Acts 2 movement does not seek replication of historical practice, but invites the Holy Spirit to shape faithful engagement today. Nevertheless, pathways of the Bible, Story with an emphasis on discipleship, Deepen Friendship, Care, and Justice provide a tangible framework for life together, marked by intentional relational presence, deep bonds, and genuine community. Above all, prayer remains that church communities will increasingly become places where people truly belong, are authentically known, and together reflect Christ’s life and love to neighbours and society at large.
In conclusion, leaders within our faith communities are invited to pause and reflect honestly on how faithfully these commitments are being embodied, while also deeply challenging every individual within our faith community in everyday life. Let us ponder and challenge ourselves to reflect with humility and, where necessary, to repent of attitudes, actions, or omissions that have hindered unity, diminished honour, or excluded others within the body of Christ. As the Spirit continues to call the church into deeper faithfulness through the Acts 2 movement, may there be a renewed willingness to turn afresh toward lives marked by genuine fellowship, attentive listening, and Christ-shaped love, for the sake of God’s glory and the flourishing of the whole body.
Thank - you.
Atua (God) Bless.
** Please check out the article below, which I have published on Substack: nzanonymouschristian.substack.com... .
Embodying Justice, Mercy, and Humility in Today’s Church and Society!
Are We Truly Bridging Generational Divides Through Justice, Mercy, and Inclusivity in the World We Live In?
First and foremost, the 2024 New Zealand Baptist National Hui, through the reflections from one of the Keynote’s on God of Justice, Mercy and Humility, from the three keynote speakers, challenges us to consider how justice, mercy, and humility can shape our church communities and every sphere of engagement in our everyday lifestyle today, where it extends beyond denominational lines and faith traditions, calling all individuals, whether in or out of leadership roles, and regardless of their Christian faith, to embody these values actively, not merely listen to them, but to put them into practice across all areas of life.
Henceforth, acting justly requires that we examine our decisions, influence, and actions across workplaces, communities, and homes. Therein, every interaction becomes an opportunity to uphold fairness, equity, and integrity, ensuring that others experience respect and encouragement. Not least, mercy calls us to attend to the needs of those who are vulnerable, marginalised, or struggling, responding with compassion that restores dignity and fosters hope. By contrast, humility compels us to acknowledge our limitations, listen attentively, and create spaces where others feel safe and valued.
In essence, it is imperative to communicate effectively with one another while living out justice, mercy, and humility. In light of this, preventing misunderstandings enables us to navigate differences in opinion, culture, and belief with greater understanding and grace. Thereafter, by listening deeply and speaking wisely, we facilitate meaningful engagement, empower others, and cultivate environments in which everyone can flourish, whether in leadership or non-leadership roles.
Notwithstanding, leadership is never demonstrated by asserting superiority but by fostering trust, modelling integrity, and creating spaces where justice, mercy, and humility thrive. Herein, we are challenged to integrate these principles into all aspects of life. Fundamentally, justice requires evaluating systems, structures, and practices for fairness and equity. What is more, mercy requires extending kindness to those in need, taking into account their unique lived experiences and vulnerabilities. Moreso, humility requires acting with selflessness, acknowledging that the well-being of others is a reflection of our obedience to God’s guidance and our participation in the Missio Dei, as we seek to extend God’s redemptive mission in every sphere of life.
In consequence, human brokenness underscores the dependence on God’s wisdom, whilst in Christ we find hope, healing, and restoration, grounded in God’s faithful care for the oppressed and marginalised within the transformative work of God revealed in Christ. Crucially, effective communication is vital in preventing misunderstandings and fostering understanding across social, psychological, and cultural contexts. Above all, every individual on this earth ought to avoid stereotyping by understanding others before making assumptions and creating space for individuals to share their hurts while adapting to their needs. Equally, it is highly vital to recognise both sides of a situation, enabling individuals to tolerate opposing feelings without becoming overwhelmed. In reflection, hurt is an inherent part of human existence, as well as living in a fallen world, which means accepting it as a regular aspect of life. Our hope is not in escaping suffering, but in knowing that Christ meets us in it, perfecting us through grace so that our hurts may be transformed and our attitude renewed.
With that being said, I am grateful to the people I know who have truly and genuinely valued me for who I am in all spaces and places, both within and outside our Christian faith community in New Zealand, my adopted country.
Consequently, it is imperative to address inappropriate behaviour in public domains, such as the recent Public Service Association protest, where actions were clearly unacceptable from the opposite gender. Notably, it is extremely necessary to remain mindful of behaviour, set good role models, embrace male employees in sectors where they are under-represented, and ensure that pay equity is pursued respectfully, fully adhering to workplace policies, the Privacy Act, and Human Rights Commission legislation. Moreover, everyone needs to be up to play with the changes of these two vital legislations at all times, all while discouraging negative attitudes such as paper chasing, which are detrimental to healthy workplace cultures and environments.
By contrast, during my high school years, an English teacher threatened to escalate my complaint to the Ministry of Education rather than showing understanding of my learning needs. As such, with the kind assistance and support of the Deputy Headmaster and Head of Learning Support, it was decided that I should leave the school with a leaver’s certificate at sixth form, as my dignity and different ability had not been respected or upheld. At the same time, such experiences underscore the devastating consequences of withholding empathy, a lack of respect, and silencing vulnerability.
In reflection, this is precisely why the Baptist Hui’s call that mercy is a verb resonates so deeply; as mercy is not a passive act, but requires active compassion, empathy, and solidarity with those whose systems, prejudices, or failures of care have wounded them. As referenced in Matthew 5:7, blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy, as it clearly reminds us that mercy is never abstract but a lived practice that restores and heals. In saying that, when mercy is withheld, people like myself, who have endured bullying, racism, and disrespect, including from dominant voices of the opposite gender of the older generation in professional and educational spaces, can carry deep and ongoing traumatic scars to date.
Not least, mercy as a verb challenges us to go beyond words, policies, or sermons, to genuinely stand alongside those who have been marginalised, ensuring that their dignity is restored and their humanity affirmed. Thus, the call of Micah 6:8 becomes not only a theological statement but a living summons to action for church and society alike.
In relation to this, scripture clearly instructs us on God’s order for respect and humility in teaching and leadership. As referenced in 1 Timothy 2: 8 – 12, men are called to pray with holy hands, without anger or argument. At the same time, women are instructed to learn in silence with full submission, as they are not permitted to teach or hold authority over men, which underscores the seriousness with which God calls His people to model reverence, order, and integrity.
Hence, the call to inter-generational care, as referenced in Titus 2: 2 – 4 and reaffirmed in Ephesians 6:4, reminds older believers to teach younger generations soundly, and parents are urged not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. These timeless charges set the framework for leadership that embraces inclusivity for today’s leaders and future generations to come, ensuring that respect, guidance, and love remain at the forefront of all teaching and mentoring relationships.
Herein, in relation to leadership and mentoring, do we honestly and sincerely respect our Senior Pastor and Leadership Team which consists of Elders, Ministry Leaders, and Deacons that conform our church in how we operate effectively and efficiently, when they are doing their utmost best of their ability by embodying good leadership accountability of our church congregation members, by putting into practice as to what they have been taught from leadership conferences like the National Baptist Hui, Global Leadership Summit, and as well their theological training where they ought to be grounded in spirit and in truth, and from scriptures that call all believers to embrace inter-generational principles, as in Titus 2: 2 – 4, Proverbs 22: 6, and in 1 Timothy 2: 11 – 12. In saying that, the above passages within the scriptures it stipulates as a reminder for all us across all genders from the older generation are called to model dignity, self - control, and depth of faith and knowledge, whilst women in particular are clearly instructed to guide with wisdom and in clear reverence in showing respect for others, especially young adults in leadership, as they are not to correct them harshly, undermine their calling and instead to nurture, encourage, and build them up within their roles, ensuring that their household of the church reflects harmony, love, and order.
Thereafter, it is vital to stop and ponder whether we are living in a society that is permissive in not closing off the inter-generational gap issues of concern, issues caused by the older generation’s mindset that assumed it was permissible to hold onto roles indefinitely. Without delay, we ought to close this gap before it is too late, for the Lord calls us to embody His image through diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in schools and government departments tied to the public service, whilst ensuring respect is upheld. Neglect in this regard has already caused former male employees to suffer mental health crises and lose opportunities for employment and restoration.
In light of the above, we must ask whether we are addressing the generational gap or slipping back into patterns that silence younger voices at the table, failing to consider the other perspectives, which they are coming from.
In consequence, failing to empower them risks not only mental strain and the loss of hope but also tragically leads to suicide, as today’s youth and young adults feel overlooked and undervalued. Even though when considering the inclusion of Chinese teachers in our national curriculum, it is imperative first to acknowledge New Zealand’s enduring partnership with Singapore, a nation once under British colonial rule and now an English-speaking and multicultural society. In contrast, the National University of Singapore is one of the world’s most prestigious universities, ranking among the top twenty-five globally, renowned for its state-of-the-art lecturers and world-class training. Notably, Singaporean government scholars, rigorously formed under global standards, ought to be regarded as a blessing rather than dismissed. Ultimately, New Zealand must create spaces where such talent is recognised, included, and enabled to contribute with dignity and respect, especially given our historic ties with Singapore as a globally respected nation, and for the sake of our own people, who must not be lost to other countries through neglect.
Above all, as individuals residing within our respective communities, we all need to embody justice, mercy, and humility in our daily interactions, creating environments that honour others and reflect the character of God by embracing His image. Hereafter, this call is not only for those within the household of faith but also extends as a challenge for non-believers, urging them to recognise the worth of every person and to embrace values that cultivate compassion, equity, and respect in society. Whether in management or non-management roles, and across both men’s and women’s spheres of influence, the responsibility to embody these virtues remains the same, shaping both workplaces and communities alike. On that note, I would like to sincerely challenge everyone in the older generations to foster a culture that mentors young adults, promotes inter-generational diversity, and models integrity and inclusivity for future leaders.
In conclusion, we must ask whether the church of today’s society will be known as a wellspring of compassion or a place where no one truly cares. Regardless, history reveals that the compassion of the early church transformed empires, and Christ still longs to touch a suffering world through His people. Undoubtedly, we are challenged to recognise pain in the eyes of others, resist the cruelty of careless generalisations, and demonstrate love through tangible action, lest we fail to embody the image of God and instead reflect the brokenness of a self-centred society in which we reside today.
Finally, let us walk together in trusting commitment toward His triumphant glory, ensuring that our actions, in every sphere of engagement, foster flourishing, dignity, and hope for all people. Nevertheless, it is exceptionally vital and clear to all of us that we ought to embody the clear image of God, in which we are uniquely created, for the sake of His kingdom and His glory in all circumstances.
Thank - you.
Atua (God) Bless.
** Please check out the article below, which I have published on Substack: nzanonymouschristian.substack.com... .
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