John Hebenton's Podcast

Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Simons offers some reflections on how to approach the commemoration of the end of WWI. As we mark this important date in our nations history, what exactly are we marking and how do we look to the future in light of the commemorations over the last four years?

John explores how our images of God blind us to God and to each other. How did Job end up with that happy ending, and is it that happy really? Why did Job's friends not join him praying TO God, rather than trying to convince him ABOUT God? How does Bartemaeus act as an icon to the disciples blindness both to him and to what Jesus was teaching them about God? Because October 28th is also the D...

John explores the invitation from Job (Job 38:1-7, 34-41) to pray Meister Ekhart’s prayer – “God free me of god” and asks what ideas about God do we need to be freed of?

John tells the story of St. Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio to introduce St. Francis and his invitation for us to see all of creation and all who live in creation as our brothers and sisters. How might this help us address climate change and how might this help our appreciation for the work of the SPCA

John uses the questions Jesus asked of his disciples to have a conversation exploring our responses, and what those responses reveal about who God is for us and what it means for us to be followers or disciples of this God

John explores the story of the Syrophonecian woman as a story about Jesus coming face to face with the ramifications of what he had been teaching; that the reign of God plays by nobody’s rules but God’s, not even Jesus’ rules. He then asks who might be acting as the Syrophonecian woman today?

John tries to build on last week’s sermon by Bonnie Hebenton about the line by using Mark 7 to explore the themes of the place of law and how to read law and scripture. Introduce the daily examen as a way of responding to Jesus invitation to pay attention to our hearts rather than just our actions.

Bonnie Hebenton explores the 5th and last reading from John 6; this time verses 56-71. In this reading John invites us into a space of confidence and doubt, faith and abandonment, of living out our faith and failing to live out our faith. Bonnie explores this real place, and God's ongoing response of welcome every time we return. She finishes with a song from John Michael Talbot

Gillian, Barbara and Mihi talk about Cursillo and their own expereince of going on a weekend event. Cursillo is - An opportunity to grow in faith and in spirituality - A deeper understanding of the teachings of Jesus and how we can serve Him. - An experience of living and sharing with others in a loving and caring Christian community and realizing that this can be extended into our own environment...

John explores how this series of readings on Jesus being the Bread of Life help us into the Eucharist

Chancy Rattanong from CAP, Christians Against Poverty, talks about why they are passionate about working with local churches to release Kiwis from a life sentence of debt, poverty and its causes – into a life filled with hope and freedom. For more information go to http://www.capnz.org/

Mark 6:14-29 is such a yuk story if we read it on its own. This story has echoes with previous stories and reminds us of the ongoing stories, including the stories in Tauranga Moana over the last week. They remind us of the story of St. George and the battles that happened here and Te Ranga in 1864. They remind me of the experiences I had with the rainbow members of TSSF in Australia and here in A...

John explores how the ways of God are not what is expected, and in light of that offers some of his reflections on things noticed while away; particularly the gift of our prayer book.

Graham Cameron invites us to consider leaving the doors of our church open all the time

John looks at what we think sufficient success on earth is and compare that to what it might have looked like for Jesus. In his story it meant being accused of being possessed by the evil one, described as out of his mind by his family, people leaving him because if got too hard, and then crucifixion. So what is sufficient success on earth for us?

John looks at Taika Waititi’s comments about how New Zealand is “racist as ****” and explores how our structures can either deprive people of life or they can help people thrive. Te Pouhere has the potential to help us thrive if we let it

John uses the story of Nicodemus to suggest that rather than trying to understand God as Trinity, we might instead start with the relationship with the Trinity. Using the ancient metaphor of that relationship being a dance, he invites us to learn to live in the dance. What might the idea of “Trinity” offer us in our daily lives?

John briefly explores what that first Pentecost was all about - turning frightened an confused people inside out and sending them out to live the good news of hope found in Jesus. We see that same story in this land, with much of the first evangelistic work being done by Maori, some of them not very likely. We saw that same Spirit at work in our recent General Synod Te Hinota Whanui in New Plymout...

Bonnie Hebenton uses her experiences growing up in New Plymouth and now as a teacher using Play Centred Learning to explore the gospel for this Sunday after Ascension - John 17: 1-11- It's OK to take risks - God will protect us

As we prepare for Mother’s Day next week John invites people to talk about how would you describe a family?what is the role of mothers in families?what do families offer us and what do we offer families? He then explores different kinds of family, and what Jesus teaches us through these about our priorities and about God’s love

Lets stop calling Thomas “Doubting Thomas”. It distracts us from what is going on in this story. The resurrection is God’s Big Yes to the way of the cross. In the way of the cross we are reminded that all people are made in the image of God and we are invited to see God’s image in all people. In the resurrection God is faithful to all the covenants, that through Israel humanity is renewed and crea...

John suggests that the reasons why Marks version of the resurrection is so short is that he wanted his readers to know that Jesus had gone ahead to "Rome" and to tell their stories of encountering the risen Jesus. We walk in the footsteps of those first witnesses to the resurrection - the women. How have we encountered the risen Jesus.

This year I explored how John’s version of the Palm Sunday story has a different feel to the other three gospels and ask What do we hope for in this Jesus? What do we need to set down if we are to meet this Christ who rides of donkey?

What is it all about? What is life about? What is a life of faith about? What is it we are aiming for? And what does Jesus suggest it might be about?

Graham Cameron explores different models of conversion and applies that to Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus. What does being born in the Spirit mean for us? What hinders and what helps us in this?