But alongside the beauty on display, there was the conversation…
A winemaker from Waiheke
I choose not to drink alcohol and so my knowledge of wine is limited. This enables me to ask dumb questions. Did you know it can be up to five years before the fruit of the vine starts to flow fully? That is a long time. In some parts of the country winemakers are happy if one year in five is fantastic. It made me think again about preaching – and whether we match the winemaker for patience and perseverance. It is slow work.
Not just slow – but also seasonal. Being in Arrowtown is synonymous with autumn colours. Here is the view outside the lounge window in the home where we were staying. Late autumn. A river running through it. Seasons regulate God’s creation – and his new creation too.
An engineer from Nelson
The engineer is an elder in his church. It is summertime in the church. Vibrant ministries. Packed numbers. Failing facilities. Limited resources. ‘Why’, I asked. His first response?! ‘The preaching is transforming people.’ WOW. I didn’t expect that one. I don’t remember all his exact words, but we talked about the faithful, applied, simple, urgent preaching of the Bible to listeners whose hearts are open and whose lives are ready to change. In (his) time the seasons do change when all are faithful to their call.
An intern from Cromwell
It is so easy not to go to church on weekends like this one. But up we got and off we went to the little Presbyterian church. Small (with an optimism inhabiting the many empty chairs). Elderly (with my presence bringing the average age down considerably). But then the Basin has never been overflowing with thriving churches. It is hard work. People are so mobile, so satisfied…
Sunday worship on this day was the responsibility of an intern. Newer to her call. Earlier in her training. I love these people. Her daughter was the sole musician. Her husband took the intercessory prayers. My heart glowed as I listened and engaged. She was so warm. She took the Scriptures so seriously. It was unspectacular stuff, but then I’ve always been a sucker for what unspectacular stuff can achieve in these settings if people hold their nerve.
If she stays on her current trajectory, she is going to be OK. I sought her out for a word of encouragement afterwards. But the people she really needs to speak with are the winemaker and the engineer.
nice chatting
Paul
About Me

the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
Recent Posts
Just when I thought that it could not be possible to have another first-hand account of the impact of John Stott’s life (d. 2011), along comes this book by his close friend, John Wyatt. I am always ready to learn more about John Stott, but also about friendship. It fascinates me. It keeps coming up…
Reading stories to grandchildren over Christmas reminded me again of how powerful they can be. They are so compact and simple in presentation, and yet so clever in construction. There are just so many features at work in an effective story. It is some years since I taught narrative preaching, but when I did I’d…
Apart from the eight years in which we were based overseas, Barby has been working at the Refugee Resettlement Center in Auckland since 2002. This year she is a ‘release teacher’, spending one day each week in three different classrooms, with three different age groups. Impressive—and demanding. One day is spent with 11-13 year olds—from…
Thanks Paul. Shared with our preaching team. We are in a different season than the engineer from Nelson and this is timely encouragement.
Have the right convictions. Work hard at character and skills … and then be faithful in obedience and let God change the seasons 🙂