A Keynote Address for the Parish Christmas Luncheon 14 December 2025
Good afternoon everyone, and a very warm Merry Christmas to you all. What a joy it is to share this Christmas Luncheon with you – my last Christmas here as your vicar at St Christopher’s. And I must say, you all look remarkably energetic for people who have just eaten. My Bible college teacher used to call this hour after lunch the “unholy hour,” because it is the time when people are most tempted to fall into sleep. So if at any point you start dozing off, I’ll simply take it as a sign that the peace of the Lord has come upon you.
Today I want to share “My St Christopher’s Story.” Not the full story – because that would take another four years – but a few scenes, joys, and lessons that have shaped my time here. My hope is that, as I share, you will see not only my story, but our story – the story that God has been writing among us.
1. When My St Christopher’s Story Began
My St Christopher’s story began in September 2021, when I first took up the role of vicar here. Of all the moments during that first month, one stands out vividly – my very first Sunday, the day my family and I were introduced to the church.
Angela was six years old. Nathan was three. Both were much smaller, of course, and still young enough that we needed to remind them not to run laps around the pews before the service.
That morning, the four of us stood together at the front of the church and sang one of our favourite family songs: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.”
It’s a simple song, but for us, it carried deep meaning. As a family, we were saying: “We are here because we have decided to follow Jesus – together as a family, and now together with you.”
We felt that morning a genuine welcome – a warmth and a sense that this church was not just opening its doors to us but opening its heart as well. And that is something my family and I remain deeply grateful for.
That Sunday was the start of our journey with you. We didn’t know then what joys, challenges, surprises, and blessings the years ahead would bring. But we knew God had called us here.
2. The Joys of Ministry
One of the joys of my time at St Christopher’s has been the ministry itself – not only what we have done together, but who I have been privileged to serve alongside: the people of this church. Faithful people. Prayerful people. Serving people. People who love God and love others in ways seen and unseen, public and private, big and small. People whose faith and dedication have encouraged me more than they may realise.
You will all have heard the famous Māori proverb: “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.” “What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”
I think of our church staff – faithful, hardworking, and dedicated – who have supported ministry week after week with a steadiness that keeps the life of the church moving forward.
I think of the churchwardens, the vestry members, and their families. Leadership in the church is not always easy, and yet they have carried those responsibilities with grace, diligence, and prayerfulness.
I think of the many leaders of this church – those who serve in our children’s programs, our youth and families ministry, our home groups, our prayer ministry, our eldercare ministry, and so on.
I think, too, of the retired clergy and lay ministers who have served so selflessly, offering wisdom, experience, and pastoral care. Their presence has been a blessing to me personally, and to the wider life of the church.
And then there are the leaders and teams behind ministries that reflect the beautiful diversity of our church – the Chinese fellowship, our outreach to RSE workers (which, though now concluded, was a wonderful ministry), our volunteers in worship, our musicians, readers, intercessors, welcomers, morning tea teams, home group leaders, and so many others whose service week after week keeps this church healthy, vibrant, and strong.
Each of these individuals and groups has brought joy into my ministry. St Christopher’s has been a joyful place for me to minister – not because everything has been perfect, but because the people have been faithful.
3. Some Highlights
In more than four years of ministry, there have been countless highlights – too many to name – but let me share just a few.
The launch of the contemporary service One of the most important milestones in our ministry together was launching the 10.30am contemporary service. God has used this service in a remarkable way to draw new people to Christ. It has become a spiritual home for many individuals and families. The spiritual growth, new relationships, and renewed engagement that have flowed from this service have been a tremendous source of joy.
The extension and renovation of the foyer Another highlight was witnessing the extension and renovation of our church foyer. This project has been a real blessing. Not only does our entrance now look more modern and welcoming, but the increased space has made it far safer, easier, and more convenient for people to move between the church and the hall. It has strengthened our ability to provide hospitality – something our church values deeply.
The publication of the Parish Book The publication of the parish book in 2022, written by Jackie Hall, was a meaningful milestone. It captured the stories of nearly a hundred members of our church family. It is a beautiful snapshot of who we are as a community and a record of God’s faithfulness over the years.
The relaunch of our children’s Sunday school The relaunch of our Sunday school was another major highlight – especially considering that St Christopher’s began in 1905 as a children’s ministry. To see the children once again gathering to learn God’s Word, to grow in faith, and to be nurtured by committed teachers has been one of the great joys of my ministry here.
The launch of our youth ministry Likewise, the launch of our youth ministry has been a cause for celebration. Seeing young people connect, grow in their faith, and form relationships within the church has brought renewed life and energy into our church.
Baptisms and Confirmations Few things have brought me more joy than witnessing baptisms and confirmations. Whether young or old, each person who stepped forward publicly affirmed their desire to follow Jesus. These moments have reminded me again and again why the church exists – to make disciples and to nurture people in their journey of faith.
New ministry initiatives Our years together have also been marked by a willingness to try new things for the sake of the gospel. Among these highlights are:
Messy Church, welcoming children and families in creative and joyful ways
Outreach to seasonal workers, which blessed many RSE workers during its time
The Haere Mai Project, connecting newcomers and members around the Gospel of Mark
The “Going Deeper” Series, providing opportunities for deeper biblical teaching
Healing Services, ministering to many through prayer and encouragement
And many more…
Each initiative has enriched our life together and extended the reach of our ministry.
A church for all peoples Another significant highlight has been the way St Christopher’s has become a spiritual home for people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This not only reflects Blenheim’s growing diversity – it reflects God’s vision for His church. The multi-ethnic and multi-generational character of our church today is something I celebrate with deep gratitude.
The growth of our prayer ministry I also count as a highlight the growth of our prayer ministry. From our monthly corporate prayer gatherings to the quiet prayers offered in the prayer alcove, to the prayer chain ministry, I have seen a deepening desire among many in our church to seek God, depend on Him, and pray for His will to be done.
And many more… These are only some of the highlights. There are many others – moments of worship, moments of service, moments of fellowship, moments of encouragement – that together form a beautiful tapestry of what God has done in our church.
4. Lessons I Have Learned
As I look back over these past four years, there are many lessons I could name, but three stand out – three truths that have shaped my ministry here.
Firstly: A church grows when it welcomes. St Christopher’s has grown because it is a friendly and welcoming church. Over and over again, people have told me that this church is welcoming, and it is one of the main reasons they decided to make this their spiritual home. And we can’t blame them – people need and are looking for a community to belong to. When a church embraces that mission, people stay, grow, and flourish.
We are talking about welcoming newcomers – but also the children, the young people, the foreigners, the lonely, those who look different, those who sound different.
I have learned that when the church lives out this posture of welcome, God entrusts more people to its care. And I am convinced that one reason this church has grown is because you have welcomed warmly and sincerely.
Secondly: Keep the focus on Jesus, and don’t neglect those around you. To keep our focus on Jesus means more than simply believing in Him. It means allowing Him to be the centre of our life as a church. It means remembering that He is the head of the church – we are not. Keeping our focus on Jesus means staying rooted in His Word, faithful in worship, and obedient to His commands.
And why does this matter? Because when we take our eyes off Jesus, we become inward-looking, anxious, and easily distracted. The church becomes about us rather than about Him. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus, everything comes back into its proper place. Worship becomes genuine. Hope rises. The mission of God becomes clear again.
Thirdly: The only way forward is on our knees. A church grows by prayer; it is sustained by prayer; it is strengthened by prayer. Programs are helpful, structures matter, good leadership is important – but without prayer, all of these are powerless. Over these years, I have seen St Christopher’s become a praying church – from the monthly corporate gatherings, to the prayer chain, to the fortnightly intercessors group, to home groups praying for one another, to the faithful prayers offered during worship, to the quiet prayers of older saints.
I believe this is one of the reasons God has blessed our ministry together – because we have sought Him and depended on Him in prayer. The only way forward for this church, and for any church, is on our knees. And I pray this remains the heartbeat of this church long after I am gone.
5. As We All Enter a New Season
As you know, my time here is drawing to a close. And as I look around this room today, I feel a mixture of joy, gratitude, and a hint of sadness – something quite appropriate for Advent.
Just as Mary said “yes” to God without knowing the whole road ahead, we too are stepping into something new – both you as a church, and my family and me as we prepare to move to Adelaide.
But here is what I want you to hear most clearly today:
St Christopher’s is in good hands. Not my hands. Not the wardens’ hands. Not the vestry’s hands. But God’s hands.
God has not failed this church – through many vicars, many seasons, many challenges. And He will not fail you now.
This transition is not an ending. It is a new beginning in the story God is writing.
My encouragement for you comes from Isaiah 41:10:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
6. A Final Word: From My Heart to Yours
I want to say thank you. Thank you for welcoming my family. Thank you for loving Angela and Nathan. Thank you for supporting Guan – whose ministry has been a gift to me and to many of you. Thank you for praying for me, encouraging me, and trusting me.
Serving as your vicar has been one of the great honours of my life.
This is my St Christopher’s story. But truly, it is our story.
May the Lord bless you richly this Christmas with joy, hope, and the deep assurance that Christ is Emmanuel – God with us, God with you, now and always.
