Methodist Conference centenary

Kororia ki te Atua, he maungarongo ki te whenua, he whakaaro pai ki nga tangata katoa; tihei Mauri ora. E nga mana, e nga reo, nga rangatira o Te Haahi Weteriana o Aotearoa e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou.  Kia ora tātou katoa. 

Distinguished guests and leaders of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all.

I specifically acknowledge:  Reverend Rex Nathan, President of the Methodist Church; Jan Tasker , Vice-President; and Rev Michael Greer for your welcome and informative address on the history of the Methodist church in New Zealand.

It is a welcome delight for me to be able to join with you here tonight, to share a meal, to share your company and to share your heritage.

The story Rev Greer has outlined is a reminder of the history of the Methodist faith in New Zealand, and of how it has changed with the times to meet the needs of the community.  As in so many spheres of life in the 19th century, New Zealand offered new directions for the different branches of the Methodist church which were established here.

First, by gaining independence from the Church in the United Kingdom and Australia, and then, recognising that what Methodists had in common was more important than the differences that separated them, they were able to re-unite as a single church again.

I see interesting parallels between the Methodist faith and the Ratana church that I was raised in.  Like Methodism, the Ratana movement was initiated by a strong, charismatic preacher who wanted to improve the wellbeing of his people.  T.W. Ratana, whose mother was a Methodist , also advocated compassion for others and social activism.

Both churches have inspired social and political activity in New Zealand, and continue to make a difference in the lives of people in their communities.  While 21st century New Zealand is a much more secular society than it was in the early 20th century, the principles of our Christian life endure.

John Wesley’s admonishment to: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” remains a prescription for a life well-lived.

If we look at major figures in the Methodist story in New Zealand – we see men of exemplary faith who pursued Wesley’s call to Christian action.

Men like Reverend Samuel Lawry, the first President of the United Conference in 1913, described as a strong man able to travel long distances on horseback to see the members of his congregations.  Lawry, president of the conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand, was active in the prohibition movement, a member of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College; and a prime mover in securing independence from the Australian church, and union with the Primitive Methodists.

In a similar vein was Sir Charles Luke, a highly-regarded man, who was elected unanimously as Vice President of the United Methodist Church.  Sir Charles was a successful engineer who also became Mayor of Wellington.  His record of community service was impressive.  He was Chair of Wellington Hospital Board, President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, on the Boards of Governors for several schools and a member of the Wellington Harbour Board and active in the YMCA for 40 years. 

Both Samuel Lawry and Sir Charles played pivotal roles in bringing the different branches of the church together in the union we are celebrating tonight.

The Governor, Lord Liverpool, who in 1917 became New Zealand’s first Governor-General, presided over the union ceremony for the New Zealand Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Primitive Methodists at Wellington Town Hall.

Tonight, on Pipitea Marae, I am pleased to attend this commemoration of 100 years of Methodist conferences in New Zealand, and to recognise the contribution Methodism has played in the social, cultural and spiritual fabric of this country.

In conclusion, I commend the church for deciding this centenary should be marked with Christian action – the launch of a ten-year vision, Let the Children Live.  Working towards ending child poverty, child abuse and youth suicide in Aotearoa is a noble goal – which John Wesley would surely have championed fiercely.  I wish you all the best for your Conference and every success with Let the Children Live.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.