“A key to achieving this goal was to become a community centre, by establishing working relationships with the community through pastoral care, outreach programmes and educational opportunities.
For me, transformation is about breaking through the barriers in our own understanding. We need to move from an individualistic view – it belongs to me – to a more communal view – it belongs to us. This changed view of life that always speaks about we, is one in which stuff belongs to everyone regardless of their culture or faith perspective or economic status. This seems to be a huge challenge for many people in the church. The hard part of transformation is shifting this way of seeing things. We are no longer focused within the church, on the inside/us only. Our focus shifts its position to facing outside, to the community. The wider community also become us. The church has to step up and walk an extra distance in understanding and acceptance of diversity.”
From Chapter 5 — Theological Themes of Weaving, Networking & Taking Flight: Engaged ministry in Avondale Union and Manurewa Methodist parishes 2006–2014. by Rev ‘Alifeleti Vaitu’ulala Ngahe