Have you ever been on a blind date set up by the bishop?

In 2018, Summer, the kids and I moved back to Wellington after several years of living in Cambodia to take up a role of mobilizing youth and young adults for mission in the Wellington Diocese in partnership with NZCMS.

As we prepared to move back, Summer and I were set up on a blind date with Andy and Emily Spence to live in a community and practice rhythms of life together, youth work together and long to see God's Kingdom come in our context.

Fast forward to 2021, and as many of you know, we embarked on being co-vicars of All Saints Hataitai Kilbirnie together. Now, in 2024, and we have just farewelled Andy, Emily, and their three boys to bring the Kingdom of God in the Peninsula Parish.

Here are three reflections about our time on team together (we are really still on team just in different Geo locations) and what that could mean for your context.

1 - Be open to what God is doing amongst you.

Don't be afraid to step into new situations even if they feel unknown or scary. There is a lot we don't know about when we step into situations, new roles, or new communities, but some wonderful things come in these spaces. Our trust and reliance on God and on each other and our families. Trust and discern with those around you whose voice is trusted. Lean into Scripture, particularly those who did go towards the unknown and with others. Be prepared for conflict and vulnerability and wrestling through life with each other! DON'T RUN AWAY.

2 - Find your people.

Don't do life alone. Church hasnt always done Christian community well. Discipleship isn't just Sunday mornings. Find some people around you and commit to one another. Pray together. Share deeply together. Cry on the kitchen floor together. Celebrate the wins together. Be active in your longing to see the kingdom of God come in your context. Be passionate. Hope for redemption.

And lastly - be prepared to be transformed yourself.

There are many spaces where we think we are all that and a bag of crisps, or the flip side; you don't back yourself at all and struggle to participate. But one of the biggest lessons I (Guy) have learned in the last several years is to be open to not only God transforming your life through the gift of grace but also through others challenging you and our norms, lifting you up, and affirming you, being able to take critical feedback without crumbling. Your Identity is in Christ, nothing else; be transformed in that.

Shared leadership, what's there to say? There is so much to love and a lot to wrestle with. There is power in the scriptures of being sent out in groups, wrestling through the scriptures in groups, and seeing the kingdom come in real power together.

We grieve the loss of our teammates, but we long to see the kingdom come, so it's a price we are prepared to pay!

Yours in Christ,

Guy and Summer Benton