Church Talk
Work is our link to the Creator
Friday 26 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Work is essential for life, for human life and for the life of our planet. Work stands out for its indispensable contribution to both progress and preservation and lights the path to human fulfilment.Work is what we do. Work helps to make us who we are. Work has a dignity of its own in that […]
Planning underway for 2021
Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
It may still be 10 years away, but the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) does not think it is too early to start planning celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the gospels introduction to the Cook Islands. A group of CICC members have already banded together to begin making plans for the 2021 celebrations and […]
Approach the gospel with intellect and faith
Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Every religion has a certain amount of intellectual content which the follower of the religion presumably wants to get to know. But Christians face two specific dangers as they grapple with Christianitys doctrines. On the one hand, they often become unduly subjective. Christian teaching concerns the nature of God and what he has done for […]
End times is this it?
Friday 12 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Globally we are living in one of the most challenging periods humanity has faced. With such changing and shifting times, it is difficult to ignore the fascination many are expressing concerning the possible closing of this age and the second coming of Christ. This writing is not an attempt to satisfy some of the more […]
Grace+faith+obedience=salvation
Friday 12 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
One minister in an editorial once declared, There is nothing that can be added to grace to bring salvation to a soul. Grace wrought salvation with no strings attached. Another minister stated, Grace plus nothing equals salvation. Is this biblical? Have these ministers gone farther than the scriptures go? Must not the recipient of salvation […]
Marking the steps of Jesus
Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
An early start for members of the Catholic Church last Friday morning. Members of the church and those attending the Cook Islands World Youth Day celebrations camp walked around the island acting out the Stations of the Cross. The first of the 15 stations was acted out at St Josephs primary school at 4am.The procession […]
How can I be confident in a crisis?
Friday 5 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk
I remember not so long ago when $50 could fill my car up with petrol. I remember also when $150 could fill up my trolley at the supermarket. A few years back I noted that my 12 month term deposit was earning me about six percent interest but today it is down to four percent. […]
Getting creative with words about God
Saturday 30 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
God is a hero because he made the earth and because he made us and he also saved Noah and he helped Moses Imogen (6) Jesus is my superhero Everlasting love for his children Sent his son to die for our sins Understands our problems Saves our souls Is the King of Kings Says he […]
Christs triumph shared
Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The verse above is a pointed yet magnificent summary of the work that Christ has done for us. In such magnificence, He has won victory for the saints and procured a way for them to be made right before Him, through faith. Over the years I have read over this passage and not really taken […]
How to understand teenagers
Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
In my home Ive got two teenagers, aged 15 and 17 years old. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend one on one time with my 15 year-old-son. My wife went across with the teachers of Papaaroa for a retreat on One Foot Island in Aitutaki, and my 17-year-old daughter attended an all teen […]
Marking arrival of Christianity
Friday 22 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
An open invitation is extended to everyone on the island, residents and visitors, to join the celebration of the arrival of Christianity to the island of Rarotonga. Monday will be the final public holiday to commemorate Rarotonga Gospel Day and everyone is invited to the National Auditorium for a morning of gospel and imene tuki […]
Never, never, never give up
Friday 22 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
When some of lifes challenges seem greater than our ability to overcome them, often words such as its too difficult; Im tired of trying; Im scared; I cant go on or I give up! either flash through our minds or roll off our lips. Have you ever been afraid and discouraged as youve faced a […]
New shepherd to guide Catholic flock
Monday 18 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Hundreds of Catholic worshippers from across the Cook Islands and the Oceania region gathered at the St Josephs Cathedral in Avarua on Saturday for the ordination of the new Cook Islands Catholic shepherd Bishop Paul Donoghue. The special ceremony began with a traditional turou for Bishop Donoghue who was escorted into the church by a […]
Breakaway church opens new building
Friday 15 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
A breakaway Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church that has been meeting for six years finally has a place to call home. The Advent Truth Ministry which has a congregation of about 30 people have celebrated the opening of its Nikao building. It is registered as an incorporated society and its primary pastor is Urirau Aratangi, […]
New friends and fun at scout camp
Friday 15 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The Matavera Sacred Heart Scout Troop and the Avarua Harbour Sea Scout Troop held a joint weekend camp at Te Uki Ou School grounds earlier this month. The group was treated to a movie night at the Empire Theatre to watch Transformers Part 3. Actually that was the only treat we had because on the […]
Racing towards the end times?
Friday 15 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Hollywood has entertained us with many a movie depicting a cataclysmic end to humanity as we know it. There has been an increased interest in world events as it relates to end of the age predictions. Over the last few decades many individuals and religious groups have sought to predict the return of Christ and […]
Plenty of business for CICC assembly
Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The head office of the Cook Islands Christian Church in Takamoa is well into preparations for its 29th general assembly, scheduled for October 23 to 30. The biennial assembly has been held in Rarotonga for the past 30 years, but this year will be held outside of Rarotonga. The 2013 assembly has already been confirmed […]
Avoiding dangers in personal Christianity
Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Every religion has a certain amount of intellectual content which the follower of the religion presumably wants to get to know. But Christians face two specific dangers as they grapple with Christianitys doctrines. On the one hand, they often become unduly subjective. Christian teaching concerns the nature of God and what he has done for […]
Akairo ou no te au matara i Tepuka
Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Kua raveia tetai akonoanga akatapuanga i te akairo o te au mataara i Tepuka Nikao i te popongi Varaire ra 10 no teia marama Tiunu ki roto i te hall o te Ekalesia Nikao. Kua riro rai e na te Orometua o te Ekalesia Nikao a Rev Tereora Tereora i rave i te akatapuanga. Kua […]
How we make the best choices
Friday 24 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families. Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face […]