Church Talk
The brother of the Prodigal Son
Friday 22 January 2010 | Published in Church Talk
We are all very familiar with the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Most of us, if we are honest, will admit to a feeling of empathy with the elder brother of the prodigal son. Here he is, the dutiful son, working hard year after year, doing all his father asks without complaint. “I […]
Domestic violence is a crime
Friday 15 January 2010 | Published in Church Talk
I would like to share some concerns and insight into the issue of domestic violence. I bring this into consideration for the following reasons: • Families are the most important social units in our community • Violence and abuse are destructive in families • Ultimately Domestic Violence (DV) is about power and control • DV […]
Get married and stay married!
Friday 15 January 2010 | Published in Church Talk
Gazing out of my hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday August 13, 2009, my mind WAS captivated at seeing one huge bill board down below with this statement: “For your children’s sake – Get married and stay married”. The longer I kept my eyes and mind focused on it, the more I got inspired […]
What is God's plan for you?
Friday 8 January 2010 | Published in Church Talk
Exodus 5:1-23 (v.23) “Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people and has not rescued your people at all”. Pharaoh would not listen to Moses and Aaron because he did not know or respect God. People who do not know God may not listen to […]
Oliveta celebrates centenary
Thursday 31 December 2009 | Published in Church Talk
The centennial of the Oliveta CICC church in Kimiangatau, Mauke was celebrated on December 17. A number of people, including the Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin, CICC president Rev Tangimetua Tangatatutai, and a number of CICC ministers, attended the celebrations which began with a short service inside the church yard. Rarotonga-based orometua Tereora Tereora and […]
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Thursday 31 December 2009 | Published in Church Talk
The purpose of Christmas (part II). The second purpose of Christmas is SALVATION. That’s the second thing that the angel mentions when he announced the birth of Jesus. It says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2.11). Take note, this speaks […]
Forgiveness is part of healing
Friday 13 November 2009 | Published in Church Talk
In my dealings with people, I have found that the topic most people do not want to talk about is forgiveness. Often I’m asked, “Do I have to forgive my former husband or my former wife?” My answer is, “No, you don’t have to, you only have to forgive if you want to heal”. I’m […]
More funding for Brethren
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 21: SYDNEY – The federal government was criticised yesterday for increasing funding for Exclusive Brethren schools to an estimated $62 million over the next four years. The government has chosen to continue with the previous government’s controversial funding formula for private schools, which will deliver an additional $24.6 million to the Brethren schools over […]
Domestic violence Why men abuse women
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 21: While sitting in my office contemplating what message to prepare for a sermon to preach tomorrow at our Arorangi Seventh Day Adventist church, I came across this material. I read it and felt it will be good for the community to read and learn from it. It may help individuals and families love […]
Nukutere's founding fathers finishing soon
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 14: The first Christian Brothers arrived in Rarotonga on January 26, 1976, to build and grow Nukutere College which was then less than a year old. The original community was: Brother Terence McErlane (community superior and principal), Brother Simon Coughlan (teacher), and Brother Joseph McRae (school and house manager). The young Nukutere College gradually […]
Christian Brothers departing Rarotonga
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 14: It is with great regret that the Catholic community of the Cook Islands will see the departure of the Christian Brothers from Nukutere College in December 2009. This announcement was made by the Province Leader of the Oceania Province of the Brothers, Brother Vincent Duggan cfc, on August 12, 2009. The leadership team […]
Church leaders told to stop abuse of power
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 14: A Methodist church minister in Samoa is calling on the president and the general secretary of the church to stop abusing their position of power and to put an end the unlawful use of the church’s assets, Radio New Zealand International reports. The Reverend Petaia Setu has accused the two of using land […]
Church and friends mourn loss of 'good Samaritan'
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 14: Papa Ken – man with a passion for helping others Volunteer minister Papa Ken Mitchell passed away on Tuesday and was laid to rest at his Tupapa home yesterday. The Assembly of God Church is deeply saddened by the loss of the local man who contributed so much to the church and the […]
Jubilee idea
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 7: Religious advisory council president pastor Tutai Pere described the Cook Islands’ 44 years of self governance journey as being similar to the 40 years the Jews spent wandering the desert in search of the promised land. “Forty years is a very significant number in the Bible,” said Pere. “Not only did the Jews […]
A space for silence in our daily lives
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 7: A modern parable A severe drought fell on the land and nothing grew. Day after day the sun scorched the earth, plants withered, rivers dried up and people died. Only a few healthy people remained and they were desperate. Then they heard about the Rainman who could make rain fall; maybe he could […]
Gospel Day celebrated with cake
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 31: The arrival of Christianity to Rarotonga 186 years ago, was celebrated with song and dance at the Are Karioi Nui on Monday. In his sermon, Nikao Cook Islands Christian Church’s Rev Tereora Tereora likened the embracing of the gospel in the Cooks, to that of Laban welcoming his nephew Jacob, as told in […]
Michael is not Jesus
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 31: The Bible names Michael as “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13. As he is one among a group of equals, he cannot be Jesus, because Jesus is unique. He is one of a kind. Many Cook Islanders know John 3:16 and understand that “only begotten” in this verse, — ‘monogenes’ in […]
Distorted vision – being fixed on God
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 31: Spiritual vision is our capacity to see clearly what God wants us to do and to see the word from his point of view. But this spiritual insight can be easily clouded. Self-serving desires interests and goals block that vision. Serving God is the best way to restore it. A good eye is […]
Rebuilding your life the way God wants you to
Wednesday 29 April 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 24: Last weekend I was reading an interesting book on the failure of economies. While this might have been its focus, what riveted my attention were the references to human suffering associated with these events. But my greater interest was aroused by the allusion to the notable increases in people taking their own lives […]
Ziona Tapu to be re-dedicated
Wednesday 22 April 2009 | Published in Church Talk
Friday 17: The 160-year-old Arorangi CICC church, Ziona Tapu, will be re-dedicated in a ceremony on Monday morning. The occasion is one of the highlights of the Cook Islands Christian Church biennial meeting which begins on Sunday, April 19. “We’ve been blessed,” says Arorangi ekalesia secretary Okirua Teokoitu of the restoration project which began in […]