Our Vision
The Diocese through this decade is working on Regeneration. We dream of each of our ministry units being populated with new generations of believers. We pray for each of our churches to have a spread of generations in its congregations.
Our focus is on making disciples, strengthening families and building communities.
Come and join us!
Our Story
In 1850 Christchurch and the Canterbury plains and foothills were settled with migrants from Great Britain, many of whom were members of the Church of England. Anglican churches were founded. Anglican missioners shared the Good News with local Māori.
In 1856 the Diocese of Christchurch was established, Christchurch was declared a city by Queen Victoria, and Bishop Henry Harper arrived as our first bishop.
Nearly 170 years later we are onto our ninth bishop. The Diocese incorporates all of Canterbury, Westland and the Chatham Islands, divided into 54 parishes and one Cathedral ministry unit in the centre of Christchurch.
Safeguarding and Complaint Process
Safeguarding is about prevention of harm and early intervention to minimise the opportunity for the child, young person or vulnerable adult to be harmed.
If you wish to make a complaint about an office bearer in the Anglican Church (for example, a priest, deacon, bishop, licenced lay minister, trustee, etc) we encourage you to put it in writing and send it directly to the independent Registrar, either by email or post.
What is faith?
Is Christianity true?
What happens when I die?
Finding faith in a busy world.
Coming soon: We talk to 5 people with fresh stories of finding faith & community.
News and Announcements
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Read more: Lighting up Christ Church Cathedral for Matariki
Lighting up Christ Church Cathedral for Matariki
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Read more: The Archbishops’ 2025 Easter Message
The Archbishops’ 2025 Easter Message
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Read more: Statement of Condolence on the Passing of Pope Francis
Statement of Condolence on the Passing of Pope Francis
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Read more: Palm Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral
Palm Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral
Anglican e-Life
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 2 July 2025
Anglican e-Life | 2 July 2025
Dear Friends,
It was a joy to be with a full congregation in All Saints’ Church, Methven last night for the ordination of the Reverend Sage Burke as a priest in the church of God. The photo above features Sage, Lara, his wife, Felicity and Genevieve their children and the Reverend Eric Keyte (Vicar of St. John’s, Roslyn, Dunedin), the preacher for the service. I thank the parishioners of the Parishes of Mayfield-Mt. Somers, Methven and Rakaia for their hospitality and congratulate our clergy on a large turn out for the occasion. I also thank the Reverend Jenny Wilkens, our Diocesan Director of Ordination for her co-ordination of planning for the service and Archdeacon Ben Randall for leading Sage in his pre-ordination retreat.
On Sunday morning and early afternoon, it was also a joy to participate in 8am and 11am services with Archdeacon Nick Mountfort, celebrating the patronal festival of St. Peter’s, Upper Riccarton, with the 11am service being a doubly special occasion. First, it was a joint service in English and Mandarin with the Chinese church that meets each Sunday at St. Peter’s under the leadership of Pastor Albert. Secondly, within the service, we dedicated and blessed eight bells which will soon be installed in the tower of St. Peter’s. Once installed, this new pearl of bells will be enthusiastically rung by trained bellringers. Our thanks to the Keltek Trust which have generously made this installation possible – the first in NZ for some 50 years. Following the morning services, we shared in an amazing lunch together.
Teresa and I then travelled over to Akaroa for the ordination and induction of the Reverend Pauline Hampshire as the new minister of the recently constituted Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula – a joint venture between Anglicans and Presbyterians. This service was led by the Moderator of the Alpine Presbytery, the Reverend Lynmarie Sopoaga and the preacher was the Reverend Luke Blackbeard, one of the ministers at The Village Presbyterian church, Christchurch. A very nice high tea followed this service. Welcome Pauline and Simon to life in Canterbury!
Friday and Saturday’s events included attendance at sessions of the Little Revolutions conference, an ecumenical event focused on church planting and pioneer ministries, participation in a farewell service for Liz Coster, Deputy Principal at St. Mark’s School, Opawa who is moving to become Principal of St. Michael’s Church School, Christchurch, and confirmation in the Transitional Cathedral of five young women from St. Margaret’s College: Emma, Zoe, Erin, Lucie and Madison. Each of these occasions was uplifting and encouraging.
Last Sunday, 29 June 2025, was the Reverend Lucy Flatt’s last Sunday as Vicar of the Parish of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua. Thank you, Lucy and Cameron, for your ministry here and best wishes for your new ministry in the Parish of Johnsonville.
Sunday was also the last Sunday for the Reverend Sandy Constable as Vicar of Kaiapoi. Sandy will be on study leave for the next three months until her appointment as vicar there formally concludes. Thank you, Sandy, for your ministry in Kaiapoi.
The Reverend Gabriele Anderson, minister at Rolleston in the Parish of Lincoln, has announced that she will be taking up a new appointment from 1 September 2025 as a Justice chaplain in Auckland. I will have more to say about Gabriele’s enormous contribution to the development of ministry and mission in Rolleston nearer to the time her ministry concludes there.
We have been well served for generations in our Diocese by outstanding Chancellors. On Monday, 30 June, 2025, Maurice Walker concluded his role as Chancellor (simultaneously with laying down his licence as a lawyer). Thank you, Maurice, for your work for us. I look forward to a formal occasion in our September Synod for all present to acknowledge your service in our Diocese as our Chancellor.
I am delighted to announce that effective from 1 July 2025, our Vice Chancellor, Alex Summerlee, is our new Chancellor. Thank you, Alex, for taking up this role.
Please pray for the following deacons who will soon be ordained as priests – all welcome, clergy robing with red stoles:
The Reverend Robert Jamieson, at 7pm, Friday 8 August at St. Michael’s and All Angels church, Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
The Reverend Andy Dickson, at 7pm, Thursday 14 August at All Souls church, Church Lane, Merivale
The Reverend Dr Anne Shave, at 5.30pm, Wednesday 27 August at the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch
A significant opportunity to hear outstanding theologian, author, and priest, the Reverend Dr Sam Wells, is coming up when Sam leads a full day seminar on Saturday 16 August, 2025 at All Souls Church, Church Lane, Merivale. Sam offers a vision for a renewed sense of what it means to be the Church in mission, grounded in theology and practice. Details are on the Theology House website, and here is the registration link. It will be a privilege to host Sam in our Diocese. I especially encourage all preachers, and Bible study group leaders to register for this event. We have nearly 50 people already registered for the event, and I am keen to see at least 100 of us share in this great day with Sam Wells.
If there were a competition for the most widely known member of our Diocese, I suggest it would be easily won by Tammy Wells, aka the Briscoes Lady, and regular organist and worshipper at St. Mark’s, Marshlands in the Parish of Shirley. Tammy is the subject of this lovely article (which was not behind a paywall when I read it).
The Canterbury Interfaith Society and Lady Khadija Trust have made a joint statement in response to Destiny Church’s recent protest against diversity in NZ. In their statement they reaffirm the importance of solidarity, compassion and our shared humanity across faiths and cultures.
This coming Sunday, 6 July 2025 is Ordinary 14 and the Gospel reading is Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. This is a “rich” set of verses, too much for a brief comment to cover everything. But the encouragement to pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send labourers remains an urgent prayer for this diocese. Your prayers for workers in our corner of the vineyard are much appreciated, along with your prayers for Regeneration of our Diocese, across all its ministry units through this decade.
From 4 July to 31 July, 2025 I am on study leave. This is the first part of a two part leave, the second part beginning after Synod in September. While I am on leave the first point of contact will be emailing Veronica Cross, Bishop’s EA. Depending on matters raised, responses will be made by Archdeacon Mark Barlow, Vicar-General; Archdeacon Indrea Alexander, Deputy Vicar-General; Rachelle Mathews, Diocesan Manager; Gavin Holley, CPT General Manager; and Dean Ben Truman in respect of the Cathedral Reinstatement Project.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 25 June 2025
Anglican e-Life | 25 June 2025
Dear Friends,
On Friday and Saturday, Teresa and I enjoyed visiting the Parish of Westland and the opportunity to stay with the Reverend Tim and Kathryn Handley in the recently acquired clergy house in Hokitika. It was good to see various improvements to the church and lounge in Hokitika and even better to learn of growth and development in congregational life there.
On Sunday morning we were at St. Aidan’s, Bryndwr where I confirmed Eliece and Hannah. (Eliece on the left in the featured cover photo, Hannah on the right). On a very cold Christchurch morning it was a joy to be with the lively, multigenerational congregation which worships Sunday by Sunday. It was a special moment to share for one last Sunday in worship in St. Aidan’s with the Reverend Jacqui Stevenson, Vicar of Bryndwr, who concludes her ministry there in early August.
The situation in the Middle East gets worse (Gaza, West Bank), worse then better (war between Israel and Iran, with American intervention, but now, as I write, a ceasefire). Archbishop Hosam Naum, Anglican Archbishops of Jerusalem asks for us to “intercede on our behalf”. Please keep praying for an end to war, an end to the destruction of people and property, and an end to the taking over of land in the West Bank through illegal Israeli settlement.
This Sunday 29 June:
What’s Happening in Anglican Missions? David Dell (newly appointed Community and Church Engagement officer with Anglican Missions) will be visiting Holy Trinity, Avonside for their 9.30am morning service this Sunday 29 June.
The Diocesan Council for World Missions (DCWM) has invited him to stay on for lunch, and he will be available for conversation about what’s going on in various mission activities we’re supporting. Soup and bread provided; or BYO lunch if you wish.
This is short notice, but some things develop quickly. Any questions, please contact DCWM Chair, Bronwyn Tucker (dcwm.chch@gmail.com or text 022 048 2042). All welcome.
Later on the same day, at 3.30pm, in Trinity church, Akaroa, Pauline Hampshire will be ordained and inducted (according to Presbyterian order) as the first minister of the newly constituted Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula (a joint venture between Anglicans and Presbyterians. All welcome. (Please note the correct time is 3.30pm and not 3.00pm as I have been writing for the past few weeks).
Coming up:
All are welcome at 6pm, Tuesday 1 July 2025, in All Saints church, Methven, when the Reverend Sage Burke will be ordained as priest in the church of God. Clergy attending are asked to robe and to wear red stoles. Please pray for Sage and Lara, his wife, and their children as Sage prepares for this next stage in his ministry journey.
A Night at the Conclave with Cardinal John Dew is organised by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch but open to all interested people. Cardinal John will bring insights, from his experience of recent participation in the election of Pope Leo, to a ticketed event in the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch, at 7.30pm, Friday 1 August 2025. Tickets are $35 (or, students $19). Further details here.
In August I will be ordaining the following deacons as priests – all welcome, clergy robing with red stoles:
The Reverend Robert Jamieson, at 7pm, Friday 8 August at St. Michael and All Angels church, Oxford Terrace, Christchurch.
The Reverend Andy Dickson, at 7pm, Thursday 14 August at All Souls church, Church Lane, Merivale.
The Reverend Dr Anne Shave, at 5.30pm, Wednesday 27 August at the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch.
A significant opportunity to hear outstanding theologian, author, and priest, the Reverend Dr Sam Wells, is coming up. Sam will give a full day seminar on Saturday 16 August, 2025 at All Souls Church, Church Lane, Merivale. Sam offers a vision for a renewed sense of what it means to be the Church in mission, grounded in theology and practice. Details are on the Theology House website, and here is the registration link. It will be a privilege to host Sam in our Diocese. I especially encourage all preachers, and Bible study group leaders to register for this event.
The book “The Circle: Careers with Impact” by Steven Moe was released yesterday and is a free download – Steven’s reflections on work and life and may help young people, people in middle of career or those retiring to consider important issues around identity. It is free! Steven is a well-known lawyer in many Christian circles – assisting with matters such as charity obligations and social impact investing – and is a member of our Journey to Jesus committee.
On the one hand I think it unhelpful overall to give much publicity oxygen to Destiny Church. On the other hand I am aware that some readers think I should speak up more about the damaging way they go about protesting various matters they see as important. In respect of their latest protest, this weekend past, which seemed to be a Kiwi form of “Christian nationalism”, as well as damaging to the harmony of NZ as a multicultural, multiracial society, I am pleased to see that Mark Mitchell, the Minister for Ethnic Communities has roundly condemned their protest march. The kingdom of God is God’s international operation to save the world and to restore it as a place of justice, mercy and healing for all. There is not one square inch of the kingdom which is available for the assertion of nationalism, let alone Christian nationalism.
Recently two changes have been made to our Standing Committee. In the House of Clergy, the Reverend Victoria Askin (Northwest Christchurch) will replace the Reverend Lucy Flatt (Highfield, Kensington and Otipua). In the House of Laity, Hilary Humphrey (Shirley) will replace Fran Boyd (Bryndwr). When a vacancy arises the Standing Committee members of the house in which the vacancy occurs elect another member of Synod from that house to fill the vacancy. Both changes are effective from our next meeting which is Wednesday 2 July 2025. I warmly thank Lucy and Fran for their service on Standing Committee.
This coming Sunday, 29 June 2025 is Ordinary 13 and the Gospel reading is Luke 9:51-62. At the beginning of Jesus’ turn towards his destined end in Jerusalem, there are exchanges between him and potential disciples which teach us that a disciple is wholly committed to Jesus, without entanglements and compromising alternative commitments.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 18 June 2025
Anglican e-Life | 18 June 2025
Dear Friends,
It was wonderful to be part of 130 people drawn from many different churches across Christchurch for our Sunday evening Ecumenical service in the Transitional Cathedral, celebrating 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea. I thank Dean Ben, the Te Raranga leadership team, John Linker, the Cathedral Choir, and cathedral staff for their organisation and hospitality for this important service. My sermon for the service is published here.
On Sunday morning it was a delight to be at St Augustine’s Church, Waimate, where I licensed for lay ministry, Maria Henry, Glennys Bradley, Stewart Craib, and Adele Craib.
Last Thursday I appreciated being part of Safe Ministry/Boundaries training, the co-ordination of which has been led by Nathan Muirhead, our Under 40s Safe Ministry Educator, and the delivery of which was led by the Reverend Jemma Allen (Diocese of Auckland). This training was repeated on Saturday, and will be available again later this year. Then, on Saturday morning, I participated in Governance training, for vicars, vestry members, and school board members, led by Grant Adams and Dr Brett Mann, with foci on chairing vestries/boards, and management of conflict. This valuable training is being repeated on Saturday 12 July 2025 – details are elsewhere in this e-Life.
On Friday last week, this year’s CAIRA Graduation took place for supervisors training in the CAIRA method of clinical/pastoral supervision. Archdeacon Indrea Alexander who represented me and the Diocese at the graduation reports:
“Celebrating the graduation and licensing of three new CAIRA supervisors on Friday at All Souls Merivale are (from left to right in the photo), CAIRA Christchurch Co-ordinator the Reverend Susan Gill, graduates Kirsten Challies, the Reverend Victoria Askin (Northwest Parish), Dr Mary Allan, CAIRA trainer the Reverend Jacqui Stevenson and national co-ordinator the Reverend Marilyn Welch. The graduates were supported by family, friends, colleagues and Anglican and Catholic diocesan representatives.”
Already in this week’s e-Life I have mentioned a number of people in our Diocese who generously volunteer their time, energy and personal resources to serve us in a variety of ways. This week is National Volunteers Week – thank you to all who volunteer. Elsewhere in this week’s e-Life there is a story about National Volunteer Week.
The latest edition of the Anglican Life e-magazine is available to read, mark and inwardly digest, noting that its theme is “God’s Amazing Grace“. A big thank you to all who have written for the magazine – another example of voluntary effort in our Diocese!
In today’s Christchurch Press are two items of interest. First, a story about hospitality being offered by the Parish of Avonside to homeless persons in the Holy Trinity, Avonside carpark. Secondly, a report on an evolving conversation between Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (CCRL) and the City Council about the fence line around the Cathedral in the Square.
Looking ahead:
At 3.30pm on Sunday 29 June 2025 in Trinity church, Akaroa, Pauline Hampshire will be ordained and inducted (according to Presbyterian order) as the first minister of the newly constituted Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula (a joint venture between Anglicans and Presbyterians). All welcome. On this occasion the focus will be on Pauline and the beginning of her new ministry. At a later date, there will be a formal celebration and inauguration of the newly constituted joint venture. Please pray for Pauline and Simon her husband as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives.
At 6pm, Tuesday 1 July 2025, in All Saints’ Church, Methven, the Reverend Sage Burke will be ordained as priest in the church of God. All are welcome to this ordination service. Clergy attending are asked to robe and to wear red stoles. Please pray for Sage and Lara, his wife, and their children as Sage prepares for this next stage in his ministry journey.
A Night at the Conclave with Cardinal John Dew is organised by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch but open to all interested people. Cardinal John will bring insights from his experience of recent participation in the election of Pope Leo to a ticketed event in the James Hay Theatre, Christchurch, at 7.30pm, Friday 1 August 2025. Tickets are $35 (or, students, $19). Further details are here.
In August I will be ordaining the following deacons as priests – all welcome, clergy robing with red stoles:
The Reverend Robert Jamieson, at 7pm, Friday 8 August at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
The Reverend Andy Dickson, at 7pm, Thursday 14 August at All Souls Church, Church Lane, Merivale
The Reverend Dr Anne Shave, at 5.30pm, Wednesday 27 August at the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch
Also in August, a significant opportunity to hear outstanding theologian, author, and priest, the Reverend Dr Sam Wells, who will give a full day seminar on Saturday 16 August, 2025 at All Souls Church, Church Lane, Merivale. Sam offers a vision for a renewed sense of what it means to be the Church in mission, grounded in theology and practice. Details and registrations are here. It will be a privilege to host Sam in our Diocese. I especially encourage all preachers, and Bible study group leaders to register for this event.
Recently the Church Army NZ announced its new National Director, the Reverend Jethro Day. Jethro is married to Jessie, and together they have five boys, Frank (10), Albert (7), Theodore (5), Edward (3) and Dexter (4 weeks). As well as taking on the role of National Director for Church Army NZ, Jethro will continue to be the part-time vicar of St Augustine’s in Petone, Lower Hutt. Jethro has extensive training and experience, and a deep passion for mission, evangelism and church planting. Many readers here will remember Jethro and Jessie from their involvement in the Parish of Fendalton and in Diocesan youth ministry some years back. Please pray for Jethro as he takes up this new role.
News out of the Middle East continues to go from bad to worse, as more people are killed, still in Gaza, and now in Israel and Iran, and as the conflict between Israel and proxies of Iran widens to include Iran itself. There are no easy responses to the latest developments involving Iran, a nation with a singular intention on the part of its rulers to destroy Israel. Even today as I write there are portents of further developments to come as President Trump appears to weigh up the possibility of the USA itself joining in military action against Iran.
This coming Sunday, 22 June 2025 is Te Pouhere Sunday (various gospel reading options) or Ordinary 12 (Luke 8:26-39). If the former is chosen as the focus for the day, there is much to ponder about where we are heading as a Treaty-based nation, and there is the delightful context of this weekend including the Matariki holiday, an opportunity to remember the goodness of God through the past year and to look ahead to new sowings and new reapings as the natural cycle of life turns, and as the days begin to lengthen. If the latter is chosen then the gospel reading provokes a sharp challenge: what are the strongholds of dark powers in our world which need breaking down, where are oppressive forces at work from which we need liberating through the power of Jesus Christ?
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 11 June 2025
Anglican e-Life | 11 June 2025
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday I was due to be in St. John’s, Highfield for a South Canterbury combined parishes Pentecost service but was not able to make it due to a cold. I am very grateful to Archdeacon Ben Randall who stepped up and presided in my place and I have had lovely reports of an excellent service and sermon from the Reverend Lucy Flatt.
The day before, Saturday 7 June, on the eve of Pentecost, many people from across the Diocese took part in our Diocesan Day of Prayer. I thank many parishes and individuals who prayed, and especially thank the Reverend Tim Handley, our Day of Prayer co-ordinator. It was good in our Hour of Prayer at the Transitional Cathedral to pray for the dioceses associated with this day: Sheffield, England; Argentina; Bondo, Kenya, and ourselves.
Tim writes with his Hokitika-based reflections on the Day of Prayer:
“From my perspective the day was wonderful.
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We held a prayer meeting at 9am. It was attended by people from two other Hokitika churches and included 5 children and 5 adults. We had various prayer stations set up. Perhaps my highlight was the children drawing parallels from the individual verse of the Lord’s prayer to bible stories.
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There were two of us walking the perimeter of Hokitika. We took time to stop at various points to listen to God and to be aware of the scene. It took us 2 1/2 hours and was encouraging.
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The evening zoom meeting had 12 participants from Sheffield and Bondo. The bishops from both dioceses were present for the first half hour and then excused themselves. We then spent time praying for each of our dioceses. Argentina was not present as they were having a separate meeting with Sheffield in our early morning.
My personal response to this is: I often find that these events lead me to something unexpected. I was wondering on Sunday morning if there would be new people in our service as a result of our prayer. There were three people who have started coming over the last few weeks for which we are delighted and thankful. Today we got news of the death of a community person who is middle aged. This will be significant in Hokitika. It seems that a period of intentional prayer can be a preparation for ministry opportunities. Perhaps praying ‘Thy kingdom come’, propels us into the world where life happens.”
This Sunday, at 5pm Sunday 15 June, all are welcome to a celebration service at the Transitional Cathedral, observing the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. This is an ecumenical service – all welcome from all churches. I have a seen a near final draft of the service Dean Ben and other ecumenical leaders have put together: it will be outstanding!
At 3.30pm on Sunday 29 June 2025 in Trinity church, Akaroa, Pauline Hampshire will be ordained and inducted (according to Presbyterian order) as the first minister of the newly constituted Community Church of Akaroa Banks Peninsula (a joint venture between Anglicans and Presbyterians). All welcome. On this occasion the focus will be on Pauline and the beginning of her new ministry. At a later date there will be a formal celebration and inauguration of the newly constituted joint venture. Please pray for Pauline and Simon her husband as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives.
Then, at 6pm, Tuesday 1 July 2025 in All Saints church, Methven,I will ordain the Reverend Sage Burke as priest in the church of God.All are welcome to this ordination service. Clergy attending are asked to robe and to wear red stoles. Please pray for Sage and Lara, his wife, and their children as Sage prepares for this next stage in his ministry journey.
Save the date: outstanding theologian, author, and priest the Reverend Dr Sam Wells will give a full day seminar on Saturday 16 August 2025 at All Souls Church, Church Lane, Merivale. Sam offers a vision for a renewed sense of what it means to be the Church in mission, grounded in theology and practice. Details and registrations will be available from Theology House soon. It will be a privilege to host Sam in our Diocese.
A small update on the search for a new Archbishop of Canterbury: the blogsite Thinking Anglicans alerts us to a document published by the Diocese of Canterbury called “Statement of Needs”, which sets out what is being looked for in the next Archbishop.
In the continuing chaos, confusion and catastrophe in Gaza and the West Bank, it is alarming to see that missiles continue to rain down on Israel – this is scarcely conducive to the IDF ceasing its war in Gaza. By contrast, it is good to see this Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom on measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich published this morning. The opening paragraphs of this statement set out the issue and the reason for this action:
“Today, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution. Settler violence has led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.”
The Israeli government cannot have it both ways: claiming their war in Gaza is a defensive strategy against Hamas while advancing an aggressive takeover strategy in the West Bank.
This coming Sunday 8 June 2025 is Trinity.The epistle reading, Romans 5:1-5, is a wonderful example from the New Testament of God the Trinity being God in saving action, being God “for us” rather than God against us. We read that God has sent the Lord Jesus Christ to ‘justify’ us (through his sacrificial death on the cross, as elucidated in Romans 1-4). As justified sinners we have access to the grace of God (5:2); the grace of God is God’s love ‘poured into our hearts’ (5:5). How does this love reach us as an experience of life rather than a concept in our minds? It is ‘through the Holy Spirit’ (5:5). Thus, the dynamic action of God Father Son and Holy Spirit as the God of our salvation is expressed in this passage, a dynamic action which is ‘for us’.
When God loves us in this dynamic, Trinitarian way, we Christians cannot be a people who advance causes of hatred for the other, or division between people, since God’s love is for all and not for some of humanity.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
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To respond to human need by loving service
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