John Hebenton's Podcast

John looks at Taika Waititi’s comments about how New Zealand is “racist as ****” and explores how our structures can either deprive people of life or they can help people thrive. Te Pouhere has the potential to help us thrive if we let it

John uses the story of Nicodemus to suggest that rather than trying to understand God as Trinity, we might instead start with the relationship with the Trinity. Using the ancient metaphor of that relationship being a dance, he invites us to learn to live in the dance. What might the idea of “Trinity” offer us in our daily lives?

John briefly explores what that first Pentecost was all about - turning frightened an confused people inside out and sending them out to live the good news of hope found in Jesus. We see that same story in this land, with much of the first evangelistic work being done by Maori, some of them not very likely. We saw that same Spirit at work in our recent General Synod Te Hinota Whanui in New Plymouth. That same Spirit is at work in us sending us out to live the good news of hope found in Jesus.

Bonnie Hebenton uses her experiences growing up in New Plymouth and now as a teacher using Play Centred Learning to explore the gospel for this Sunday after Ascension - John 17: 1-11- It's OK to take risks - God will protect us

As we prepare for Mother’s Day next week John invites people to talk about how would you describe a family?what is the role of mothers in families?what do families offer us and what do we offer families?He then explores different kinds of family, and what Jesus teaches us through these about our priorities and about God’s love

Lets stop calling Thomas “Doubting Thomas”. It distracts us from what is going on in this story.The resurrection is God’s Big Yes to the way of the cross. In the way of the cross we are reminded that all people are made in the image of God and we are invited to see God’s image in all people. In the resurrection God is faithful to all the covenants, that through Israel humanity is renewed and creation restored.In the resurrection we are invited to live in the way of the cross

John suggests that the reasons why Marks version of the resurrection is so short is that he wanted his readers to know that Jesus had gone ahead to "Rome" and to tell their stories of encountering the risen Jesus. We walk in the footsteps of those first witnesses to the resurrection - the women. How have we encountered the risen Jesus.

This year I explored how John’s version of the Palm Sunday story has a different feel to the other three gospels and ask What do we hope for in this Jesus? What do we need to set down if we are to meet this Christ who rides of donkey?

What is it all about? What is life about? What is a life of faith about? What is it we are aiming for? And what does Jesus suggest it might be about?

Graham Cameron explores different models of conversion and applies that to Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus. What does being born in the Spirit mean for us? What hinders and what helps us in this?

John uses the Exodus version of the 10 words or 10 Commandments, and John’s story of Jesus clearing the temple to explore what it means to be disciples of the living God.The notes for this sermon can be found at http://colourfuldreamer.blogspot.co.nz/2018/03/being-disciples-of-living-god.html

John explores changes in our sense of who we are using the story of Abram and Sarai, and Marks Gospel and Peter. So who are we invited to be if we stand where Peter stood?You can read the text of this at

John explores Lent – it’s origins and what it is about, and then looks at whey we might get into Lent – to what end do we pray, fast and give – using the three questions - whose are we, who are we, what is ours to do? He finishes using part of Pope Francis’ Lenten Epistle.

John explores what words we might use to describe what Jesus does when he heals the leper, and what those words teach us about the nature and character of God. (using David Lose’s posting on Working Preacher from 2012)He then invites people to explore what this story says to their understanding of God

John looks at how we might miss the point with some of these readings when we think it is about quick fixes for individuals. He then offers some bigger pictures of what these passages might mean when we put them back.He finishes by asking "How are we a restored community of justice, generosity and aroha?"

John explores what Mark and Candlemass offer as we begin a new year. The first half is the sermon and the second half is a conversation after they had some time to talk to each other about these questions:- Why did you come to church today?- What do we hope for was we gather each Sunday? - What assumptions might we let go of and what new ways of seeing our life of faith are we being revealed?

John explores Advent 4 as an opportunity to reflect on how Mary helps us into the mystery of the incarnation and our place in that mystery

John uses the alternative psalm (Mary's song) and the gospel reading from John 1 to explore how John and Mary answer the question – Who are you? He then asks - In light of all that who are we? Finally he talks about how St. Francis of Assisi answered that question, and uses Francis' understanding of "perfect joy" (as told by Murray Bodo OFM in "Tales of Saint Francis", to explore what Francis meant by “joy”. and to ask:- Are we people of joy? - What kind of joy do we aspire to?

Advent is a time to take stock of:- what is we hope for-what ways is God seeking to offer us joy-where do we see peace breaking out in our lives and in our world-how are we invited into lovethen in hope live that outuse the story of the ordination of women in communion and this land as an example of living it out