John Hebenton's Podcast

John explores the idea that peace comes when we are unravelled from the threads and chords that hold us as individuals and as communities in certain ways of seeing, acting being. Peace comes when the radical change comes with repentanceHe then invites people to spend the week reflecting on what might be needed for there to be a new peace in their lives this Christmas

John explores the notion of hope at advent as more than just Christmas and peace to all on earth

John explores what the idea of the reign of Christ has to say to the events in Europe and the Middle East over the last few weeks/moths/years. Where might be the reign of Christ in all this? He then invites people to be signs of the reign of Christ in Tauranga Moana and in the world

Using Mark and in light of the terrorist attacks on Beirut and Paris, Wendy explores the nature of our hope

Rev. Marie Gilpin, one of the Chaplains at the Port of Tauranga talks about the United Mission to Seafarers in Tauranga, what it involves and how we might support this ministry. The video at the beginning of the sermon has been edited out. More information about the mission can be found at

Using the reading from Revelation John explores All Saints and asks how do we glimpse the Kingdom come in the lives of the Saints, and how do they inspire us to look for the new heaven and new earth in the here and now. On the back of that, how did we see glimpses of the new heaven and new earth in our loved ones and how might we honour their memory in how we live our lives now?

How easy it is to read the stories Of Job and the blind Bartimaeus and not see the people involved. But Jesus does see the person, the blind Bartimaeus, and asks him what he wants. How do we not see people? How are we ourselves not seen? What

John explores the importance of asking questions, and how the questions asked in both Job 23:1-9, 16-17and Mark 10:17-31are our questions and reveal something of who we are .

Iri Mato talks about his and Kate's time in Tanzania and Etheopia over the last 10 years and what he has learnt from this experience.

Ryan Cameron talks about MAF and how he came to be joining them in Australia and PNG

John explores where we stand when we read scripture shapes what we understand it to be saying. He uses the passages from Proverbs 31:10-31 and Mark 9:30-37 to illustrate his point. Is the reading about the capable wife really that sexist, or pointing to a counter cultural understanding of the role of a wife? Why is it we cannot hear Jesus say that when we welcome a child we welcome God?

John talks about how as Christians we are to be both within our culture and outside it so that we can offer a vision of another way. And this is not easy, as we can see from all our readings. The pull back is strong, and often “The Church” is shaped by the values, fears, prejudices of our surrounding culture the same as every other institution. A case in point is how do we respond to the refugee crisis?

John explores John 6:56-69 and suggests that when we eat and drink God meets our deepest dears and we learn to live in, abide in life of God

John suggests one way to understand what is going on in John 6 is the confusion between our desires and what really lies behind those desires - our hearts desire. We do not pay enough attention to our hearts desire and are motivated too much by our desires. In light of that, John asks: So what is it we long for? What is our hearts desire? What is it we give our soul to? And what is it God longs for us, for this place, for this world?

John explores some of his reasons for using te reo Maori in our services, and finishes with He Tikanga Whakapono.

Hebrew Scripture: 2 Samuel 11: 1-15 Psalm: 14 Epistle: Ephesians 3: 14-21 Gospel: John 6: 1-21 What I want to say: Explore Social Service Sunday Love is to be the basis our understanding who we are We are invited to open our eyes wide to the reality God’s generous love in our lives 1. where do we see God’s abundant, generous love? 2. where do we need to have our eyes opened? 3. what does it mean to be planted in God’s love?

Cliff Simons reflects on his recent time at ANZAC Cove for the commemorations of the landings at Gallipoli, and then his time in Scotland and Coventry and what they have to offer us in our ministry

John explores what harvest festival is about, and links that with Jesus offering of hope and life to both people in today’s reading. He invites to reflect on what it is they are giving thanks for, and to be inspired to generously offer more of themselves

John explores the nature of our heroes and suggest that for them to inspire us we need to see them as real people. This includes great heroes of faith, including Paul and disciples. In light of that he explores the story of the calming of storm. We are disciples of today. Where are we in this story? What storms rock our world?