“Evolutionists are no longer concerned with obtaining evidence to support the fact of evolution…” So says the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The theory of Evolution and natural selection had a significant effect as it rippled out from the pure sciences to impact views held in every field of human endeavor. The prevalent world-view that results today is in many ways a challenge to the classical Biblical world view, and inspires friction between the secular and spiritual domains. In fact, Evolution is key to some peoples’ ‘non-faith’; as Richard Dawkins has remarked: “Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist.”

Are we truly here because a blind machine rattles random in the ‘verse? Is the Bible an anachronism, only for the ignorant and foolish? The Bible itself says: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God,’” (Psalm 14:1).

What are we to believe?

Stay tuned for details of a presentation we’re hosting here at Edge at 7pm on Monday, 27 September 2010 to discuss these very issues.

My father celebrated his 60th birthday this year. I have this enduring memory of him wandering from table to table with a glass of scotch in hand, muttering “But I just don’t feel 60!” to anyone who would listen.

My father; immemorial.
One of the great men who taught me everything I know about God, the Father of the Prodigals.
One of my great heroes.

Let’s all raise a glass to fathers, father-figures and the Father Almighty this weekend.

A Black Briefcase

There are a few things I know for sure about my father;
That he was raised in Ramsgate, England – somewhere near the coast with old concrete lifts that were sunk deep into the crumbling walls of the beach.
That he ran away to join Her Majesty’s Merchant Navy when he was 16.
That he was raised fatherless, by his mother, who was a hardened wartime woman with a partially blind Chihuahua named Janie.
Most other things are a mystery. Perhaps, I think my father was raised in a stoic generation, in a country determined to hold on to her post-war dignity, the Great Lion rising slowly to her knees.

Either way, I’ve never been privy to the infinite details of his life. I’ve wondered where he keeps them; I’ve been an idle spectator for 27 years, which leaves 33 unaccounted for.
I have played detective, as any child does; built up a picture of him that is close to mythological – a composite of eavesdropped conversations, best guesses and fractured memories.
But I still maintain that the key to all this information is in his black briefcase.
The brand of the case escapes me. There is nothing distinguishable about it. It’s a generic thing; polished black leather exterior with 3-dial bronzed combination locks on either side of the handle.
I’m pretty sure he got it when he was working for the Social Welfare Department in Auckland, where he was my mother’s boss, and their office fling turned into a 30-year marriage. I suspect this because he was an appliance repair man and a wood-turner after that, and I don’t imagine my father needing a black briefcase for either of those professions.
The briefcase was an ever-present talisman in our household. A kind of Bermuda square, tucked away in the dark corners of hallway cupboards, or under his mother’s old writing desk. For as long as I have known, important things have disappeared into that dark case. As a child, I did my best to keep an inventory.

One marriage certificate.
Some tax papers, the details of which ‘do not concern me.’

A stack of baby photos, square and yellowed.
(Through the ages of 11 to 14, I convinced myself these were evidence of a secret love child.)

All locked up and guarded by two, 3-dial bronzed combination locks.

I have progressed from a curious child to an angst-fuelled teenager to a sentimental man. And through these years I have realized my father is like that briefcase. He, like the typical kiwi male, has never allowed himself the spending of emotions. Instead, I imagine he shoves his unspoken pride, disappointment, failures and triumphs in that same black briefcase. I imagine I’ve picked up a briefcase of my own, shutting away the skeletons of Oedipus and Freud next to missed appointments and unconstructed tree-houses.

I imagine, and I hope that it is a long time before I am granted the opportunity to reach under that cracked, Victorian writing desk and pull out his faded black briefcase. When I do, I expect many mysteries will be solved and a few will be added.

On my 25th birthday, I convinced myself into a quarter-life crisis. I drank some wine and penned a lingering ode to my father on 4 pages of torn journal paper. I told him that he was my hero and my muse; a darkened, weathered old man who fathered 7 good children and one black sheep. I told him that I had always believed him to be indestructible, and that to this day he has never given me evidence to the contrary.
Before I had a chance to sober up, I addressed and posted the letter.
It was 2 weeks before I gathered the courage to call home.
I asked my mother, did he get it. Did he get the letter?

Sure he did, she said.
I saw him pop it in the briefcase.

The success and health of any community is under girded by the passion of its leaders. Those rare individuals who shape the climate and culture of their environment, who are committed and called to building a better future for those around them.
The edge leadership community is a wonderful mosaic of giftedness and personality. A true reflection of our boutique style and creativity.
Napoleon Bonaparte said that a leader is a dealer in hope. Someone who inspires others to live to their potential, and be a productive part of their immediate world.

If you are already leading or you want to be a part of shaping the future of this community then come along and be a part of something special this Saturday morning at Edge Kingsland. 9-12. RSVP to admin@edgekingsland.co.nz.

Greg.

If your free and able make sure you don’t miss out on some of the great events people are involved in!

EDGE FILM FESTIVAL – Raising money for the church in Cambodia. Starting Wednesday 11th at Edge Kingsland 7pm. check out the Edge Kingsland FB site for more info

PUB QUIZ NIGHT – Aimee’s cycling for people stuck in poverty so come hit the pub, get your smarts on and make a difference. Thursday 12th, Bluestone Room (Durham Lane) 7pm onwards.

ALFONSINA… – An awesome show with our very own Katie Burson! Every night from now until Saturday 14th at the Musgrove studio at 8pm. Click here for ticket details.

INCEPTION MOVIE FUNDRAISER – See a great film and raise money for good work to be done in Africa! Hannah Sheath Donald is cranking this one. August 17th at 7pm. Go to the Edge Kingsland FB page for more deets.

Epic.

Strahan.

A big thanks to everyone who made the trip North for what was such a brilliant time of impact, relationship building and input from so many perspectives.
A special note to the large crew who flew up from Christchurch – clearly the best dancers come from down South!

Where to start?
Was it the great worship, leadership input, ministry times or prophetic breakthrough that made this so significant or was it actually the great coffee, friendly car park attendants and interesting people that made it such fun?
Whatever the reason, worship and mission mingled into what has turned out to be an exceptional time for the LinkNZ crew.

A big thanks to Greg, Linda and all at Edge who served us all with such style.
We caught something of the emerging sound and creativity that defines Edge Kingsland in their prophetic journey. Such a treasure chest.

Thursday night’s worship experience was touched by an awareness of angelic presence, with levels of worship ascending and descending well after the meeting was intended to be over.
It was one of those ‘wonder filled’ moments for me.
Nic and the worship team unlocked something very special over this conference that we all drunk so deeply from. You are legends! You have given so many a fresh vision of what worship can be.

Both the visiting ministries and NZ input at plenary or seminar levels built into what became such a rich vein of Word and Spirit enrichment.

Seeing so many of the next generation present made this time exceptional! The passion, excitement and pursuit seen through them was so evident. The emerging leadership call in so many of their lives is finding its place.

Thanks to all who served, spoke, led or simply attended making this time so special.

Keep pressing the borders. These are great days we live in.

We cheer you on.

Fraser and Dale

NB: For recordings of main sessions please refer to LinkNZ web page for purchasing.

Conferences tend to have a typical ‘structure’, where the main emphasis is on what one or two people have to say to a crowd who sit dutifully listening and note taking!

Beyond Borders didn’t fit that mode, but was rather a colourful expression of a community desirous to engage with God in a fully sensory way.
Beginning with the environment…a fest of colour and visual stimulation, like a blanket wrapped around us, where we explored and experienced the presence of God, steeped in a plethora of poetry in worship.
Sounds so loud that they permeated our entire being, nourishing our soul.
Melodies and harmonies that blended together to create a choir of praise and adoration.

Wisdom and insight that came to us from our own, and from far away nations.
Food that was infused with flavours of sugar and spice, designed to tease and satisfy our natural hunger.
Coffee that helped us stay awake and alive to the possibilities of the day!
Beyond Borders was indeed a ‘whole bodily’ experience.
And isn’t that what we are designed for, as image bearers, fully alive, glorifying our Creator God?

So thanks everyone for contributing your own unique creative self to make this event one that we will remember and cherish for a long time to come.

Linda

Come join the family of God on a journey of discovering his passion, and in return ours, for Mission and Worship. Its going to be awesome!

I’ve put some bites of info below if after hearing the brilliant Jon Daniel last Sunday you wanted to buy your ticket last minute.

Otherwise see you there!

When – This Wed night, Thursday (day & night), and Friday (day & night).

Registrations – $90
Day tickets – $30
Night Ticket – $10

Speakers – Heaps of incredible ones.

Seminars – Brilliant.

Venue – Here (my home).

Time – Never a better one.

More info – www.beyondborders.org.nz

Strahan.

We are excited to have Graham Fletcher speaking not only at Beyond Borders next week but also at Edge next Sunday (July 25th)!

Graham is an ordained senior minister of C3-International with over 35 years of full-time ministry experience. He and his wife Patricia have pastored and planted churches in three states of Australia, and also in British Columbia, Canada, where they currently serve as pastors of C3-Vancouver. Very cool.

Graham is known and appreciated for his inspirational teaching of the Word of God in his own inimitable down to earth and humorous style. So he fits right in with us here at Edge.

To find out when he will be speaking during conference check out…

www.beyondborders.org.nz

Otherwise click on the following link hear this inspiring personal message for you from Fletch himself …

Fletchgreeting

See you there!

It’s only two weeks now until the Beyond Borders Conference when we will get to hear from some incredible speakers and musicians from NZ and overseas.

One of the couples who will be coming to speak are Jon and ReAnne Daniels. The Daniels lead Coastlands church in Adelaide, South Australia. Coastlands is a growing multi-site church with a passion for Jesus and His ways. They both love leading people in worship and have written many songs that are sung around the world. They have 3 kids-Reece, Isabella & Evangeline.

Jon will be leading a seminar on Church planting and speaking at the main meetings. He and ReAnne will also run a seminar on team leading. We are really excited to hear what they have to say and get the chance to hang out with them for the few days they are here.

They will also be speaking at both our Sunday services next week (July 18th). It’s always encouraging to hear what God is doing in other churches around the world and we look forward to hearing what the Daniels bring to Edge. So come along and be inspired!

If you want to see more of what they do check out the Coastlands website www.coastlands.org.au. Hot site guys, good job.

Birthdays are important.
In my family, they are the reason that we gather at least 5, (and more recently 7)
times a year to celebrate the life of one, no excuses, no absences…!

Edge Family is having a Birthday on Sunday. We are turning 11.
That’s an achievement to be proud of.
Now at my family gatherings, everyone has to attend. It’s the only time they do what they are told!
I’d like to say the same to all of you….but that would be taking things a little far.
But I do want to encourage you all to come along, join the celebration and remember many of
the amazing times we have shared together on the journey so far.

Happy Birthday Edge.

Linda