Thought For The Week 26 October 2025

Welcome to our service this Labour Weekend where we celebrate, with a public holiday, that there is more to life than work. Labour day is celebrated all over the world, but the NZ origin story goes back to 1840 and a builder named Samuel Parnell who had recently arrived in Wellington and was commissioned to build a store. He agreed on the proviso that he would work no more than 8 hours per day. Because there were so few builders, he was in a strong negotiating position! Parnell believed that the day should be divided into three; 8 hours for sleep, 8 for work and 8 for recreation. This was at a time when working people were treated like machines working long hours in poor conditions for very little pay. The official public holiday began in NZ in 1900.

I’ve been hearing from other ministry collegues about the phenomenon known as a silent revival which seems to be happening in many churches both here and overseas. It is characterised by young people, especially men, who are walking into churches seeking to learn about the faith. They often have no faith background at all but are hungry for God. The other day I noticed a young guy in the foyer who was here to participate in an exercise group. During a brief conversation with him he asked if I had a bible he could read. I was able to give him one and encouraged him to read it. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to draw him and many others to places that can nurture and encourage faith in Jesus.

Nga mihi nui,

Brent