Replanting

"It feels like we're re-planting the church." Nate made this comment during a post-earthquake staff meeting as we took time to reflect on the many changes to our young congregation due to the devastating tremor last February. Everyone seemed to share the sentiment, but along with it a common feeling of resolve, a sense that God was pulling us through, trusting that we were going to be better off because of it.

The biggest challenge we had to face dealt with something dear to us: our people. Several key families and individuals had to move away from Christchurch after the quake. Some were seeking employment in other cities after losing jobs, others were university students moving back home or transferring to another school, still others simply needed to start fresh in a new city with clean water, smooth roads, and no aftershocks. We've estimated that about 20% of ourregular attenders have moved away, which mirrors the migration trend in the city as a whole. Many of the people who moved were involved in the Worship and Creative Arts ministry. Gutted, Nate had to say goodbye to over half of his volunteers.

"You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, 'Lord, blessed be your name.'"
Matt Redman

Remarkably though, our average attendance hasn't dropped at all. We've had heaps of first-timers at Rechurch over the past couple of months and two record-setting Sundays in terms of attendance. And as for the Worship and Creative Arts ministry, Nate's added five new people in the past three weeks - two of whom have great potential as future worship leaders.

So yes, it feels like we've re-planted the church from some perspectives. But we're scrappier now, more determined than ever and ready to tackle more challenges.