Topic: Whakatupu (cause to grow, increase)
Topic Type: Event
The sense of excitement was present at the 1953 assembly in Christchurch when, after a stirring speech from Rev Ralph Page, it was agreed to go forth in faith to establish an official Baptist Māori work. The denomination was called to pray for two things: that an area of work would open and that the Lord would call forth workers.
At the Auckland assembly in 1954, the board brought a recommendation that a Māori department be organised and that the Pukekohe area be recognised as the initial field of work. The recommendation was adopted and a service of dedication of Joan Milner and recognition of Des Jones as a student in training for Māori work followed.
The assembly motion reads: "Recognising the evident moving of the Holy Spirit upon our people in their growing concern for the evangelisation of the Māori people and in the Devine guidance given us in recent days: and rejoicing in the opportunities now presented us to undertake the work and in the call so clearly heard by some among us to give their lives to it, this assembly now resolves to form a Baptist Māori Department and to embark upon Christian service and witness to the Māori people".
Beginnings: Whakapapa is all important to Māori. Those who have lived before us, and who still live, and those who live in our memories, along with their deeds, are honoured when someone recites their whakapapa or linage. We give honour here to those men and women who from the beginning of Baptist witness in this land, have laboured and prayed for Māori people to come to known Jesus. Some have worked within our churches, others with mission groups, ministries or other denominations. There are the well known names and the un-known names who faithfully contributed to the work of the gospel and God in Māoridom we honour them all.
Developing years: The early 1960's was a developing learning period for the workers and the introduction of new workers was helpful. The challenges of the work and language barrier were always apparent Māori too were learning and accepting of the message.
Expansion: Through the 60's early 70's saw a need in the cities mainly Auckland but Wellington as well and into smaller centres. This led to the assembly recognition of associate work schemes whereby local church initiatives among Māori could be associated with the Māori department
Growth in the 70's: This decade was marked by the development of Māori leadership not just in the field but also for training in ministry. New patterns of leadership emerged as Māori with different backgrounds and gifts took up the reigns. The non-Māori more senior department heads needed God's wisdom in blending biblical and Māori concepts of leadership. Naturally, Māori leaders reflected Māori attitude and concepts in the work more than their Pakeha predecessors. The then trend in Māoridom was more separate activities as part of the expression of Māori identity. Churches were not immune from these community trends so Māori leaders needed the understanding and prayer of the denomination as the work became more Māori.
God is faithful: from the previous decade the 80's looked shadowy on the paths of Māoridom. What was seen were some trends in attitude, some storm clouds that could erupt yet wide open communities for evangelism and discipleship, men and women called of God to minister to Māori people, the support still from all Baptist. How the eventual picture was revealed God alone knew. He is faithful and will complete the work that had begun.
What can we still do: History is part of our praise and thanksgiving to God, reviewing the past, we see how seed has been sown and watered and that God has given the increase ‘Whakatupu' - cause to grow - is the work of the Spirit in the life of the individual and congregations? We must still pray and work for continued growth. Behind all these lines of history have been the supportive prayer and giving of the denomination. We give thanks to God for you people.
I thought all the above was fascinating reading from an article on the 25th Jubilee of the Baptist Māori department 1954 - 1979 called ‘Whakatupu'. The last thirty year's post jubilee is recorded somewhere perhaps parts are still to be written. Māori have a saying ‘we go into the future looking where we come from'.
I'm meeting with key people to work on researching and documenting broadly what God has done/is doing among Māoridom Romans 1: 19, 20 are two interesting verses for me when considering Māoridom and the work of God among Māori. There are just a handful of people alive today who've contextualised these truths of God's invisible qualities into amazing transformational hope and outcomes in Māori communities. The stories of those identities (icons) should be recorded so we can learn from them. At our recent national Whakawhānui Kaiārahi hui there was a strong recommendation from the younger generation for this to happen. They feel so much has been lost to them some parts are there in the memories of our surviving Rangatira, Kaumatua and Whaea (elders men and women Māori and non-Māori) with their permission we'd like to document their stories.
Another view presented at the hui and positively supported is this; Māori in their identity, as made both in the image of God and in their cultural identity being whole-heartedly embraced by God, essentially finding belonging first and faith in God this way. Jesus reconciling the whole person back to God the father. The church hasn't taught this intentionally, it's said, believe first and behaviour has to change then you can belong. God accepts people in their cultural identity, before any notion of gong to a church or becoming a Christian Gods creational intention is that there's no dichotomy as represented in Revelation 7: 9.
I hope to bring more thoughts and perspective in future Whakatupu perhaps bi-monthly. The increase for BMM honestly is still a mystery to me like a lot of things when we are obeying God and trusting him for the increase.
Nga mihinui
David Moko
Kaihautu
Baptist Maori Ministries
September 2009
