By Mel Taylor
“Unashamed” Leader, Luke Collis, has released a powerful Spoken-Word video that has gone viral on Christian channels throughout the nation.
The video has come as many Kiwis have abandoned churches while notably retaining their Christian faith. The release has also coincided with many New Zealanders observing a noticeable dearth of leadership in the public sphere against legislative issues once considered their moral mandate such as abortion, assisted suicide, family breakdown, marriage, even the tenets of faith in parliament, untouched for over a century until the Ardern Labour party.
Luke Collis’ piece has driven right to the heart of what some commentators refer to as “comfortable Christianity”, challenging current church culture.
It ends with a quote from Francis Chan, a Christian leader who built up a massive megachurch with its own surrounding economy and culture before leaving it entirely and setting out for Asia, writing a profound book titled “Letters to the Church” and starting the “We Are Church” house church movement.
Mr Collis’ introduction to the video:
“I’m about to release a spoken word that I’ve been sitting on for a few years now.
I’ve been hesitant to release it because I know it will ruffle some feathers and I’ve not been sure of the timing. However, I think now is the time.
I know it needs to be shared and I think it will inspire the wild ones and help spark some deep reflection and change. I believe we live in days where the Church needs to be prepared, ready and shining bright because the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.
Hopefully my heart comes across – it’s a touch comical and super direct. Remember it’s art. It’s designed to be provocative!
Have a listen and a chuckle and give it some thought and prayer”
With the next Census due next year, churches and Pastors throughout New Zealand will undoubtedly be hoping for a turn around regarding church numbers and religious affiliation.
On the positive side, there has definitely been an increase in Pastors making a proactive stand and publicly speaking up over the past few years regrading freedoms and Covid.
It was refreshing to see many churches unite together to take legal against the Government’s Covid mandates, to see a Christian united front at the Freedom Village protest, and to see a stand being made to uphold the Bill of Rights Act and freedoms.
Whether you agree with Luke Collis or not, good on him for speaking up and exercising his right to freedom of speech, and for his heartfelt message calling for churches and Pastors to address uncomfortable, yet relevant issues.
