Venn exists to help people seek the good of their homes, workplaces, churches, and communities. That requires that we recognise and embrace the reality that God has come among us in the person of Jesus Christ and continues to dwell with us through the person of the Holy Spirit. There’s no way to bypass this reality if we truly long for the reign of Jesus in our midst, even as we earnestly pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.” Indeed, as John reminds us in his lead article for this Winter edition of Common Ground, Jesus declares that each of us are salt and light in the world because of his presence with us. We are salt because the presence of Jesus preserves our life with God, as we seek God’s purposes for the world. We are light because Jesus dwells within us through the Holy Spirit, illuminating the places where we find ourselves and dispelling any darkness.
In “
‘I am With you Always’: How We are Salt and Light” John explores how these overly familiar images are, in fact, electric with God’s unfolding purpose to restore all things to relationship with him. To follow Jesus is to find yourself caught up in this ministry of reconciliation. This is essential reading for anyone who longs to see God’s influence in their workplace, home, community, or family. Being salt and light in our families is exactly what Matthew Scott addresses in
“Salt and the Family”. Drawing on honed understanding of Scripture and extensive pastoral experience, Matthew explores this difficult topic with honesty and grace—this is wise, much-needed writing.
Honesty and grace also marks our Field Notes interview: in this edition, we talk with medical researcher and Venn Fellow
Andrew Das. He shares about his early years, his studies in medicine and chemistry, how he came to a committed adult faith, and what he’s been learning about life with God. Venn Fellows also author the reflections
“We Hold His Beautiful Light”. Be encouraged by Juliana Los, Ben Van Dalen, and Cam and Judy Warner as they reflect on what they’ve been learning about being caught up in God’s reconciling work in the world. This edition’s arts piece features a conversation with Andy Campbell and Chloe Williams of
Saint Augustine’s Music about their latest EP,
Death Is Not The End. They share about how the work came together, and where they’re noticing God working in and through their songwriting.
As you read this edition of Common Ground, my prayer is that you see afresh the reality John attests to at the beginning of his gospel about Jesus: In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5).
Ngā mihi nui,
Rev Dr Nathan McLellan
Guest Editor, Common Ground
