I have recently returned from General Synod – the biannual meeting of our national church. On the face of it, the fact that the season of Pentecost coincided with when we met had absolutely nothing to do with the agenda.

However, in the same way that the apostles in Acts received the gift of tongues so that everyone present – despite their diverse nationalities – could comprehend what was being said, at General Synod, where different cultures and peoples gathered, all were able to understand the voice of the Gospel in our midst.

Common Gospel values ruled the mind of General Synod, regardless of the diverse voices of the three Tikanga. Accordingly, over the five days, decisions were made for the good of the whole Church on issues including St John’s College, the Anglican Covenant and resource sharing.

As you may be aware, the day of Pentecost described in Acts is understood as the reversal of the Tower of Babel event in Genesis. While all were focused on a common goal in the building of the Tower of Babel, it was not being built to give glory to God. Consequently, many different languages were born and confusion reigned. At General Synod some of the topics were anything but new. Many of the agenda items had been aired before. The difference was the will of the General Synod to work together to God's glory. And because of that, we understood our task, and were able to listen to each other and accomplish our work.

The same goes in our own neck of the woods. Despite our diversity, and at times disagreement, by the Spirit we are able to celebrate each other’s success and struggles. I urge you to thank God for the fruit in our own diocese shown in this issue of Anglican Life: St John’s Latimer Square, the faith-based nursing initiative, and the work of Anglican Care in Hei Hei, to mention a few.

The next time you experience one of those frustrating encounters in your parish where everyone seems intent on talking past one another, I beg you to remember the power of the Holy Spirit. If we are open to the leading of the Spirit, we are able to hear the voice of the Gospel with clarity and respond with charity.

I wish you a powerful season of Pentecost and a transformative experience of the wind and fire of God's Holy Spirit.