Episode 47 - Advent Down Under with Mark Pierson

Send us Fan MailIn this conversation, Christine Sine and Mark Pierson discuss the unique aspects of Advent and Christmas worship in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in New Zealand. They explore the challenges and creative approaches to integrating local culture and indigenous practices into the liturgical calendar. Mark shares insights on how to make Advent a meaningful and reflective season, emphasizing the importance of community and creativity in worship. They also recommend resources for enhancing the Advent experience and reflect on the deeper meanings of the season.TakeawaysMark describes himself as a garden variety pastor.Advent marks the start of summer in New Zealand and a busy time with many people going on holiday.Mark emphasizes the need to model a different way of being during Advent.Advent is a time for reflection and creativity.The essence of celebrations should be reclaimed and rooted in reality.Mark shares the importance of care when incorporating indigenous practices in worship.Resources like the 2-minute Advent video can enhance understanding.Mark Pierson is passionate about designing worship events and spaces that enable people, inside and outside the church, to engage with the Trinitarian community of God in creative, life-giving, formative and transformative ways. He is an accredited minister of the Baptist Churches in New Zealand, and over the last 25 years has developed the model of worship curator for the design of worship events. In that time he has written extensively, curated worship events, and led seminars in churches, institutions and festivals around the world on the integration of the arts, faith, and justice using the worship curation model.His 2010 book “The Art of Curating Worship: Reshaping the role of worship leader”, is his contribution to this discussion of how God can speak through art.Mark currently curates a weekly worship event, Rhythms of Grace, in Auckland, focused on spiritual formation. Find out more about Christine Sine onWalking In Wonder on Substackand on her website GodspacelightAnd on social media:InstagramFacebookXAs an Amazon Associate I receive a small amount for purchases made through appropriate links. Thank you for supporting Godspace & Liturgical Rebels in this way.