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	Hawai`i Conference United Church of Christ -- New Creation Initiative BEHOLD! THERE IS A NEW CREATION Vernon Tom
	Comments made after seven weeks proved it was a worthwhile venture: "We enjoyed getting into all those passages of Scripture." "At first I struggled with the term 'God's dream' but now I can affirm it." "Bible study drives the New Creation Initiative." "Now I have a better understanding of the New Creation Initiative." The Rev. Vernon Tom is pastor of Po'okela Church, Oukaloni, Hawaii. This article first appeared in the December 1999 issue of "The Friend," a periodic publication of the Hawai`i Conference, United Church of Christ.
	Pastor Vernon Tom and colleagues participating in Bible study and focused conversation at the second Ho'olokahi event.
	That's a statement I heard in my consultation training a couple of years ago. After seven weeks of sermons and studies utilizing the Behold! There is a New Creation resource, I can now understand what that statement means. Beginning October 3 (1999), about 90 members of Po'okela Church formed nine small groups to study the Bible using Behold! There is a New Creation. Facilitators who led the small group discussions appreciated how church members learned from each other and reflected deeply on the themes of how we can be faithful participants in God's dream for all creation. Sometimes the questions asked in the studies prompted more questions, even with familiar passages such as the creation account in Genesis 1. Some felt the theological readings were tough but worth the effort. The congregation is learning to read and study on a deeper level. Po'okela Church has been engaged in the New Creation Initiative (NCI) process as part of the Pilot Wave. This process has led open and honest sharing about the gaps in ministry and potential areas of growth. The Bible study has been a part of this process and a time of rich fellowship and reflection. Because of the exciting response of members involved and positive reactions to the studies, it was decided to keep the nine groups going with four Advent sermons and studies. Other NCI Bible studies are being considered for January 2000. Yes, Bible study will continue to drive the New Creation Initiative for Po'okela Church.