There is currently a competition on to find a new name for the re-vamped Coolangatta festival.
But in the interim, it continued in 2011 and is as popular as ever with locals and tourists from the south wanting a warmer winter holiday.
This year, the festival theme was the Rock'n'Roll era of the 50s, 60s and 70s, with Rock Bands pouring into the area to strut their music and song for ten days; and the associated themes will be anything to do with that period, including fashions, dress-up parades, and the jewel in the crown – displays of "vintage cars".
Enthusiasts came from near and far to park their 'pride and joys' for everyone to salivate over. My wife and I also enjoyed looking at them all. www.coolyrockson.com
As I pondered on the politics behind the change of name and emphasis, I remembered Acts chapter 15 verses 36-37 when Paul and Barnabas were planning their second missionary journey.
Paul refused to take John-Mark with them as he failed them on the first journey.
Barnabas, on the other hand saw something very special about this young man, and determined to have him accompany them on this second missionary journey. Verse 39 reads: "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark…"
This is the sort of thing that occurred in Coolangatta – Tweed Heads with the former WinterSun festival. Eventually after negotiations broke down, and the outcome, although difficult and awkward at the beginning, produced two festivals ... and a wonderful time was had by all.
Something similar happened in the early church. Paul went off on his second missionary journey spreading the message of Jesus Salvation (Acts 16) ending up in Troas (Turkey) and eventually taking the Gospel into Europe for the very first time (northern Greece).
Barnabas (with John-Mark) meanwhile took the same message of Jesus' Salvation to Cyprus and the traditions handed down from generation to generation reveals the remarkable impact he had in this and future missionary journeys. The expansion of Christianity was under way.
This is the basis of philosophical reasoning why I am never too concerned about churches splitting up when people cannot get along or cannot agree on some policy or worship style. What happens in effect is the Paul–Barnabas scenario where another mission outreach is established, sometimes because those engaged in Mission believe they have a Call from God to enact a specific area of missionary endeavour which is not being catered for in their present Church situation.
This occurs at every level in Christian life and ministry. Sometimes it is young people who find that they are not catered for within congregations where those from an older generation will not let go the reigns, even a little.
In my view, these scenarios are not a bad thing at all. What they provide is a fresh encounter with God for those who establish new ventures and an on-going work of the Gospel for those who stay.
Similarly, whether you are wanting a sunny winter holiday in Port Macquarie or Coolangatta; or whether your interests are more in craft and music or reminiscences of the Rock'n'Roll era, there is a festival for you to enjoy.