Rivers of Connexion - The Bicultural Journey
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:30 (Pacific/Auckland) | Online – Zoom Meeting
Led by Rev Keita Hotere, Minita-i-tohia, Taranaki and TeRito Peyroux, accredited Lay Preacher and former Vice-President of MCNZ

Catalysing Christian Communities conference
2025-08-21 08:00 - 2025-08-22 17:00 | First Church of Otago, 415 Moray Place, Dunedin Central, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
Further Infomation Forthcoming

PressGo is working with the University of Otago Theology Department and First Church of Otago, along with the Dunedin Anglican Diocese and KCML, to host a visit of Rev Dr Sam Wells (St Martin’s-in-the-Fields, London), on 21 and 22 August, 2025.

Following on from the “Investing for Mission” conference in 2023, we will offer a 2-day conference event. Sam will be the keynote speaker and conversation partner.

Sam is a well-known author, speaker, theologian and missiologist. His framework of Community, Commerce, Culture and Congregational Initiatives is part of his work on an incarnational theology of church culture, innovation, and presence in a secular society.

Sam will deliver two keynote addresses on Thursday:

“God’s Abundance and Our Scarcity”

“Discovering God’s Abundance and Renewing the Purpose of God”

Then on each day we will process this in the Aotearoa context, with local guests to inspire, motivate and challenge participants.

A speaker of Sam’s calibre, alongside carefully crafted Aotearoa content, will make a don’t miss Conference! This is the one conference to attend this year!

Bringing a team to an event like this helps amplify your learning and apply it to your local context, so we have an offer for you – if your church sends FOUR people, you will pay for three, which is $93.75 each – less than the cost of the delicious food you will enjoy over two days!

Presbyterian Ministers and Leaders can apply for travel subsidies via KCML, and the low registration fee and discounts are only available because of our wonderful sponsors.

Registrations are now open, so register today to make sure you get programme updates as they are finalized.

Also, at 5.15pm on the Thursday Sam will give a public lecture at the University of Otago, Burns 1 Lecture Theatre on: “Before the Foundation of the World: Rediscovering the Purpose of God.” This is a free lecture and expands on material from the Conference.

Need More Info?

Rev Dr Sam Wells - Public Lecture
2025-08-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Burns 1 Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, The Arts Building, 95 Albany Str, Dunedin North, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
Before the Foundation of the World: Rediscovering the Purpose of God.

Further Details are forthcoming.

PressGo is working with the University of Otago Theology Department and First Church of Otago, along with the Dunedin Anglican Diocese, to host a visit of Rev Dr Sam Wells (St Martin’s-in-the-Fields, London)

Sam is a well-known author, speaker, theologian and missiologist. His framework of Community, Commerce, Culture and Congregational Initiatives is part of his work on an incarnational theology of church culture, innovation, and presence in a secular society. Sam will also be speaking at the Catalysing Christian Communities Conference.

Since 2012, Revd Dr Sam Wells has been the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, and Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King’s College London.

In 2018, he was installed as Honorary Canon Theologian of Guildford Cathedral. From 2005–2012 he was Dean of Duke Chapel and Research Professor of Christian Ethics at Duke Divinity School, North Carolina.

He is the author of over 40 books, including:

How to Preach: Times, Seasons, Texts and Contexts

The Moment of Truth: Reflections on Incarnation and Resurrection

A Future that’s Bigger than the Past: Catalysing Kingdom Communities

Bible. Sia and Toutai
2025-08-26 08:00 - 2025-08-30 17:00 | Sia‘atoutai Theological College, Hihifo Rd,, Sia’atoutai, Tonga
The name Sia-‘a-toutai was gifted to the college by Queen Salote Tupou III (1900–1965), to express her vision and to invite the commitment of the Methodist Church in Tonga – that sia and toutai are vital for biblical and theological education, for doing church, and for forming and transforming villages and kāinga.

Sia refers to the weaving of (new) nets (kupenga), for fishing. We will use sia at OBSA 2025 as a metaphor for methods of and processes for reading biblical texts, for doing church, and for forming communities – at home, and in diaspora.

Toutai is one of the terms for fishing, and it applies to fishing in the deep moana (tahi loloto), in shallow seas (tahi mamaha), and even on (is)lands (fanga, ‘uta). The practice of toutai is not limited to fishy creatures, with or without bones, fins, or scales, but also to pleasant blooms and bodies.

Sia‘atoutai Theological College will host OBSA 2025 and the theme – Bible, Sia and Toutai – affirms that Sia and Toutai are still relevant for biblical and theological studies, and church ministry, in Tonga and Pasifika.

Streams

There will be six (6) streams at OBSA 2025, and we invite presenters to locate their proposal in one of these streams (conceived assertively, to invite creativity):

Belonging – migration, labour

Sia – method, ways

Toutai – praxis, labour

Lotu – worship, church

Gender – dignity, responsibility

Climate – justice, resilience

Southern Perspectives on the Dead Sea Scrolls
2025-09-01 08:00 - 2025-09-02 17:00 | Online – Zoom Meeting
This free online conference offers attendees a chance to explore unique insights into the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple studies from Global South scholars. Watch pre-recorded presentations and join live discussions focused on regional approaches and emerging perspectives.

Key topics include:

History of Dead Sea Scrolls scholarship in the Global South

Distinctive regional methods and perspectives

New insights and emerging research trajectories

Format

Speakers will be requested to submit a video recording of their paper by 1 August 2025. Recordings should not be more than 20-minutes in length. The pre-recorded papers will then be shared with participants, who will be invited to watch them before the live meetings.

The meetings will be comprised of four (4) two-hour-long meetings held on Zoom (that is, two hours each day). The live sessions will be dedicated to questions and discussion of the pre-circulated papers.

We will endeavour to coordinate the scheduling of the meetings to support participants from different time zones to attend.

Stay tuned for more details and registration updates.

For enquiries, contact Gareth Wearne: Gareth.Wearne@acu.edu.au.

Methodist Lay Preachers Network zoom discussion
2025-09-01 19:30 - 21:00 | Online – Zoom Meeting
For our Methodist members, an opportunity to discuss in plenary and/or smaller break-out groups– training and recognition of Lay Preachers,– a preview of our report to Conference 2025 and– explore ways ahead for the Network and the interdenominational New Zealand Lay Preachers Association (NZLPA) to work more efficiently together or combine.

Without the Network, who would be available to answer queries around Methodist training and accreditation in English-speaking parishes, represent and advocate for Lay Preaching interests at Connexional level, convene occasional zoom meetings, maintain the database and send in names of accredited Lay Preachers for the Methodist Yearbook?

Methodist Lay Preachers Network is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Methodist Lay Preachers Network’s General discussion Zoom Meeting

Time: Sep 1, 2025 07:30 PM Auckland, Wellington

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82150119728?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 821 5011 9728

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Rural Ministry Day
2025-09-04 09:30 - 15:30 | Trinity Church, Cnr Bangor and McLaughlins Roads, Darfield, 7510, New Zealand
Lay and ordained members of rural parishes are invited to a rural ministry day in Darfield, facilitated by the Ven Indrea Alexander, Rural Ministry Encourager in Christchurch Anglican Diocese.

The day is especially for Anglicans and Presbyterians, visibly present in many rural communities, however others interested are welcome.

Through speakers and workshops-of-collective-wisdom we will consider: How to create meaningful rural imaged worship – Rural chaplaincy – Engagement with rural communities – Connecting with local rural publications and organisations – Learnings from the International Rural Churches’ Association recent Oceania conference in Fiji – Part-time ministry in the face of full-time needs – Responding to social need – Engaging in mission and much more.

There will also be opportunity to share resources, build connections, and be affirmed and encouraged in the vital ministry we offer.

BYO lunch, cuppas provided.

Ka tū au ka rongo i te pai: Through haka and waiata, sound and motion become sacred languages that proclaim and perform the Good News
2025-09-12 17:30 - 19:30 | All Saints’ Anglican Church, Dunedin, 786 Cumberland Str, North Dunedin, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
“Ka tū au ka rongo i te pai: Through haka and waiata, sound and motion become sacred languages that proclaim and perform the Good News”

Refreshments will be provided at Selwyn College after the lecture.

The Theology Programme at the University of Otago | Mātai Whakapono Karaitiana, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, and Selwyn College | Te Maru Pūmanawa are pleased to present the fourth annual Hoani Parata Lecture in honour of Reverend Canon Hoani Parata (1881–1928), the first Māori resident at Te Maru Pūmanawa.

Revd Dr Te Hira Paenga (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Kahungunu) currently serves as Tumuaki o Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae. He completed his PhD at Otago, the first theology PhD thesis to be written in te reo Māori.

Parables - Session 1
2025-09-24 19:30 - 20:30 | Online – Zoom Meeting
Led by Rev Dr Geoff New, Principal, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership

Explore the parables of Jesus with Rev Dr Geoff New in this two-part Methodist Lay Preachers Network series. These sessions will offer insight, inspiration, and practical help for those leading worship and preaching today.

Que(e)rying the Nicene Creed: Faith, Power & Identity after 1700 Years
2025-09-27 13:00 - 2025-09-28 16:00 | Wesley Hall, St Johns College, 210 Saint Johns Rd, St Johns, Auckland, 1072, New Zealand
Wesley Day Symposium

Registration & Enquiries: stoduadua@trinitycollege.ac.nz

Southern Perspectives on the Dead Sea Scrolls
2025-10-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Online – Zoom Meeting
Southern Perspectives on the DSS_ProgramDownload

This free online conference offers attendees a chance to explore unique insights into the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple studies from Global South scholars. Watch pre-recorded presentations and join live discussions focused on regional approaches and emerging perspectives.

Key topics include:

History of Dead Sea Scrolls scholarship in the Global South

Distinctive regional methods and perspectives

New insights and emerging research trajectories

Format

Speakers will be requested to submit a video recording of their paper by 1 August 2025. Recordings should not be more than 20-minutes in length. The pre-recorded papers will then be shared with participants, who will be invited to watch them before the live meetings.

The meetings will be comprised of four (4) two-hour-long meetings held on Zoom (that is, two hours each day). The live sessions will be dedicated to questions and discussion of the pre-circulated papers.

We will endeavour to coordinate the scheduling of the meetings to support participants from different time zones to attend.

Stay tuned for more details and registration updates.

For enquiries, contact Gareth Wearne: Gareth.Wearne@acu.edu.au.

NZ Lay Preachers' Assoc AGM
2025-10-28 19:30 - 21:00 | Online – Zoom Meeting
You’re warmly invited to the NZ Lay Preachers’ Association Annual General Meeting. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow members, reflect on our achievements over the past year, and help shape the future direction of our association. Key items on the agenda include the presentation of reports, important updates, and the election of our executive team.

Your voice and participation are essential, and we encourage all members to attend. Please RSVP to confirm your place. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your “ticket.”

Further details, including agendas and reports, will be available on the main AGM page. We look forward to your support and contributions!

More InfoNomination details, Agenda, Reports etc

Parables - Session 2
2025-10-29 19:30 - 20:30 | Online – Zoom Meeting

ConneXion 2025
2025-11-07 08:00 - 2025-11-08 17:00
WMCNZ are excited to announce ConneXion 2025 is being held in Palmerston North from 7 to 8 November and hosted by Streams Gathering Wesleyan and United in Christ Wesleyan!

Methodist Lay Preachers Network Annual Meeting
2025-11-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Online – Zoom Meeting
This annual meeting gives us an opportunity to meet online as a national group, share our experiences, discuss concerns, ask and hopefully answer questions. Some of this time can be used in smaller break-out groups.

MCNZ Conference - "God’s Aroha – A Call to Sacred Transformation"
2025-11-11 08:00 - 2025-11-15 21:00 | Mornington Methodist Church, 1 Galloway Street, Mornington, Dunedin, 9011, New Zealand
The theme for this year’s Conference is God’s Aroha – A Call to Sacred Transformation. Together, we will explore how divine love reshapes our lives, our relationships, and the mission of the Church. Rooted in our bicultural covenant, this theme calls us to live out transformation through kaitiakitanga, justice, and communal renewal.

Conference this year is primarily Online.

We have important work ahead. Synods and Hui Poari have already received several key papers, including:

The Responsible Investment Policy (updated)

The Connexional Property Strategy Progress Report

A Discussion Paper on the Purpose and Efficacy of Our Statistical Reporting

Climate Induced Displacement Policy

Connexional committees are also preparing their annual reports, reflecting the breadth and depth of work happening across Te Hāhi.

Registration

Registrations open on Monday 4 August 2025. The cost is $170 (GST inclusive). Please note that there is no early bird rate this year.

As We Prepare

We invite your prayers, your energy, and your ideas. If you have suggestions for how we can strengthen engagement or deepen reflection during Conference, we’d love to hear from you.

This is more than a meeting. It is a moment of movement. May we come ready to be reshaped by aroha and sent forth as a Church transformed to transform.

Copyright, Streaming & Sunday Chaos
2025-11-19 19:30 - 20:30 | Online – Zoom Meeting
A free online webinar with d|c|t and CCLI

Pre-event chat from 7:15 PM

Audience

Lay preachers, worship leaders, musicians, tech volunteers, ministers, church administrators.

Description

When “we’ve got CCLI, right?” meets Sunday’s deadline, good intentions can still collide with copyright law.

This free online webinar from d|c|t and CCLI is a practical, jargon-light conversation about what churches can and can’t do when it comes to:– livestreaming services and sermons– using lyrics, backing tracks and recordings– saving or sharing services online afterwards.

Bring your questions — this session is all about real scenarios, honest answers, and a first look at a new CCLI resource launching in Aotearoa.

All welcome – especially those who quietly worry “are we actually allowed to do this?”

(Zoom link emailed 24 hours before the session, so make sure you register early!)

"Grace Upon Grace" Book Launch
2025-11-25 19:30 - 21:00 | The Well, 364 Columbo Str, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand
Please see an invitation (attached) to join us for the book launch of two new books about the John Wesley family of churches in Aotearoa New Zealand, well-researched and full of many personal stories of struggle and new life.

Invitation to Book Launch (25 Nov)Download

7.30pm Tuesday 25 November 2025 at The Well Wesleyan Methodist Church (https://thewellnz.org/), 364 Colombo Street, Christchurch. All welcome.

The books will also be launched at the annual Wesleyan Methodist Church Conference; this year held at Palmerston North this coming weekend. For those outside Christchurch who would like copies of these new publications, please email and I will forward ordering and payment details.

In Christian Service,

Richard

Rev Dr Richard Waugh QSMNational Superintendent EmeritusWesleyan Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand(NS 2002-2020)Former PresidentWorld Methodist Historical Society(2016-2024)

Intercessory Prayer
2025-11-29 09:00 - 12:30 | Wesley Roskill Methodist Church, 276 Mt Albert Rd, Sandringham, Auckland, 1041, New Zealand
Join Rev Dr Trevor Hoggard and the Auckland Ecumenical Lay Preachers Gathering (AELP) for a practical, encouraging session on leading prayers of intercession in worship. Whether you’re experienced or newly giving it a go, this workshop offers space to build confidence, share ideas, and reflect on how we shape our words when we pray on behalf of others. All are welcome — come ready to learn, laugh, and listen.

2025.11.29 NZLPA AELP FlyerTrevorHoggard v2Download

Aotearoa NZ Association for Biblical Studies: 28th Annual Meeting
2025-12-01 08:00 - 2025-12-02 17:00 | Laidlaw College Christchurch Campus, 70 Condell Avenue, Papanui, Christchurch, 8053, New Zealand
The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies (ANZABS) welcomes papers on any aspect of biblical literature and its reception, with a dedicated hui–talanoa stream exploring Indigenous approaches to scripture in Aotearoa and the Pacific.

Register Now

ANZABS_2025 ProgrammeDownload

 Registration fees (including morning and afternoon teas):o $50 wagedo $25 online only and/or unwagedo Payable online via bank deposit in the ANZABS account 12-3125-0475839-00, using your surname as reference.If you require a receipt, contact the ANZABS treasurer, Philip Church, at PChurch@laidlaw.ac.nz.o Or, payable at the conference by EFTPOS.An optional conference dinner will be held on the Monday evening, venue to be announced, pay individually for what you order.

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Christchurch Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
Palestinian Christian theologians to tour New Zealand, inviting churches into conversation on faith, justice and peace

Hear directly from two respected Palestinian Christian scholars as they share firsthand and theological perspectives on faith, justice and costly peacemaking in the Holy Land.

Dr Yousef Khoury is a Palestinian Christian theologian who was raised in Gaza, where his family remains. He is Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College, a member of the Steering Committee for Christ at the Checkpoint, and a board member of Kairos Palestine.

Dr Lamma Mansour is a Palestinian Christian writer, sociologist and postdoctoral researcher from Nazareth. Her work explores what it means to follow Christ in settings marked by violence, together with the political, emotional and gendered dimensions of Palestinian life.

Drawing upon lived experience and academic scholarship, the speakers will consider the realities facing Palestinian communities today, what Christian faith and hope can mean amid conflict, and how Christians in Aotearoa might contribute faithfully to the work of justice and peace.

Palestinian Christians are often spoken about without being heard directly. This gathering offers an opportunity to listen to voices from within the Palestinian Christian community, to engage honestly with the realities of the Holy Land, and to reflect together upon the demands of faithful peacemaking.

This event is part of the eight-venue Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives tour, presented by Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine.

Attendance is free, but registration is requested.

View all events in the Bearing Witness tour

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, 288 Oxford Terrace,, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
Palestinian Christian theologians to tour New Zealand, inviting churches into conversation on faith, justice and peace

Hear directly from two respected Palestinian Christian scholars as they share firsthand and theological perspectives on faith, justice and costly peacemaking in the Holy Land.

Dr Yousef Khoury is a Palestinian Christian theologian who was raised in Gaza, where his family remains. He is Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College, a member of the Steering Committee for Christ at the Checkpoint, and a board member of Kairos Palestine.

Dr Lamma Mansour is a Palestinian Christian writer, sociologist and postdoctoral researcher from Nazareth. Her work explores what it means to follow Christ in settings marked by violence, together with the political, emotional and gendered dimensions of Palestinian life.

Drawing upon lived experience and academic scholarship, the speakers will consider the realities facing Palestinian communities today, what Christian faith and hope can mean amid conflict, and how Christians in Aotearoa might contribute faithfully to the work of justice and peace.

Palestinian Christians are often spoken about without being heard directly. This gathering offers an opportunity to listen to voices from within the Palestinian Christian community, to engage honestly with the realities of the Holy Land, and to reflect together upon the demands of faithful peacemaking.

This event is part of the eight-venue Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives tour, presented by Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine.

Attendance is free, but registration is requested.

u003cstrongu003eView all events in the Bearing Witness touru003c/strongu003e

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | All Saints’ Anglican Church, Dunedin, 786 Cumberland Str, North Dunedin, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Victory Community Centre, 2 Totara Street, Nelson South, Nelson 7010, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Lifepoint Church Wellington, 61 Hopper Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6011, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland, 446 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland, 1052, New Zealand

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Te Rautini Church, Hamilton, 160 Rifle Range Road, Dinsdale, Hamilton, 3204, New Zealand

Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives
2026-07-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Eden Church, Auckland, 72-74 View Road, Mount Eden,, Auckland, 1024, New Zealand
Palestinian Christian theologians to tour New Zealand, inviting churches into conversation on faith, justice and peace

Hear directly from two respected Palestinian Christian scholars as they share firsthand and theological perspectives on faith, justice and costly peacemaking in the Holy Land.

Dr Yousef Khoury is a Palestinian Christian theologian who was raised in Gaza, where his family remains. He is Academic Dean and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College, a member of the Steering Committee for Christ at the Checkpoint, and a board member of Kairos Palestine.

Dr Lamma Mansour is a Palestinian Christian writer, sociologist and postdoctoral researcher from Nazareth. Her work explores what it means to follow Christ in settings marked by violence, together with the political, emotional and gendered dimensions of Palestinian life.

Drawing upon lived experience and academic scholarship, the speakers will consider the realities facing Palestinian communities today, what Christian faith and hope can mean amid conflict, and how Christians in Aotearoa might contribute faithfully to the work of justice and peace.

Palestinian Christians are often spoken about without being heard directly. This gathering offers an opportunity to listen to voices from within the Palestinian Christian community, to engage honestly with the realities of the Holy Land, and to reflect together upon the demands of faithful peacemaking.

This event is part of the eight-venue Bearing Witness: Palestinian Christian Perspectives tour, presented by Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine.

Attendance is free, but registration is requested.

This event has an option to attend dinner at 5:30pm.

View all events in the Bearing Witness tour
