Increasingly known as the support centre, our small national office in Auckland has dual roles: a commitment to resourcing and assisting our Baptist faith communities and regional Baptist Associations as we collaborate on gospel renewal to people and places; as well as being the base for our National Leader and their team who offer leadership in the following areas:

Operations and finance

Providing support with a variety of church and faith community administrative, operational and finance matters, such as employment and terms of call of church staff, property, accounting, compliance, insurance and legal issues. This work is led by the Operations and Finance Director. See the Administration section of this website for more information.

Te Pouarataki mō te hīkoi (Treaty guide)

Working in partnership with our National Leader providing a Māori perspective and leadership to the Support Centre in order to best fulfil our commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As we continue our Treaty journey together, Te Pouarataki mō the hikoi (Treaty guide) is a significant role as we work towards a greater level of partnership with and participation from Māori within our Support Centre and the ministry and mission of our movement.

Leadership co-ordination

For nearly a century leadership training and development has been an important part of resourcing Baptist churches in New Zealand and investing in our future. New Zealand Baptists have a variety of leadership development and training areas and these are co-ordinated on behalf of the 250 faith communities through the role of the Leadership Co-ordination Director at the support office. Find out more at the Leadership Hub.

Strategic projects

From time to time particular focus is directed towards areas that need high levels of attention to detail and the co-ordination of external expertise. Leadership in this area is provided through the support office and National Leader’s team. An example of this is the ongoing Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.

Communication

Working with the National Leader and alongside the Regional Leaders, our small comms team works to effectively develop and co-ordinate the national communications and media strategy for the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. The Baptist NZ app is the best way to keep up with articles, news and stories, podcasts and videos from and for the 40,000 people who identify as Baptist in New Zealand. Contact details for the Communications Director are on the Contact page. Download our app here.

Social impact

This facet of our leadership team is yet to be developed – watch this space!

Latest articles

Pondering: Governance of our tribe Image
Opinion
June 3, 2023 | Mike Crudge Channel: 2144749

Pondering: Governance of our tribe

"In my opinion, our Assembly Council must have the diversity ‘around the table’ that reflects the future we strive to imagine for the Baptist ‘tribe’…

Nell Jones (née Helen Gillanders) 1898–1975 Image
Stories
June 2, 2023 | Beulah Wood Channel: 2144749

Nell Jones (née Helen Gillanders) 1898–1975

Nell learned the Bru language and gave the first known sermon in Bru language. She followed that with Scripture translation and hymns.

People centred leadership: Responsive Image
Articles
May 31, 2023 | Kathryn Heslop Channel: 2144749

People centred leadership: Responsive

Responsive leadership requires us to first understand the needs of those we lead, and then to lead in a way that actively seeks to meet…

Charles Mail: Ever-present God Image
Articles
May 29, 2023 | Charles Hewlett Channel: 2144749

Charles Mail: Ever-present God

When are you closest to God? Where are you? What are you doing?

Flex your missional muscles with CareyLocal! Image
News
May 26, 2023 | Kelly Enright Channel: 2144749

Flex your missional muscles with CareyLocal!

Be formed for your role in God's mission with CareyLocal - study FREE next semester with a group of 10 friends from your faith community!

Salt of the earth: Grandpa Image
Opinion
May 25, 2023 | Kevin Robertson Channel: 2144749

Salt of the earth: Grandpa

Kev the Rev's column shares stories of salty people, inspiring us to imagine something we haven't thought of before, or helping us taste something differently.

People centred leadership: Attuned Image
Articles
May 24, 2023 | Kathryn Heslop Channel: 2144749

People centred leadership: Attuned

Being attuned to another means that we can truly empathise with that person. We see them, we tune into their emotions, we seek to understand…

Curious: Needed and known Image
Opinion
May 23, 2023 | Jo Hood Channel: 2144749

Curious: Needed and known

How can we make it easier for families to connect into a new space?

Charles Mail: The people in your week Image
Articles
May 22, 2023 | Charles Hewlett Channel: 2144749

Charles Mail: The people in your week

I've seen Colossians 1:29 (I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me) outlived, and I have come to…

You gotta see this! Image
Events
May 19, 2023 | Charis Fotheringham Channel: 2144749

You gotta see this!

The Way of the Raukura landed on the harmony of people of every race standing together in such a way that we did stand together…

Updraft: A ‘laying-down’ culture Image
Opinion
May 18, 2023 | Rick Pierce Channel: 2144749

Updraft: A ‘laying-down’ culture

Love and willingness to lay things down must become our way of doing things.

People centred leadership: Introduction Image
Articles
May 17, 2023 | Kathryn Heslop Channel: 2144749

People centred leadership: Introduction

No longer do we rely on the knowledge and expertise of the leader to confidently direct the best course of action. Instead, we pivot towards…

Baptist Hui-ā-Māori 2023 Image
Events
May 16, 2023 | Te Kapa Rautaki and Luke Kaa-Morgan Channel: 2144749

Baptist Hui-ā-Māori 2023

This video is a Zoom recording to all Baptist Māori by Josie Te Kahu, Leonnie Motu, Ray Totorewa, Matt Renata – of Te Kapa Rautaki,…

Charles Mail: The Spirit of God is active! Image
Articles
May 14, 2023 | Charles Hewlett Channel: 2144749

Charles Mail: The Spirit of God is active!

Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.

Not just waiting for modern slavery law Image
Education
May 9, 2023 | Mellissa Powell and Morgan Theakston Channel: 2144749

Not just waiting for modern slavery law

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse. Here’s what we can do to prevent these supply chain disasters in the gap of…

WAY2GO – A children’s ministry training event coming near you! Image
News
May 8, 2023 | Jan Ozanne and Lizzie Moore Channel: 2144749

WAY2GO – A children’s ministry training event coming near you!

Connect and discuss the key foundations of our ministry with children and their families.

Centre for Lifelong Learning Celebrates 7th Birthday! Image
News
May 3, 2023 | Glenn Melville Channel: 2144749

Centre for Lifelong Learning Celebrates 7th Birthday!

To celebrate, Lifelong Learning is giving away the resource “Focus on prayer: Learning to talk to God when you’re suffering, or angry, or furious, or…

Why should we pray for an imprisoned pastor in Myanmar? Image
News
April 27, 2023 | Roi Nu Maran Channel: 2144749

Why should we pray for an imprisoned pastor in Myanmar?

Roi Nu Maran, pastor at Waiheke Island Baptist Church, is from Myanmar and is Kachin. She calls us to pray for a prominent Baptist leader…

Updraft: Changing our culture Image
Opinion
April 19, 2023 | Rick Pierce Channel: 2144749

Updraft: Changing our culture

Culture impacts us in ways we are often unaware of, so when we talk about change, we must also talk about culture.

Curious: Flourishing or floundering Image
Opinion
April 18, 2023 | Jo Hood Channel: 2144749

Curious: Flourishing or floundering

In this new monthly column!: What does witness look like in a team with a community-facing connection point?