Communication connects people and places, and though the Baptist National Support Centre various communication resources are provided or offered for the Baptist Churches of New Zealand:
Baptist NZ app
Since 1876 Baptist Christians and churches in New Zealand have been sharing news, stories, articles and photos in order to connect, encourage and inform the network of Baptist churches and people. Up until 2021 this was done via a printed newspaper or magazine. We now have the Baptist NZ app with the same type of content created by and for the Baptist community. It’s free, and available on Android and iOS devices:
Local church app: EzyChurch
In 2024 we will release the Baptist-wide deal being arranged to have the EzyChurch app working for any Baptist church alongside the Baptist NZ app which uses the EzyStream platform.
The EzyChurch app will bring together local church communications including push notifications, events, mobile and web giving, sermon notes and recordings (video and audio, including a local church having their own podcast channel that connects with Spotify and Apple Podcasts), forms, Infoodle integration, social media connection, AirPlay and ChromeCast compatibility, and more. Click here for details about the EzyChurch app.
We will update churches when this is fully available via the monthly Support Crew email newsletter to church staff from the National Support Centre.
Stories, news, articles
The Baptist NZ website and app is where churches across Aotearoa to connect, inspire and resource one another. Click here to see a page with articles, news and stories. This content cannot happen without the input of our creatives, writers and storytellers who can express the abundant knowledge, experiences and stories of gospel renewal in our family. We would love to hear from anyone with an interest and skills in writing. For more information see our Writers page.
Columns
We are fortunate to have writers contributing regularly to Baptist NZ in the form of columns and opinion pieces. The aim with our written columns is to provide content to encourage, inspire, inform, and bring into focus a wide range of topics and discussions across the breath of Baptist expression in Aotearoa New Zealand. The hope is that every person within the Baptist movement of churches in New Zealand will find at least one regular column that nurtures their following of Jesus. Click here to see a page with all columns listed.
Guidelines for articles, opinion pieces and online comments
Please follow these guidelines when submitting articles or opinion pieces, or commenting online within the Baptist NZ communication platform (this website, Baptist NZ app, our Facebook and Instagram). For more information see our Guidelines for articles, opinion pieces and online comments.
Printable newsletters
Every two months news, stories and articles from the Baptist NZ app and website are made available as a downloadable PDF in A4 size, 10-14 pages. This can be printed and copied and shared among people within our churches who don’t use phones, tablets or computers, and who miss the printed Baptist magazine of the past that ended publication in 2021. See the current and previous newsletters here.
Podcasts
The Baptist NZ Podcast Network is a growing collection of podcast shows that also has as the aim: to encourage, inspire, inform, and bring into focus a wide range of topics and discussions across the breath of Baptist expression in Aotearoa New Zealand. The hope is that every person within the Baptist movement of churches in New Zealand will find at least one podcast show that nurtures their following of Jesus. See all podcast shows here.
Creatives content guide
We have put together guides for people creating content in the areas of writing, photography, podcasting, and music. Click here for the Creatives page.
Editorial Advisory Group
This is a group that oversees the content on the Baptist NZ platform (content for this website, the Baptist NZ app, and social media), ensuring it is fulfilling the objectives of the Baptist Union. Click here to see the Editorial Advisory Group page.
Media, public communications and statements
Click here to go to our Contacts page to find out how to get in touch with us.
Complaints process
We have a system in place with a focus on keeping our people and places safe. Please see our Complaints process page for details and who to contact.
Latest articles
Gospel Impact Lab: Welcome the stranger in our midst
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to be even more welcoming to different ethnicities.
Gospel Impact Lab: Good stewardship
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to effectively steward their assets for gospel renewal.
Gospel Impact Lab: Empowering young people
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to equip young people to be disciples of and…
Pondering: Keeping Tiriti Hikoi moving forward
“The church should be a place of all cultures and peoples worshipping and serving Jesus in the fullness of their own rangatiratanga, language, culture and…
Gospel Impact Lab: Power of prayer
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to bring the power of prayer to the heart…
Gospel Impact Lab: Church and the climate crisis – moving from talk to action
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can look for solutions together for how Baptist churches can move to action in a world affected by the…
Te Tiriti opinions should be informed by true knowledge of and relationship with Māori. That wasn’t.
Māori did not cede sovereignty by signing te Tiriti o Waitangi, and those who say otherwise are unlikely to have much engagement or relationship with…
Gospel Impact Lab: Sharing our faith effectively
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to become even more effective in talking to others…
Pray for our media on Sunday 27 October
Join a live-streamed event supporting people working in our media industry in New Zealand and worldwide.
Gospel Impact Lab: Community impact
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to become even more authentic and effective in engaging…
Gospel Impact Lab: Connect with and serve marae
At our upcoming National Hui, delegates can create a tool our local Baptist churches can use to better identify, connect with and serve marae.
Pondering: Whether we are legally obliged to honour the Treaty or not is not the point
“As followers of Jesus we are held to a higher standard than the law – that of justice.”
An update relating to Clause 36 and Section 4.5
The final additions to the Governance and Constitution Review and Serious Misconduct Process documentation ahead of our Annual National Hui on 6-9 November.
Pondering: Keeping Tiriti Hikoi on track
“Are we sure the Treaty is guiding our steps along the same path as the Bible?” An opinion piece by retired missionary and pastor…
Gospel Impact Lab: Develop leaders
At our upcoming National Hui delegates can help create a tool for local Baptist churches to identify, unleash and champion the leaders within them.
Assembly Council meeting October 2024
The Constitutional Review | Beginning the process for appointing a new National Leader | Te Whāriki as the governing body of Te Rununga (the gathering…
What is the DNA of a Baptist, really?
We Kiwi Baptists love to say that “mission is in our DNA”.
Pondering: Dancing in the dragons’ jaws – bringing gospel renewal to New Zealand’s foreign policy
What might New Zealand’s foreign policy look like if it, too, was influenced by gospel renewal?
Volunteers – empowered and engaged
Here’s what mainly Ministries has learned over 35 years. We hope it inspires and equips you.
Arnie Hall gets the call
How do you finish well, and what does it take to begin again? Pastor of Nelson Baptist Church Arnie Hall shares his journey of pastoral…