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. Who is Jesus?
The views expressed in any of the columns below are not necessarily and probably won’t be the views of every person in our ‘Team of 40,000’ Baptists in New Zealand.
Please contact us if you have column suggestions: [email protected]
Getting to know…
In this column, we discover more about our Baptist whānau, meeting someone in our ‘Team of 40,000 people’ in each column. If you think of someone in your local faith community who would be good for the wider Baptist family to get to know, please email us their details at [email protected]
Getting to know…Rod Robson
Rod is the Chair of the Baptist Assembly Council and Sole Pastor of Opawa Baptist Church, Christchurch.
Getting to know…Jo Hood
Jo is the Visionary of mainly Ministries, an organisation that remains curious as they resource and support faith communities to connect with whānau in their…
Getting to know…Bradley Nicolson
This week we are getting to know Bradley Nicolson, General Manager of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church’s Kānuka Hopestill Limited.
Getting to know… Blue Bradley
In this edition we are getting to know Blue Bradley, who is many things including Director of Northern Easter Camp, and an elected member of…
Getting to know…Shelley Motu’āpuaka
This week we are getting to know Shelley Motu'āpuaka, Chair of the Northern Baptist Association and recently called Sole Pastor at Whangārei Baptist Church.
Getting to know…Jan Ozanne
Get to know Jan Ozanne, Family Pastor at Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church and Children and Families coach for the Bay of Plenty & Eastland Baptist Association.
Getting to know…Chris Bullen
This week we are getting to know Chris Bullen, Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, from Royal Oak Baptist Church.
Getting to know…Kathryn Heslop
This week we are getting to know Kathryn Heslop, Executive Advisor and managing Strategic Projects on the Baptist National Leadership Team.
Getting to know…Chris Lee
This week we are getting to know Chris Lee, Pastor of Thames Baptist Church and Chair of the Waikato Baptist Association.
Getting to know…Kelly Enright
In this column, we discover more about our Baptist whānau, meeting someone in our team of 40,000 each post. This week we are getting to…
Getting to know…Rachel Murray
This week we are getting to know Rachel Murray, Regional Leader of the Otago & Southland Baptist Association.
Getting to know…Alan Jamieson
This week we are getting to know Alan Jamieson, General Director of Arotahi.
Getting to know…Angus Budge
This week we are getting to know Angus Budge, Baptist Assembly Council member and Pastor at Rotorua Baptist Church.
Getting to know…Christa McKirland
This week we are getting to know Christa McKirland, Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College.
Getting to know…Samuel Schuurman
This week we are getting to know Samuel Schuurman, a Baptist chaplain in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Getting to know…Charles Hewlett
‘Getting to know...’ is a new column where we discover more about our Baptist whānau, meeting someone in our team of 40,000 in each post.
Curious by Jo Hood
Curious, by Jo Hood, is a monthly column. Jo is the Visionary/CEO of mainly Ministries, an organisation that remains curious as they resource and support local churches, church plants, missional communities, and Christian schools to connect with whānau in the community.
It happened by accident
Approaching 35 years of connecting with communities, how have mainly Ministries journeyed from ‘mission to’ to ‘mission with’?
Curious: Count it all joy
Hardship in our lives makes us sensitive to the journey of others...What sets our experience apart is the joy we find despite the circumstances.
Curious: You’re speaking another language
How do we speak out hope in our faith community setting as we support whānau/families coming into contact with us?
I’m curious. What value does “For such a time as this” have today?
Jo shares her individual and organisation’s haerenga (journey) of understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embracing the first people of the land.
Curious: Make a difference
Volunteers are hard to recruit. Yes and no! There are plenty of examples where volunteers flock to sign up. I’m curious – what’s their secret?…
Curious: Revealing Jesus
To be confident in our quest to reveal Jesus, I’m curious – is there something that can guide us?
Curious: A new way to think about team
I’m curious about how teams work together. Would working as a discipling-focused team rather than a task-focused team have benefit?
Curious: Saltiness or fruitfulness
What's the difference? Jo shares stories of salt and fruit in ministry.
Curious: Needed and known
How can we make it easier for families to connect into a new space?
Curious: Flourishing or floundering
In this new monthly column!: What does witness look like in a team with a community-facing connection point?
Charles Mail
In this regular column, our Baptist National Leader, Charles Hewlett, keeps us posted on the happenings in Baptist faith communities across Aotearoa. The original Charles Mail is emailed out most Fridays and reproduced here the following Monday.
Charles Mail: A future with hope
Equipping our churches in growing young | Meeting with the Prime Minister | Praying for our church elders | More baptisms!
Charles Mail: Young people bring renewal
Te Puke Baptist Church breaks ground for their housing project | Baptist whānau in national awards | KB youth leaders retreat | More…
Charles Mail: On a mission
Ask your church’s youth leaders about their weekend | A role carved out for us | How the Psalms can inspire Christian worship | More…
Charles Mail: Graduation
The most exciting Kingdom event I’ve ever been to | Highlights of our college’s class of 2023 graduation | We need to get radial with…
Charles Mail: The kingdom of God
Ordinary churches making extraordinary decisions | Six baptisms at Pakūranga Chinese Baptist Church | Surveying experiences of authority in the local church | More…
Charles Mail: What do you enjoy about your work?
Highlights of pastoring | 11 Baptisms at Oxford Terrace Baptist Church | Consultation time | Hearing from a Christian entrepreneur | More…
Charles Mail: I thank my God
Launch of Whiria Kids website | Gathering to focus on the Regional Associations | A visit from the Baptist Union of Samoa | Baptist Women’s…
Charles Mail: Healthy faith communities
Journeys to baptism that began at eCamp 23 | Over 100 attend free English class bringing gospel renewal in Christchurch | Influencing change for people…
Charles Mail: Proclaiming Jesus
Thank you Easter Camp volunteers! | Celebrating culture with the Karen community | My day at Easter Camp | Baptist attendance statistics | The Baptist…
Charles Mail: Living
Charles invites four Baptist leaders to reflect on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – our Lord and our Saviour.
Charles Mail: Our invitations
A prayer for Easter camps | Motueka baptisms | Karen Baptist Churches' culture night | Responding to the Ministry of Disabled People announcement | More…
Charles Mail: Keeping you informed
Preparing to meet with the Prime Minister | 100 years at Liberty Baptist Church | What’s our Lead Team reviewing? | What does self-care look…
Charles Mail: Tracing footprints
Baptist Māori Ministry pioneers | National Support Centre staff retreat | Seminar with Otago Southland Association | Podcasts Baptist leaders are listening to | And…
Charles Mail: Life to the full
Baptisms & learning about the purpose of life | Meetings with Regional Leaders, Chinese Pastors, Children and Families coaches, eCamp 2024 team and Baptist Union…
Charles Mail: New life
New Chair of Baptist Women New Zealand, cohort of Pastoral Leadership students, and pastoral appointments…
Charles Mail: Painting a picture of gospel renewal
A chat with Old Testament Lecturer, Michael Rhodes | Assembly Council and ‘30 around 30’ retreats | Gospel renewal on marae | Adoring Jesus |…
Charles Mail: What gospel renewal looks like
How we might pivot our strategic priorities more towards gospel renewal | Arotahi Renew Together 24 | A phenomenal day at Waitangi | There is…
Charles Mail: A privilege to serve you
Charles shares his decision after reviewing his finishing date as Baptist National Leader | Baptisms | Luke Kaa-Morgan’s experience at the recent national Hui-aa-Motu |…
An angel sits on top of our Christmas Tree
A Christmas message from our Baptist National Leader, Charles Hewlett.
Charles Mail: The people
When it comes to the Baptist family of churches in New Zealand, it is the people. Here are just a few of the amazing people…
Charles Mail: Pondering our te Tiriti journey and Scripture
Hearing the aspirations of Baptist Māori, we have so much to be thankful for | Baptisms and dreaming bigger in our local churches | Words…
Charles Mail: New inspiration
What did people say about Hui? The challenge to journey with our young people, more inspiring hang outs, Christine - my new EA, our church…
Charles Mail: God in our Hui
In humility and unity, may we get lost in God’s bigness, comforted by his presence, and courageous in our decision making.
Charles Mail: We are Christ’s church
As we head toward National Hui, it is important that we acknowledge we are Christ's church and call out for his help - that we…
Charles Mail: Courageous decisions
Praying for our farmers, introducing Christine Stride! - newly appointed Executive Assistant to our Baptist National Leader, gathering with the Māori governance rōpu...
Charles Mail: Breaking the status quo in the Upper South
Our God is alive and active and is clearly working through faith communities in the Upper South Regional Association.
Charles Mail: God of grace and glory
A new ending date for Charles’ second term as Baptist National Leader | A season for taking ‘Big Bites’ | Introducing our next Baptist Union…
Charles Mail: Carried
...despite the circumstances I find myself in, my God is present and intimately engaged in my reality...
Charles Mail: Where do we place our confidence?
We’re saying farewell to Kathryn Heslop, hearing ways God speaks, praying for Manipur, planning Baptist National Hui events. Also, here’s why we can have confidence…
Charles Mail: God speaks to us
New Zealand Baptists, let us listen carefully for our Heavenly Father’s voice…and be encouraged :)
Charles Mail: Changing the future
A lot has gone down in the last week - shaping the future of our Baptist movement.
Charles Mail: I look expectantly to the future
Following the Baptist World Alliance conference, overseas adventures and hip replacement surgery, here's the 'what's happening' from our Baptist National Leader.
Charles Mail: The good work within you
Our National Leader's update: "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally…
Charles Mail: What NZ Baptists are known for
May New Zealand Baptists be known for their love for Jesus, their hunger for the scriptures, their commitment to the local church, and their confidence…
Charles Mail: a prayer for unity across our movement
Our National Leader's update: youth leaders training events | Pasifika leaders | 'Being Baptist' training | Learning from pastors | Upper South Association | another…
Charles Mail: The Mainland is awesome
Our National Leader's update: A great time in the south, a mentor remembered, background comms development, youth update, 'mana', prayer, and people centred leadership.
Charles Mail: Ever-present God
When are you closest to God? Where are you? What are you doing?
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…
Charles Mail: The Spirit of God is active!
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: God at work among us
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: Whakawhanaungatanga
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: Inspiring leaders
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: Gold get-togethers
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: Passionate about youth
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: Where our help comes from
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Charles Mail: Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
Our Baptist National Leader keeps us posted on the happenings in faith communities across Aotearoa.
Pondering…
This occasional weekend column called ‘Pondering:…’ is where people from within the ‘Team of 40,000 Baptists’ in New Zealand can share issues they are thinking about, in a way that opens up a topic from a particular perspective. If you would like a piece considered for this column, email us at [email protected]
Pondering: How relationship-centered justice has shaped my thinking on Israel-Gaza
Are we willing to grow relationships deeply embedded in the Kingdom of God? To peel back our prejudice and uphold that every person is made…
Pondering: The historical context for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
This opinion piece provides some historical context and views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as some resources.
Pondering: A response to ‘Governance of our tribe’
“Using a bird sanctuary as a metaphor for the church, I can’t help but feel there is still a pecking order for access at our…
Pondering: Why few women are senior pastors in Baptist churches
“As sole pastor, for over a decade now… I have faced challenges. Some challenges are unique to our specific location, some due to being single…
Pondering: Myths about our history
“Ever since I attended a Māori studies class as part of my teacher training in 1989, I have been interested in what really did happen…
Pondering: How many chaplains does the church really need?
Let’s see the churches welcome chaplaincy in from the cold, someplace out on the fringes, and then let’s send the church, a multitude of trained…
Pondering: Women can’t be pastors?
The decision to not let women be pastors is settling for less when we were made for so much more. Christa McKirland reflects on the…
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’…
Salt of the earth by Kevin Robertson
Kevin Robertson, or ‘Kev the Rev’ as some people call him, is a gumboot-wearing-chainsaw-wielding-farm-hack and pastor-of-people at Te Awamutu Baptist Church in the beautiful Waikato region. Salt of the earth: it’s what Jesus says we are. Paul the Apostle encourages us to season our conversations with salt. This column is about that: telling stories of salty people, inspiring us to imagine something we haven’t thought of before, or helping us taste something differently. Porridge is better with salt!
Salt of the earth: A normal household
A childhood encounter with a conflicted fisherman shows the difference between tasting that the Lord is good and taking refuge in him.
Salt of the earth: All welcome
A story of coming face to face with what 'all welcome' means...
Salt of the earth: This is all normal
One of Kev’s bizarre pastoral experiences filled with cultural surprises and learnings in the service of his multi-ethnic church...
Salt of the earth: The birthday
I’m still challenged by my friend’s obedience to the ‘go’ from his Father. This was the reason for our season of friendship. Where is your…
Salt of the earth: The rest is history
It’s not the romance of the story that impresses me, it’s the reminder that God is so intimately woven into our stories as the God…
Salt of the earth: Heroes
Have I become so institutionalized working ‘in’ the church that I have forgotten that the ‘good shepherd leaves the ninety-nine and goes hunting for the…
Salt of the earth: Mongrel
In this column Kevin Robertson shares stories of salty people, inspiring us to imagine something we haven't thought of before, or helping us taste something…
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.
Baptist women biographies by Beulah Wood
These biographies of New Zealand Baptist women are complied and presented by Beulah Wood who is part of the Baptist Women New Zealand board.
Olwyn (née Gaze) Halder 1936—
Olwyn served as a nurse tutor in East Pakistan and Bangladesh and became a gifted Bible teacher in Bengali. Marrying Bangladeshi Dinesh Halder when missionaries…
Sheila Pritchard, 1945–
Sheila became a much-admired catalyst and leader who encouraged spiritual formation and the contemplative tradition in New Zealand.
Heather MacLeod: Totally work that God wants us to do
Heather served for decades as a leader in World Vision International, supporting the protection of children and families in vulnerable situations around the world.
Julie Belding
The story of the first female editor of the New Zealand Baptist.
Olwyn Dickson (nee Brown) Born 1940
Her creativity shone in designing celebrations, the women’s organisations that were active in the late 20th century, and her international women’s work with the Baptist…
Anne Turley (nee Churcher)
Anne Turley was the first paid, full-time, woman Pastoral Assistant in the Wellington Baptist Association. That proved to be one of several preludes to her…
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.
Woman of the month: Claire Hart (nee Gilbert) 1926-2022
Claire Gilbert Hart (1926-2022), commencing in the mid-1950s, ministered in the Baptist scene and Baptist churches to such a level she became a trailblazer in…
Woman of the month: Elizabeth Jones 1936-
What could a classically trained opera singer do musically in a remote tribal village?
Woman of the month: Nancy Squire 1941-2023
Nancy was the first woman as Regional Director of Baptist Social Services and the first woman employed on the teaching staff at Carey Baptist College.
Woman of the month: Reti Ah-Voa
Reti Ah-Voa has worked as human resources manager for a Middle East international mission agency, studied and guided students at Carey Baptist College, and is…
Woman of the month: Bev Holt 1941-
Bev ran youth work in the 1970s and 1980s and became the Baptist Youth Ministries’ National, Director, creating a lively and highly effective sector.
Woman of the Month: Annette Denholm 1941-
Annette Denholm made her mark in the churches where she and her husband Barry served, and later was the third female President of the Baptist…
Woman of the Month: Janet Donald 1819-1892
Janet Donald was a prime mover in the commencement of the first Baptist church in Auckland, on Wellesley Street, and took the same initiative to…
Woman of the Month: Anne Brown 1916-1990
Anne Brown and her husband Royston served as missionaries in India in what became East Pakistan, later Bangladesh. After serving there before, during and after…
Woman of the Month: Marjory Gibson McSaveney 1942-
Rev Marjory Gibson was one of the first women who served in various ministry roles: assistant pastor for Whanganui Central Baptist 1981-86, dean of MISSIONZ…
Woman of the month: Emma Beckingsale 1870-1955
After two years studying Bengali, Emma arrived in Chandpur, on the huge Lower Meghna River, south of Dhaka, to do medical work...
Woman of the Month: Muriel Larsen (nee Crafts) 1935-2013
A missionary in Maharashtra, India, Muriel was weakened by polio contracted in her first years overseas. Nevertheless she stayed on the field working on building…
Woman of the Month: Hazel Drew Smith 1919-2003
Hazel served with the NZBMS in East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and Tripura, India from 1947 to 1965. In 1975, aged about 56, She married a Baptist…
Woman of the Month: Pauline Stansfield 1939-
Pauline Stansfield became a paraplegic at age 29 in an accident. After becoming a nurse tutor and practicing for some time, Pauline then worked in…
Woman of the Month: Mere Pou 1922-1991
Mere was the first Māori appointed for full-time Māori ministry within the Baptist church. She was supported in this by both the local church and…
Woman of the Month: Raema Low 1939-
From being a missionary nurse in Nepal, Raema returned to New Zealand with TB of the kidney in 1979. She recovered, and later became the…
Women’s History Month: Joan Milner 1921-2018
Joan Milner was the first Baptist full-time worker among Māori. She was based in Lower Waikato—Waiuku and Pukekohe and marae nearby.
Women’s History Month: Pat Preest 1928-2014
Pat Preest was the first woman ordained by the Baptist Union of New Zealand and served as a hospital chaplain. “Because my Lord Jesus Christ…
Women’s History Month: Vivienne Boyd, DBE., 1926-2011
Vivienne Boyd received a knighthood for her highly active contribution in community and public affairs nationally. She was a loyal Baptist throughout her life and…
Women’s History Month: Kate Edger (later Evans) 1857-1935
Kate was the first woman in New Zealand to gain a university degree and the first in the British Empire with a BA, so demonstrating…
Women’s History Month: Rosalie Macgeorge 1859-1891
Rosalie was the second missionary from New Zealand, the first sent beyond the Pacific, and the first missionary sent by the New Zealand Baptist Missionary…
Woman of the Month: Dr Nola Ivory 1904-1988
Dr Nola Ivory was the first woman doctor in the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (NZBMS), serving from 1931 to 1961. She superintended two hospitals,…
Updraft by Rick Pierce
Rick Pierce is the Network Pastor, Health and Development for the Northern Baptist Association. An ‘updraft’ in meteorology characterises a storm’s early development as warm air rises, eventually bringing the rains that offer sustenance and life. Rick’s hope for this monthly updraft column is for it to be a catalyst for change, ultimately contributing to the transformation of our faith communities. This regular column first appears in the Northern Baptist Association monthly newsletter, ‘Northern Lights’.
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.
Updraft: 2023 will be different
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Remembrance
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Third space
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Embracing change
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Diverse and together
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Reconnect
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Expect new things
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Send me!
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.
Updraft: Inspiring gospel renewal
Column by Rick Pierce reproduced from the Northern Baptist Association ‘Northern Lights’ e-newsletter.