"Preach the word;
|
be prepared
in season and
out of season;"
2 Timothy 4:2
Let us know what you think!
We'd like to hear what you appreciated about Summit Connect, and how we can be improving it for coming years. Our aim is to connect people from CCCNZ churches with each other as you learn together. Please tell us how we can serve you better in this.
Main Preacher: Victor Moore
Thanks to Victor Moore from Heretaunga Community Church in Hastings for opening God's Word for us and preaching from 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8.
An Open Invite to an Exclusive Club? Biblical Sexuality in a Changing Culture
Navigating the subject of alternative sexualities has become one of the most fraught challenges for churches in New Zealand. One difficulty is that of offering an invitation to Christian faith that is genuinely welcoming while at the same time upholding the vision for sexuality that is pleasing to God. This session will show why churches must endeavour to do both and offer some suggestions and resources for doing so. Facilitated by Lincoln Road Bible Chapel Elder Chris Northcott.
Church, Home & Community: Holistic Discipleship with Children
Effective, holistic discipleship with children involves three interconnected spaces: church, home, and community. Most ministries are stronger in some areas than others. This workshop offered a framework for exploring how these three dimensions are currently functioning in your setting and for reflecting on the strengths, connections, and gaps that emerge. Facilitated by Julie McKinnon, CCCNZ Children & Family Ministries.
Creating Leadership Development Maps
Leadership development has been recently identified as the most common challenge across our wider movement—how can we address this together? Several churches have plans in place, however, many do not have the resources for this. CCCNZ CEO Roger Osbaldiston shared some thoughts on what is already broadly available, and invited input on creating leadership development maps.
Youth Mental Health Matters: Tools to Help Youth Thrive, Not Just Survive
The latest NZ Health Survey shows 1 in 4–5 young people aged 15–24 is experiencing high or very high psychological distress, with half reporting anxiety or depression symptoms in the past year. Facilitator Catilin Berkers (The Street Church) is an experienced professional working in this space as a Clinical Psychologist. In this breakout session, Caitlin unpacked 10 myths/misconceptions about youth mental health and what Scripture has to say about them. If you'd like to be put in touch with Caitlin, please reach out to our team and we'll connect you.
Supporting Leaders Well: Discover the new CCCNZ Resource Library
Healthy churches require vision and passion—supported by strong systems and wise governance. This session explored the refreshed CCCNZ resource library. Find practical tools to help support you with administration, legal compliance, governance and more. Facilitated by CCCNZ National Advisor Jan De Lange.
We loved connecting with you!
CCCNZ works closely with a number of support ministries, and we loved connecting you with them at the Lower North Island Summit! Each logo is a link direct to their website.
All-Age Worship
Curious about what it looks like to bring all ages together in worship? Join Chris and Sandy Leadbeater (The Anchor Church) as they share their journey of beginning all-age Sunday services. Discover how to foster a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging, is known, heard, and able to worship together meaningfully.
Faith & Whakapapa: Navigating Te Ao Māori in the church
Biblical Biculturalism? Culturally contextualised Church? We will consider the role of biculturalism in the church, reflect on how honouring whakapapa strengthens our understanding of the Gospel, and explore what it means to walk together as tangata whenua and tangata tiriti. A grounded and engaging conversation about how Faith & Whakapapa can guide the way we build relationships, practise discipleship, and serve our communities. Facilitated by Henare Whaanga, Director of Māori Christian Apologetics at Thinking Matters & Pathway Christian Centre.
Sharing the gospel in every context
Jesus’ call to go and make disciples is clear and compelling—but what does that actually look like in different ministry contexts? How do we intentionally share the gospel with toddlers, youth, families, and those on the margins? Join us as we explore barriers and means of bringing gospel intentionality into a range of ministry contexts. Facilitated by Joel Birkin, Kingston Community Church. Session also includes a panel discussion.
Church Planting in Real Life
This session offers a window into a range of church planting journeys, sharing key lessons learned along the way as well as what our planters are still working through right now. From early vision and building teams to connecting with communities and launching Sunday services, this session brings together honest, behind-the-scenes insights into the realities of planting a church—the wins, the challenges, and everything in between. Featuring Isaac Pettersen (Crossroads & The Grove Church, Palmerston North), Victor Moore (Heretaunga Community Church, Hastings), and Mark Gordon (Nae Nae For Christ Community Church).
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:14-17
PERSONAL & TEAM REFLECTION
This is an interactive pdf that you can use individually and as a wider ministry team to reflect on your conversations, connections, and what you learned throughout the day at the Lower North Island Summit Connect.
We recommend taking the time to think and pray about what God is teaching you, both personally, and as a team.
Thanks for coming to Lower North Island Summit Connect!
Email Enquiries:
office@cccnz.nz
Media Enquiries:
media@cccnz.nz
Phone:
06 353 1077
027 268 5636
Physical Address:
Level 3, 357 Main Street
Capital Fund House
Palmerston North
Postal Address:
PO Box 744
Palmerston North 4440
DONATIONS
Account details:
Christian Community
Churches of New Zealand Trust:
02-0719-0220311-000
