"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, 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: Aaron Hodgson
Thanks to Aaron Hodgson from Raleigh Street Christian Centre in Cambridge for opening God's Word for us and preaching from 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8.
Church Stories
Thanks to Nikki McBride from NZ Rally and The Orchard Te Puke, and Fran Kennach & Warren Ubel from Agora Church in Hamilton.
Wired for Wisdom
A thought-provoking exploration of how Christian leaders can engage with technology with wisdom and intentionality. Drawing on Ephesians 5:15–17, facilitator Mike Fitness examined what it means to live thoughtfully in a digital age, making deliberate choices rather than letting technology shape us. Attendees considered the latest developments in AI and technology, reflecting on the impact on our personal lives and communities. Thanks Mike for sharing with us!
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. This breakout explored what the Bible says about mental health, suffering, hope, and caring for one another. Resources include five video discussions with an experienced mental health worker on practical tools and skills to support our young people. Facilitated by Craig Barrow, CCCNZ Youth & Young Adult Ministries.
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.
Song Theology: Worship Song Selection that Cultivates Participation and Theological Depth
E. Y. Harburg famously said of songs, “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.” Every worship song conveys ideas about God, and these ideas are theological. In a world where song choice feels endless, let’s dive a bit deeper into meaningful song selection that fosters participation and nurtures theological depth. Facilitated by Pathways College Academic Director Rosie Devery (Oak Lane Community Church).
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 showed 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.
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 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Summit Connect.
We recommend taking the time to think and pray about what God is teaching you, both personally, and as a team.
"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
Thanks for coming to Waikato & Bay of Plenty 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
