May Newsletter
Kia ora,
As the leaves in Ōtautahi turn golden brown, and the sun hangs low in the autumn morning sky, I am reminded how the land is entering its time of rest. In the natural world, productivity isn't a constant; there is a sacred rhythm where productivity flows from rest.
For those of us in leadership, the pressure to constantly "produce" can be exhausting, which is why it is so important to create space to slow down, connect and rest. That is exactly what a group of us did this week at Zealandia in Wellington as part of our Sacred Ground events. The feedback from the day has been a beautiful reminder that our souls crave a slower pace. One leader reflected on the profound "gritty, practical realism" of choosing hope over mere optimism, while another found deep restoration simply by pausing to pray in the ngahere - the bush.
These gatherings aren't about adding another "to-do" to your list or convincing you to work harder. Instead, they are an invitation to step into what Eugene Peterson called the "unforced rhythms of grace." We want to create a space where leaders like you can connect with other faith leaders across denominations and organisations, and connect with God by immersion in the beauty of creation.
Being grounded and connected helps us to explore what it means to pursue integral mission, recognising that the marks of mission are not separate tasks but an integrated witness to the good news of Jesus.
I’d love for you to join us for our upcoming events. Come and be fed, literally and spiritually, as we reflect on our call to care for this world while resting in the One who restores all things.
Upcoming Sacred Ground Gatherings:
Christchurch:
Thursday, 7 May at Living Springs.
Auckland:
Wednesday, 13 May at Rotoroa Island
Grace and peace,
James Beck Wilberforce Foundation
Lunch and Learn: Rethinking Evangelism for a Post-Christian World
Many Christians believe evangelism is only for extroverts, street preachers, or trained specialists. But in today’s post-Christian context, effective evangelism often happens through everyday relationships. This webinar is designed especially for para-church staff and leaders who are seeking to equip the people they serve to share their faith naturally and confidently.
We will challenge common myths about evangelism and introduce key frameworks that help explain how people move toward faith today, including the Five Thresholds of Conversion, bounded and centered set models of belonging and belief, and a practical HOPE framework for everyday evangelism. Participants will gain insights to help shape cultures of evangelism within their ministries and better empower the Christians they lead to engage their communities with the gospel.
Join Wee-Yeong Eyou this month:
15th of May
12pm - 1pm
Te Tiriti, Te Rongopai, and Henry Williams: Reflections 200 years on
In the wake of the 200-year commemoration of Henry Williams (Karuwhā) and his arrival into Tauranga-Moana, this webinar will create space for honest reflection and meaningful kōrero - exploring the relationship between Māori, Missionaries and the Gospel—te Rongopai—considering both the life-giving impact of faith and the deep complexities tied to colonisation and cultural change.
Jade will be joined by some friends to discuss the topic, including Dr Alistair Reese.
Date: Friday 26th June
Time: 12 - 1pm
Missed our previous webinar?
Take a look at our latest webinar with James Beck and Murray Shearer as they discuss how they have woven care of creation into their organisation.
You can find all our previous webinars on our website.
Join our Mentoring Programme 2026
Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders
Emerging leaders are the future! This is especially true when it comes to Christian not-for-profit organisations and the good work they do. If we don't invest in our up-and-coming leaders, we lose momentum for our mission.
Wilberforce Foundation is seeking to develop, equip, and encourage these leaders. With that in mind, we are excited to announce our Mentoring Programme for 2026! It is focused on supporting second-tier leaders; those up-and-coming individuals in your organisation who are ready to take the next step in their journey.
Applicants must be in a leadership role within the Wilberforce community and be able to commit to an orientation session and six mentoring sessions.
We are looking for mentors and people to be mentored (mentees) for the 2026 programme. Applicants must be in a leadership role within a member organisation of Wilberforce and be able to commit to an orientation session and six mentoring sessions. We will begin on the 2nd of June with a leadership mentoring orientation day in Auckland.
Please register your interest by clicking the appropriate link below:
The Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) journey with a Social Dividend Budget
Standard accounting tells you what you’ve spent, but for non-profits, it rarely tells the whole story of what you’ve achieved. Because our "dividends" are social outcomes rather than financial profits, traditional balance sheets often misclassify our greatest successes as mere expenses.
The Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) recently set out to change this narrative. With support from the Wilberforce Consulting Panel, BAF engaged specialist Justin Stevenson to implement a Social Dividend Model (SDM). This innovative approach aligns financial reporting with mission-driven outcomes, revealing the true scale of an organisation’s impact.
Through this two-year journey, BAF discovered that their actual value far exceeded what was on the surface. By leveraging strategic partnerships and a dedicated volunteer base, BAF was generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in "hidden" value—savings and resources that standard reports simply ignored.
Dive into the details of BAF’s transformation and learn how the Social Dividend Model can provide clearer decision-making and stronger partnerships for your organisation.
If you would like to know more about either the Social Dividend Model, or using the Wilberforce Consulting Panel for a catalytic and transformational piece of work in your organisation, please get in touch.
Chairing Well: Strengthening Governance Leadership
We recently had the privilege of hosting Chairing Well with Drs’ Peter and Robyn Crow—a practical and engaging workshop designed to equip current and aspiring Chairs for effective governance leadership.
Bringing together a group of thoughtful board members and leaders, the day offered a rich mix of facilitator input, case study discussions, and peer learning. Participants consistently highlighted the value of shared experience, facilitator insight, and case-based learning as among the most impactful elements of the workshop.
Practical, Relevant, and Immediately Applicable
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants affirming the workshop as a worthwhile use of time that strengthened their confidence in the Chairing role.
The practical nature of the day stood out, with participants leaving with insights they
could immediately apply. Key takeaways included:
- The importance of thoughtful agenda construction
- Understanding and shaping board dynamics
- The specialised role of the Chair
- The discipline of listening well and drawing out others
Learning in Community
A standout feature of the day was the opportunity to learn alongside others. The
combination of peer discussion and case study analysis created space for honest
reflection and deep engagement.
A highlight of the programme was the lunchtime conversation with Gray Baldwin,
interviewed by Chris Clarke. Participants particularly valued Gray’s reflections on
navigating governance across both faith-based and non-faith contexts, and the
integrity required to lead well in each. One attendee noted that Gray’s input was
“superb… covering faith and non faith based governance,” while others were
challenged to consider how to represent Christ in moments of conflict and lead with
both courage and conviction.
Participants also reflected on how real-world scenarios broadened their thinking:
Continue the journey
If you’re looking to deepen your governance impact, we invite you to join us for our upcoming workshop with Peter Crow:
BoardCraft – Governing for Impact
A 2‑day programme running on 20 May & 17 June.
This 2-day workshop series builds on many of the themes explored in Chairing Well, offering practical tools and frameworks to help boards govern with clarity and purpose.
Cost Full Price $575
Spaces are limited, and we’d love to see you there.
Wilberforce Board members have offered to host a regular Chairs forum, similar to the ‘Cabana Sessions’ Ian Kuperus used to offer – i.e. a mix of informal discussions, networking and knowledge sharing, meeting 3 to 4 times a year.
Please register your interest with Melanie (melanie@wilberforce.org.nz).
Reflect 2026: Pursuing Just Health
The CMF Reflect Conference is just around the corner, gathering in Auckland on 16 May and Christchurch on 23 May. This year’s theme, Just Health, brings together Christian health professionals and students from across medicine, dentistry, nursing, and allied health to explore what justice, equity, and faith‑filled leadership look like in today’s healthcare system.
Guided by the whakataukī Kia tika, Kia pono, Kia taurite | Let there be justice, integrity, and equity, Reflect 2026 is anchored in Isaiah 1:17’s call to “learn to do right; seek justice”. It invites participants to pursue a vision of health that is holistic, equitable, and deeply relational.
The 2026 programme features an outstanding line‑up of speakers combining clinical expertise with national leadership. Keynote speaker Lady Tureiti Moxon brings a powerful Māori health and Te Tiriti‑grounded perspective, alongside plenary contributors including Wilberforce’s own Chris Clarke along with Rachel Karalus, Robin Whyman, and Tony Wai. Together, they offer theological depth, professional insight, and real‑world leadership on what justice can look like in practice across our health systems.
Reflect 2026 promises to be a timely and challenging space for learning, reflection, and faithful engagement.
The Calendar Corner
Stay up to date with these upcoming events and important dates from our previous newsletters and announcements.
BoardCraft: Governing for Impact
(20 May & 17 June) A practical 2-day programme led by Dr Peter Crow covering governance foundations, case studies, and peer learning.
Cost: $575 (Early Bird $375 ends 30th April).
CONNECT Conference 2026
A day for the Christian charitable community to foster connection and hope.
Christchurch: 23 July | Auckland: 30 July | Wellington: 6 August
Join us for keynote speakers, storytelling, worship, and conversation. More details on speakers and venues are coming soon.
Christian Savings Governance Conference 2026: Lifting the Veil
Gain practical insights from industry leaders like Chris Clarke and Kirsten Patterson on navigating the complex traps and opportunities of modern governance.
Register now to sharpen your focus and strengthen your leadership.
Christchurch (22 July), Auckland (29 July), and Wellington (5 August).
Good News for Aotearoa Conference:
(Oct 2026)
Save the date for the next Good News for Aotearoa Conference:
On Friday 16th & Saturday 17th October 2026, Journey Church, Auckland
With Dan Paterson - an evangelist, apologist, pastor and snake catcher as our keynote speaker.
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
Our Community Newsletter is a place for you, our community, to promote and share any announcements, stories, job opportunities or events. Please send them to us.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
The newsletter will be distributed on the third Wednesday of every month.
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you..
