Wilberforce Community News
Kia ora ,
March has arrived, and we're excited to bring you opportunities to connect, learn, and grow within the Wilberforce community. Whether you're looking to engage in thought-provoking conversations, develop new skills, or deepen your impact, there's something for you here. So keep reading!
Here’s what’s coming up:
- An opportunity to join the conversation at the Verity: Women Shaping the Future gathering.
- Registration for our next Lunch and Learn webinar: The Use of AI in Fundraising with Sean Triner.
- Catching up on our previous Lunch and Learn: Evangelism & Discipleship with Tim Freyer and Tim Piesse.
- A search for mentors and mentees! The Mentoring Foundation of NZ is seeking participants.
- New learning opportunities with The Venn Foundation’s latest courses and reading recommendations.
If you have content you'd like us to include in a future edition of the Wilberforce Community News, you can email news@wilberforce.org.nz. Please note that requests must be submitted by the first Friday of the month to be included in that month's newsletter.
Ngā mihi,
The Wilberforce Foundation Team
P.S. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others you think may be interested in the content - the best way to do this is by using the 'FORWARD' button at the bottom of this page. This will ensure all the links work correctly. Look for the envelope symbol below.
Evangelism & Discipleship
Aimee Mai, Tim Freyer & Tim Piesse recently joined us for our recent Lunch and Learn webinar on Evangelism and Discipleship.
Our speakers, both with unique expertise, covered the topics of creating a disciple-making culture and transitioning from ministry to mission.
If you missed it, you can watch this helpful, and inspiring session now.
But wait... there's more!!
Keen to dive even deeper into evangelism and discipleship?
We realise that organisational change takes time, much more than one lunchtime webinar! Wilberforce Foundation are keen to support you on this journey so we are offering you and your team an opportunity to dive deeper and choose from one of two focused learning streams, each with limited spots and different time commitments:
1. SHIFTm2M, guided by Tim Freyer:
Transition from ministry to movement by exploring the life and ministry of
Jesus chronologically.
Commitment:
- 3 retreats (9 days total)
- 3+ coaching sessions
2. Building a Discipling Culture, guided by Tim Piesse:
Cultivate a disciple-making culture within your team.
Commitment:
- 2 two-day retreats (in Auckland or Christchurch)
- 15 one-hour group coaching sessions (fortnightly on Zoom at a mutually convenient time)
Click below for more details about each learning stream, the speakers, and meeting dates,
Once you have decided which group you would like to join please click the link below and complete your expression of interest.
We have limited spots available and hope that we can cater for everyone who would like to join this fantastic way to work theory into practice.
Please complete your expression of interest by SUNDAY 16 MARCH
Once we have formed the groups we will be in touch to confirm details.
Later this year, we’ll also be offering additional opportunities to help build confidence and skills in evangelism and discipleship.
If your organisation offers relevant training and would like to make it available to the Wilberforce community, please reach out to Aimee via email or phone. aimee@wilberforce.org.nz or 021 274 6453
Verity: Women Shaping the Future
Mark your diaries with this new gathering for women passionate about creating a free, just, compassionate, and hopeful Aotearoa New Zealand.
Verity provides an opportunity to talk, learn and think more deeply about some of the pressing issues facing New Zealand.
You’re invited to be part of the conversation:
The measure of a society is the way it treats its most vulnerable.
Does New Zealand's End of Life Choice Act reflect compassion or a society that shuns both suffering and sacrifice?
Join Maryanne Spurdle, Lou Bridges and special guest Dr Lara Hoskins to discuss:
- The new challenges to the responsibility of supporting patients and loved ones through their final days.
- The impact of euthanasia on eligible people who want to die a natural death.
- The impact on our health workers and caregivers.
- The proposed changes to eligibility, and what that would mean for us.
Time/Date: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, 10 April 2025
Venue: Maxim Institute, Hillsborough
Free of charge. Drinks and nibbles provided
RSVP required.
The use of AI in Fundraising
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too much to do, not enough staff, or endless admin that stops you from actually fundraising, this webinar is for you.
Join us for a FREE game-changing session on AI for fundraisers and charity leaders, featuring expert Sean Triner from Moceanic. We’ll cut through the hype and show you how AI can save you time, improve donor engagement, and help you raise more money.
Key points covered in this webinar include:
- AI for meeting efficiency – this is first on the list because it will have the biggest immediate impact! Time saved is more time fundraising.
- Personalised donor communications – make every donor feel like your #1 priority.
- Major gifts & bequests – Use AI to refine your asks and maximise donations.
- The right AI for the right job – not all AI tools are created equal. Sean will show you the current best options and how to keep up with the latest.
- Free ethical AI guide – All registrants receive a reference piece on AI ethics, privacy, and data protection, so we can focus on doing in the session. You’ll even get a draft AI use policy for your board and management to work on.
This isn’t just theory – Sean will show you practical, ready-to-use AI tools that can revolutionise your workload immediately.
Bring your CFO, CEO and communications specialists along too. We promise it will be worth it!
Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders:
Mentoring Programme 2025
Emerging leaders are the future of Christian not-for-profit organisations and the good work they do. The mission of the Wilberforce Foundation is to develop, equip, and encourage these leaders. With that in mind, we are excited to announce our Mentoring Programme for 2025! 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.
Why focus on second-tier leaders?
These emerging leaders are critical to the ongoing success and sustainability of your organisation. They may be poised to step into more significant roles but could benefit from mentorship and guidance as they prepare for greater responsibility. This programme is designed to help them build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to not only continue the work but to innovate and improve it.
How the programme works
The Mentoring Programme will run from April to September 2025. We invite CEOs and Board chairs to nominate a promising leader from your organisation who would benefit from the programme. Each participant will be paired with a carefully selected mentor and will connect regularly throughout the six-month programme. In addition to one-on-one mentoring, both mentors and mentees will have access to training and support, as well as opportunities to network with other participants.
Key benefits of mentoring
Leadership development: Participants will gain valuable insights into leadership and learn from those who have walked the path before them.
Confidence building: Regular guidance will help emerging leaders tackle challenges with greater confidence.
Networking: This is a chance for younger leaders to build relationships with others in the sector, expanding their professional network.
Personal and spiritual growth: Mentoring encourages not only leadership development but also growth in faith and character, which are essential for effective, values-driven leadership.
Nominate a future leader: If you know a young leader in your organisation who could benefit from this programme, we encourage you to nominate them. Forward them this email and encourage them to apply.
Register here
We are looking for mentors and people to be mentored (mentees) for the 2025 programme. If you’d like to be involved please register your interest by clicking the appropriate link below:
The Venn Foundation have some exciting new courses coming up and resources worth a read. Check out all their latest offerings below.
Making Sense of Making
An Exploration of God, Faith, and Art
Being an artist is challenging. Artists are seen as valuable and gifted, yet making a living can be tough. For people of faith who love the arts, questions of purpose, success, and responsibility feel deeply important.
This two-day course, led by Donald Goodhall and John Dennison, offers teaching, discussion, and reflection on how Christian faith shapes the arts. Open to all—join us for this rich, retreat-like time.
Friday, 11 April, 6pm to 9pm
Saturday, 12 April, 9 am to 9pm
Auckland (Venue TBC)
Growing in Prayer
Pursuing a Deeper Life with God
Like most things in life, prayer is something we learn—something we can grow in. This two-day short course is designed for people who want to pursue a deeper life with God by growing in prayer. The emphasis is on learning to pray, drawing near to God, and developing new rhythms of prayer for everyday life. Whether you’re at the start of your life with God, or many years on the journey, this course is for all those who want to pursue a deeper life in prayer.
Friday 2 May, 9:30am to 4:30pm &
Saturday 3 May, 9am to 4pm
Sisters of Compassion,
2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington
Recommended Resources:
The Hare and the Tortoise
Start 2025 with this wonderful resource, inviting you to rediscover healthy rhythms that are grounded in scripture and the spiritual disciplines that have refreshed and strengthened the church for two thousand years. This book is designed to be worked through over twelve months, by individuals or communities. It is a brilliant resource for those who wish to go deeper in their faith and their understanding of scripture, and have this depth reflected in the shape and rhythms of their life.
Lent – weekly devotional
Locally produced by Venn Foundation, this resource is designed to help churches, small groups, households, and individuals enter into the season of Lent. These beautiful cards will lead you through the six weeks of Lent, culminating in Palm Sunday. For each week, there is a scripture reading, a reflection, a question to ponder together, and a collect (a short, written prayer). Each pack includes devotional cards for Ash Wednesday, and Lent weeks 1–6, along with descriptions of the Lenten season and some suggestions of how to use this resource.
