Wilberforce Community News

Lunch and Learn: Christian Communication Principles for our Cultural Moment

There is still time to register. Join us on the 29th of August, where we welcome John is an award-winning journalist-turned-PR pro and Founding Director of communications consultancy Good Mahi. Founded in 2019, Good Mahi has helped dozens of organisations across Fundraising, Marketing, Communications and PR, as well as Crisis Communications.

Whether you're involved in media, fundraising, leadership, or public engagement, this session will equip you with tools to communicate in a way that reflects both your faith and your mission.

Date: Friday, 29th August
Time: 12:00–1:00pm

Lunch and Learn: Legal "Ask me Anything"

Join us this September for an interactive “Ask Me Anything” session with Steven Moe, Partner at Parry Field Lawyers and expert in “for purpose” organisations.

We will cover any legal topics you bring; feel free to send your questions in advance.

Steven also hosts the Seeds podcast (426 episodes and counting) and Board Matters podcast for the Institute of Directors. Don’t miss this chance to tap into his expertise.

Date: Monday, 15th September
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm

Please note the change to the original advertised time

Gather to Scatter – Shaping Hearts and Minds for Mission

Gather to Scatter is an event for those who are seriously considering serving God overseas, whether that is next month or next decade. 

Typically, we find that those seriously considering global mission are between early 20s and late 40s, so you can expect to find most participants fitting within this age group.

Whatever your season of life, Gather to Scatter is for you if you're discerning a call overseas and asking: “What is the next step for me?”.

This event is not a conference or seminar. It is high participation, deeply relational, and filled with lots of activities. You will encounter many things overseas (most of which don’t involve sitting in seated rows with a notebook!) and by getting a taste of these things at Gather to Scatter, you will see the areas where you need to grow. We will be with you every step of the way—with lots of food, fun, and friendship!

When: September 26 — 27 (Friday night to Saturday night)

Where: St Paul's Symonds Street, Auckland

How much: $20 (Supper and Saturday lunch provided)

Common Grace - Māori Wards

Jay Ruka, Tā David Moxon and many other amazing Christian voices (through Common Grace) are promoting the inclusion of Māori wards. Please watch this link for more details. 

A webinar for people who offer pastoral care:

'Compassionate Reflective Listening: 5 steps to spiritual healing relationships’

Grow your skills and confidence in pastoral care with two 1-hour online training sessions, on Tuesdays 2nd and 9th September at 9 am.

Compassionate reflective listening is the foundation of Christ-like pastoral care. It is the ability to be fully present to another’s experience without judgment, agenda, or the need to fix, creating sacred space for people to feel truly heard and valued.

Trainer Courtney Brown is a passionate Christian and a counsellor who works with horses to heal broken families. She is highly trained in ways to calm the body and mind. Courtney is based both in Paihia and in North Carolina.

Seminar cost: $40

Training provided by Conversations Seminars, learn more here.

A webinar for Pastors:

‘Moving On: Ministry Transitions Seminar'

Wednesday 17 September, 1.30-3.00pm.

This webinar will have value for anyone in ministry who is considering a change or in the process of moving on. The 90 minute online session covers the emotional, spiritual, and pastoral aspects of concluding a ministry. Drawing on Biblical themes, Silvia Purdie will present from her research into the unique challenges of ministry transitions, plus practical pointers for ending well.

Silvia Purdie is a Presbyterian minister, counsellor and supervisor, based in Upper Hutt. Three years of extensive research and interviews formed her book: ‘Moving On: Grief in Ministry Transitions’

Seminar cost: $30

Training provided by Conversations Seminars, learn more here.

Join Scripture Union in growing young leaders across Aotearoa

Scripture Union New Zealand (SUNZ) partners with churches to help young people discover Jesus and become life-long disciples who serve their communities.

They are currently seeking a Leadership Development Facilitator. This is a unique role focused on investing in the growth and development of young volunteer leaders involved in SUNZ and wider ministries throughout Aotearoa.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about mentoring, equipping, and encouraging the next generation of Christian leaders.

For more information or to request a position description, visit their website or contact Hana Leofo at hana.leofo@sunz.org.nz.

Verity: Women shaping the future

Changing the conversation on ageing

Too often, ageing is seen as something to fear or fix; a slow decline into dependence or irrelevance. But is this right, or inevitable?

As New Zealand’s population grows older, a quiet crisis is emerging. Older people are increasingly treated as a problem to manage rather than a generation to honour. Policy, media, and even healthcare can subtly frame them as burdens on families, on systems, and on society.

For women especially, this narrative runs deep. “I don’t want to be a burden” is something we hear—and even say—far too often. Despite the countless ways we care for people throughout life, the fear of being a burden tends to creep up on women in a particular way. Does a life of generosity dissuade someone from receiving the care of others? How can the experiences of ageing, dependency, and even frailty help bring about a revolution of tenderness within our communities?

Join Amanda Achtman, Maryanne Spurdle and Lou Bridges for an evening of thought-provoking conversation and meaningful connection on Monday 25th August as we dive into a topic that touches every one of us, no matter our age or stage of life.

This free event is for women. For more information and to register, click below

Gregory of Nyssa's On the Human Image as Reworking of Plato's Timaeus

Rev. Professor John Behr | Regius Chair of Humanity, University of Aberdeen

Thursday 14 August 2025
5:15pm - 6:30 pm

This lecture explores how Gregory of Nyssa’s On the Human Image of God reinterprets Plato’s Timaeus, the ancient world’s key text on the cosmos, soul, and providence. By infusing it with Christian theology, Gregory offers a fresh perspective on God, creation, and humanity—distinct from later Christian thinkers like Augustine—and reveals the dynamic relationship between Greek philosophy and early Christian thought.

Read more in our flyer

A block course on ‘Women in the New Testament and Early Church’

From the Theology Programme, University of Otago.

Professor Lynn Cohick, Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Director of the Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University, will teach this intensive course at the University of Otago, Dunedin.

It is a Semester 1 paper (BIBS 324/423), with all the teaching in this intensive week from 1 pm Monday 26 January 2026 to 1 pm Friday 30 January. Assessment follows in the semester.

Topics covered in the course include: Women in the Greco-Roman World; Women in the Synoptic Gospels; Women in the Gospel of John and Acts; Women and Marriage in the Pauline texts and 1 Peter; and Women Martyrs.

The course is jointly offered by the Theology Programme, University of Otago, and the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership (KCML), who also offer an audit option.

Lunch and Learn

Good News: Sowing Seeds of the Gospel in Your Context

If you couldn’t make it to Good News: Sowing Seeds of the Gospel in Your Context, the recording is available—click below to watch it.

Parenting Place is hiring a Chief Executive Officer

Lead a passionate team and shape the future of parenting education across Aotearoa. This full-time, permanent role based in Auckland starts September 2025. If you’re a strategic, values-driven leader ready to make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you.