Dunedin Leaders Day

Laidlaw Centre for Church Leadership exists to love and serve the Church of Aotearoa New Zealand by providing her leaders with the tools, support, and guidance they need to flourish. 

Join us for a one day conference as we gather with leaders from across the region to connect, be inspired and encouraged, and discuss issues relevant to the Church in Aotearoa. The event runs from 9am to 2:30pm. Morning tea and lunch is included.

Theme: Stewarding Renewal

Our 2025 Leaders Days explore emerging reports across New Zealand and the globe of increasing openness to faith in Christ, and in some cases significant growth in church attendance and baptisms, led by younger generations; and how church leaders might respond.

"In churches across society something amazing is happening, challenging long held predictions about the future of Christianity in the twenty-first century. Where we once saw ageing congregations and a steady decline in attendance, we now see dramatic growth, led by the young. Where we once saw apathy or even hostility to Christianity and the Bible we see increased openness." - Bible Society UK

In the United States a similar trend is emerging:

"Undeniably there is renewed interest in Jesus," says David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna. "This is the clearest trend we've seen in more than a decade pointing to spiritual renewal — and it's the first time Barna has recorded such spiritual interest being led by younger generations." - Barna Group, USA

On Easter Sunday in New Zealand, St Patricks Cathedral in Auckland baptized 350 people. Testimonies are emerging from churches across Aotearoa of an openness to faith, responses from people previously not interested in church, and a curiosity about Christ and Christianity among non-believers, particularly young people.

As church and Christian leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand, how might we respond in our contexts?

How could we participate in what the Spirit is doing? What does this mean for sustainability of people and programmes, and for our discipleship teams? How can we discern the best response to the opportunities presented by this context? How can we stir hunger for renewal in our time and place, without unhealthy comparison?

We are gathering leaders from across Aotearoa in four locations for a one day conference to discuss these questions. There will be opportunity to hear testimonies of renewal happening in churches in Aotearoa, and share your thoughts with other leaders as we gather — we pray you will walk away encouraged, inspired, and with fresh vision for the days ahead.

We hope to see you there!

Programme:

Session One: Emerging Renewal

More and more, stories are emerging of green shoots in surprising places: tales of people without church backgrounds turning up at church quite unexpectedly, more frequent conversations with those curious about Jesus, dramatic spiritual encounters that we could never have facilitated. There is a sense that the upheaval of Covid, global political shifts, and financial uncertainty in recent years has shifted something: the fragmentation and failure of secularism and new atheism was perhaps preparing the ground. It seems like something is happening - a quiet renewal.

What does this mean for the communities we lead? How can we, as leaders, steward these firstfruits of renewal? How can we lean in to what the Spirit is doing in our own contexts?

Session Two: Stories of Renewal

In this panel discussion, local pastors and leaders share stories of how they are seeing that God has been moving — stirring renewal and hope, unexpected shifts in discipleship and salvations, and how they are responding.

Session Three: Renewal and Fruitfulness

Time and time again throughout history, renewal has come through small communities making radical commitments to the way of Jesus. What can renewal movements throughout history teach us about renewal in our own moment? What helps? What doesn't? What does it look like to be faithful in our time and place?

Session Four: Renewal Conversations

What does it look like to steward renewal in our churches? This session focuses on practical responses to renewal and discussion around how the Church in Aotearoa can partner with what the Spirit is doing.

Speakers:

Sam Harvey, 24-7 Prayer New Zealand

Sam Harvey is the founding and Lead Pastor of Bay Vineyard Church and the National Coordinator for 24-7 Prayer NZ. He has been in full-time ministry since graduating from BCNZ (now Laidlaw) in 2003. He is passionate about coming alongside church leaders to encourage strong prayer cultures in churches. His 24-7 role gives him a front row seat to a lot of what God is doing among our churches. Sam is married to Jenn and they have three lively sons. Sam loves good food, good music and good waves. We are excited to have him with us!

Roshan Allpress, Laidlaw College

Dr Roshan Allpress has led Laidlaw College as National Principal/Chief Executive since 2017. He holds History degrees from Canterbury and Oxford, focusing on religious reform, philanthropy, and theology’s social impact. He co-founded the Compass (now Venn) Foundation and has extensive experience in non-profit leadership. Raised in Ōtautahi Christchurch, he and his wife Lottie have three children and now live in Auckland.

Local Panels

In each location we will be joined by local pastors and leaders sharing experiences of renewal from their contexts. More information coming soon!