Southern Presbyterians Event Feed

KCML Online series: AI and the Christian Life

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AI and Christian Life

Do you have questions about AI? Join us over four sessions exploring a range of perspectives on AI, technology and Christian life.

May 6: Dr. Stephen Garner—AI and the spiritual life - What are the implications of AI for personal and communal spiritual life and discipleship?

May 13: Dr. Stephen Garner—What’s next? Robot preachers and worship leaders? - Is there a place for AI in the worshipping life of the church?

May 20: Dr. Andrew Shepherd—A Critique of Contemporary Technologies and Their Impact on Human Flourishing - How does technology shape us?

June 3: Matt Ensor—Appreciative Insights on the Use of AI: Possibilities and Challenges - Insights along with a no-jargon opportunity for questions.

I attach a link to our website and registration details. There are four session listed separately on the events page: https://knoxcentre.ac.nz/training-events/

Ministry Conference 2026 - Glow Up

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Glow Up – The Transformation Your Church Is Waiting For

This year’s Ministry Conference is all about transformation — real, lasting change that makes your church flourish. We will explore a few small changes can make a huge difference. In fact, they can revolutionise the effectiveness of a church for years to come.

At Glow Up 2026, three local pastors will share what’s working in their own churches — not just theory, but real-life biblical principles and practical insights that cultivate growth and kingdom impact.

Our Speakers:

Peter Cheyne – Making Disciples
Gareth Bruce – Transforming Small Groups
Stu Crosson – Nurturing Our Own Leaders

A Fresh Format:
This year we’re changing things up. Instead of one keynote, we’ll have three focused sessions — each followed by Deep Dives: facilitated conversations where you can engage directly with the topic, share ideas and resources, and process how these insights could reshape your ministry.

We believe this conference will be a time to rethink the why and how, gain clarity, and make purposeful shifts that bear fruit for years to come.

Let’s create, cultivate, and flourish together.

Join us at Glow Up 2026 – the transformation your church is waiting for.

For more information CLICK HERE

If you don’t need any further information, but just want to register straight away, CLICK HERE

Burns Lectures 2026

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The Theology Programme at the University of Otago warmly invites you to the Burns Lectures for 2026, to be held from 5 to 14 May. These will be given by Professor Jodi Magness and are entitled: “Archaeology of the Holy Land”. A poster is also attached.

Jodi Magness is the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an archaeologist, she has participated in over twenty excavations in Israel and Greece. Magness has written numerous books, including Jerusalem Through the Ages: From Its Beginnings to the Crusades (2024); Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth (2019); and The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (2002).

Locations

On campus (Dunedin): Burns 2 on 5 May; Burns 1 every other night
Livestream: https://www.otago.ac.nz/theology/events/burns-lectures

Time: 5.15pm–6.30pm each night

Individual lectures:

- Tuesday 5 May: What makes Jerusalem special?
- Wednesday 6 May: Jerusalem in the time of Jesus
- Thursday 7 May: Ossuaries and the burials of Jesus and James
- Tuesday 12 May: The Dead Sea Scrolls
- Wednesday 13 May: Masada: Last stronghold of the Jewish resistance against Rome
- Thursday 14 May: More than just mosaics: The ancient synagogue at Huqoq in Galilee

Equip - Series Training in Mental Health for Local Leaders

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The Equip Series of training in mental health for local leaders

Introducing ... each month on a Monday evening, 7pm, starting 4 May ... bringing you Aotearoa's top people speaking from their passion, training and experience.

4 May, an introduction to mental health from a Christian perspective, with myself (Silvia Purdie) and Sunia Pasi. Sunia manages New Foundations Trust youth mentoring in South Auckland and is a Pastor at Manurewa New Life Church.

Koha registration.

See the full list at https://www.conversationscounselling.nz/seminars.html

8 June, Dr Jeremy Baker and ex-military man & good friend Rob Pearce speaking about trauma.

6 July, Rev. Rahuruhi Koia (retired NZDF Chaplain) speaking about men and mental health.

3 August, the ever fabulous Julia Grace bringing tools and strategies to 'be kind to your mind'

... and more coming after that!

Rachel Tombs - Dunedin Deaconesses Talk

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Presbyterian Research Network presents:
Dunedin Deaconesses

A talk by Rachel Tombs
Thursday 14 May, 5:30 pm

Seminar Room, KCML, Knox College, Dunedin

This presentation focuses on the Presbyterian Deaconess Movement in Dunedin between 1940 and 1974. It will explore the expectations, freedoms, and challenges of the deaconess role, and argue that the deaconesses were both a part of the established gender order and a challenge to it.

This lecture is co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Research Centre (PRC), in support of their Presbyterian Church Deaconess Collection, a UNESCO Memory of the World Collection. The talk is free and open to the public.

Preceded by refreshments from 5 pm. Any questions: Presbyterian Research Centre, 473 0775.

Induction - Peter Cheyne

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Webinar: Child Protection in Faith-Based Organisations

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Child Protection for Faith-Based Organisations

Presented by Child Matters - Alan McGlade

This impactful 2-hour webinar is designed to raise awareness and deepen understanding of child protection issues specific to churches and faith-based organisations in Aotearoa. Participants will gain essential knowledge and practical guidance to help safeguard children and respond appropriately to concerns.

Key topics include:

The context and prevalence of child abuse in New Zealand
Risk factors associated with churches and faith-based organisations
Recognising signs and indicators of abuse
Responding sensitively and effectively to a disclosure
What to expect when reporting abuse to statutory agencies

This session is ideal for anyone working in a church or faith-based organisation including pastors, leaders, frontline and social workers, and administration staff.

Tue 3 Mar

3 March 2026

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

$75.00 excl. GST

W.O.F. Training

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www.safetywof.org.nz

Presbyterian Research Network Seminar

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Presbyterian Research Network presents:
Christians and Revolution: A Story of Two Soldiers -
A talk by Rev Dr Simon Rae, Principal emeritus, Theological Hall, Knox College

Thursday 26 February, 5:30 pm
Seminar Room, KCML, Knox College, Dunedin

The Japanese capitulation in August 1945 left Indonesian Protestant nationalists lamenting the lack of any guidance from their pre-war mission churches about Christian participation in resisting the return of the colonial regime. With the declaration of Independence three days later, in a political vacuum, Indonesia led the process of decolonization in South Asia and Christians had to sort out for themselves a way through conflicting ideologies, factional rivalries, suspicion and distrust. This study looks at how two men responded to the same
challenge quite differently: Lieut. General T. B. Simatupang, a military planner, strategist and diplomat, and Lieut. General Djamin Gintings a charismatic field commander in North
Sumatra.

Preceded by refreshments from 5 pm. Any questions: Presbyterian Research Centre, 473 0775.

Southern Presbyterians Event Feed

KCML Online series: AI and the Christian Life

AI and Christian Life

Ministry Conference 2026 - Glow Up

Burns Lectures 2026

Equip - Series Training in Mental Health for Local Leaders

The Equip Series of training in mental health for local leaders

Rachel Tombs - Dunedin Deaconesses Talk

Presbyterian Research Network presents: Dunedin Deaconesses

Induction - Peter Cheyne

Webinar: Child Protection in Faith-Based Organisations

W.O.F. Training

Presbyterian Research Network Seminar

Presbyterian Research Network presents: Christians and Revolution: A Story of Two Soldiers - A talk by Rev Dr Simon Rae, Principal emeritus, Theological Hall, Knox College

Presbyterian Research Network presents:
Dunedin Deaconesses

Presbyterian Research Network presents:
Christians and Revolution: A Story of Two Soldiers -
A talk by Rev Dr Simon Rae, Principal emeritus, Theological Hall, Knox College