Some of the things we are looking forward to most about catching up over Centenary weekend is hearing from one another, celebrating the past but also getting a sense of where God is leading us into the future. It is wonderful to be able to offer the opportunity to hear from some of our alumni, current staff and affiliates on a range of topics. See below for our speakers and topics.

To help us with our planning please select one from each Elective session. If you change your mind on the day that is totally fine! 

SATURDAY 15 APRIL 10:10-11am

Urbanisation, Māori and the church
Bradford Haami & Rev. Shona Pink-Martin

A look at Māori urbanisation in the 20th century. This situation became an opportunity to instil the seeds of the gospel in a new generation.

Educating God's Way
Rev. Dr Rod Thompson & Sam Burrows

Education is about being formed for flourishing life. What does that mean for education shaped by God's word in Scripture and the good news of Jesus? What should educational leadership, formation, and learning look like in these challenging 21st century times? In this elective we will explore how we educate God's way.

Restorative Justice
Dr Chris Marshall

“You who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal 6:1). An introduction to the values, principles and practices of restorative justice and restorative resolutions of harm and conflict.

Mission: Past and Present
Dr John Hitchen & Rebecca de Jong

This workshop critiques missions’ place in the curriculum of BTI, BCNZ and Laidlaw College and how this reflects wider trends in mission. This session is a dialogue between mission historian, Principal Emeritus Dr John Hitchen with current missiologist and Professional Teaching Fellow Rebecca de Jong, with opportunity for attendees to share their past experience of, and future hopes for, mission.

Reading Paul
Dr Mark Strom

The ways we read events, circumstances, letters, and just about everything is shaped by who we are, where we are, what’s happening around us, and what we were taught to see. This is as true of reading the Bible as of anything else. Certainly it has been for me. I will illustrate how my own life and faith journey coloured how I read two texts from Paul (1 Corinthians 11, and Philippians 2) – tracing arcs of thought from before my doctoral research to now, that has animated my teaching, leadership, and wider professional life.

SATURDAY 15 APRIL 11:40-12:30pm

Framing the Future: Trends in Church Leadership in Aotearoa
Rev. Dr Maja Whitaker & Rev. Dr Clint Ussher

Join Maja and Clint as they unpack four trends worth consideration for the future of church leadership in Aotearoa.

Encountering Spaces
Steve Peach, Shannon Mawdsley, Jane Hepburn, Lesoni Tafuna, & Lisa Spriggens

Counselling training has been part of Laidlaw College for over twenty years. A panel of current and former Laidlaw counselling staff and students reflect on their experience of training and consider the role counselling has in our society today, particularly noticing the unique contribution Laidlaw graduates can offer to this profession.

Emerging trends in theological studies and their importance for theological education
Rev. Dr Tim Meadowcroft and Rev. Dr Myk Habets

This elective will cover emerging trends in both Biblical studies and Theological studies, response to those trends and look at who is actually studying theology today.

Lifelong Spiritual Formation
Sheila Pritchard & Rev. Dr David Crawley

Sheila and David will reflect together on their years of teaching spiritual formation at BCNZ/Laidlaw College, as well as the ways their spiritual practices have evolved over the years. Those present will be invited to reflect on their own experience in these areas.