We reflect on the expression of love through hospitality and presence, sitting with the story of the Pharisee and woman who had been judged as a sinner. How does Jesus respond to both characters and how might that inform who we are and how we engage in our neighbourhood as a faith community going forward?

Passage: Luke 7:36-50Speaker: Steven Goulstone

What does it look like to have peace in the midst of uncertainty? Our church has some big questions ahead of us that could leave us feeling a lack of peace. As our Advent journey continues, we are invited to seek God’s peace no matter the season.

Passage: Colossians 3:12-17

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

Trigger warning: this message deals with topics of abusefound in Whanaketia, the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state and faith-based care.

In October 2025, the Baptist Union of New Zealand issued anapology to the survivors of abuse in the care of our churches and associated ministries. We reflect on the need to be intentional going forward as a local church as the truth of the abuse has been “unveiled” and sit with the words of the apology.

Passage: Daniel 9:1-16

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

This week we were visited by Jeff from Barnabas Aid. Jeffshares a passionate reflection on global Christian persecution, sharing stories of faith, forgiveness, and hope as well as calling us to prayer, solidarity and action.

Passage: Romans 8:18-22Speaker: Jeff Woollett

In light of recent protests and strikes, we retell the story of how Labour Day came to be and relate it to the story of Hebrew oppression in Exodus 1. What is God's posture in situations of oppression and exploitation, and how might we respond?

Passage: Exodus 1:8-22; 2:23-25

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

In our latest 'Who Are You?' slot, we hear Roger's story of encountering Jesus throughout his life.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Speaker: Roger Miller

We’re not just here to keep things running — we’re called to dream with God and participate in the building of the upside-down Kingdom. Through a story about drill bits and the wisdom of Ephesians, this message reminds us that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, calling us to live with purpose, unity, and love.

Passage: Ephesians 3:14-4:6

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

We were joined by people that we at WSBC have supported in mission for many years. Rick now works with CMS and in this sermon, he shares insights from their decades in mission and his current work with the ATA, a network equipping over 70,000 Christian leaders across Asia and the Middle East. Rick explores how the cross reveals God’s powerful foolishness triumphing over the world’s foolish power. Through stories of Desmond Tutu, Dame Cicely Saunders, and the courageous Afghan church, listeners are invited to rediscover the truth that small is beautiful—and that when we take up our cross daily, even the smallest acts can carry eternal significance.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Speaker: Rick (CMS)

We were joined by Ben Carswell, director of Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship (TSCF) to share about some of the work that he and the team are doing with students through TSCF. Reflecting on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, Ben invites us to consider our place in the mission of God.

Passage: Luke 24:13-35

Speaker: Ben Carswell

In this final week of the series, we turn to the question of God’s priorities, reflecting on the vivid biblical imagery of living water and the prophet Amos’ call to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” We consider how justice and righteousness cannot be separated, how escapist theologies distort the mission of Christ, and how we are called to actively participate in God’s torrent of justice and hope in the world today.

This series seeks to offer an alternative theological framework to dispensationalism which responds to the horrific suffering experienced by Palestinians through the inexcusable aggression of the nation-state of Israel.

Passage: Amos 5:18-27; Luke 4:16-21

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

For further information, see ⁠this statement⁠ from many people within the Baptist Union of New Zealand.

For a more detailed unpacking some of the ideas shared in the series, see ⁠Biblical Insights: The Gospel and the land of the Bible⁠.

In week three we explore the long and complex history of Palestine, the beginnings of Zionism and the implications of fixating on a narrow view of God's land, as a dispensationalist hermenutic does. Seeking to rather see the whole world as God's land in light of Christ, and the continually expansive story of God's activity in the world.

This series seeks to offer an alternative theological framework to dispensationalism which responds to the horrific suffering experienced by Palestinians through the inexcusable aggression of the nation-state of Israel.

Passage: John 3:4-16; Romans 4:13-17

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

In week two we deep dive into how we understand who God's people are, considering some definitions to common descriptors of God's people in the Bible and concluding by reflecting on the people of God being all who believe in and follow Christ.

This series seeks to offer an alternative theological framework to dispensationalism which responds to the horrific suffering experienced by Palestinians through the inexcusable aggression of the nation-state of Israel.

Passage: Genesis 11:31-12:3; Galatians 3:26-29

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

For further information, see this statement from many people within the Baptist Union of New Zealand.

For a more detailed unpacking some of the ideas shared in the series, see Biblical Insights: The Gospel and the land of the Bible.

In the first of a four week series, we consider the importance of reading scripture through the lens of Christ, and look at how reading it differently can lead to dire consequences.

This series seeks to offer an alternative theological framework to dispensationalism which responds to the horrific suffering experienced by Palestinians through the inexcusable aggression of the nation-state of Israel,

Passage: John 1:1-5; 9-14 and Hebrews 1:1-3

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

For further information, see this statement from many people within the Baptist Union of New Zealand.

For a more detailed unpacking some of the ideas shared in the series, see Biblical Insights: The Gospel and the land of the Bible.

The opening verses of Gospel of Mark set the scene for what is to come in Jesus’ ministry. A bold title followed by several short vignettes prepare the reader for Jesus’ ministry which follows. Our familiarity with the text and our unfamiliarity with the ancient world might cause us to miss the significance in these opening lines. But for those who will look again, the Gospel can speak a fresh word to us, and a fresh challenge.

Passage: Mark 1:1-13

Speaker: Jonathan Robinson (New Testament Lecturer, Carey Baptist College - preached via video for Carey Sunday)

We are visited again by Sean Marston, the NZ Director of INF (International Nepal Fellowship). Through the story of the Good Samaritan, we're invited to consider how to live out the gospel in tangible, everyday ways - meeting the needs of those who are vulnerable without expectation or agenda.

Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Speaker: Sean Marston (INF NZ Director)

Steven brings some reflections from his time at the BWA Congress in Brisbane in which he heard people speaking 'prophetically' into the current global context, and wonders how we as a or the church can participate in that process.

Content warning: includes discussion of terror attacks and intimate partner violence.

Passages: Luke 4:16-21; Micah 6:6-8

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

Mānawatia a Matariki

In the conclusion to our series reflecting on the place of Te Tiriti and the profound implcations of how it impacts who we are as people of Aotearoa, people how are part of a Baptist church, and people who follow a God whose practice of being in covenant with creation.

This week we consider practical steps that we can take as Tangata Tiriti to be a part of restoring the broken covenant as we acknoweldge how we benefit from the breaking and ongoing dishonouring of Te Tiriti. How might we fulfill our call to be faithful covenant partners?

Passage: Luke 19:1-9

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

We continue our series on the place of Te Tiriti and how it impacts who we are as people of Aotearoa, people who are part of a Baptist church, and people who follow a God whose practice of being in covenant with creation has profound implications for us.

This week we consider the need for and the importance of repentance for broken covenants, and how relevant that is for Aotearoa and the many breaches of Te Tiriti that have happend throughout the years.

Passage: 2 Samuel 21:1-14

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

In the lead up to Matariki, we will be reflecting on the place of Te Tiriti and how it impacts who we are as people of Aotearoa, people who are a part of a Baptist church, and people who follow a God whose practice of being in covenant with creation has profound implications for us.

In this first week, we look at the importance of covenant to early Baptists, to Abraham and how the concept of covenant is an important way to look at Te Tiriti.

Passage: Genesis 17:1-16

Speaker: Steven Goulstone

In this latest 'Who Are You?' slot, we hear from Thea Jacobs, at the time of recording not yet elected, but now elected Elder of WSBC. Listen in to find out Who Are You? Thea Jacobs.