Debbie Cunningham attends Bethlehem Baptist Church and serves on Mission Council, the governance board of Arotahi/NZBMS. She is also a member of the Arotahi General Director search team.
Alan Jamieson, General Director of Arotahi/NZBMS (the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society), has shared his intention to conclude his time in this role at the end of the year. In a recent article Leaving the best job in the Union, Alan reflects on this decision while also highlighting the rich history of Arotahi and the many relationships and connections that shape its work.
Mission Council recognises that this is an important and significant transition, and in March appointed a team to oversee the search process for the next General Director.
The Search Team
- Debbie Cunningham (Bethlehem Baptist Church), member of Mission Council and National Council
- Susan Osborne (Trinity Baptist Church, Tītahi Bay), member of Mission Council, former NZBMS global worker in Bangladesh and India for 40 years, and staff member with Arotahi for 5 years; President of the Baptist Union in 2024
- Susan Barrett (Wellington Central Baptist Church), member of Mission Council for five years. Spent two years as a global worker in South India. Currently in a leadership role at Wellington City Mission.
- Rāwiri Auty (Henderson Baptist Church), member of Te Whāriki, former Mission Council member (2011–2021) and Baptist pastor (2000–2021), currently part of the Visionwest leadership team
Timeline
A timeline through to November has been developed by Mission Council, outlining the process. It is hoped the name of a proposed General Director will be brought to National Hui (4-7 November this year), for ratification by delegates representing all Baptist churches.
Webpage
A diagram of the timeline and all other information to do with the General Director search process is on a dedicated webpage here:
baptist.nz/arotahi-general-director-appointment
Listening phase
Currently, we, the Search Team, find ourselves in the listening phase (May to early July). This is an important time to hear from across our Baptist church whānau and together seek God’s wisdom about what is needed to sustain and grow Arotahi over the coming years.
As part of this listening phase, a member of the Search Team will attend each Baptist Association Regional Hui during May and June to provide information on the process, connect with pastors and leaders, and listen carefully to feedback from churches across Aotearoa New Zealand.
To help guide these conversations, we are inviting responses to three key questions:
- What are the strengths of Arotahi and the General Director role that we should retain?
- Are there any gaps or areas where Arotahi could be strengthened?
- What do you see as the key priorities for Arotahi over the next five years?
Survey
We encourage anyone from the wider Baptist whānau to share your thoughts by completing an online survey. The survey will close on 12th July. You will find a link to the survey on this webpage: baptist.nz/arotahi-general-director-appointment
You are also welcome to email your response to the above questions, comments or any questions you have to [email protected].
We hope, as we reflect on the feedback shared, common themes will emerge - helping to shape and strengthen Arotahi’s future and inform the appointment of the next General Director.
Prayer
We invite our Baptist whānau to join us in prayer - both for Alan as he finishes, and for the process ahead as we seek God’s guidance in appointing a new General Director for Arotahi. We also ask for prayerful support for the Search Team as they undertake this responsibility.
The Search Team look forward to connecting with some of you at the Association Regional Hui around the county, as well as seeing your feedback in the survey.
Remember to check out the dedicated webpage for the timeline and link to the survey:
baptist.nz/arotahi-general-director-appointment
Image: Captured from Arotahi Renew Together video
