The Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership forms ministers and leaders for service in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and partner churches.
We work in partnership with a variety of groups and networks, including Te Aka Puaho, the Pacific Island Synod, the Council of Asian Congregations, Presbyteries, United District Councils, and congregations.
In addition to training people for National Ordained Ministry, the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership also provides training for Local Ordained Ministers, Local Ministry Teams and other recognised ministries in the Church. We support presbyteries and congregations in their leadership development, and help resource continuing ministry formation among the Presbyterian Church’s ministers and elders.
Events and Notices
CATALYSING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES
21-22 August 2025 – Conference in Dunedin
PressGo (PCANZ) is working with the University of Otago Theology Department and First Church of Otago, along with the Dunedin Anglican Diocese, to host a visit of Rev Dr Sam Wells (St Martin’s-in-the-Fields, London), on 21 and 22 August 2025.
Following on from the “Investing for Mission” Conference in 2023, PressGo will offer a 2-day conference event. Sam will be the keynote speaker and conversation partner and will also give a public lecture at the University of Otago on Thursday 21 August at 5.15pm.
Sam is a well-known author, speaker, theologian and missiologist. His framework of Community, Commerce, Culture and Congregational Initiatives is part of his work on an incarnational theology of church culture, innovation and presence in a secular society.
This is a “don’t miss” event. Further details will be available soon – email lisa.wells@xtra.co.nz to ensure you receive updates. An event hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin will be held on the previous day, Wednesday 20th August and PressGo expect attendees will be able to register for this event as well.
Travel Subsidies for PCANZ Ministers and Leaders: Travel subsidies will be made available to PCANZ Ministers and Leaders, based on geographical region (zones listed below) Application form for the subsidy can be accessed here Applications for travel subsidies must be received no later than Sunday 21st of September 2025 (one month after the event) Applications and associated tax invoices for travel should be forwarded to: registrar@knoxcentre.ac.nz
- Zone 1- within 100km of Dunedin- Nil
- Zone 2- Otago (more than 100km), Southland, Canterbury- $250
- Zone 3- Top of South and West Coast- $350
- Zone 4- North Island- $500
SAVE THE DATE: “Catalysing Christian Communities” , Thursday 21 to Friday 22 August, 2025.
Upcoming KCML events
Ministering in Today’s (Secular) World — Online Workshop
Ministry today can feel difficult. Often it feels that even our best ‘performance’ isn’t enough. It is the nature of our secular world that pushes us to look at ourselves, what we are doing, and how we can do it better. But what if our imagination of ministry was shaped by God and God’s activity amongst the church and the world?
This three-part online workshop will explore what secularism is and how it shapes both our ministry and our personal experiences of ministry. Together, we’ll reflect on what faithful and hope-filled ministry can look like in today’s (secular) world. This workshop is designed for anyone in church leadership who wants to deepen their understanding of our secular context and engage in a thoughtful, hope-filled conversation about ministry and the activity of God today.
Participants can expect to:
- Describe what ‘secular’ means.
- Identify how secularism impacts our world, churches, and ministry today.
- Consider faithful forms of ministering in the contemporary world.
- Apply their understanding of faithful ministry in today’s secular world to their ministry spaces.
Dates: Wednesdays —September 3rd, September 10th, and September 17th
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Online (Zoom link will be sent a day or two before the first session)
This workshop will be facilitated by Sebastian Murrihy. For more information and to register for this event, please email your name, contact details and Church Community details to Sebastian at seb@knoxcentre.ac.nz
The Essence and Practice of Worship – Online Workshop
Our worship gatherings are so important in the life of our church, at the same time they can present many challenges, and stresses. How can we create and lead gatherings that help us express our worship to God in life giving ways? ?We will explore together:
- What is the essence of worship?
- How can we be creative in expressing our worship in a way that suits our time and place?
- What are some of the challenges in our worship gatherings?
- In what practical ways can we address those challenges? ?
- How do we know what is authentic worship, and what isn’t??
This will be an interactive, practical workshop to help people create and lead meaningful worship gatherings. Participants will be encouraged to experiment between sessions, reflect on the activity. Debriefing with others in following sessions will enhance their learning.
On completion, participants can expect to be able to:
- Describe the scripture-based essence of worship to others
- Reflect more deeply about what we do in worship gatherings and why we do it
- Use tools to help consider what worship expressions could be helpful for their community in their own context
- Demonstrate increased confidence in experimenting with diverse expressions of worship
- Recognise personal growth in their faith and journey with God.
Dates (3 sessions):
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Wednesday 8 October 2025
Wednesday 19 November 2025
Time: 7.30pm – 8.45pm
Location: Online – a link will be sent prior to the first session
Cost: This is offered at no cost as part of the KCML leadership formation programme.
The facilitator of this workshop/event is Darryl Tempero (with a link to their bio on the website if KCML faculty). For more information and to register for this event, please email your name, contact details and Church Community details to Darryl @ darryl.tempero@knoxcentre.ac.nz