Getting NZ Baptist Registration means I have received a formal endorsement from the Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUNZ) for my work within the Baptist Union and its network.
This endorsement reflects my commitment to ongoing personal growth, spiritual development, and accountability in my character. The Carey Centre for Lifelong Learning supports and oversees the entire registration process, helping me to continually improve in my ministry.
To be a registered NZ Baptist pastor, I signed the annual Registration Development Agreement (RDA), which focuses on learning, whānau (family/community) engagement, and supervision. At the end of each registration year, I am evaluated on how far I have progressed toward the RDA.
The Baptist Registration inspires confidence in churches and the community, assuring that leaders uphold recognised standards of competency and integrity, ultimately fostering meaningful and impactful ministry!
Thank you to my ever-supportive wife and family, church family, Hopevale Trust, and our Regional Leader for the inspiration and encouragement to serve our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
What it means for a minister:
- Commitment to Growth: You agree to continuous learning (character, knowledge, abilities) and development in your ministry.
- Accountability: You participate in an annual review (RDA) with a supervisor to evaluate what has and hasn’t been achieved, set goals for personal growth, community connection, and professional development.
- Upholding Values: You commit to the core values and distinctives of NZ Baptists.
- Structured Support: It provides a framework for ongoing support, learning, and an annual review rhythm.
What it means for churches/entities:
- Quality Assurance: It provides confidence that appointed leaders meet a recognised standard for integrity and competency.
- Robust Leadership: Helps develop leaders who can lead thriving faith communities.
Key Components of Registration:
- Learning: Ongoing education and personal development.
- Baptist Whānau: Active participation in the wider Baptist family.
- Supervision: An accountability relationship for ongoing development.
- Annual Review: An annual RDA review to plan and assess progress.
In essence, it’s a system for developing and recognising effective, accountable, and value-aligned Baptist leaders in New Zealand.
Having started my pastoral ministry in the Philippines, I believe the NZ Baptist Registration is a program that the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, where I came from, could adopt and establish to ensure the quality of pastors and leaders who serve.
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