As our name indicates, we are a nation-wide network of Christians, churches and organisations in New Zealand.

But what is at the heart of this NZCN movement?

Above all, the heart of the New Zealand Christian Network is faith in the one true and living God as revealed in Jesus and the Bible, and in the biblical Gospel of salvation through Christ alone. We are firmly anchored in orthodox Christian faith, and in the truth and authority of God’s word. People of all persuasions are free to subscribe to NZCN News, but actual NZCN membership is only open to those Christians individuals, churches and Christian groups who assent to our orthodox statement of faith.

NZCN’s primary passion is not Christian unity itself (though we very much encourage unity of spirit). Our primary focus is on the Gospel, and the power of the Gospel to transform individuals, families, churches, workplaces, and society.

In the best sense of the word (and not even remotely in any divisive or political sense) NZCN is ‘evangelical’: that is, we are committed to the biblical euangelion, the Good News of Christ. Our whakapapa goes back to the UK’s Evangelical Alliance in the mid-1840s, and we are affiliated with the World Evangelical Alliance.

We believe Christian unity is not structural or organisational, but a work of the Holy Spirit among all those who belong to Christ and share a commitment to the Gospel.

Fellowship in the Gospel and unity in the Spirit knows no denominational boundaries. NZCN has subscribers, supporters and members from right across the denominations, a great array of Protestants and some Catholics, of Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals, of large churches and small churches, and of many individuals, Christian organisations, and some whole denominations.

As a movement, NZCN seeks
to GATHER – to help bring Christians together;
to BUILD – to help strengthen the church in New Zealand;
to SPEAK – to speak into both church and society from a faithful Christian perspective.

We strongly uphold the importance of prayer. To that end we offer a weekly national on-line prayer meeting: Pray as One. We also help run Prayer Breakfasts in a number of cities.

Every three years we run a national congress. Watch some recordings from the excellent 2023 Congress, or purchase the recently published book that arose of Congress, Strengthening the Church in Aotearoa.

Here’s some ways you can be involved:

· Explore the NZCN website

· Subscribe (its free) to NZCN News, and forward it all your friends and recommend they subscribe too

· Make a one-off or regular donation

· Become a member 

· Encourage your church or organisation to become a member of NZCN

· Attend Pray as One

· Get in touch with us

· Tell others about NZCN

· For Member Churches and Member Organisations, advertise jobs and events. And, upload the NZCN Membership Badge to your website (found in the Membership section).

Author: Dr Stuart Lange

Dr Stuart Lange is the National Director of the NZCN and is a Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw College, where he was formerly Vice Principal. Stuart wrote and presented the historical DVD documentary Te Rongopai: 200 years of the Gospel in New Zealand, 1814-2014.