Tumuaki-ā-motu / National Leader of the Baptist Union of Churches of New Zealand

Key Purpose

The Tumuaki-ā-motu / National Leader is called to foster gospel renewal in people and places, by weaving together our local Baptist Churches and ministries[1].

Key Responsibilities

The Tumuaki-ā-motu / National Leader shall:

• Influence and exercise a prophetic role to the Baptist Movement[2] (the Movement) as a whole, to build a clear and collaborative vision of gospel renewal for the future.
• Nurture and protect the Movement’s unchanging commitments to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God as proclaimed in the Bible.
• Lead and guide the National Lead Team, the National Ministry Leaders and the Regional Leader Team, with a continued focus on:
  • Raising up new Baptist pastoral and community leaders.
  • Aligning the Baptist movement’s resources for best missional outcomes.
  • Ensuring that Baptist churches are places where people thrive.
• Model the Movement’s Te Tiriti Hīkoi / the Treaty journey and the deepening of its bi-cultural commitment.
• Promote respect and collaboration with the Movement’s increasingly multicultural and ethnic churches and their leaders.
• Represent the Movement publicly both domestically and internationally, for example, to the Baptist World Alliance.
• Sit on the National Council to which he or she will report, the Mission Council, and the Carey Baptist College Board.

Skills and Qualities

The successful applicant needs to have:

• A strong and mature personal faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrated by who they are and how they live.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to the Baptist way of doing church and ministry.
• Excellent communication skills across various media.
• Demonstrated skills in effectively leading complex organisations.
• Proven ability to lead change in a collaborative and relational way.
• Proven expertise in creating and managing high-performing teams.
• The ability to relate effectively and empathetically to people of differing theological viewpoints, diverse ethnic or national backgrounds, genders, etc.
• The ability to understand the times that we live in and to think theologically.
• A positive learning posture towards Te Tiriti Hīkoi and the aspirations of multi-cultural and ethnic churches.
• Humility and resilience, with a strong personal support network.
• Membership in good standing at an associated Baptist Church.
• The legal ability to both live and work in New Zealand.

The Tumuaki-ā-motu / National Leader is appointed by the National Hui of the Baptist Movement upon the joint recommendation of the National Council and the Mission Council[3]. The role is not one of employment but rather represents a relationship of spiritual service, similar to the relationship of a pastor or minister and their congregation. It is for an initial term of four years, which can be renewed.

Expressions of interest

Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified people by 5pm on Tuesday 24 June 2025. Please email a CV with referee details to hr@baptist.org.nz, along with a covering letter outlining which aspects of the role you would enjoy most and why, as well as the aspects you would find most challenging and your reasons for that.

[1] Clause 3 of the Baptist Union Constitution baptist.nz/constitution-and-rules
[2] The New Zealand Baptist Union is a statutory corporation which was constituted by the Baptist Union Incorporation Act 1923.
[3] See clause 24 and Rule 14 of the Baptist Union Constitution.