Brian McLaren, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, activist and public theologian, is visiting New Zealand from 1 to 10 August.

He will speak in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington and Christchurch. 

Mr McLaren frequently finds himself in the firing line for his provocative vision of what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century.

His was an early evangelical voice to engage in some key concerns of the day: poverty and resource distribution, ecological degradation, inter-religious conflict, peace, reconciliation and military spending, LGBT equality, and other social justice issues. 

Mr McLaren is a spokesperson for the Emerging Church, a faith movement that questions many of the expressions of belief of traditional Christianity.

He says he is not advocating a new set of beliefs, but rather a “new way of believing”.

Instead of narrow doctrinal wrangling, Mr McLaren is calling for a rediscovering of the Jesus of the Bible in a fresh and liberating way.

Mr McLaren is the guest of the Smallternative Trust, a New Zealand-based relief and development agency.

“We are privileged to host a thinker of the calibre of Brian McLaren, and look forward to engaging all New Zealanders in thought-provoking conversations,” said Rob Kilpatrick, managing director of the Smallternative Trust.  

ITINERARY

Auckland

SUNDAY, 2 AUGUST
 Sunday Services
 Venue: The Upper Room, 10A Clayton Street, Newmarket, Auckland Times: 8.30am, 10am, 6pm
 More information: Mark Pierson, 021 815 303 / mark@markpierson.org.nz Entry: Free

TUESDAY, 4 AUGUST
 Evening Conversation
 Venue: Greenlane Christian Centre, 17 Marewa Rd, Greenlane, Auckland Time: 7pm – 9pm
 Registration & more information: Eric Holmes, eric@smallternative.org Entry: Donation / Koha $10

New Plymouth

MONDAY, 3 AUGUST
 Dinner and conversation with Brian McLaren
 Venue: New Plymouth West Baptist Church, 144 South Rd, Spotswood, New Plymouth Time: 6pm
 Registration & more information: administrator@westbaptist.org.nz
 New Plymouth West Church: www.westbaptist.org.nz

Hamilton

WEDNESDAY, 5 AUGUST
 “Convermersion” (Immersion in conversation)
 Venue: Hamilton South Baptist Church, 131 Ohaupo Rd, Melville, Hamilton Time: 9am – 5pm
 Registration & more information: office@hamsouthbaptist.org.nz
 South Baptist Church: www.hamsouthbaptist.org.nz

Christchurch

THURSDAY, 6 AUGUST
 Café evening: ‘The Bible, the Church and the 21st Century World’
 Venue: Vandam’s Café, 355 Riccarton Rd, Church Cnr, Christchurch
 Time: 7pm – 9pm
 Registration & more information: www.kererupublishing.com/aboutus/brian-mclaren-nz-visit

FRIDAY, 7 AUGUST
 Workshop: ‘Dancing to a New Tune’
 Venue: St Marks Methodist Church, Cnr Barrington and Somerfield Streets, Somerfield, Christchurch Time: 9.30am – 3pm
 Registration & more information: www.kererupublishing.com/aboutus/brian-mclaren-nz-visit

Wellington

SATURDAY, 8 AUGUST
 The Boulcott Seminar: A Day with Brian McLaren
 Venue: Central Baptist Church, 46 Boulcott Street, Wellington
 Time: 8.30am – 5.15pm
 Registration & more information: www.central.org.nz/event-items/the-boulcott-seminar-a-day-with-brian- mclaren/

SATURDAY, 8 AUGUST
 Free Public Lecture
 Venue: Central Baptist Church, 46 Boulcott Street, Wellington Time: 7pm
Registration & more information: www.central.org.nz/event-items/the-boulcott-seminar-a-day-with-brian- mclaren/

SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST
Sunday Service
Venue: Central Baptist Church, 46 Boulcott Street, Wellington
Time: 10am
Registration & more information: www.central.org.nz/event-items/the-boulcott-seminar-a-day-with-brian- mclaren/