Last week, Alex Summerlee and I had the privilege of heading up to Auckland for REGEN’25, a gathering of church leaders and ministers from across the motu, hosted by the Anglican Community of St Mark.
The name says it all: this was a time of regeneration. Not just of ideas, but of hearts, relationships, and hope.
Over two full days, we heard from a wide range of gifted speakers who challenged us to think deeply, lead faithfully, and serve with fresh courage in an ever-changing world. From conversations about mission and discipleship to reflections on the life of the church today, every session offered something valuable to take home and share.
It wasn’t just about content, though. For us, one of the greatest gifts of the conference was connection: time spent building rapport and friendship with other ministers and leaders who understand the joys and challenges of ministry life. We also had the chance to catch up with Bishop Steve, who continues to be an encouraging presence and thoughtful guide for the Community of St Mark.
A highlight for me personally was co-leading a workshop with Rev Lucy Flat. It was energising to be part of practical, honest conversations around ministry and mission, and we came away deeply encouraged by the faith and creativity of those we shared the room with.
I’ve included a couple of photos below from the gathering which offer just a glimpse into a special time of learning, laughter, and renewal.
