About the Site
In 2017 Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership commissioned research, funded by the Thornton-Blair Trust. The intent was to listen to leaders across the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand asking what they needed to learn going forward, and what they felt the church needed to learn.
Their responses were gathered into five thematic areas (Faith, Community, Witness, Leadership and Innovation) and one delivery portal: this Living Library – flexible, accessible, updating, varied and rich – offering connection and possibility, and expanding understanding.
A Maori whakataukī encapsulates our hopes and dreams for this Living Library:
He waka eke noa – naaku te rourou, naau te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
Resourcing each other empowers each other to grow.
The whakataukī speaks of us all journeying together, growing as one. There is effort in this, but the tip of the waka is able to cut through storms and so is up for the challenge. At the same time as you bring your basket and I bring mine, together all people will thrive.
And so, in this Living Library you will find recommended books and websites, videos and archival materials, short courses, webinar and coaching opportunities, human stories with an invitation to further conversation, the BeWise curriculum and more.
We welcome your recommendations.
We look forward to engaging with you.
We pray that this Living Library will inspire, challenge, encourage, disciple.
Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki.
The Logos
The Living Library is organised under: Faith, Community, Witness, Leadership and Innovation. Their logos draw from the heritage and diversity of our Church, and the commitment of the Christian life.
Faith
This logo comes from the Moses story that underpins the Presbyterian use of the symbol of the burning bush, a founding narrative. It also recalls Jesus Christ, light of the world.
Community
This logo acknowledges the wisdom of our tangata whenua by drawing from the Māori symbol for new life in community – the double koru. We will not grow without each other; community should nurture new life.
Witness
This logo is a stylized migratory bird, a tern that flies between NZ and Asia and beyond or the albatross that flies around our wider region. It acknowledges past and present peoples who have migrated across oceans. Its movement resonates with the out-and-return movement of witness. And, as a bird of the southern oceans, it offers our take on the dove or wild goose of the Spirit who goes before us.
Leadership
For followers of Christ, leadership must take place in the context of cruciform love. Hence the cross, with the addition of a double circle to suggest the whole as a compass guiding us, which also holds echoes of a Celtic cross from Scottish heritage. Tilted, it reminds us of Jesus and his modelled call to his disciples to pick up our cross.
Innovation
Using waka, Polynesian explorers traversed the Pacific, discovering new lands and possibilities. They were trailblazers and inventors in Oceania, ancestors in innovation.