News

An Update from the Arise Board and Leadership Team
2022-05-20

Kia ora Church,

The review period with Pathfinding has now closed and we want to acknowledge those who have come forward and bravely shared their stories. We thank you for your courage. We are deeply grateful.

We want to apologise unreservedly to all those who have called Arise Church home. It is deeply regrettable that a place made for refuge, safety and security, for some, became a place of deep hurt.

As we await the findings from the review, we are aware that this process has raised some painful and deeply challenging emotions for people in our church community.

While this is a painful process, we believe the reviews will serve to highlight issues, point to areas that need radical change, and help shape Arise to be a healthier church for everyone in the future. We are thankful for every individual who has engaged with the review process and has courageously carved the way forward for significant change to take place. We give them our commitment as a Board that changes will be made.

As a Board and leadership we are seeking to keep you updated where possible and we aim to provide answers to those questions which are being raised frequently on the website, with Campus Pastors, and with Leadership. Please be patient as this process involves information gathering, and consultation with Board members and staff. We expect to have more information including a timeline of next steps, available in the coming weeks.

There were a number of questions submitted in the last week. The most commonly asked questions were related to the independent and legal reviews, the Board and governance, spiritual oversight, finances, policies, as well as services and programmes. A reminder that due to legal and privacy obligations we are unable to comment on specific individuals or employment circumstances. These answers have been added to the Independent Review page on the Arise website.

We thank all individuals who bravely and courageously shared their experiences. We are praying for those who are hurting, and ask you to join us in praying over the reviews and our church through this process.

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

The Arise Board and leadership

Graeme Kirkwood, Board Chairperson
Kylie Fletcher, Trustee
Israel Cooper, Trustee
Rob Reid, Trustee
Alice Camaivuna, Trustee
Nathan Chambers, Leader, Arise Leadership Team
Ben Kendrew, Oversight of Pastoral Staff