AN INTERESTING YEAR PAST AND AN EXCITING YEAR AHEAD

Transcription

1 REVIEW 2018 Working with churches, we create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders, and influence our world

2 BOARD CHAIR NEIL WALBRAN AN INTERESTING YEAR PAST AND AN EXCITING YEAR AHEAD My first year as Chair of the Scripture Union NZ (SUNZ) board has certainly been interesting. I am not sure how many of my predecessors would have seen three National Directors in one year. Despite the slightly rocky past year, and recognising challenges in the coming year, I am still excited about how we can make a difference to the churches we serve. We said farewell to Wayne Fraser as our National Director in February We were sad to see him go but excited for him about the position he has gone to at Bethlehem College such a great step forward for him and Nicola. Wayne had been with us for 11 years and he and Nicola went through a process of review and retreat, helped by an external consultant funded by Wilberforce foundation, to examine what the next stage on their journey might look like. At almost the same time a fantastic position at Bethlehem College, leading the spiritual development of the students and staff, came up that was such a great fit to Wayne s talents that it seemed a real God moment. Wayne had to leave quite quickly to fit with Bethlehem s school year and we were left with a big gap to fill. I was hugely grateful when Keith Vaughan stepped up to fill the interim gap and help us with the process for recruiting Wayne s replacement. Because of his long history with SUNZ, including as a past president, Keith was able to step into the gap quite quickly and helped give staff some support and continuity during the transition. He also put in place some great processes to lay the foundation for a good transition to our next National Director. He then put in a lot of volunteer hours helping us run a really thorough process for finding our next National Director. We had an embarrassment of riches in the quality of the applicants for the National Director position. There were several outstanding candidates. But the whole Board endorsed Hilary Hague as the best from such an outstanding bunch. There was a real sense amongst all the Board that Hilary was called for such a time as this (Esther 4:14) a point that my predecessor Maureen Gunston made during Hilary s commissioning Pōwhiri. 1 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

3 such a time as this Esther 4:14 Hilary has stepped into a very challenging situation, as you can see from our past year s financial accounts and our next year s budget. The Board has worked with Hilary to develop some fairly challenging outcomes that we would like to achieve in her first 12 months. These are aimed at the changes we will need in strategy, human resources and finances to turn SUNZ around and fit us for the future role God needs us to play in working with churches to see children and young people discover and follow Jesus. One key strategy Hilary has taken on is to engage with our external stakeholders to survey what they need us to be. Some of you will already have had coffee meetings with Hilary. Feel free to contact her directly, if she hasn t already contacted you. different age groups form their beliefs. A couple of findings really stand out as showing why what SUNZ has to offer the church in New Zealand matters so much. Firstly it confirmed that overall the church is still losing ground, particularly in younger people. But it also showed how most people s beliefs are a strong reflection of their upbringing. So the challenge for us is to find how we can help churches be better at discipling young people through biblical engagement and intergenerational faith development. Exactly what that will look like is going to be the focus of what staff, Hilary and the Board are jointly working through over the next year. But I can say we are already starting to develop new resources to help meet churches needs in this area. As to the future, well yes it is scary, but also exciting. I know the church desperately needs us to help them in what we do best: discipling young people through scriptural engagement. I ve recently been looking at a survey of Faith and Belief in New Zealand ( This 2018 study drills down below the census data on religious beliefs and looks at how ANNUAL REVIEW

4 NATIONAL DIRECTOR HILARY HAGUE In Te Ao Māori it is said that we walk backwards into the future - ka mua, ka muri. Our past informs our future and this is very true of Scripture Union. Since its beginning, Scripture Union has been made up of people who have heard the heartbeat of God for children and young people and who have responded to his call to help them discover and follow Jesus in life-changing ways. When our founder Josiah Spiers wrote God is love on the sand in Wales in 1867 it was part of a new approach to children s ministry that swept across the world. Over the years since, Scripture Union has ministered on the prophetic edge of God s calling to evangelise and disciple children and young people well. It has continued to influence the Church and give it innovative and creative tools to help in its mission. In 2017 Scripture Union s 150th birthday was a great opportunity to give thanks for this heritage. A series of dinners around the country brought great joy as people told stories and shared memories. Today we are still passionate about the twofold and inseparable ministry of evangelism and discipleship and this year we have continued to encourage churches to do faith formation well at all stages of the journey. Our WAY2GO conferences continue to thrive and this year we had recordbreaking numbers. The theme of Setting Sail challenged people to explore ways to respond to the winds of change blowing across New Zealand. Leadership development programmes like Exodus Prime continue to make an important contribution to the Church. The first group of leaders completed the full four-year programme this year. New developments such as Āpōpō which is a youth suicide awareness programme are enabling us to help churches talk with young people. Our strong staff team have contributed to theological and other discussions nationally, and now internationally with the appointment of Annette Osborne as Children s Ministry Consultant to SU International. 3 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

5 We are making genuine efforts to take our Treaty relationship seriously and allow it to shape our activities so that we respect Maoritanga and acknowledge Tikanga. This year staff members have had the opportunity to learn Te Reo as part of their work. We need also to look to the future. The degree and depth of change that is occurring in our society is impacting the shape of the Church here in New Zealand. There is an increasing disconnection between church and the world our young people inhabit. Many churches are struggling with both effective evangelism and with growing lifelong disciples. Increasing numbers of New Zealanders are no longer engaging in church life and indeed do not identify themselves as Christian. A recent survey on Faith and Belief here in New Zealand1 has some sobering insights as does He waka eke noa, our own research into children s ministry across New Zealand. The church has a very small front door and a very big back door few people are coming into the church and many people are leaving it. These twin failures have worked together to add to the massive shift that is taking place in the spiritual lives of children and young people across New Zealand. This shift will affect the church both now and in the future. The lessening Christian influence in our society will shape the way we live every day. Of course there is good happening as well. But for much of the church, much of the time these are the facts. And the health of the church is critical to God s mission. SUNZ is built on God s heartbeat for evangelism and discipleship. This is our calling and it exactly aligns with the challenges that face the Church at this time. As we go into the future, SUNZ s message for churches about children and young people discovering and following Jesus is vitally important. In fact, if there is to be a relevant and culturally engaging church for the next generation, then SUNZ must engage with the existing church the big, the small and the alternative expressions of it and work with it to develop innovative and effective methods of faith formation. The church here in New Zealand needs SUNZ to be innovative and prophetic as never before. We must work as hard and as sacrificially for this as previous generations of Christians before us. Scripture Union has been made up of people who have heard the heartbeat of God for children and young people I want to see SUNZ call the Church to reexamine what it takes to grow lifelong, active followers of Jesus. I want to see SUNZ inspire churches to understand that intentional faith formation is important and that the way they help children and young people engage with the Bible and pray is crucial to their life-long relationship with God. I am very grateful to all who partner with SUNZ as staff and volunteers. This year we have farewelled Wayne Fraser as National Director. We are grateful for his years of service and the wise leadership he has given us. It has been a real privilege to take over the role from him. We have also farewelled Paul Martell and Alice Harper from their roles in the National Support office. We have appreciated them both and they have made valuable contributions to SUNZ over many years now. May God bless us as we seek to work out His calling. Mā te Atua e manaaki, Amen. 1 McCrindle and Wilberforce Foundation. (May 2018). Faith and Belief in New Zealand. Retrieved from ANNUAL REVIEW

6 5 SUNZ.ORG.NZ CHILDREN & FAMILIES MINISTRY NIGEL WINDER

7 There has never been a greater need for churches to be connecting with their communities There has never been a greater need for churches to be connecting with their communities, sharing and showing the love of Jesus. With the general decline of the church in NZ, there are less children and families attending traditional Sunday morning services. While there are numerous larger churches catering to all ages and stages, many middle-sized churches are growing smaller with less than 20 children present on a Sunday morning. The challenge of making and growing healthy life-long disciples in an increasingly hostile and secular society is something the churches of New Zealand will need to unite on. The Scripture Union NZ (SUNZ) Children and Families Team loves working in collaboration with the children and family ministry leaders of the different denominations who are committed to helping the church fulfil its mission of making disciples of all ages. While we are a small team, we work together extremely well and have a wealth of experience between us. I am constantly amazed at what the team manages to achieve with the support of national office staff, local administration staff, volunteers and the youth team. My full-time role as Team Leader is based in Invercargill. Our Children s Ministry Consultants are: Liz Eichler (Wellington half-time alongside her role as Children s Worker with Central Baptist Church); Andrew Ramsbottom (Auckland full-time); Paul Dadd (Auckland half-time alongside his role as Children s Worker with St Margaret s Church); Annette Osborne (Auckland 3 days a week with SUNZ and 2 days with SU International). Alison Davies in Wellington provides part-time administrative support. Our Children s Ministry Consultants support churches through our range of SUNZ programmes and training, as well as meeting with other children and families workers individually to mentor, resource and encourage. Here are some ways our team has been active this year ANNUAL REVIEW

8 Children s Ministry is like a boat being blown around by the winds of change here in NZ. We need to respond to these changes by setting our sails to catch the wind of the Spirit. Setting Sail was the theme for our 2017 WAY2GO conference. Annette Osborne and I shared in the main sessions about the changes taking place in church and society, and ways that we can respond positively to these changes. We had a wide range of workshops on offer to further resource those who attended. The WAY2GO conferences continue to be effective, with a record number of attendees in Auckland. We had over 650 people attend across our three venues, plus our great workshop leaders and volunteers. The feedback from the day continues to be very positive. Best children s ministry conference around. Always something to encourage and equip my leaders. Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Fantastic speakers, great encouragement, very well organised and great food! Each year, the Children and Families team travel around the country offering churches WAY2GO Focused training days a more tailored version of our annual WAY2GO conference programme for their children s ministry teams. Churches are able to choose the workshops that best suit their teams. Last year we ran WAY2GO Focused in Palmerston North, Te Puke, Christchurch and Nelson, training more than one hundred people involved in children s ministry. There are now nine other children s ministry organisations partnering with us in the New Zealand Children s Ministry Network (NZCMN): The New Zealand Bible Society, Strandz (Anglicans), Salvation Army, Baptist Children and Family Ministries, Messy Church, Unlimited, Cool Bananas, Kids Friendly (Presbyterians) and CBM (Children s Bible Ministries). The NZCMN website (www. nzcmn.org.nz) hosted by SUNZ advertises upcoming training events and children s ministry vacancies. But more than that, it s about connecting people. Last year representatives of the key organisations (SUNZ, Strandz, Kids Friendly, Salvation Army and Baptist Children and Family Ministries) met face-to-face to define the network s primary purpose: information sharing and continuing to look for ways we can work collaboratively. Across the country, representatives from these organisations continue to work together for support and to run training events. All our SUNZ Children and Families Team are involved in regional network meetings, gathering together local children s ministry people to encourage, resource and connect. Liz says: Recently I received an from a woman in the Taranaki region working for the Presbyterian Church. She was keen to connect with others involved in children s ministry in her area. I ed Diana (Strandz) and Karen (Baptist Children and Family Ministry), knowing they would have contacts in that area, got some addresses from them and forwarded those on. The woman then 7 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

9 asked who I knew of in the Gisborne area. I d done some training up there a few years ago, so ed my contact up there who was happy for me to forward on her details. Connecting people in this fashion is what gets me excited. While the SURGE programme is designed predominately for use in schools it is a highly versatile programme that can be used by churches in their work with intermediateage children in a range of contexts. The programme aims to create opportunities for fun and relationship-building as young people engage with Bible content and think about life and values from a Christian view point. SUNZ is passionate about supporting churches in connecting with the children and young people in their local community and SURGE is a great tool for doing that. He waka eke noa Round three of our He waka eke noa children s ministry survey is happening in mid We began this journey in 2014 with the aim to build up a clearer picture of ministry with children across Aotearoa, New Zealand, and followed up with a second survey in The findings of both these surveys have been widely read and the feedback has been very positive. Individual churches and denominations are using this research as a benchmark to assess how well they are doing. We aim to produce our third booklet by September Providing the local church with the resources to be involved in their communities is a very important part of what we do. SUPAkidz clubs are one aspect of that. As reported last year, we continue to see a move away from in-school programmes. In response to that, we have edited our programme material to offer eight after-school programmes, which are available for sale through our online bookshop. Our hope is that this excellent resource will be picked up and used by more churches to reach out into their communities. We currently have 11 in-school SUPAkidz clubs and 6 after-school SUPAkidz clubs. ANNUAL REVIEW

10 We ran four SUPAkidz primary-aged camps in the past year: two in Auckland, one in Wellington and one in Southland. We had 120 campers between the four camps with Invercargill full to capacity with 53 Campers. The Auckland and Wellington camps have really struggled to get the critical numbers of campers which has put pressure on finances. This means we are having to rethink how we do things. We ve had some really good feedback from families about the positive changes in kids who have attended camp, especially their enthusiasm to keep reading the Bible for themselves. These camps continue to provide leaders of all ages with leadership training, experience and a place to serve and share their faith. The kids had a great time. Thank you so much for all the work you do to make these camps happen. They were an important part of my early spiritual walk and I am sure they will be for my children as well. We are grateful that you and your team clearly think so too! I had heaps of fun at camp. It was great hanging out with the kids. It was really cool to be able to take a group on my own every now and again even if it was just for wide games. Some things were a little scary or challenging, but it was a great confidence builder and I can t wait to come again next year. I loved listening to other leaders testimonies and even though I d heard the Joseph story before, it was still interesting to hear other people s take on it. 9 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

11 You re Losing Us We continue to offer You re Losing Us workshops to churches, helping them develop eight key strategies for growing lifelong disciples. One of these key strategies is intentional faith formation through intergenerational connections. Our team has facilitated a number of Intergenerational Sunday services modelling various methods of making this work. We have also run a number of workshops on this topic at WAY2GO and WAY2GO Focused events around the country. International Influence It is a real honour to have Annette working part-time with Scripture Union International to help other SU movements around the world share resources and ideas. You can read more about her role later in this annual review. Thanks We are so grateful to work alongside some amazing people who are passionate about the church, children and faith in God. We are humbled by those who pray for us, support this ministry financially and help out voluntarily. While we don t always see the direct fruit from our labours, we are so encouraged by the many stories (sometimes years down the track) of changed lives and ministry that has been inspired. For that we are grateful to God. ANNUAL REVIEW

12 YOUTH MINISTRY NEVILLE BARTLEY Here we go again! I realised as I was about to begin that this is my seventh annual review. Time has gone quickly and yet so much has been achieved. So I would like to start by thanking everyone who has been involved with the Scripture Union NZ (SUNZ) youth team during those seven years: staff members and their families, volunteers and supporters without you there would be much that was still not yet achieved. And nothing would have been achieved if it wasn t for the blessing of God; there is not a day I don t marvel at what He achieves through a group of ordinary people. We have much to be thankful for and to celebrate about the year that has just been, so let s dive in and look at what the past year has to reveal. Our Team We have had a few changes this past year and I want to acknowledge those who have moved on. Ben Necklen left his role as our National Safety Advisor for the camping ministry in March. We thank Ben for the sacrifices he has made to put our camps ministry across the country into the strong place that it is, and pray that God will bless him as he studies to complete his degree and undertakes new adventures. Aaron Douglas, our Otago and Southland Youth Consultant, finished up with us after the summer camping season, to move into other things he believes God has in store for him. We thank Aaron for all his hard work put in to establish SUNZ in a position of strength in the lower part of the South Island, and pray that God will continue to use him to challenge others in their faith. Lizzie Moore has replaced Aaron as our new Otago and Southland Youth Consultant. We are excited about what she brings to our team. Lizzie is married to Ray and she is based out of the Invercargill office. She worked as a youth pastor within the Presbyterian Church and has a theology degree through Laidlaw College. Please pray for Lizzie as she builds the youth consultancy and gets involved in camps within the region. Our other Youth Consultants are Andy Banks who covers Auckland and Northland, Eugene Fuimaono covering the Lower North Island and Steve Adams who holds joint roles of North Island Camps Facilitator and Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Youth Consultant. Erin Henton, who came on board last July, is based in Tauranga providing administrative support to Steve Adams. Completing the Youth Team 11 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

13 Eugene Fuimaono is working on a resource Eugene Fuimaono is working on a resource for youth groups around Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Eugene also has weekend worship events planned in the lower North Island as we look at new ways to help youth express their faith and use their gifts in the worship of God. are our South Island Camps Facilitator Paul Humphreys and Stay Real Coordinator Richard Starling, both based in Christchurch, and the very essential Invercargill-based camps administration team of Heather Zwies and Bronwyn Withington. By the time this is being read Heather Zwies will have finished up in her role of Camps Administrator. Heather has served the camping ministry tirelessly for so many years and gone beyond what is expected, time and time again. She has been often the first contact with SU camps and so many people sing her praise for the way she engaged with them. We all thank Heather for her love, patience, support, prayers and willingness to always go the extra mile. We will miss her immensely. What s New? Well there have been many things happening in the past year so let s fill you in. As part of the SUNZ bicultural journey many of the staff across the country have taken on the challenge of learning Te Reo Maori and at the Wellington office lesson every Tuesday staff are joined by pastors and leaders from churches around Wellington. Paul Humphreys and the team have been working on a mental health/suicide awareness programme called Āpōpō which means the next day and we are currently running a pilot programme in Middleton Grange High School in Christchurch. We are hoping this resource will be able to be rolled out around the country in schools, youth groups and churches to provide another tool in the fight against suicide. Please pray for us as we move ahead with this project. Our Scripture Union colleagues in Ireland have provided us with a wonderful resource called Nua which means new. It is one of the best I have seen for quite some time. Nua is all about exploration: it s a video-based programme for youth and young adults that encourages questions, acknowledges doubt, and offers an engaging perspective on the Christian faith with opportunity to discuss your worldview and wrestle with the things that don t seem to make sense. It is about immediate impact and the life-changing experience of working out your beliefs. We are blessed to have this resource and looking forward to offering it to churches across the country in July-August. Please continue to pray and support all these youth staff in their vital work. They write quarterly newsletters so please let us know if you would like to receive these to keep up-to-date with more details of anybody s ministry. ANNUAL REVIEW

14 In the year we ran 23 camps, including E3 and Exodus Prime, involving 512 young people: one autumn camp (83% occupancy); four winter camps (87% occupancy); six spring camps (73% occupancy); 12 summer camps (90% occupancy). Sadly six additional camps had to be cancelled because of lack of registrations or leader availability. Numbers are a bit down on last year (546 campers at 25 camps) but camps ministry continues to evolve and three new spring camps were held in 2017: a junior youth (year 7-10) camp Gain in Blenheim, a horse camp in Katikati and a mountain bike camp in Pirongia. Over summer a new girls-only camp Daughters, modelled on the boys-only camps established last year by Steve Adams, ran for the first time under Erin Henton s leadership. Three leadership training camps for our camps teams were held in this year, involving 46 people. We continue to look at new ways to train volunteer leaders, and new ways to run our camps with the volunteers we have. EXODUS P R I M E Exodus Prime young leaders programme ran again this year with the January camp attended by 41 high school students nominated by their church or school as leaders of the future. Those who attend also receive a year of in-church mentoring with training and support of the mentors provided by SUNZ. This was the fourth year of the programme and we had our first five graduates: young leaders who have completed all four years of the programme. 13 S UNZ.ORG.NZ

15 Our two E3 adventure journeys through Canterbury and Otago backcountry for Year 12 and 13 students in December were well subscribed with 22 students out of a maximum possible of 24. The Canterbury journey (which was replaced by a Nelson trip after the Kaikoura earthquake) was able to return to a Canterbury route between Lewis Pass and Kaikoura. The Otago journey was based in the Mount Aspiring National Park near Wanaka. E3 has also run their first weekend event for those who have attended an E3 camp and through some generous funding the team are looking at the establishment of an E3 camp in the North Island. Richard Starling coordinates the Stay Real Programme for youth at the margins in two Christchurch schools. The schools recognise the value of the programme and at the end of 2017 Richard was asked by one school to come up with an outside the square programme for a group of year 9-11 boys who had caused a lot of trouble last year as nothing else seemed to be working. Richard has begun running training days around the country for people interested in the Stay Real programme and we are excited to see where this may lead. ANNUAL REVIEW

16 Andy Banks continues to develop and deliver the Youthserve programme engaging teenagers in local mission projects. Two multiday events were held this year. A West Auckland Youthserve in July involved 18 young people and leaders over the course of the camp. In January a Youthserve held in Point Chevalier in conjunction with Student Life included a total of 38 people. Several Youthserve are planned for the year ahead, a couple in West Auckland and another in Point Chevalier. We also ran two one-day events in Auckland using an all-age version of Youthserve called Beyond Borders. It s Your Move booklets are a resource to help Year 8 students transition to high school. Churches can sponsor the books for their local schools or run in-school assemblies, lessons or presentations based around the book. The books are still selling well and the resources (including training and session outlines for schools) have just all been updated by Andy Banks and are about to be made available on the website. It s Your Move is going really well in pockets round the country (Auckland, Porirua and Nelson in particular) and this year we have been having meetings about It s Your Move with churches in Christchurch for the first time. 15 S UNZ.ORG.NZ

17 ENGAGE: Daily Bible Reading The Engage Bible reading app provides a daily Bible reading plan designed for teens, with audio readings and questions suitable for individual or group use. Over the past year the app has continued to be well-received with about 7,500 launches of the app, 6,500 media plays and 1,500 downloads. Thank You Thank you all for your continued support of our youth ministry. We appreciate your prayers, your finances, and your time and skill that you give to help make this ministry happen. We do not take lightly the support that we receive from you all and we work hard to honour that and to honour the God that we serve. Thank you again to my staff and their families: everything that you bring to your roles and the sacrifices that you make is really appreciated. Thank you for your friendships and for all the fun we have along the way. I know that between us we have many dreams for the future and I am excited to go on that journey with you as God leads us into that future. ANNUAL REVIEW

18 RESOURCES FOR LIFE TONI MCDONALD It has been such an intense 12 months for Resources for Life filled with highs and lows, and everything between. In August 2017 I took the opportunity to attend the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) trade show in Auckland where I was able to network with other book sellers and wholesalers from around the nation. It was a valuable and insightful time. Several of the CBA members now regularly purchase our Bible reading guides to stock on their shelves each quarter. Many stores have developed their own regular customers for the product, which is a win for all concerned. We offer the retail outlets wholesale discount on a new tiered basis i.e. the more books they order, the greater their discount. This strategy seems to have been well received. The trade show also provided a valuable opportunity to glean an extended knowledge of what was happening in the wider New Zealand Christian book market. I discovered most retail outlets supplement book sales with novelty and gift lines. All are experiencing the impact of e-books and the super-competitive prices of the large webstores such as Amazon and Book Depository. If the New Zealand Government moves to implement a GST component on sales through these overseas online giants this may turn the tide a little in favour of the New Zealand book suppliers. On a positive note, Scripture Union NZ (SUNZ) will be taking advantage of the Book Depository s affiliate programme in the new financial year. Under this scheme, SUNZ will be credited with five percent of book sales which come from our referrals. We hope the affiliate programme will generate a little passive income for us. The New Zealand editions of the Scripture Union Bible Reading Guides, using Scripture Union UK text, local photography and promotional material, continue to be well received. Subscription levels of Daily Bread have decreased a little, while Encounter with God subscription numbers are pleasingly steady. Gift subscriptions have been one area of growth. The subscription book price remains unchanged. For only just over $1.00 a week for an annual subscription, the subscriber receives a quality devotional SUNZ.ORG.NZ SUNZ.ORG.NZ

19 Increasing fuel prices are now impacting our immediate postage and freight costs. It is only a little more than 12 months since we increased postal charges on our subscriptions. Regrettably, SUNZ will need to take into account the national increases in postal and freight costs in the next financial year. Consequently, SUNZ will be increasing its postage charges to ensure that its post and freight costs are covered and are not a burden on the wider ministry. Overall resource sales have been detrimentally affected by some international shipping problems, including a lost Christmas stock shipment which finally arrived just one week before Christmas. Scripture Union UK/Marston distributors, where SUNZ sources most of its books, have restructured their organisation and reduced a significant number of titles they supply. Many product distribution rights have been sold off to other distributors whom we cannot use unless we place large orders. Thus it has become impossible for us to access some book titles. The loss of so many great resources has been challenging. I will be investigating options for collaborating with other booksellers for combined shipping. It has been an extremely challenging year for Resources for Life. The SUNZ leadership ask for your prayers for guidance as we look at future structure as well as the service and products we would like to continue to provide to churches and individuals across our nation. ANNUAL ANNUAL REVIEW REVIEW

20 INTERNATIONAL REPORT Scripture Union is a global movement in over 120 countries around the world, actively introducing children, young people and families to Jesus and helping them to meet God through the Bible and prayer. Each country s movement shares the Gospel in ways appropriate to their culture and situation, so local ministry may include a whole variety of activities from running camps or school and student groups to producing Bible reading resources and working with poor and marginalised children. This year SU International made a major transition to a new global structure. Regions were dissolved, replaced by Community Groups and a Global Board. One of the highlights of the Global Assembly attended by Wayne Fraser, Neil Walbran, Annette Osborne, Sam Emery and Erin Henton was the presence of young emerging leaders (including Erin) from many movements. This was the fruit of a deliberate strategy and signals a bright future for Scripture Union not only in New Zealand but across the world. Here in New Zealand we said farewell to Sam Emery who has served Scripture Union faithfully as the Pacific Region Coordinator/ Pacific Development Coach ever since He has been a respected staff member and we have appreciated his gentle wisdom and love for God and for Scripture Union. Aku mihi nui ki a koe. Haere ra Sam. We are pleased to continue to contribute to SU International through Annette Osborne who has joined the global team as a Children s Ministry Consultant. She juggles this job alongside her existing role as Children and Families Worker in Auckland. Hilary Hague NATIONAL DIRECTOR SUNZ.ORG.NZ

21 In August 2017 I joined the team of Scripture Union International, as a Children s Ministry Consultant. This is a fantastic opportunity for me personally, and for Scripture Union NZ to contribute to the wider work of Scripture Union (SU). This role constitutes 40% of my time, with my current New Zealand role continuing on a reduced 60%. I have joined a team of ministry specialists who work with other international staff to support Scripture Union movements around the world. My role includes networking with key people across the 120 Scripture Union movements globally, and helping to connect them with what they need in terms of resources, support and training. One particular goal we have is around how to preserve and promote the ethos of Scripture Union. What makes something a Scripture Union ministry or approach? What is it that we value and why? We are a movement that is 150 years old, with a rich history. What does the next 150 years look like, and how do we build on what has gone before? I am really enjoying the challenge to my thinking as well as practice, as I seek to think and act globally as well as locally. My role includes travel, with my first trip being to the Scripture Union Global Assembly in Malaysia in November. Armed with packets of pineapple lumps, I helped to facilitate three sessions looking at the discipling of children and young people, and issues surrounding why people are leaving the church. This is certainly a global concern! Thank you for the many words of encouragement and the generous levels of support that have come in to enable me to take on this role. I am grateful to God for this new opportunity, and look forward to seeing where this path is taking me, and where SUNZ will continue to have a place in contributing to the wider SU family. Annette Osborne CHILDREN S MINISTRY CONSULTANT AANNUA NNUALL RREEVVIEIEW W

22 THANKSGIVING Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:4-5 (NLT) Volunteers Camp leaders and cooks have made SUPAkidz and youth camps possible by devoting their time, energy and enthusiasm. We are encouraged to see young leaders developing as they volunteer on team and we give thanks for all those who have ensured that campers are fed physically and spiritually. Event support teams: with a small staff team we are so grateful to all the volunteers who help make our conferences, trainings and events happen. To those who provide accommodation, transport, kitchen help, amazing workshops, leadership, cleaning, site management, prayer we say a very big thank you! We can t do it without you. Prayer Groups meet in eight places around the country. A new group is starting in the new financial year in Kapiti, and more groups are planned in other locations. Our heartfelt thanks to the group leaders, to Sylvia Coulter for her support role, and to all those who pray. Your prayers are a vital part of our ministry. Administration continues to be blessed by volunteers in many areas. Thank you! Board Neil Walbran (Chair) Meredith MacKenzie (Deputy Chair) Ruth Vercoe (Member) Rebekah Smith (Member) Jason Masters (co-opted) Finance, Audit and Remuneration Committee Alastair Boult Ruth Early Meredith MacKenzie Jason Masters Supporters 1359 individuals, trusts and businesses supported us financially during the year 766 donors made more than one donation 991 prayer supporters receive the bi-monthly SUNZ Prayer Adventure newsletter 1370 individual supporters receive staff prayer letters In Remembrance We praise God for the lives and valued contributions of: Martin Yeoman - Council Member ; Vice President ; past Chairman Hawkes Bay Regional Committee. Les Brighton - former SUNZ Staff member in Otago/Southland Frances Minnie Judge - long-term active supporter of SUNZ with her late husband John. Mabel Garrity - faithful supporter of SUNZ over many decades. Margaret Piper - faithful SUNZ supporter and Prayer Group member. 21 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

23 Tr u st s a n d c h u rc h e s who gave over $1,000 Arohanui Charitable Trust Belmont Baptist Church Bollard Charitable Trust Broderick Road Chapel Cornelius Charitable Trust Daphne Ford Trust Decal Trust Derby Baptist Church E N Lundquist Trust Eden Community Church Edenview Trust Fountain Developments Limited Fraser Charitable Trust G & S Vickers Charitable Trust Glenfield Presbyterian Church Greenlane Christian Centre Gumgo Trust Hillview Trust Holy Trinity Anglican Church Holy Trinity Church Hunt Foundation Group Invercargill Licensing Trust Jenkins Family Trust Jones Missionary Trust KB and RJ Taylor Charitable Trust Koha Trust Leone Palmer Family Trust Lochiel Community Church Longview Trust Max Architectural Design Charitable Trust Merit Car Company Milford Baptist Church Nelson Christian Trust Northcote Baptist Opportunity Shop Oil Changers Invercargill Ltd Orini Chapel Trust Otama Missionary Trust Otatara Community Church PC & HPW Green Charitable Trust River Valley Baptist Church Rosedale Bible Chapel Rotorua Baptist Church Safar Trust Shepton Trust Soul Purpose Trust 1999 St Bartholomew s Church St Chad s Anglican Church St David s Union Parish St John s Anglican Church St Mark s Anglican Church St Michael & All Angels Anglican Church Stockbridge Trust Stoney Farm Charitable Trust The Anchor Church Whitby The Sevens Trust The Synod of Otago & Southland W & M Bear Trust Waidale Missionary Trust Wellington South Baptist Church Wilberforce Foundation Windsor Community Church Missions Group Bequests We give thanks to God for those who have generously remembered Scripture Union as part of their last wishes this year: Janet Caroline Close Lucy Grace Findlay Frank and Elizabeth Behrent Kirk Hayes Tom Summerville Dobbie Vera Frances Mott Frances Minnie Judge Joan Robb Martin Yeoman AANNUA NNUALL RREEVVIEIEW W

24 F I N A N C I A L C O M M E N TA R Y F O R T H E Y E A R E N D E D 3 1 M A R C H Operating Results Scripture Union in New Zealand (SUNZ) has reported an overall financial loss for the 2017/18 financial year of $94,074 compared to an overall financial loss of $85,130 in the previous year. The loss is less than the budgeted loss of $151,105. The nature of SUNZ income and expenses makes management of the surplus/(deficit) difficult as our expenses are relatively stable while our income can be quite variable. Once again, we give thanks to God and to our supporters for their faithfulness. We are always mindful that without the generosity of our supporters, SUNZ and its ministries to children and youth in New Zealand and the Pacific would simply not be possible. While the 2017/18 total income increased by $24,750 when compared to the previous year we saw a significant decrease in Legacy income of $84,090 and Regional/National Personal Support $95,895. This was offset by an increase in donations for camping and donations from trusts totalling $205,873. Total operating expenses increased by $33,694 in 2017/18 mainly due to the filling of roles that had been vacant in the previous financial year. S UNZ.ORG.NZ SUNZ.ORG.NZ Financial Position We are grateful to God that SUNZ is in a good financial position. Total cash and investments on the balance sheet at 31 March 2018 were $1,753,189. $917,935 of the organisation s financial resources have been allocated to the Development Fund which has been set aside for special projects in the future. To enable SUNZ to better manage its resources and to assess the performance of the organisational activities, resources are categorised into the Funds documented in Table 1 overleaf:

25 TABLE 1 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE BY FUND YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2018 (NZD) Reported Annual Surplus/ (Deficit) Scripture Union Total General Fund Team Support Fund Development Fund Camp Working Group Funds Other Minor Funds (94,074) (38,539) (109,068) 20,003 30,658 2,871 Property Revaluation Reserve Equity 3,085, , , , , , ,737 These summary financial statements have been extracted from SUNZ full financial statements. Summary financial statements do not provide the same level of information/ understanding as full financial statements. The full financial statements were approved by the SUNZ Board on 14th July 2018 and both periods covered by the following financial summary were audited by accountants BDO who provided an unqualified audit opinion for both years. These summary financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the following accounting standard released by the External Reporting Board: Public Benefit Entity Financial Reporting Standard 43. A copy of the full financial statements may be obtained by writing to Scripture Union, PO Box 760, Wellington The full financial statements for both years include an explicit and unreserved statement of compliance with Public Benefit Entity Accounting Standards - Reduced Disclosure Regime, and both have been prepared in accordance with these standards. ANNUAL REVIEW

26 SCRIPTURE UNION IN NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE REVENUE AND EXPENSE AS AT 31 MARCH 2018 INCOME Resources for Life: Sales 109, ,421 Cost of Goods Sold (54,745) (59,164) GROSS PROFIT FROM TRADING 55, , NZD 2017 NZD OTHER INCOME Regional & National Team Support 659, ,254 Donations 772, ,878 Camp fees/event income 180, ,624 Other 16,066 11,802 Finance income 55,348 55,670 Legacies 43, ,950 Rental Income 43,473 44,383 Gain/(Loss) on sale of property 1, TOTAL INCOME 1,828,094 1,803,344 Employee benefit expenses 1,105,350 1,068,191 Other expenses 166, ,717 Camps - other 192, ,806 Car Travel and other 73,481 66,437 Marketing and fundraising 131, ,462 Depreciation 84,698 80,017 Office administration costs 36,964 47,851 Property costs and utilities 74,895 79,360 Grants made 17,221 20,504 Amortisation 40,070 40,128 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 1,922,168 1,888,474 SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (94,074) (85,130) TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE REVENUE AND EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR (94,074) (85,130) 25 SUNZ.ORG.NZ

27 INCOME FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2017/18 Gross Profit from Trading Donations Other Legacies Regional & National Team Support Camp Fees/Event Income Finance Income Rental Income EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2017/18 Employee Benefit Expenses Camps - Other Marketing and Fundraising Office Administration Costs Grants Made Other Expenses Car Travel and Other Depreciation Property Costs and Utilities Amortisation (software) ANNUAL REVIEW

28 SCRIPTURE UNION IN NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 MARCH NZD 2017 NZD CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 237, ,645 Inventory - RFL 24,446 22,051 Receivables (from exchange transactions) 102, ,264 Investments 570,000 1,181,000 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 934,036 1,581,960 CURRENT LIABILITIES Payables under exchange transactions 120,552 92,982 Employee benefits 151, ,369 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 272, ,351 WORKING CAPITAL 661,567 1,315,609 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 1,488,834 1,512,898 Intangible assets 54,146 94,216 Investments 946, ,000 TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 2,488,980 1,937,114 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Employee benefits 65,471 73,573 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 65,471 73,573 NET ASSETS 3,085,076 3,179,150 EQUITY 3,085,076 3,179, SUNZ.ORG.NZ

29 SCRIPTURE UNION IN NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2018 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES CASH WAS RECEIVED FROM: NZD 2018 NZD 2017 Regional & National Team Support 659, ,254 Donations 772, ,878 Receipts from customers 112,525 96,423 Camp fees 180, ,624 Grants & legacies 43, ,690 Rent 43,473 44,383 Other income 16,066 11,802 Interest 63,336 45,458 CASH WAS APPLIED TO: Payments to employees (1,134,904) (1,073,283) Payments to suppliers (715,427) (796,900) Grants Net GST (17,221) (20,504) (1,789) (6,866) NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 22,954 96,959 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES CASH WAS RECEIVED FROM: Sale of property, plant and equipment 1,600 1,080 Sale of Term Investments CASH WAS APPLIED TO: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (61,009) (25,374) Purchase of Term Investments (5,000) (160,000) NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (64,409) (184,294) NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES - - NET INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (41,455) (87,336) Opening cash and cash equivalents 278, ,981 Closing cash and cash equivalents 237, ,645 NET INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (41,455) (87,336) ANNUAL REVIEW

30 SCRIPTURE UNION IN NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2018 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017 TOTAL NZD GENERAL FUND REVALUATION RESERVE BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 3,264, , ,737 Reserve transfers in 42,690 8,930 Reserve transfers out (42,690) Surplus or deficit from continuing operations (85,130) (134,610) Other comprehensive revenue and expense -Gain/loss on revaluation of property -Impairment provision expense Total comprehensive income/(expense) TOTAL RECOGNISED INCOME/(EXPENSE) FOR THE YEAR (85,130) (125,680) Balance at end of year 3,179, , ,737 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2018 TOTAL NZD GENERAL FUND REVALUATION RESERVE BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 3,179, , ,737 Reserve transfers in 24,815 7,904 Reserve transfers out (24,815) Surplus or deficit from continuing operations (94,074) (46,443) Other comprehensive revenue and expense -Gain/loss on revaluation of property -Impairment provision expense Total comprehensive income/(expense) TOTAL RECOGNISED INCOME/(EXPENSE) FOR THE YEAR (94,074) (38,539) BALANCE AT END OF YEAR 3,085, , , SUNZ.ORG.NZ

31 ICT RESERVE TEAM SUPPORT FUND J & M LAIRD FUND TENNENT KERSLEY FUND DEVELOPMENT FUND CAMP AND WORKING GROUPS FUNDS 16, ,776 7,565 80, , ,029 33,760 (30,000) (12,690) 19,986 (981) 2,754 21,360 6,360 53,746 (981) 2,754 (8,640) (6,331) 16, ,522 6,584 82, , ,698 ICT RESERVE TEAM SUPPORT FUND J & M LAIRD FUND TENNENT KERSLEY FUND DEVELOPMENT FUND CAMP AND WORKING GROUPS FUNDS 16, ,522 6,584 82, , ,698 6,105 10,806 (10,806) (14,009) (115,173) 212 2,659 30,809 33,862 (109,068) 212 2,659 20,003 (30,658) 16, ,454 6,796 85, , ,357 ANNUAL REVIEW

32 National Support Centre Wellington PO Box 760 Wellington a Oxford Terrace Mt Cook Wellington 6021 Northern Regional Office Auckland PO Box Penrose Auckland Rockfield Road Penrose Central Auckland 1061 Southern Regional Office Invercargill SUCAMPS ( ) PO Box 7 Invercargill Yarrow Street Invercargill 9810 He rama tāu kupu ki ōku wae Your word is a lamp to my feet Psalm 119:105 SUNZ is a member of the Scripture Union International Family Cover image - Jamuel Enriquez Producer - Kate Amos Editor - Janice Hunt Designer - Steffi Bakker