Brian McLaren here in NZ Next Month.

MEDIA RELEASE 15 July 2015. 

Internationally acclaimed activist-theologian Brian McLaren visits New Zealand in August 2015. 

Brian McLaren, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, activist and public theologian will be visiting New Zealand from 1 to 10 August 2015. He will be speaking in Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Mr. McLaren frequently finds himself in the firing line for his often provocative vision of what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century. His was an early evangelical voice for the Church to engage in some of the 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 noted 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 for 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.

ENDS

Notes to editors: For media interviews and photos Contact Alta van Wyk: [email protected] / 022 679 3732 For more information on speaking events Contact Julie Wilson: [email protected]

More about Brain McLaren www.brianmclaren.net/

Brian McLaren’s full 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 / [email protected] Entry: Free

AUCKLAND TUESDAY, 4 AUGUST Evening Conversation Venue: Greenlane Christian Centre, 17 Marewa Rd, Greenlane, Auckland Time: 7pm – 9pm Registration & more information: Eric Holmes, [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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 

CHRISTCHURCH 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/

WELLINGTON 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/

WELLINGTON 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/