Conflict & Connection - Baptist history in New Zealand explored

A crowd of some 70 people gathered at the new Epsom Baptist Study and Retreat Centre at the end of July to celebrate the launch of Martin Sutherland's latest book. Martin, Vice-Principal at Laidlaw College, has drawn on a decade of research to produce a new interpretation of Baptist history in New Zealand.

Conflict & Connection: Baptist Identity in New Zealand examines the dynamics of Baptist life from colonial times until today. Martin re-examines a number of controversial issues and people in the churches and the denomination but shows that the underlying drive for connection, for strands of fellowship which build unity, has been an even more compelling force in Baptist life.

Peter Lineham, Associate Professor of History at Massey University, reflected at the launch that Baptists have taken a long time to come to this level of maturity in reading their story. Tim Meadowcroft from Laidlaw's School of Theology, Mission & Ministry also spoke, noting the accessibility of the book to those from outside Baptist circles. In his reply, Martin acknowledged his personal debt to his church community and called for a respectful yet robust debate on the nature of Baptist witness today and indeed the concept of denominational identity.

Conflict & Connection is the first in a new series of Studies in Pacific Christianity published by the Baptist Research and Historical Society under its Archer Press imprint. The series will feature new and established scholarship on the history and ideas of the churches and religious communities in this region. On behalf of Archer Press, Andrew Picard of Carey Baptist College launched the book, which is hoped to be the first of many which will prompt fresh debate and help Christians in the South Pacific understand themselves, their story and their part in God's mission.