Parish Renewal Event Focuses on Discipleship and Leadership
15 September 2026
Priests and lay leaders from seven parishes from across the diocese plus representatives from Dunedin, Hamilton and Palmerston North Dioceses gathered recently for a ‘Learning Community’ focusing on the theme of raising disciples and multiplying leaders. This was a new style of gathering with a special aim to help parish leaders enter into a shared time of learning, discussion and collaboration.
The event was a partnership between the Diocese’s Bishop’s Pastoral Office and Divine Renovation, bringing a two day programme together with facilitator Brent Dolfo, a Canadian leadership coach and ministry consultant. Brent facilitated a process whereby parish teams spent time working through vision and strategy for their discipleship and leadership pathways. Aspects of the event involved reflecting on current challenges and opportunities for evangelisation and leadership.
During the event, Brett Powell, the new CEO of Divine Renovation, presented live from Canada on the topic of making missionary disciples. On the second day, Fr James Mallon, founder of Divine Renovation, joined online for a live Q&A, where he shared, with candor and humour, the joys and trials of transforming a declining parish into one that prioritises evangelisation and apostolic mission.
Fr Do Nguyen, parish priest of St Peter Chanel, Waimakariri, shared that the “Raising Up Disciples and Multiplying Leaders event with Brent Dolfo was different. I found it very helpful and practical. All the attendants were not only inspired by Brent’s talks, they also had opportunities to discuss and make plans. Parish groups came together and had honest conversations about where they are at, what the parish is doing well and what they are not. They were then led to make plans to move forward with evangelisation.”
Anna-Marie Milne from Holy Family Parish (Christchurch) said that “the leadership conference experience gave new insight into how I need to be more intentional in my role as coordinator of our parish Ministry to the sick and homebound. I need to look around me at the group of volunteers and invite others to develop as missionary disciples by moving people from following Jesus to joining Jesus in mission. The conference was a great opportunity to share ideas with leaders in my parish and to hear ideas and support other parishes in their mission.”
Alpha was highlighted as a valuable tool as part of the parish’s ministry in evangelisation. The diocese has many parishes offering the Alpha programme with a diocesan initiative set to launch in 2027.
Another participant, Brendan Woodnutt from Christ the Redeemer Parish said “It was a pleasure to attend the two-day leadership seminar and connect with people who share a similar vision and are working towards the same goals. The key insight for me was the importance of effective coaching by senior leadership teams. In particular, parishes need to invest in supporting ministry leaders—especially younger and emerging leaders—as they grow in confidence, capability, and responsibility.”
Mike Stopforth, Director of the Bishop’s Pastoral Office, said that the gathering provided the opportunity for insightful input, parish reflection and cross-parish sharing and collaboration that created an energising atmosphere that left participants encouraged and enthused for their journey ahead.
