People

Clarisse: "I can come as I am"

We came to Ponsonby Baptist in 2017 because we heard it was a church that was inclusive. I’d been to churches that would tolerate you, but this was the first one that truly accepted you – where queer and Christian went together. We felt comfortable there.

There was a key moment when I thought, ‘Wow, this church is different.’ It was the Easter service and Susan gave a reading. If a church is willing to let a trans person do an Easter reading, then that really is accepting who you are. You don’t have to fit in any way. That is so special. At Ponsonby I can come as I am. I’ve never felt God’s love like that in any community.

What kept me there? The differences of opinion! The way that people’s opinions are heard and valued. At free-for-all people can feed back, disagree and raise issues. I really like that. You don’t always agree but it creates more of a community: everyone listens. I’d never experienced that. It’s usually the minister speaking and everyone else listening. If all think the same you don’t learn to grow.

Annie: "A place that addresses the fact that I have a spirit"

I had always been in Baptist churches but I wanted something more edgy, and I found a group of friends here.

At the moment my attendance is patchy, but Ponsonby Baptist is a place that addresses the fact that I have a spirit. That hour in church is precious – a time for thinking and meditation. At a time when there are lots of voices saying Christianity has nothing to offer, it’s reassuring to know that not everyone has a blind, unreasoning faith. And Jody: I value her integrity, the way she really cares. If I feel I need support I know I can talk to her.

Michael: "Community and equality"

I liked the sense of community and equality. The first service I came to Susan gave the reading. I loved the fact that she could be part of a service. We’re all just people, regardless of our sexuality or gender.

And Free for All: it helps that sense of equality. We all have something to contribute. And morning tea in the middle of the service makes it part of worship instead of tacked on at the beginning or end.

The highlights are the monthly church lunches; I love them. It’s not just seeing people in church but in a different arena, their homes. It’s fun.

Peter: "CORT has been an ongoing highlight"

In 1986 we were looking for a new church, and I had a tip that Ponsonby was interesting with its strong bias towards social justice. Jesus often spoke about the poor: that was important to me. The first thing we saw when we walked in was the state of the buildings: the church’s priority wasn’t its property.

The church demanded engagement and gave us space to get involved with the community – addressing injustice and inequality. Because it was small, we got roped in. The founding of CORT Community Housing was crucial for me; I found something that I was excited about, an avenue to work out my faith and beliefs in a very practical way. Being involved in CORT has been an ongoing highlight – the work it’s been able to achieve and watching it grow. It now provides affordable housing for over 600 people in Auckland.

And the Church has been a stable supporting community for me and my family. Some people are going through shit. That normalised my times of burn-out and unemployment. It’s given us a place to stand, a place to belong, a place amongst others where I’m accepted for who I am – good and not so good. It’s not perfect by a long shot, but I feel a sense of grace, acceptance and worth.

Sophia: "differences are celebrated"

I heard about Ponsonby Baptist when my degree supervisor asked what kind of church I would like to work in. I wanted to be part of a church and community that represented God’s desire for everyone to be part of his kingdom, where people aren’t excluded by barriers, where people are equal and even if there are differences, those differences are celebrated. ‘That sounds like Ponsonby Baptist’, he said. So I hoped …, but I didn’t know a role would be available.

[As a new youth pastor] in a time of Covid there are elements that are challenging, but I finally found a community that reflects what I believe. And everyone has been encouraging; people have actively sought out and connected with me. There have been periods of being discouraged but they’re not general. I’ve been able to contribute to the Fusion group, and I’m making friendships and linking people up.

Walking out of church I feel fulfilled. I‘m excited to be there – and to be in a place where people are comfortable enough to show they are vulnerable. A few of my friends are keen to come along.

Brett: "like coming home"

I was first exposed to the church when Dean hauled me along to 1 Picton St (the community house). Years later I lived at Picton Street for six months and got to know Penny, then drifted away. Basically I came along to church for Bede’s dedication, and reunited with Penny from Picton St. I was sloping along. I liked the really nice people, and definitely the church’s social conscience – the whole housing thing. And Jody’s lovely, progressive.

Even though I don’t come very often it’s like coming home. It’s a comfortable building even when its empty. It’s a refuge. I have a lot of good memories and feelings. There are special people, supportive in spite of where I was. If you’re a troubled soul it’s good to be around people who are non-threatening, good people.

The highlights are the Mental Health Awareness concert, the CORT celebrations: I love the CORT dinners and BBQs. It’s nice to give back.

We are a Baptist Church, with congregational governance. This means the church members are responsible to govern the church under Christ. At our AGM we elect a leadership team of Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and Deacons to serve terms of one or two years, giving oversight and fulfilling many practical tasks. We have a full time minister, a part time youth pastor, and a part time administrator.

We welcome participation and input into decision making of all who are committed to the life and witness of Ponsonby Baptist Church. There are some decisions that can only be made by members. This is a requirement of our constitution. People apply to become members, are warmly interviewed about their life, faith and commitment to the church, and are then voted in by the members of the church.