On this the 10 year of the Kiwi young writer program, a stepping stone program was initiated late last year towards the Kiwi young writers expanding their wings and taking charge.
First, a president was required, someone to move it forward.
Young writer - Christchurch’s Josh Taylor – a solicitor – after some correspondences - agreed to this role.
Second, a behind the scenes senior minister with a proven record on this field was sought to be Josh Taylor’s ‘wisdom consult’.
Rev Grant Harris from Windsor Park Baptist Church, who assisted in founding the Kiwi young writer ministry and a founding senior writer in the program, put his hand up.
Next step
Both Josh Taylor and Grant Harris warmed to one idea - following the Australian model of having two separate groups. Well-Being Australia Inc is the legal entity for various ministries under its orbit. One is Press Service International (the young writers), another is the missionary respite cottage on the Whitsundays, and others. That Associations structure has a $54 annual fee.
That model fits well within New Zealand structures. 7 board members. The ministries function under that umbrella. In case of the Kiwi young writers, their existing ministry wings continue – coordinator, editor, photo selector, Stand Alone.
Issues
There are always issues of one kind or another. Finding an additional 5 people of good-will and who understand that the role is not hands-on can be quite a task.
A little time ago a former Kiwi young writer was disappointed with the way something was handled. With this new opportunity of leadership – this might be just the opportunity for that person.
The Kiwi young writer program has a clear mandate to collate young people to write – but the Kiwi structure is not the publisher. Christian Today New Zealand is the publisher. Christian Today An entirely different legal structure.
Both are needed
Two different entities - one collates the young people as writers. The other, is the publisher.
This is a very sound model protecting everyone involved.
But there are always those who either are not happy with something, want to take over, unproven and from time to time create difficulties. A board of 7 people on the Kiwi entity deal with such as does every board on every Christian ministry / mission / community program.
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children
