OUR STORY
Ā tātou kōrero

Spiritual Growth Ministries
Our Story

Spiritual Growth Ministries (SGM) is a network of people from diverse denominations who seek to nurture and foster the growth of contemplative Christian spirituality in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our primary expressions of this are through spiritual direction, formation of spiritual directors, contemplative resources and retreats.

The first phase of SGM began in 1982 and the Spiritual Growth Ministries name was established in 1984.  SGM began as a faith venture of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, but quickly evolved into an ecumenical movement that embraces the beauty in diversity of the various branches of Christian faith across New Zealand.

The heartbeat that unites this ecumenical movement is a love for the contemplative stream that flows through our Christian heritage and a desire to foster spiritual growth for all people in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The vision has been sustained over the decades by faithful people who seek to live contemplatively and who contribute their gifts and skills to sharing the taonga (treasure) of contemplative spirituality with others.

The common threads between contemplative Christian spirituality and Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) are emerging in the spirituality kōrero. SGM is at the beginning of a learning journey, committed to growing in our understanding and honouring of Te Tīriti o Waitangi with regard to our work (fostering spiritual growth) and relationships with Tāngata Whenua in these islands.

Spiritual Growth Ministries became an incorporated trust registered with the Charities Commission on 17 June 2008 (CC 26037). Governance is provided by the SGM Workgroup who serve in a voluntary capacity.