One of New Zealand’s largest mega-churches is launching an independent external review after allegations of mistreatment of interns and volunteers.

1News has spoken to several people who describe feeling used by the ARISE Church, ultimately leaving them “exhausted.”

“Mentally and physically you push yourself to exhaustion,” said a former volunteer, who had been with the church for more than a decade.

They said that when they raised issues they were shut down and excluded.

“I remember seeing someone leave – they were interns at the time, working at the ARISE conference, and they pushed themselves to their absolute breaking point, literally, where they had to be transported because that they collapsed and had to go to the hospital.

“It also affects you emotionally. You kind of push to your breaking point because you give so much of yourself.”

Another former practitioner strongly criticized the ARISE church’s “internship” program, which was run by its school of ministry.

“[There were] ridiculous hours, trying to work extra jobs to make up for the lack of pay, postponing or dropping out of college to do that internship,” they said.

ARISE Church is led by Pastor John Cameron, who spoke to stories of negative experiences circulating, saying on the church’s website that he was “deeply sorry for any hurt caused”.

“There are people who are hurting because of the performance actions and culture that was part of ARISE.”

ARISE is known for its smooth multimedia performance, music, band and sermons.

Its latest annual return to charity services revealed that the church had 2,529 volunteers.

It is based in Wellington, but spreads across the country.

“There has to be a whole top-down culture shift. There needs to be accountability and transparency – which I think doesn’t exist much at the moment,” said a former volunteer.

1News approached ARISE Church, requesting an interview with Pastor John Cameron. This was denied, but ARISE Board Chairman Graeme Kirkwood sent a written statement saying the Board was “deeply saddened by the breadth and depth of the statements made by former volunteers and interns.

He said he was taking the matter “seriously”.

“We unreservedly apologize for the pain and suffering that some staff and volunteers have experienced at ARISE Church in the past as it pursued its vocation and goals,” he said.

“As a board, we have a duty to ensure that all complaints are dealt with rigorously – through due process and through fair and impartial channels. In December 2021, the Arise Board approached a New Zealand law firm to conduct an independent review of human resources, including management and board practices for handling complaints – the exam should start after Easter.

He said the board has asked the media to “protect the privacy and well-being of Arise Church members, volunteers and staff while this independent review takes place.”

They will not comment further until the review is complete, he said.

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