Insights Autumn 2019 by Insights Magazine

insights Autumn 2019

Generation Why?

SYNOD 2019

In July we gather as a community, to renew our commitment to being a living church, a church that focuses its energy on the common good through growing healthy churches, developing vital ministry and transformative community engagement.

Bringing Jesus’ vision for the world to life – making a difference, living church – is the work of communities of disciples all over the world.

Rev. Peter Walker

Karina Kreminski

Synod Bible Studies

This year the Bible Studies will be led by Rev. Peter Walker, the newly appointed Principal of United Theological College

Synod Events

This year at Synod we have three events for the whole Church to attend. Friday evening 5 July An Evening with Jon Owen and Karina Kreminski: “God’s Mission in the 21st Neighbourhood” Join Jon and Karina for a TedX-Style evening and hear them talk about how and where God’s life-changing message is being delivered and how it is transforming lives. Saturday evening 6 July Many Cultures, One in Christ Join in this contemporary worship event built by the young people of the Uniting Church, across Sydney. Led by second generation Tongan, Korean, Indonesian, Cook Islander, Chinese young people (and more!), this will be a high energy, contemporary, participatory event – one of four Saturday nights spread across 2019 Sunday afternoon 7 July Living Church Celebration Join with the whole Church to celebrate in the closing celebration to send delegates back to their communities.

5-7 July 2019

The Great Hall, Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga

What to expect Hear from empowering speakers

Rev. Peter Walker, Jon Owen and Karina Kreminski.

Be renewed

by Bible studies and workshops to equip and engage

Hear the ways

God is inspiring, guiding, shaping decisions and empowering the Church

Praise and worship God together

Jon Owen

Follow Synod on Social

Keep up to date with all the information on Synod on the event Facebook page: bit.ly/LivingChurchSynod2019

W E L C O M E F R O M T H E G E N E R A L S E C R E TA R Y

LET’S NOT FORGET

the unforgettable T

REV. JANE FRY GENERAL SECRETARY The General Secretary is appointed by the Synod to provide leadership to the Church by actively engaging in strategic thinking about the life, direction, vision and mission of the Church.

and I’ve come to think of it as a he Rev. John Thornton form of Christian tribalism. (chairperson of Mid North Coast Presbytery I suspect that we’re all subject and Chairperson of the to the temptation to divide Placements Committee) and classify from time to made an observation at a time. Many of the painful and recent Presbytery meeting, complicated conversations that suggesting that there was we’ve had in this church about a ‘great forgetting’ of the sexuality have had something gospel story and the Christian of this flavour. Over time, these tradition underway. I think sorts of internal contests have John was suggesting that this contributed to the erosion of ‘forgetting’ was not simply a the church’s credibility in the consequence of social and public space. cultural changes in Australia over the last few decades, Thinking of the public space, but also a reflection of a there are things that have growing amnesia within happened over the course the church itself. I of my life (still quite pondered John’s short in the overall words as I scheme of things) IT IS THE drove back that I never, ever C H U R C H ’ S TA S K T O to Sydney thought I would BE A COUNTER VOICE from the see. TO THE DOMINANT meeting Australia’s new S T O R Y T H AT T H E in Port Modern Slavery Macquarie. WORLD IS HEARING Act took effect AND TELLING I’m not on 1 January particularly 2019. While bothered about that’s a good start, changes in the how horrifying is it that external environment in which such legislation is necessary the church seeks to be church. and that the emancipation Change is an inevitable reality, struggles of the nineteenth presenting challenges to century continue in our time? which the church is called to There are statistics that respond. I am bothered, very indicate that millions of people, bothered, by the thought that including children, in a variety the church might be forgetting of circumstances are enslaved the life at its heart. and the Global Slavery Index suggests that there are 15,000 What might be the symptoms slaves in Australia often and consequences of such ‘hidden in plain sight’.* ‘forgetting’? The starting point for the There are a few things that Church’s contribution to this I’ve noticed and wondered new campaign is the conviction about over the years. There that human beings are created is a version of the faith that in the image of God. All takes comfort in certainty, in humans, not just some. What clearly defining who’s in and would happen if this conviction who’s out and in spelling out was lost in the great forgetting? the criteria for being one or the other. It takes many forms

It is the church’s particular and peculiar task to be a counter – voice to the dominant story that the world at large is hearing and telling. Remember:

• the first will be last; • turn the other cheek; • judge not; • blessed are the mourners; • woe to the comfortable And it goes on and on. If, as John suggests, there is a ‘great forgetting’ underway, then we all need to lift our game. This is a story that’s best remembered in the living of it, in offering ourselves – individually and collectively – in the mission of God. In noticing where the image of God (aka human being) is being disfigured or maimed and actively doing something about it. In raising our voice to offer an alternative to the dominant story and embodying in our communities the Body of Christ alive and joyful. It’s Easter, the season of resurrection – God’s absolute counter to all the death – dealing ways of the world. I’ve always thought that resurrection is the only real miracle, a wonderful mystery so far beyond ‘our minds’ grasp’ that it’s just not forgettable. Praise, wonder, gratitude – Christ is risen! www.

* To read more about the Modern Slavery act visit bit.ly/ModernSlaveryActForAustralia

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Generation Why?

Data being collected all over the world tells us that Generation Y and millennials are simply not attending church. But what exactly does this mean for institutional church? And what should its leaders be doing to authentically connect to people in the first third of their lives?

REGULARS 3 WELCOME 6

YOUR SAY ONLINE

7 NEWS 34 MAKING MONEY MATTER 36

DIGITAL MINISTRY

40 LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS 44

CULTURE WATCH

ENTERTAIN ME

The Uniting Church in Australia is one of the country’s largest denominations. Our vision is that it will be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God’s love, following Jesus Christ and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community of faith.

MANAGING EDITOR Adrian Drayton EDITOR Jonathan Foye PRODUCTION/DESIGN Rana Moawad COVER ILLUSTRATION Grace Mathis | grace-mathis.com

EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES PHONE 02 8267 4304 FAX 02 9264 4487 ADDRESS Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 EMAIL insights@nsw.uca.org.au WEB www.insights.uca.org.au Insights is published by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the Uniting Church. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor. CIRCULATION: 15,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2019.

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M O D E R AT O R ’ S R E F L E C T I O N

Easter is Why I

am listening to my favourite piece of music as I write this. It is the first classical recording I ever purchased, at the record store in the Manning Building at Sydney University. Apart from the beauty of the piece, it raises the memory of when I first heard – and saw – it.

REV. SIMON HANSFORD MODERATOR The Moderator is elected to give prophetic and pastoral leadership to the Synod, assisting and encouraging expression and fulfilment of faith, and the witness of the Church.

Keep up with the Moderator by following these hashtags on Facebook and Instagram. #moderatorinsession #AllOfThisIsUs

We are inheritors of a story where the God of all creation, and all of history, becomes as one with us, suffers and dies. We wait, in silence, and are astonished when Christ’s resurrection proclaims God’s intention to save creation and all within.

So, when we are asked to I had just been to a movie, show what this symphony Children of a Lesser God, looks like, to those whose where a teacher of students, hearing is impaired by all the who are hearing impaired, is other demands and voices asked to show what a piece and fears and sounds of our of music “looks like” raucous world, what when someone is shall we do? unable to hear How shall we WE ARE the sounds. bear witness I N V I T E D A S And so, I fell to this Christ, D I S C I P L E S T O in love with with more BEAR WITNESS the Second than our TO THE GOSPEL Movement words, or of Bach’s WHICH HAS with actions Double Violin CHANGED OUR that confirm Concerto in D LIVES our words? Minor, and Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Some of us persist Numb moved into with the false dichotomy, second place. being either “evangelists” or advocates of “social justice”. We are invited, as disciples, This conversation is a waste to bear witness to the gospel of God’s mission and a which has changed our lives. waste of our time. When What does that look, and Jesus healed people, they sound, like? Our word “martyr” received their lives back is a direct descendant of the socially and physically. When Greek word which means to Jesus offered forgiveness, it bear witness, to testify. We was restorative of life and bear witness not just with our community. words, but with our bodies, our very lives. I was asked recently why our Uniting Church is so engaged Easter is when God bears – and progressive – regarding witness to us. It is when concerns in our community. Jesus Christ, in his very life, I responded that our faith in testifies to all that God is, in Jesus places us squarely in mercy, and suffering, and the marketplace of our world. hope. And love. Our faith in Jesus has us kneeling beside those whose

lives seem beyond repair. Our faith in Christ crucified would have us nowhere else, and whether the brokenness comes from our own hands, or the hand of another, that is where we belong. Easter is why we feed those who are hungry for bread and justice and forgiveness; that is why we advocate for refugees, chained by politics here and overseas; that is why we agitate about fair treatment for those trapped in the prison of addiction; that is why we offer a voice for our planet, particularly to those leaders who ears are stoppered. And we are not there only because Christ is crucified. We are there because Christ is raised. The hope of Christ’s resurrection proclaims our belief that forgiveness for sins is real. We believe that chains can be broken, and prisoners released; we declare that our ears can be opened, as well as our hearts. Easter is why we worship, in voices and languages and music which reflect the world in which we live, the hospitality we offer and the God whom we serve. We worship and witness and serve, imitating the crucified and risen One, with the Spirit’s inspiration, to the glory of God. #easteriswhy

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COMMENTS

your say ONLINE

WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST COMMENTS THAT YOU’VE LEFT ONLINE. If you would like to leave a comment

on an article or have a viewpoint to share - just go online to www.insights.uca.org.au and leave your comments.

HOLD THAT THOUGHT IF JESUS WERE AROUND TODAY WOULD HE PREACH IN THE CHURCH, OR A PUB?

IN RESPONSE TO OUR STORY THE SHACK “REFRAMED MY VIEW OF CHRISTIANITY”

IN RESPONSE TO OUR ONLINE STORY DOES GOD WANT TRUMP TO BE PRESIDENT? St. Paul isn’t actually God. He’s not the 2nd Christ. He’s a fallible human being who didn’t know everything, like all of us. By the time he was writing his letters, he was trying to follow Jesus rather than hunt down & kill followers of Jesus. That’s a big improvement. He had a lot of insight into some things. But I’ve never understood why he should be the last word on some issues. Judith Helen Snelson

 bit.ly/DoesGodWantTrump

I think a lot of people carry a deep sadness around & this movie helps you to put it all in perspective. No matter how awful a person is — nothing will ever reach him if not love. We waste our time using any other approach. After all — that’s how Jesus saved the world. Excellent job Sam & Radha! I am praying for you!! Vicky Payton

 bit.ly/

TheShackRadhaMitchell

MOST LIKED STORY OF THE SUMMER IS JESUS REALLY A KING? “As much as the church, and even the Christian tradition from the earliest days, proclaimed Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is far, very far, from what Jesus said about himself in the Gospel narratives.” Rev. Ben Gilmour

 bit.ly/IsJesusReallyAKing

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IN RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE ON THE GAME IS SECRET HITLER DISRESPECTFUL? The game reflects on history and is foolish to consider it being disrespectful — after all, it’s a game. To say this is disrespectful and not compare it with other games is a bit ridiculous. This generation is extremely sensitive. The truth is, no matter what you say, it will surely offend *someone*. Apparently the word “Smurf” means something sexual, these days. “Dude” even has some hidden slangs, now. Anything disrespectful in life in the form of satire can be summarized as “if you don’t like it, don’t buy it, don’t participate”. G (Anonymous)

 bit.ly/IsHitlerDisrespectful

The church is nice and rich on the inside while they pray for money - meanwhile the homeless sleep on the streets. I’m sure Jesus would’ve been in the pubs and prob hung with addicts and alcoholics and help the needy not the churchies and the rich who frown upon us. James Christie

 www.facebook.com/holdthatau HOLD THAT THOUGHT TRUE MOMENTS OF CHOICE A valuable lesson my parents taught me - get up and keep moving forward. Don’t look back. Bettina Benjamin

 bit.ly/HoldThatThoughtVideos

news Stations of the Cross

CHALLENGES THE SACRED V SECULAR

ARTIST EUAN MACLEOD: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

This year’s Stations of the Cross art exhibition will display the raw emotion of the Easter story with works by a diverse number of artists across a number of disciplines. “I have found it one of the hardest stations to do. Doug Purnell (the senior curator) basically sees it as experiencing the death Stations of the Cross can of your child. I have be seen at Northmead found that almost Creative & Performing too hard to think THE ANNUAL Arts High School from about. I have EXHIBITION Monday, 8 April to Sunday, two daughters.” REJECTS BINARY 21 April. Entry to the NOTIONS OF “What I ended exhibition is by donation. RELIGION VERSUS painting about

Artists on show in Sydney’s Northmead Creative & Performing Arts High School draw on 14 reflections on the ancient story of Jesus Christs’ path to his crucifixion. Now in its 13th year, the annual exhibition rejects binary notions of religion versus secularism. Artists interpret the suffering and passion of Jesus’ journey in the light of their own life experiences and the universality of love, grief and loss. Acclaimed Sydney-based New Zealand painter, Euan Macleod, is an Archibald Prize winner and repeat exhibitor. He relishes the Stations of the Cross as an opportunity to explore the human condition and his own story.

SECUL ARISM

“Generally, my work has been about my story, but I have kept it as broad as possible so that it becomes related to other people’s stories. We are having a shared experience on a lot of things. That’s exactly what it seems to me, Stations of Cross is about,” he said. This year, Macleod’s work is based on the episode in the Bible when Jesus is taken down from the cross and held by his mother, Mary.

is the closure of Watters Gallery in Sydney, the gallery where I have shown for 36 years. It’s…the death of my childhood, in a way, and the death of a future.”

Macleod’s painting has a big brutalist staircase at its centre amid rubble, with a solitary thin male figure, common in Macleod’s work, looking defeated and stooped, walking in front of it. The figure represents the painter, but also ‘Everyman’ facing the unknown or an emptiness. The staircase doesn’t go anywhere but absolutely it has a strong metaphor of ascension.”

HOLD THAT THOUGHT RETURNS After a successful 2018 launch, Hold That Thought is returning in March for a second season. Hold That Thought is a series of short, ninety second video ‘sermons’ that explore how faith relates to everyday life. The series aims to reach an online audience outside of the Uniting Church.

THE SERIES AIMS TO RE ACH AN ONLINE AUDIENCE OUTSIDE THE UNITING CHURCH

The first season of Hold That Thought explored diverse subjects including what prayer really is, how to be authentic in an online world where people put up a façade of happiness, and how groups dedicated to a cause change the world. Speakers for the first season included the Moderator Simon Hansford, Rev. Andrew Johnson, Rev. Radhika SukumarWhite, Rev. Phil Swain, and Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith among others. Hold That Thought can be viewed now at: facebook.com/holdthatau

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NATIONAL REDRESS SCHEME UPDATE

In December 2018, the Uniting Church in Australia provided the Federal Government with its application and supporting documentation to participate in the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. The Church’s national Assembly submitted information from all six Uniting Church Synods to be covered through the UCA’s participation in the Scheme to the Department of Social Services in Canberra. The submission followed months of work in cooperation with the Department and Uniting Church bodies across the country.

ROYAL COMMISSION AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUSTRALIA 18 January marked the official start of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. UnitingCare Australia welcomes the focus on creating a system of aged care for older Australians that provides quality, compassionate care and a safe environment. It is pleasing that the Commission is providing opportunities to gather opinions of people already in care including those outside the main cities. The Uniting Church (UCA) looks forward to contributing to a national conversation about the services that are needed to support an ageing population. The Royal Commission will take a long term perspective that will fully explore the issues that will come as the number of older people in our community grows. The Uniting Church and its service providers believe in finding positive ways of adjusting to social change that benefit all people throughout their lives. The right to be treated justly, accorded dignity and to have your basic rights protected applies to everyone, regardless of age, gender, cultural origin, sexuality or beliefs. Claerwen Little, National Director of UnitingCare Australia, said that “we are approaching this Royal Commission as an opportunity to create stronger communities and to ensure that people have the greatest choice possible about where and how they approach their life as they age. As a society, we cannot risk a future in which a whole class of people is removed from our community because of their age. If we do not change the way we do things, this may be the outcome.” For more information about the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Service go to agedcarequality.gov.au

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In that time, the Church has established a national vehicle for dealing with redress claims for survivors of child sexual abuse. The Department will advise in due course when the UCA will be an operational member of the NRS. President Dr Deidre Palmer has affirmed the Uniting Church’s commitment to the National Redress Scheme and acknowledged the pain caused for survivors, who are waiting to access redress through the National Redress Scheme.

If you need support, please contact the following 24-hour support services: • Lifeline: 13 11 14 • Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 • Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 • MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 If you are a Uniting Church member and would like information about safe church training, please contact Emma Parr at EmmaP@nswact.uca.org.au

“For those who might have been concerned about our commitment, please be assured that we are working to make amends and to ensure that our Church has a strong and robust culture of child safety that empowers children and adults in our care,” Dr Palmer said.

“For anyone who was abused in the care of the Uniting Church, in our churches, schools or agencies, I’d again like to apologise sincerely. I am truly sorry that we didn’t protect and care for you in accordance with our Christian values.”

NEXT WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASSEMBLY SET

PRAYERS FOR PEACE AT IMJINGAK DURING THE WCC 10TH ASSEMBLY. OUBUNMI ADEDOYIN BADEJO FROM NIGERIA. © JOANNA LINDÉN-MONTES/WCC.

The next World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly is scheduled for 2021, the Assembly’s Planning Committee has decided. The 11th WCC Assembly will take place in Karlsrue, Germany. 775 delegates will attend the Assembly, which will have the theme, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” In a meeting held in Cyprus, the Assembly’s Planning Committee put together parts of a communication strategy for the event, which is expected to include an app and minimise the use of paper.

“Youth should be fully integrated into all aspects of the assembly, including the planning stages and implementation,” reads the Planning Committee’s report. The WCC is a worldwide inter-church organisation, of which the Uniting Church in Australia is a member. The WCC Assembly meets every eight years. The most recent one took place in South Korea in 2013.

Olive Budd

VOLUNTEER RETIRES AFTER 40 YEARS

December 2018 saw the retirement of a 90 year old volunteer.

Olive has been working for the Nearly New Shop in Gerringong a small village on the South Coast of N.S.W. for 40 years. She has worked there since it was opened. In earlier years she worked more frequently but cut back in more recent times. . A retirement well deserved, she continues to do her garden, house duties, has a dog to look after and agists a horse on her property. Olive also assists the local animal welfare in the area. Olive loved the beach and the family spent many happy hours there, soaking up the sun. Attending the Presbyterian Church which became the Uniting Church 40 years ago and she remains a member today. Olive’s happy smiling face will be missed by all who knew her in the Nearly New Shop.

SINGLE TOUCH PAYROLL (STP) Employers will commence reporting payroll information to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) during the 2018/2019 financial year. Find out how your Church will be impacted: bit.ly/2E0LIZU

LIAM MILLER

BEGINS NEW ROLE IN NORTHERN HUB be built upon so that the transformative, An exciting new ministry beckons for Liam liberating work of God can take hold.” Miller in Sydney’s Central Coast, where he will be the new Northern Hub Mission “It’s a role of prayer and potential – discerning Worker. Mr Miller will work alongside together with the Spirit the way we are to live churches in Warnervale, Wyong, and Toukley and move and have our collective being in this as they think about their future as part of a place. I keep coming back to the response larger regional mission plan. of Jesus to the disciples of John the Baptiser when they ask if he is the one who is to come, “The Sydney Central Coast Presbytery And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what has taken some exciting steps to employ you have seen and heard: the blind a bold and positive strategy in the receive their sight, the lame walk, area,” he said. the lepers are cleansed, the deaf “They are thinking regionally hear, the dead are raised, the T H E A R E A I S in an effort to foster poor have good news brought CHANGING AND partnership, and the to them.’” M A N Y O P E N L Y flourishing of mission A D M I T T H AT “Even if taken symbolically and witness in an area THIS IS NOT YET (and sidestepping concerns undergoing significant REFLECTED IN of ableism), can these kinds change. Part of this plan is OUR CHURCHES of markers, of the in-breaking, to employ mission resource world-upturning, profoundly good workers (and other kinds of and joyful kingdom of God be our workers) to work with zones measure when we think about living, (usually comprising of three active, and faithful churches participating churches) in bringing the vision in the mission of God in this place? And if to reality.” so, how do we move in that direction? Did I The role also serves as Mr Miller’s practicum mention I’m still trying to work it out?” in his formation as a candidate for Minister of Mr Miller described the area as, “Full of hope.” the Word. “It means sitting and dreaming with the saints in these churches about what church and mission look like/might look like in this rapidly changing area (changes that are not without their tensions).” This, Mr Miller says, might mean new forms of church, or developing transformative partnerships with other organisations that share a vision of the common good. “It is also about encouraging the incredible relationships and work already taking place and wondering together about how that might

“The area is changing and many openly admit that this is not yet reflected in our churches. But this kind of robust commitment and vision coming from the churches and Presbytery has energised many. And even though “the picture of the future” is not yet in view, there is trust and expectation that something will happen, and, with God’s grace, that something could be more wonderful than we can yet envision!” Mr Miller was previously the Uniting Church Chaplain at Macquarie University. Jonathan Foye

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The Uniting Church has some challenges but it is still the church best suited to engaging post-Christian, nonChurch Australia

DR GLEN POWELL NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNITING MISSION AND EDUCATION

r Glen Powell is the new Executive Director of Uniting Mission and Education, a role he began at the beginning of February. He brings a wealth of experience in various ministry contexts to this role.

Before taking up his new role, Dr Powell worked as the Director of Mission at the Sydney Presbytery. He also previously worked with the Sydney Alliance as a Campaign Organiser, and the NSW ACT Synod as a Mission Consultant. Dr Powell said that his new role, provides “real opportunities to make a difference in helping the church to attract, welcome, and include [the non-churched], develop innovative and self-sustaining models of church, and build resources which help Uniting Church members more confidently articulate gospel in the public square.”

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“Synod’s purpose is to Inspire, empower and resource varied expressions of faith in the Uniting Church,” Dr Powell said. “The Uniting Church has some challenges, but it is still the church best suited to engaging post-Christian, non-Church Australia.” Dr Powell holds a PhD from Macquarie University in the Department of Marketing and Management. His dissertation dealt with the concept of building collective-based leadership and drew on the Uniting Church in Australia as a case study. Jonathan Foye

he new principal at United Theological College (UTC), Rev. Peter Walker started in the role in February 2019. He brings with him a wealth of experience in ministry and academia.

REV. PETER WALKER UTC APPOINTS NEW PRINCIPAL

Rev. Walker has studied history, philosophy, and theology at the University of NSW, McGill University, and Charles Sturt University. He has served as a Visiting Fellow at Dunmore Lang College, Chairperson of United Theological College Council, Chairperson of the Presbytery of Canberra Region, President of the Australian Capital Territory Council of Churches, and is currently a Board member and Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Public Theology. Peter is a Minister of the Word and joins UTC from his position as Assistant Director of the Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre at Charles Sturt University and Acting Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

I’m especially looking forward to spending time with Presbyteries and Congregations

“Sharing in the education and formation of the people of God for ministry – all forms of ministry – is a privilege,” Rev. Walker said. “You always gain more than you give.” “I am honoured to be invited to offer theological leadership at UTC and throughout the Synod, and I’m especially looking forward to spending time with Presbyteries and Congregations. “Listening to the Church will provide much wisdom for the tasks ahead.” Jonathan Foye

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is an

experience

not a

theory

and answer the question, or worse, leap to defend ‘the [real] meaning’ of Easter. There is nothing wrong with holding an understanding of the meaning of Easter and sharing with young people and people outside the Church our theology and beliefs. However, as a missional Church in the early 21st Century, our task should be to first engage people in the story and then ask them what it might mean for them. How might people engage with the story is the missional question for us, but understanding what they think about it should come before we launch into telling them what they should think about Easter – That time where we hear the story which most of us in it. Authentic dialogue is a true the Church think we know pretty well, but increasingly many in conversation, where we listen our communities and wider society do not. In fact for many in our to each other. As the hosts of society, not only do they not really understand the story, but they are such a conversation, it is simply not actually all that familiar with its details. polite and appropriate to hear what the other thinks before launching in to what we think. It is also a more genuine approach to respond to and engage with the ideas of others, rather than his is something which I have become only too aware simply responding with our pre-prepared evangelistic formulas of through my ministry with young people and their of the meaning of the Easter story. families at Ravenswood. According to some surveys All this might make sense to some, but not to those who I have done about 80 per cent of students would can’t understand why people just can’t be told what identify as not really religious. It is not surprising Easter means. This goes to highlight one of the then that the Easter story is not part of their reasons why people find it hard to engage with cultural knowledge. We could sit back in religion, which is that Christendemic religion *1 our Christendemic complacency and often finds it hard to engage with people CHRISTENDEMIC defensiveness and claim once again outside the Christ culture they are used to. R E L I G I O N O F T E N that society’s to blame. However, I think FINDS IT HARD as the Church we need to accept a The key to all this is for us all to engage TO ENGAGE WITH significant proportion of responsibility with the Easter story, just as the first PEOPLE OUTSIDE in having not effectively understood or disciples did. It is strange and hard to THE CHRIST shared the story. believe. It doesn’t fully make sense in CULTURE THE Y the way we understand the world. Jesus’ Sadly, when it comes to the death ARE USED TO death rocked the disciples and blew open and resurrection of Christ, we could get their understanding of who he was and who caught up in a deep theological discussion God was. His resurrection and subsequent about the meaning of Easter and the various appearances were something to experience atonement theologies and which one is better or more than understand. He was alive. He is alive, but more correct. how that works and how we might explain it, is ultimately a At the other end of the spectrum, I had someone in the Church mystery. suggest to me that the resurrection story could be described The Christ of the cross is Immanuel of the cradle – God with as the “first fake news.” This kind of thinking might disturb us. If Christ is a present reality, we can come to know him who or upset some in the Church. However, we shouldn’t be promised to be with us until the end of the age. surprised given the trends in society and the way the Church has often presented our theological beliefs as unassailable God as a human, who died and rose again, defies logic. and unquestionable facts, often at the exclusion of any other However, God who loves us and whose compassion and grace perspectives. All of this kind of arguing and presentation of took him into suffering and death is someone whom we can opposing mixed messages further erodes engagement of meet in faith, just like the disciples and the Apostle Paul. people outside the Church, who either reject what they are Easter is an experience to take in, not just a theory to be learnt. being asked to believe or just dismiss faith and religion. This This is the witness of our faith as we share in the love and is because those who claim to hold this faith seem to have no grace of God. coherent shared understanding, which makes the whole thing questionable. Rev. Jon Humphries is the Chaplain at Ravenswood School for Girls So, what might the Easter story mean for young people of *Christendemic refers to a cultural fixed mindset arising from Christendom which holds an today and how might they engage with it?

This is the important question, and we should put a pause in our thinking right there, before we leap into answering it. Our problematic tendency in the past has been to step in

expectation that everyone should know and understand, and be able to engage with faith and discipleship in the form we are used to.

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This month Insights investigates the issue from global, national and local perspectives, interviewing people about what makes them stay in the Uniting Church, and what we could be doing better. We look across the Pacific to America where a growing cohort of ‘religious homeless’ or ‘nones’ and recently identified ‘dones’ are examining secular options like CrossFit for the keys to connection. Among all the data and studies, similar themes emerge, regardless of location: How can the church create communities that embody personal and social transformation, purpose-finding, creativity, and accountability?

p16 Why is Generation Y leaving church?

p20 (Re)generation of the Uniting Church

p24 The Two of Us with Bradon French and Steven Molkentin

p26 Pulse: Working with emerging generations

ot so long ago in a doctor’s waiting room I remember watching a frustrated toddler trying to swipe a magazine page with her tiny fingers as though it was a screen, then poking the page harder when it failed to move.

We observe families dining in restaurants the youngest disrupter quietened by watching their favourite cartoon on a handheld device, headsets shielding them from the outside world. It is incredible to think toddlers can operate mobile devices with little or no instruction. Even more incredible to think that the technology they use today is the oldest they will see in their lifetime.

WHY IS GENERATION Y LEAVING CHURCH? iPad and mobile devices today will be like the Sony Walkmans and video cassette recorders (VCR’s) of a time long past. I wouldn’t feel comfortable writing about a younger generation with some sense of authority or at the very least insight, if I didn’t first own up to the very imperfect nature of my own. My generation is often remembered by the Vietnam War or the ending of it by our parents, by the Beatles and the Beach Boys and peace movements. And a time when the Uniting Church in Australia was not yet formed.

Millennials are not interested in a celestial Jesus with a permanent smile and open arms FAITH AND unconcerned BELIEF IN with the AUSTRALIA goings-on of planet Earth

Despite their stunning command of technology, we are told that this is a digitally native and millennial generation that yearns for connection.

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Research shows that progressive millennials (14 to 24 year olds) who are tired of ‘faking life’ on screen are searching for meaning and real connections, experiences over consumption. Purpose is as important as ever to them. As is belonging and making sense of an often unpredictable world. Western Christianity is facing some challenges, and there is a wealth of information about why people under 25 aren’t going to church… The 2016 Australian Census showed young adults (aged 18-34 years) were more likely to report not having a religion (39 per cent) and more likely to be affiliated with religions other than Christianity (12 per cent) than other adults. Older people, particularly those aged 65 years and over, were most likely to report Christianity (70 per cent). The Census also found that three-fifths of the Australian population (61 per cent, or 14 million people) are affiliated with a religion or spiritual belief. But church attendance is declining. When asked to list their religious affiliation, more than 13.5 million Australians chose Christianity, almost twice as many as chose the No Religion response.

CHANGES OVER TIME TO MORE ‘NONES’

In the 10 years from 2006 to 2016, the proportion of people reporting a religion other than Christianity in the Census increased from 5.6% in 2006 to 8.2% in 2016. Those reporting no religion increased noticeably from 19% in 2006 to 30% in 2016.

The largest change was between 2011 and 2016, when an additional 2.2 million people reported having no religion. There are many theories as to why. Theories range from political polarities to mistrust in institutions and social changes. The truth is there’s no one explanation. According to a Barna Group study (2016) the top reasons as to why people continue to leave the church are; competing priorities, busy lives, changing beliefs, lack of emotional engagement and support and changing family structures. It seems obvious to say it but cultural changes are affecting church numbers. Three out of five people at church are female but there is a huge overall decline in the numbers attending. One of the biggest demographic trends of our time is that members of Generation Y are delaying marriage or not getting married at all. And since there’s a strong correlation between being married and being involved in religion, the fact that Australians are not getting married is a somewhat worrying trend to church attendances in the long run. Generation Y clearly has a very different view of what settling looks like. People also switch jobs and move more frequently than past generations. Family size has become smaller, and many women now become mothers much later than was the case for previous generations. Many children also live with only one parent and have the other parent living elsewhere. We know parental influence on choice of religion is big.

AUSTRALIA’S RELIGIOUS IDENTITY

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2016 CENSUS RESULT

% 9%

32%

30.1%

NO RELIGION ISLAM

CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2016, McCrindle 2017

CHRISTIAN

2.6%

45%

14%

52.1%

NO RELIGION ALL OTHER RELIGIONS

2.4%

BUDDHISM

3.2%

OTHER

9.6%

NOT STATED

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Australian researcher McCrindle says on the growth front, net overseas migration, NOM, is the main driver. Almost two thirds (62 per cent) of Australia’s growth is occurring through NOM and 38 per cent is from natural increase (births minus deaths). This is in line with the most recent Census results that shows Australia is more multicultural than ever, with 26 per cent born overseas compared to 1966 when only 18 per cent of the population had been born overseas. The Huffington Post article in 2017 Churches Could Fill Their Pews With Millennials If They Just Did This went one step further saying what Generation Y might want from their church (albeit in America). “Millennials are not interested in a celestial Jesus with a permanent smile and open arms, unconcerned with the goings-on of planet Earth. We’ve heard about that Jesus our entire lives, and we’re not buying it. Do you know what we would buy? Jesus the man, Jesus the prophet, the Jesus that fashioned a whip of cords and overturned the tables of the money changers for making God’s house a den of robbers. The Jesus that challenged the establishment and paid the ultimate price. The Jesus that took up the cross of the poor, the weak, and the marginalised in the name of God.” It’s not all bad news. ‘Faith and Belief in Australia’, a report by Mark McCrindle, shows that religion is not dead. The good news is that two in three identify with a religion or spirituality. McCrindle found more than two in three Australians (68 per cent) follow a religion or have spiritual beliefs. Of those that do, almost half (47 per cent) remain committed to the religion of their upbringing. This is a major factor in choosing a religion. The number of Australians who do not identify with a religion or spiritual belief, however, is on the rise with almost one in three (32 per cent) not identifying with a religion. The McCrindle study replicated the ABS Census question, but added in an option for ‘spiritual but not religious’. This had a response rate of 14 per cent among Australians nationally, and the Christianity grouping was 45 per cent (down from 61 per cent in the 2011 Census).

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More than half of Australians (52 per cent) are open to changing their religious views given the right circumstances and evidence. Younger Australians are more open to changing their religious views than older generations.

RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IS A POPULAR TOPIC OF CONVERSATION

Further the survey found when gathering with friends, more than half of Australians (55 per cent) often or occasionally talk about religion or spirituality. Generation Z (65 per cent) are the most comfortable talking the topic, while the Baby Boomers are the least with 51 per cent never talking about it with their friends.

PERCEPTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY

McCrindle found that Australians most value Christian organisations for their work with those in need, specifically looking after people who are homeless, offering financial assistance/food relief programs and providing disaster relief (74 per cent, 72 per cent, and

Generation Y disconnect from the churches that don’t meet them where they are at 69 percent respectively). Eight per cent of Australian adults (1.5 million) do not know any Christians, while for Generation Y this is almost one in 10. One in 29 Australians have never heard of Jesus. Generation Y don’t necessarily disconnect from church, God, or faith completely; they just disconnect from the churches that don’t meet them where they are at. While it is not so easy to identify one cause of the exodus from church, it is clear that members of Generation Y may have left, but they are far from lost. Lisa Sampson

THE ‘NONES’ AND THE ‘DONES’

Religious “nones” is shorthand that has been used to refer to people who self-identify as atheists or agnostics, as well as those who say their religion is “nothing in particular”. Generally though, the term refers to someone who checked the ‘no religion’ box. In Australia the term also applies to the self-identified phrase ‘spiritual but not religious’. In America, the largest survey in the country done by the Pew Research Center found that 46 million adults now describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated, but aren’t necessarily devoid of religion and spiritual belief which now constitutes close to 25% of the population. Younger generations are significantly more likely to identify as “unaffiliated” than older generations. Religious affiliation may also be a part of a general social disengagement among young adults. Many leading sociologists have observed an increase in overall individualism and separation. A more recent term that has arisen is the term ‘dones’ which has been referenced from a recent study by Josh Packard, the author of a University of Northern Colorado study. ‘Dones’ describes former churchgoers who nevertheless maintain their faith in God and their Christian identity. Part of what is happening is that many committed Christians are continuing to pursue their faith outside institutional church membership. Indeed, Packard’s research suggests many of the ‘dones’ felt they needed to leave in order to continue to follow Christ. When Josh Packard asked his subjects why they had left church, he found the top four reasons were: 1. they wanted community… and got judgment 2. they wanted to affect the life of the church… nd got bureaucracy; 3. they wanted conversation… and got doctrine; 4. they wanted meaningful engagement with the world… and got moral prescription. As Mike Frost mentioned in a recent post on the issue To the Dones and the Almost Dones, I hear you, its about listening to the needs of those around us: “I’m not a futurist so I can’t predict exactly what it will look like, but change is coming. I’m sure of it. Maybe the first step is for church leaders to humbly listen to the yearnings and aspirations of those who are walkin’ out the door.”

Adrian Drayton For more reading about the Northern Colorado Study visit the website dechurched.net

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Insights spoke to a cross section of people about what younger people like about their church, what they find challenging, and what keeps them involved. Like any generation before it, Generation Y is a diverse cohort and, within the Uniting Church, there are bound to be a variety of reasons as to why someone gets involved… and stays.

(RE)GENERATION

OF THE UNITING CHURCH Young people need to be helped to discover their gifts and be invited and encouraged to use them, not just as youth leaders

“When I went to university and encountered so many different views, I made a choice to continue going to church because it helped me with my faith.”

“Church also provides a community where I am with others who are also in the ev. Dr Christine Gapes is a Uniting same boat and through Church Chaplain at Western Sydney fellowship there is support University and has worked with to strengthen my faith in younger people over more than twenty Christ. Church is also an years. She said that while, “Young people opportunity for me to utilise go to church for many different reasons, my personal strengths by but a sense of belonging and purpose taking leadership roles, this are still critical.” allowed me to grow and challenge my faith in Christ.” Daniel Gibb is the Children’s, Youth, and Young Adults Ministry worker at St Liam Miller is the Northern Matthew’s Uniting Church in Baulkham Hub Mission Resource Hills. He said that the community of Worker for the Sydney people at his church had largely been Central Coast Presbytery responsible for why he stayed there. and a ministry candidate. He said that, “It seems According to Mr Gibb, the sense of that if you decide to stay community developed through road in the [Uniting Church], it’s trips to Narromine and Bourke that because you really believe in what it is changed the youth group, bringing the on about, and that you have about as older young adults and the youth into a much hope in it as Christ does.” more cohesive community. These trips, he said, had a purpose and provided “I am kept by a church that (at its best) meaning for many in the group, as they wants to keep moving,” Mr Miller said. developed their faith through sharing faith stories, Bible study, and giving back Mr Miller said he appreciated that to the community. The trips also provided the heart of the Church’s mission is following a God on the move. shared experiences that bound the group together in shared stories, difficult “The UCA has, built into its founding situations, and wonderful times. documents and name, openness to the future of God who calls us and sustains Brenda Latunipulu is another person us as we venture forth from safety and who highlights her church community as nostalgia into a world of possibilities.” the major reason that she has stayed.

“I went to church because it was expected “I…could not be a part of a church where women and LGBTIQ+ Christians of me as part of my Tongan culture,” she are closed off from leadership,” Mr recalled. Miller added.

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Rev. James Aaron is Minister of the Word at North Ryde Community Church. In a similar vein to Mr Miller, he said that the Uniting Church’s status as a relatively young church itself appealed to young people, as this can mean that it is relatively open to change. “I think that the Uniting Church is in an excitingly different position to many others,” Rev. Aaron said.

“We can often be moving toward service and justice, with an informed tradition, but not always with the baggage and weight of it.” Rev. Jon Humphries, Chaplain at Ravenswood School for Girls explains that it’s how we get young people involved that is important. “All people have gifts by the Spirit and there is no gift without its corresponding service,” he said.

This, he said, was because the church combines “the joy of our traditions… with “So, young people need to be helped the expression of a fairly young church, discover their gifts and be invited and and with the acknowledgment that we encouraged to use them, not just as are a pilgrim people.” youth leaders.”

“If you want them to be a part of Church and a key part of Church is your worship service, then get them leading worship and praying and preaching, but encourage them to do it in ways which honour the tradition, but also express their own style and culture.” Rev. Humphries sees an important part of their involvement should be in organising, planning and leading activities and initiatives, especially regarding social justice and community involvement.

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(TOP) JOSH WYATT WITH THE ONE HEART TEAM (LEFT) JOSH WITH JAMES AARON AND THE NRCC TEAM

When the church becomes a museum... people are not drawn into the present and living experience of God

CHALLENGES AHEAD

The young people Insights spoke to identified a number of things that they found challenging about the Uniting Church. Susannah Cornford is currently studying for the HSC. Ms Cornford told Insights that she found that the challenge was, “Basically the same as being a young person anywhere else, feeling like people won’t appreciate my input just because I’m younger than them.”

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

So how can the Uniting Church help young people and encourage them to stay a part of the church’s life? Those who Insights spoke to nominated a number of areas. Ms Cornford pointed to a number of practical areas where the church can use its resources to help. These included: “Giving easy access to different organisations which can help teenagers. Places to go or resources to use if young people are struggling with mental health, stress, sexuality, stuff like that. And listening to younger people when they voice their problems, not being biased or close minded when serious topics are being brought up.” It’s a point that Rev. Aaron is inclined to take up.

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“When the church becomes a museum, or somewhere where you visit your faith people are not drawn into the present and living experience of God,” he said. “The church’s challenge I think, is to continue living in the newness of God, which doesn’t always necessarily mean changing everything, but it might mean inviting young people, who all have different answers to provide their opinions and then to respectfully respond.” Rev. Humphries said it is all about the invitation. “Welcome is something that we need to revisit in the Church,” he said. “Welcoming is more than just giving a warm greeting. It is about exercising hospitality. It is about valuing the other and your connection with them, not only in words, but in real tangible and practical ways. So, if you answered the questions above about welcome by suggesting that you would engage in hospitality, then you have part of the keys to welcoming and involving young people in Church.” Rev. Humphries also points out that young people are extremely relational and that they need to feel valued by their family and community.

Josh Wyatt worships at North Ryde Community Church and is undertaking a Period of Discernment, supervised by Rev. Aaron and Rev. Raymond Joso. He told Insights that the experience has allowed him, “To have deep conversations trying to understand my purpose, my gifts, and how I can use my gifts to encourage others to seek God and find their calling.” “If we want to engage young people, we may need to prioritise young people,” he said. “Making this our mission could result relationships being formed, creating channels for young proactive leadership to be in our church.” Rev. Dr Gapes says that churches that were intentional about how they fostered welcoming communities had a better chance of retaining younger members. “They find a community where they belong and where they can also laugh and have fun. These communities don’t just happen. They need to be developed, encouraged, supported and framed,” she said. Mr Wyatt suggested that churches would do well to reach out to younger people using the media that they are likely to engage with. “What may have encouraged previous generations to be involved in the church may not be the best way to engage the generations of today. The secret ingredient to engaging young people could be in communicating a timeless message in a timely manner,” he said. “If it seems that the emerging generations are captivated more by the likes of Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Podcasts, then the church may want to consider investing in these mediums so that the hope of Christ can be heard in a new context. This, he says does not mean merely, “Live-streaming our Sunday morning experience on Facebook to tick the “social media” box but rather finding ways to be true storytellers, sharing the hope of Christ in a language and style which resonates and engages with young people.” Jonathan Foye

STAINED GLASS MILLENIALS The church is transforming, not dying. Young people are done with the institution, not the church. Those are the themes explored in the Rev. Rob Lee’s book released last year Stained Glass Millennials, which details how religious institutions can engage millennials, defined by Lee as people between the ages 18 and 36. Lee, a Statesville North Carolina native, is a student at Duke University Divinity School and writes a regular column for their regular publication Record and Landmark. “ Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, the church has become this big empire, this big institution,” Lee said in an interview recently with Record and Landmark. “Millennials flee from institutions. That doesn’t mean they’re out of the realm of the church.” Lee said the millennial generation values authenticity and vulnerability. He said that people want to see the church survive, but sometimes survival means that it has to adapt and move into the reality that God has for us. MILLENNIALS FLEE FROM INSTITUTIONS [ B U T ] T H AT DOESN’T MEAN THEY’RE OUT OF THE REALM OF THE CHURCH

The church, Lee said, has spent much of its history as an empire, when Jesus himself fought actively against empires. Huge infrastructure and grand procedures can be healthy and inspiring, but they can also marginalise groups along society’s fringes, he said.

Moving past the institution provides millennials with a seat at the table and the knowledge that their voices are valued. The easiest way to do this, Lee said, is by reaching out to someone to share their views on the church over a cup of coffee. This may seem a bit like 20th century communications, Lee explains that like all people millennials value face to face relationships too, and that there is power in an invitation to share views.

“We can no longer self-reflect as a church,” Lee said. “The church is declining — in numbers, finances, everything — if we’re willing to reach out to people who we’ve initially shunned and say ‘You’re welcome here,’ there might be a place where we can say God has a plan and is restoring the church through millennials.” Lee also sees the decline of the church in the western world as not something to bemoan, but an opportunity to reset and try something. We are people of the resurrection after all.

Adrian Drayton

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T H E T WO O F U S

Bradon French and Steve Molkentin are working across both their Synods (VicTas and Queensland respectively) and the national church to discover new ways to engage in intergenerational ministry. We asked them what the Church could do better. Their advice is simple — stop doing so many things, and re-discover how to be resurrection people.

BRADON

FRENCH

WHAT COULD THE CHURCH DO BETTER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MILLENNIALS AND YOUNG FAMILIES?

It took six drafts of this article to land at my answer to this familiar question, and here goes – the church needs to do less things better. In fact, we need to do less things altogether. We need to be the church. Being busy doesn’t equate to being effective. And before you scoff, I’m not hiding behind the easy, simple answer. Our history tells us we’ve always struggled to do this. Early drafts highlighted the difference and distinctiveness of younger generations. Some pointed to external influences that allow us to surrender to the challenge and miss the opportunity. Other drafts mapped a history of courageous responses to this question that every church has faced since the industrial revolution. For your sake, and mine, we cannot hind behind missional paralysis. Millennials (Young adults), and whatever label we use for today’s teenagers, are indeed complex, however they, like their predecessors, are seeking to form identity, discover purpose and place within this society we’re entrusting to their care and leadership. To define them by their gadgets, or to generalise them under labels and clickbait hyperbole is a disservice to their individual experiences and potential. Throughout our history, the Uniting Church has made courageous claims and inspiring commitments. We should be proud of our stance on climate, welcoming those seeking refuge, a healthy response to drugs and many more issues that are part of the lived experience of young people. However these claims, like economics I suppose, rarely trickle down to our congregations. Our gatherings reflect social trends when

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Articulate your stories of transformation in language and ways that connect with young people social gatherings were trendy. Whereas once the church played a role in helping young people discover their place and purpose, perhaps today young people could show the church her place and purpose, if we have ears to listen. Going back to my original answer. Identify your community values and celebrate them. Tweaking worship styles, starting a Facebook page or adding an additional social gathering aren’t a revolution.

Stopping doing things, and rediscover how to be resurrection people.

Articulate your stories of transformation in language and ways that connect with young people (and yes, that will mean outside weekly worship gatherings). Interrogate your expectations of leaders, your church budget and your church council decisions to determine if they prioritise connecting with young people. Practice sabbath and hospitality, and share those with people.

Bradon French

Intergenerational Ministry – Youth Uniting Church Synod of VicTas

MOLKENTIN

STEVE

As a long-time fan of The Simpsons, it’s the episodes written by Conan O’Brien that I always enjoyed the most. In Marge vs the Monorail Phil Hartman’s Lyle Lanley is trying to sell Springfield a completely unnecessary monorail when in the public meeting he remarks: “You know, a town with money’s a little like the mule with a spinning wheel. No one knows how he got it, and danged if he knows how to use it!”

The same could be said about Uniting Churches with Millennials. Often, gripped by fear they’ll leave for somewhere flashier and with ‘better’ music, or with cooler young adult programs, churches hold their young adults so closely they all but stifle them. There is a tendency to project ‘the future leaders of the church’ tag and support them with multitudinous training opportunities but never actually let them lead… and when they do there’s a raft of conditions. We build them up, call them leaders, and then never actually follow them anywhere. Our young adults drip out the doors because we refuse to engage them in the full depth and breadth of the gospel because “Who speaks Millennial properly anyway?” and “What even is a pansexual?” and “It would be so much better if they read the bible properly”. Not unsurprisingly, young adults who are willing to engage with the church are after five simple things:

A CHANCE TO SERVE (WITH EXPECTATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES)

While for some getting on the welcoming roster or assisting in serving communion once a quarter might really be a big thing, for others they want to get their hands dirty. Feel the grit of engaging in ministry under their nails. Encouraging them to connect with the preaching roster or commit to a period of discernment or lead a mission team within their community or abroad are all very real options. We’re surrounded by gifted young adults who in their professional careers lead teams of people or control the budgets of large companies and the church won’t even trust them with the keys to the church hall. Listen to them and present the challenges, and watch them rise to the occasion with the help of Jesus in their lives. Hold them to account and make no excuses for doing so – young adults will respond well to this when they’ve chosen to engage in the first place.

OPPORTUNITIES TO WORSHIP THAT CHALLENGE

Gathered worship should be an adventure together. Copying and pasting from last week’s order of service does not bring comfort – it shows a distinct lack of the creative spirit of God at work. Find new ways to engage in worship as a community. Times of reflection and solace are as important as times of celebration and energy. Young adults will be drawn into a variety of spaces as the intentionality is made clear. Embrace opportunities for real intergenerational worship; encourage your musically talented young adults to share their gifts for the glory of God and for the good of the people. Teach about the importance of personal and gathered worship and involve young adults in the shaping of these times.

make sure they reveal the nature of who we are as opposed to just saying all the right words.

RELATIONSHIP

Deeply and desperately we all want to find our tribe. The people that know us and love us and envelop us so our lives are intertwined. The reconciling

They’re ready to take on the world and they’re not going to take no for an answer

WORDS THAT MEAN SOMETHING

Deep dive into the bible with your young adults. Challenge them with the A PLACE OF AUTHENTICITY substance of our faith, and unpack the Young adults are open to challenges, not Basis of Union with them. Teach on the least of which those which encourage creeds. Do not patronise them with them to reconsider their world view. platitudes or think they’re disinterested As much as helping them personally because they spend most of your sermon grapple with their identity the church can on their phones (sure, some will be on assist by being real with them about the Instagram or Snapchat – so why are struggles of faith, the practicalities of life, they?). Look for ways to connect their and challenges of knowing whose they social networks with their learning and are. They don’t want things sugar-coated; expressions of faith (e.g. use a group they want to be real and want people to daily study on the Bible app to foster be real with them. Young adults want to regular discussion that is marked with talk about where the reality of developing the gamification of completing each day’s faith meets their lived experience and study). When you write/source liturgies learn from it together.

God calls us as a people so that every person is connected and engaged in life because we are better together than we are apart. Listen to each other. Be invested in each other’s lives. Offer your time to each other. Model the behaviour you would have reflected in your church and in your community. Watch and learn from our young adults in their smaller groups and as they gather in larger communities, and include them at every opportunity. This year’s NYALC is a timely reminder that the young adults that identify with the Uniting Church are enthusiastic, talented, deeply passionate followers of the risen Christ that want to see a nation reconciled with their Creator. They’re ready to take on the world and guide and shape the church today, and they’re not going to take no for an answer. Steve Molkentin (Molk)

Mission Officer (Generation Next) for Queensland Synod and Advocate for the Discipling the Next Generations Circle for the Assembly. To find out more about this Circle visit assembly.uca.org.au/circles-of-interest

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PULSE: WORKING WITH EMERGING GENERATIONS

Rev. Karen Mitchell Lambert was recently employed as the leader of the Pulse team. Here she explains her roadmap for Pulse and the team. SO WHAT IS PULSE?

It is a movement, a network of people who are passionate about seeing the Good News of Jesus being shared far and wide with those who are part of emerging generations. We will work together to share resources, inspire and encourage each other, learn from, pray with and for each other.

WHAT ARE EMERGING GENERATIONS? Children, youth, young adults, and families. For ministry to work with emerging generations it requires a whole of Church response, whether that is from the Synod or whether it is a small gathering of people in what feels like a forgotten town. I believe there is growth and emerging generations present. We are currently in the process of collecting a data base to map exactly how much life with emerging generations we have. I am already surprised by what we are finding and the stories we are hearing about how young people are encountering faith is deeply encouraging. Pulse is about supporting and encouraging emerging generations in our Church. We work with children, families, youth and young people to inspire innovation across all parts of NSW ACT Synod. To make this happen we will be seeking to listen. We will be listening to our Aboriginal sisters and brothers about their hopes and longing for our Church. We want to talk with Children and their families, youth, and their leaders to hear what their experience of our church is and hear their hopes and dreams.

WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?

Pulse is a a network of people who are passionate about seeing the Good News of Jesus being shared far and wide

For more information about Pulse contact Karen Mitchell Lambert, Pulse Leader: KarenML@nswact.uca.org.au or Joyce Tangi, Pulse Field Officer: JoyceT@nswact.uca.org.au

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We will be talking to Presbyteries to hear what they know, listen to their dreams and visions and see how we can work together. We will be talking with our Korean and Pacific Island brothers and sisters to see how God is calling their young people in faith and how they can share what they are learning with the wider Church. We will be talking with Chaplains and RE teachers in our schools and Universities about how they see faith formation and growing new communities. We will be seeking people who want to be part of this along the way. If you have an idea or something you want to share, we want to hear it. We will be releasing two surveys, one for youth and young adults, and one for families. You can find them on the Pulse website: ucapulse.org.au

HOW WILL WE DO THIS? If Pulse is going to work it is going to rely on more than just the staff we have to make it happen, we want this movement to be inclusive, generous, hospitable and safe. We want to reflect how our Uniting Church is diverse and hold each other in Christ first, sharing the love and compassion we are called to, at all times. The truth is there are limited resources in our Church and we have three areas we are called to work in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Supporting and growing what we have in emerging generations, supporting chaplaincy and developing their connections to local faith expressions, and growing new ways of being Church. I believe that God is giving us all we need to make this happen, it is scattered in the Church. Through us growing together, sharing and listening to each other, God is growing something amazing.

pulse Pulse seeks to grow vital Christian communities where emerging generations thrive

Co nne c t

uc ap ulse.o rg .au fac e b o o k .c o m / UCA Pulse tw itte r.c o m / uc ap ulse instagram.c o m / uc ap ulse insights

WO R L D R E L I G I O U S T R E N D S

START-UP SEEKS ANSWERS TO CONNECTION Across the western world, the religious landscape is very similar. Institutional churches ability to attract people under 35 is faltering. In both Australia and America there is a growing cohort of ‘spiritual but not religious’ and ‘religious homeless’ people who are seeking to make meaning and give purpose to their lives in community.

t Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge Massachusetts a three year project that began in 2015 as a student-led exploration into how millennials are finding communities of meaning and belonging, has morphed into a ground-breaking study of organisations that are effectively unbundling and remixing the functions historically performed by traditional religious institutions.

How We Gather is a spiritual startup collaboration between Harvard Divinity School, the Fetzer Institute and On Being. The early power of the project was in mapping the landscape of innovation that is rising to do this old work in new ways, identifying trends and offering frameworks describing the dynamic practices and purposes that coalesce and cohere widely diverse efforts. The work has gained significant coverage, including the New York Times, The Atlantic and PBS News in part because it has exposed a breakdown of old conceptual and institutional silos, including what is “religious” and what “secular”.

co-author of How We Gather and Care of Souls, two of five reports profiling new forms of social and spiritual connection. “Our research at Harvard Divinity School has revealed a landscape of young people who are urgently looking for communities of belonging. We’ve mapped out how secular organisations like CrossFit and MeetUp are fulfilling traditionally religious functions like community building, purpose finding and personal transformation,” explains Angie in the How We Gather promotional material. “At the same time we see innovative religious leaders setting up co-working spaces, dinner churches and subscription boxes that bring the sacred to a hungry population in inventive and relevant ways.”

A central focus of the work has been learning how best to support the emerging landscape of innovative community leaders. This has included learning to meet pastoral needs through event chaplaincy and offering spiritual accompaniment through a pilot program matching elders with millennial community leaders to offer spiritual accompaniment and space for reflection. “How we gather in community is changing, people are drifting away from religious institutions, so that one in three millennials, who when asked to name their religious identity says ‘none of the above’,” explains Casper ter Kuile.

There is a landscape of young people who are urgently looking for communities of belonging

Across the variety of creative efforts, they all spark some mix of personal and social transformation, community building, creativity, accountability, and purpose finding.

Casper is the Executive Director and Director of Possibility at the On Being Impact Lab, is the co-author of How We Gather and Care of Souls, and has co-convened hundreds of leaders in the emerging field of secular and sacred community innovation.

Perhaps surprisingly, the work has “Meanwhile, there’s a growing crisis of highlighted the deeply religious longings isolation, one in four Americans say that of people otherwise categorised as “As we’ve named and framed these they have nobody to talk to, including “unaffiliated” or “spiritual but not religious.” trends, we’ve learned that the leaders their family. Loneliness, now reduces The project has shone a light on the of these communities, struggle to find life-expectancy more than obesity or emerging new life at the intersections connections and resources to help them smoking. of community, spirituality and justice flourish. What we’ve encountered is work. And its this work that should be of “There is no longer a clear distinction people’s desire for support in formation, interest to institutional church. between what is ‘secular’ and what which is to say in becoming the people is ‘sacred’ because the boundaries of The team — Angie Thurston, Casper ter they want to be. religious affiliation have become less Kuile and Sue Phillips — over the three “That’s why in the next phase we important that what these leaders are years hosted gatherings of innovative are partnering with On Being to doing to bring people into communities of community leaders from organizations as create an all-in formation experience meaning and depth.” diverse as CrossFit, Yoga classes, dinner for the 21st Century. Imagine a cross churches, public meditation groups, In bringing together unlikely partners and between a Medieval Guild, an AA makerspaces and many others. All this embarking on entrepreneurial ventures, Group and a monastic community, but case study work is available in their How We Gather has become a connected online. For people who want to report How We Gather. proto laboratory for spiritual innovation. live their lives differently, this will be the The team expects to see this role growing Angie is Director of Formation at the On place to go.” in the coming years, but they have work Being Impact Lab, a Ministry Innovation to do. Fellow at Harvard Divinity School, and the

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SPIRITUALITY

BELONGING

ANGIE THURSTON

PRAYER GATHERINGS AND MEETINGS HELP TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY AT HOW WE GATHER

CASPER TER KUILE

www.

For more information and to download the How We Gather reports go to howwegather.org

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NYALC 2019! N U N YA R A , A D E L A I D E , S O U T H AU S T R A L I A

On a journey of transformation From 17-20 January, more than 100 young leaders from the Uniting Church gathered at the Nunyara Conference Centre in the foothills of Adelaide for the National Young Adult Leaders Conference (NYALC). Over the weekend, they experienced worship, bible studies, and small group conversation. Insights asked a few of these young leaders to share their experience.

ore than 120 young adults from across the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) gathered in the Adelaide Hills on a journey of deepening their faith and exploring their gifts as leaders.

The culturally-diverse group of young adults came from all over the country for the National Young Adult Leaders Conference (NYALC) under the theme LEAD – Live. Embrace. Act. Disciple.

Jesus comes alongside us and teaches us reminding us of God’s transforming love and liberation for us and for the whole world

Uniting Church President Dr Deidre Palmer encouraged the delegates to use the four-day conference to reflect on their own lives and on the church’s journey, in which they play a significant part. “People all over Australia are praying for you as young adult leaders, giving thanks for your leadership, and are hopeful about what may emerge,” said Dr Palmer. “This is not a once-off event. We will continue to be followers of Jesus, who are seeking to grow in faith, deepen our relationship with God and participate in God’s mission. We will be part of the renewal of our Church.” Reflecting on Road to Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35), Dr Palmer said following Jesus was often daunting with many twists and turns - but it was also transformational. “To follow Jesus is the most exhilarating adventure possible! To know the deep love and forgiveness of God – God’s grace, surrounding you, upholding you, for your lifetime, to see the world through the eyes of God’s reconciling love and hope – is the best journey of all.” “As people of the Uniting Church, we experience the Spirit of Christ bringing us together and calling us forward.

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“God invites us to share our stories, to pour out our experiences of joy and sorrow, confident faith and gnawing doubt. “Jesus comes alongside us and teaches us – reminding us of God’s transforming love and liberation, for us and for the whole world.” As well as the President, the young adults are joined by the six Moderators of the Uniting Church, senior leaders from the Assembly Resourcing Unit and leaders of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. The Conference was preceded by a Walking on Country led by Sean Weetra and other members from SA Congress on the land of the Ngarrindjeri people. A group of 20 people visited Sean’s home community of Raukkan and heard stories of his country and gained insights into our shared history as First and Second Peoples. Participants visited Coorong National Park, the iconic Raukkan Church and Victor Harbour before returning to Adelaide on Thursday for NYALC at the Nunyara Conference Centre. Over the next few days, delegates shared in worship and participated in bible studies led by Rev. Dr Jione Havea and a team of young adults. Leadership expert Naomi Nash ran a number of personal training sessions. Community groups, an open session with senior leaders and times for young adults to lead discussions on topics which are important to them were highlights of the conference. Rebecca Beisler

NYALC 2019! N U N YA R A , A D E L A I D E , S O U T H AU S T R A L I A

Live, Embrace, Act, Disciple Pulse Field Officer, Siosiana (Joyce) Tangi, attended the national NYALC conference and reflects on her experience for Insights.

WALKING ON COUNTRY

Before NYALC, twenty young adults were given the privilege to walk alongside the President of the Uniting Church and take on a journey onto the land of the Ngarrindjeri Country and the community of Raukkan on the cliffs overlooking Lake Alexandrina. Raukkan, means “meeting place” in the Ngarrindjeri language, and was an important meeting place for Ngarrindjeri (clans). Led by Sean Weeta and his family, we were enriched with experiencing such beautiful culture and lands. At first, we were presented and given permission to walk the sacred grounds from the First Peoples of the land in a humbling traditional Welcome to Country filled with smoke, burning of traditional plants and a sense of cleansing, being anointed by bush leaves that were immersed in the waters of the First People. For three days we were blessed with the experience of getting to know the native culture. We heard from community elders past and present, of stories that are planted in their hearts, of a sad past filled with suffering and hurt. Yet, with the same voice were encouraged and confident moving forward to a better place with their present and future Leaders. We learned traditional ways of weaving of plants together, and were taught through tasting native produce and legendary stories of how their lands came about. The days where filled with culture and history and the nights where filled with stories and song. This was a beautiful reminder of God’s love to all His people and land, and that we can stand together to mend previous broken relationships with the First Peoples of this land.

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GROWING TOGETHER

How can we continue to support and disciple the next generation in their faith and leadership?

NYALC was a blessed four days at the beginning of 2019 where young adults were able to share, grow and be hopeful together as we learnt how we can be more encouraged young leaders back home.

With the comfort of blissful worship to kickstart and finish our long days, bible studies, leadership training sessions and open discussion sessions everyone had about church concerns, young people were immersed with questions and conversations to help equip them with practical leadership tools to use in their church communities. I take with me the beloved memory of an awesome weekend, full of knowledge, generosity and oversupply of support that is much needed in youth ministry. There was a richness of intergenerational mingling that the young adults didn’t take for granted. Being able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Church leaders and mentors, Synod Moderators, the President of the Uniting Church was a great opportunity for wisdom to be shared across the board, future planning, and for inter-Synod networking, encouragement and team building. I also take home with me the question of how can we continue to support and

disciple the next generation in their faith and leadership? How can we encourage the communities back home? And how can we embrace and apply our knowledge we have been given, to help the young people seek God’s kingdom? Stepping out of our NYALC bubble and coming back to our day to day lives, there is a reminder and encouragement I bring with me back home. While we study for a better future or live in the stress and demands of work, leading at Church or being a friend to someone who needs it, we were chosen by God to be leaders. And it is God’s abundant grace and liberating hope that is always with us. May we continue to sustain, restore and refresh each other during our journey in leadership together. We thank the President, Moderators, Assembly Resourcing Unit, Next Generation Assembly Circle, and those who assisted in making the conference such an enjoyable experience. Joyce Tangi is a Pulse Field Officer

CONNECTING FAITH TO EVERYDAY LIFE

NORTH PARRAMATTA NAAMAROO | ELANORA

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COMING IN MARCH 2019

SEASON 2 OUT SOON!

Season 1 has now wrapped up and we’re already working on Season 2 to bring you fresh content and engaging conversation around faith. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page: facebook.com/holdthatau

Free use of high quality equipment & WiFi Including lecterns, whiteboards, data projectors, ﬂip-chart stands, DVD players – perfect for school groups & conferences

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Fun activities for all age groups Outdoor and indoor activities available. Our tailor made outdoor eductional program, ‘Rise Above’, is also available on request. Ask us about this today!

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M A K I N G M O N E Y M AT T E R

RENDERING UNTO CEASAR

ime and time again they tried. Time and time again, Jesus outsmarted them. But they were persistent, so they came back, again. Surely at last they’d found an issue that would snare this upstart Rabbi, get him to say something that would discredit or incriminate him, so that one way or another they could be rid of him.

revolt. They couldn’t miss with this one! Or so they thought. Jesus, however, knew their hypocrisy and let them know he was onto them. “Why are you testing me?” Although the text goes straight onto Jesus asking to see a coin, I imagine that he actually would have paused after this question. At least just long enough for a little bit of panic to creep in as these men, called “spies” by Luke in his gospel, realised he was onto them. Nevertheless, they bring him the coin.

I speak, of course, of the chief priests, the Pharisees and scribes, the Jewish religious authorities in first century Palestine, and their repeated questioning of Jesus over We know how it ends. The scribes matters of law and custom and the crowd are amazed when and practice. Although he says, after getting them to most of his parables affirm that Caesar’s picture T H E I M A G E O F were at least a bit is on the coin, “render unto G O D I S F A R confusing to his Caesar the things that are G R E A T E R T H A N closest followers, Caesar’s, and to God the A LITTLE HEAD these scribes knew things that are God’s.” O N A C O I N only too well what they meant. They A brilliant response! Not only knew, for example, that does it defuse the issue and when he talked about remove the tension they’d hoped vine growers who killed vineyard it would create for Jesus, but it’s multiowner’s son, he was talking about them. layered and full of profound implications. However, because he was gathering a These implications go beyond the strong following among the people, they simplistic issue of the separation of couldn’t just take hold of him. Better to Church and State that has probably trick him into saying something that would received most of the words of comment undermine his authority and, hopefully, and sermon on the story ever since. It give them a reason to arrest him. Finally, does give grounds for that separation, but they had their question. (Mark 12:13-17) we need to understand that Jesus didn’t advocate a separation of equal systems. First, the set up. The appointed No, what he does here is to completely scribes came to him and said things subjugate the political, economic and that seemed to affirm they trusted his financial world to the kingdom of God. judgment. “You teach the way of God truthfully,” they schmoozed. We need to remember the question that Jesus had asked when they brought the Then, the hit. “Should we pay taxes to coin to him. “Whose image is this?” When Caesar? Is that the right thing for us Jews told what he already knew, that it was to do?” If he said yes, they hoped he’d the head of Caesar, his response is quite lose the people and their problem with scathing. It’s like Jesus is saying, “what’s him would go away. If he said no, then the big deal here? If the image of Caesar they’d have him – the Romans would is such an insignificant little thing and he not take kindly to someone inciting such wants it back, then give it to him.” This is a

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huge put-down of the Roman ‘god-ruler’, though so cleverly expressed that many have missed it – both those who heard it at the time and many commentators since. When he continues by saying “and to God the things that are God’s” we need to keep in mind that the image of God is far greater than a little head on a coin. The people all around him were the image of God; and in a hugely significant way, he was THE image of God. What do we render to God? What are the ‘things that are God’s’ in his response? We get a clear word about that a few verses later. When one of the scribes realises that Jesus has answered them well he asks a genuine question. “What’s the greatest commandment?” Jesus answer is, of course, to love God with all that you are and to “love your neighbor as yourself”. (Mark 12:28-31) The apostle Paul puts it that way in Romans 13, which is his commentary on Jesus’ words about Caesar and God. In brief, he says that rendering to Caesar is doing the right thing by your fellow citizens, including paying taxes, but above everything our obligations as followers of God is to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Romans 13:9). Rendering to Caesar is about a lot more than just paying tax. It’s about keeping all financial and money matters in their place. We are to operate in the world and its economy with honesty and integrity, giving to others what is rightfully due to them, but as Christians we do this in the context of the prior and higher obligation to honour God. From that comes the imperative to love our neighbours, which puts rendering to Caesar in the shade! Warren Bird | Executive Director Uniting Financial Services

Mobilising Ministry Mobilising Ministry is a Rural and Remote Ministry initiative that supports our rural congregations, shares both leadership and hospitality and embraces the challenge of connecting community over the entire Synod of NSW and the ACT.

Mobilising Ministry hopes to:

yy Initiate partnerships and embrace ongoing relationships with rural congregations; yy Utilise the many skills, gifts, training, expertise and experience of Ministers in a broader setting than presently possible in a typical city/suburban placement; yy Discover together how Christian community can flourish in a rural context; yy Raise the profile of Ministry outside of the city/suburban setting; yy Encourage and resource local lay-leadership, building on existing resources; and yy Enter into worship, hospitality and learning together and begin to tell a newer hope-filled story. If you are a Minister or congregation who would like to know more about the Mobilising Ministry or you are interested in being involved in the initiative please contact:

Rev. Mark Faulkner

Director of Rural and Remote Ministry Initiatives - Uniting Mission and Education

Ph: 0477 720 151

E: saltbush@nswact.uca.org.au

Lend a hand to people on the land With all of NSW in drought, your prayers and donations are needed and gratefully received. $• Donate to the Moderator’s Drought Appeal Go to the Synod website: nswact.uca.org.au/about-us/giving

• Pray

Pray for those communities in rural and remote NSW and individuals affected by the drought.

Please note that donations to the Moderator’s Appeal are not tax deductible.

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Virtual Reality has seen people immersing their whole lives on online platforms. Even church. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, ever wondered about church planting in a virtual world?

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KEEPING UP WITH TECH CHURCH The Bible was famously the first document printed on Gutenberg’s movable type writing press. Rev. Billy Graham 1950 uses radio for his “Hour of Decision” preaching worldwide. A chatbot called MissioBot first launched in 2017 and is still available in Facebook Messenger. It allows users to “chat” with Pope Francis, explore worldwide mission projects, Papal wisdom and gain encouragement for prayer.

ell the CEO of the Bible Society of New Zealand, Mark Brown did just that in the virtual reality software Second Life in 2007.

In Second Life’s Epiphany Island the first Anglican Cathedral was built. This medieval Cathedral, plays host to people from around the world logged in from the comfort of their homes. The platform allows users’ avatars (customised user image) to attend church services and bible studies in the virtual world. Doing church in VR was an exciting and new concept, in Second Life more spiritual communities were being digitally built (including Buddhist temples and Synagogues). But as VR technology continued to advance, the intrigue of this program seemed to lag. Second Life users have declined in recent years and there is even reports of other churches closing down on the platform, mirroring the decline of church attendance in the real world. While the Cathedral is still running— founder Brown retired from the program in 2009—it begs the question, is this really the way forward? Second Life is just one platform and as we look to the capabilities of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and VR, there are more ways to connect and share our faith beyond our physical location. With VR, you could be sitting in the pews of a church thousands miles away or maybe the next continent over connecting beyond just rural or urban faith communities. Or imagine a preacher hologram giving a sermon at the next church service.

Faith formation at home has also evolved thanks to technology such as artificial intelligence. With the introduction of voice activated technology like Amazon’s Alexa, Siri and Google Home, we can access information with ease. People began asking these devices spiritual questions like, “Siri, can you explain God?” While Alexa and Siri had Wikipedia to draw from, Google Home was left responding with, “Religion can be complicated, and I am still learning.” Yet Google Home was able to answer questions about the Buddha and Mohammad. The subsequent backlash meant Google Home disabled responses to questions about all religious figures. The whole debacle further showed the disconnect between technology and religion. People are searching digital spaces to explore, learn and deepen their spiritual understanding. So are churches are willing to share the Good News in these digital spaces?

THE SECOND RISE OF THE VR CHURCH

If Second Life’s Anglican Cathedral paved the way, then Pastor D.J. Soto’s VR Church is the second wave. Pastor D.J. Soto founded his VR Church in 2016 and is hosted on the AltSpaceVR, a virtual reality social platform. The church’s mission is to “explore and communicate God through virtual reality, augmented reality and next generation technologies.” Using VR headsets including the Oculus Rift, users are immersed into this platform where people around the globe are able to connect by CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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playing interactive games and attending live events. Pastor Soto was trained in the Baptist Pensacola Christian College but branched out on his own in search of a “radically inclusive church” which slowly morphed into the VR Church. His sermons and services attract believers but also atheists. With the online platform, the VR Church becomes a space that people can enter seemingly without judgement. More VR companies are tapping into this spiritual side. The Oculus Go VR Headset, provides an app called the VR Church Bible. The app offers its users to “experience the bible in virtual reality” and provides devotionals explored through natural environments including the gardens of Esperanza. In 2016 the Church of Scotland floated the idea of online baptisms however

following the backlash from their faith community they abruptly binned the idea. The Catholic Church stated in 2002 that there would officially be no online or virtual sacraments. A recurring critique of these tech advancements is that the ease to connect, call, send messages, scroll endlessly through feeds can be a mode of escapism that has adverse effects on our mental health and spiritual life. Christian Theology of Ethics Professor at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University, Roger E. Olson, in the Christian Post warned: “Can a pastor really ‘pastor’ (shepherd) a congregation if he or she never is among them? Is there really total commensurability — spiritually — between seeing and hearing a local pastor preach, pray and teach

There is this aspect of playfulness that allows us to do more than we could imagine because we forget that it is a task and we engage in a game bodily, physically, and seeing and hearing a speaker via satellite feed or internet connection?”

that it is a task and we engage in a game. And I think that is probably the core for my learning in digital ministry.”

GAMING SPIRITUALITY

As for how video-games can enable theological comment, Rev. Nicholas and Insights’ video game reviews point out, there are many secular and specifically Christian video games that carry spiritual narratives.

Uniting Church Minister Rev. Will Nicholas, has participated in ceremonies inside churches on VR platforms. Rev. Nicholas also uses Twitch to record himself working through a video-game while giving commentary that includes theological concepts.

While an active user of these technologies Rev. Nicholas is also aware of these very real concerns of isolation. His digital ministry not only looks to connect with people in these virtual worlds but then to bring them together offline. “There is something about networking and having a shared experience together in a game that really creates a strong sense of belonging,” said Rev. Nicholas. “But I have also noticed that while it does create a sense of belonging that it also can create a strong sense of isolation. So people can become quite separate as they sit in their own spaces and play a game together and actually don’t simply interact in the same space.” Rev. Nicholas sees the benefit in both tabletop board games and digital games in exploring spirituality and Christianity. “There is this aspect of playfulness that allows us to do more than we could imagine because we forget

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“The theme of religion and spirituality is fascinating to the people who are engaging with these games and game designers know that so they incorporate those narratives,” said Rev. Nicholas. So we’ve got video games, VR Head Sets, A.I and Augmented Reality. Where to next? Keeping in mind the importance of still connecting IRL, Rev. Nicholas stopped short of saying the rise of VR is the future of Church. “I think it’s certainly a future. I’m very careful about stating something is the future but if there is a missing field, an opportunity to be present and to make Christ present in a place then we certainly do [have to consider] that.” “When we want to have a ministry to motor cycling enthusiasts we form the ‘God Squad’ and we work with the people who are in that space and time. So virtual spaces are just another space and zone.” I’m still holding out for those holograms. Melissa Stewart

MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT & MINISTRY

WORKSHOPS TO ASSIST CONGREGATIONS AND PRESBYTERIES WITH HERITAGE RESPONSIBILITIES A series of workshops is taking place to assist congregations and presbyteries with understanding, managing and maintaining their heritage-listed church properties. Across the NSW/ACT Synod, there are nearly 250 Uniting church properties, including churches, halls, minister’s residences and cemeteries, which are included on local and State government heritage lists. Church councils and (in some cases) Presbytery representatives are responsible for the care and upkeep of these buildings, but heritage listing can add another level of complexity to looking after church property. With assistance from the NSW government under the ‘Heritage Near Me’ program, Uniting Resources has engaged heritage architect Hector Abrahams to develop a series of face-to-face workshops which will introduce congregations and presbyteries to the basics of looking after their heritage-listed church property. “While the object of heritage listing is to protect what is significant, or meaningful, about a building for future generations, it doesn’t mean that change is impossible,” Abrahams said. “We want congregations and presbyteries to understand cultural heritage and building maintenance in the context of their ministry.”

WORKSHOP DETAILS

The free half-day Maintenance, Management & Ministry workshops cover local heritage approval processes and best-practice heritage management principles. Participants learn about observing their own buildings—to note what might need maintenance or repair—and how to plan for future maintenance works. “Church buildings are often very robust, to the point they can withstand a certain amount of negligence,” said Abrahams. “But by taking care of regular maintenance, congregations and presbyteries can avoid costly repairs, and plan appropriately for big-ticket items, like replacing a roof.” The workshops guide participants through the creation of a prioritised maintenance plan for their own congregations’ and presbyteries’ circumstances. They also offer networking opportunities where congregations and presbyteries can learn from the experiences of one another. Anyone who is responsible for or interested in planning or undertaking building maintenance within the congregation and presbytery is welcome to attend. There are three workshops scheduled in Sydney, Grafton and Orange during March. To learn more, contact Hector Abrahams Architects (02) 9299-7959.

You are invited to attend a half-day workshop on managing and caring for your heritagelisted buildings, with a focus on developing a maintenance plan for your congregation's or presbytery’s circumstances. Presented by heritage consultants Hector Abrahams and Meg Quinlisk, the workshops are intended to be engaging and interactive with plenty of opportunities to think through heritage issues facing your own and neighbouring congregations and presbyteries, and to network with others. Anyone responsible for or interested in planning or undertaking building maintenance within the congregation or presbytery is welcome to attend.

TOPICS introduction to the heritage planning system and local Council approvals background to heritage conservation framework for applying heritage considerations to decision-making development of a prioritised building maintenance plan guidance on involving professional help

There are three workshops scheduled for Saturdays in March around the NSW/ACT Synod. The workshop presenters will be available to meet with representatives of individual congregations and presbyteries following each workshop on Saturday afternoon/evening or on the Sunday afternoon to discuss any more detailed issues raised during the workshop itself. Grafton Workshop: 10am-2pm | Saturday 2 March 2019 | Grafton Uniting Church 126 Prince St, Grafton Orange Workshop: 10am-2pm | Saturday 16 March 2019 | Orange Uniting Church 217 Anson Street, Orange Burwood Workshop: 10am-2pm | Saturday 30 March 2019 | Burwood-Croydon Uniting Church 134A Burwood Road, Burwood The workshops are free to attend, and a simple lunch will be provided. Please assist us with catering plans and RSVP. The workshops have been organised by Uniting Resources with funding from the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage - Heritage Near Me program. RSVP to Meg Quinlisk (02) 9299 7959

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L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

MARCH

Transfiguration and Lent 3 MARCH

LUKE 9:28-36

Transfiguration of Jesus

While this Sunday is called the Transfiguration of Jesus, I often wonder if it shouldn’t be known as the transformation of the disciples (us). In chapter 9, Jesus has revealed that he is the Son of Man, that he is going to the cross, and that all who want to follow him must take up their own cross. Not surprisingly, Peter and the rest of us struggle with this. Then in our reading today, there are a series of affirmations linking this Jesus (looking towards the cross) with the great stories of faith. Upon a mountain he is met by Moses and Elijah, he is covered in shining glory, and then a heavenly voice

10 MARCH LUKE 4:1-13

Lent 1

Many of the great stories of faith have pivotal moments in the wilderness. It is there that we are shorn of our pretensions and learn to trust fully in God’s faithfulness. As our journey through Lent begins, we are invited to be with Jesus in the wilderness again. What are our weaknesses and temptations? The need for certainty, power, glory, or control? Jesus is challenged with each of those, and in response recalls the words of Deuteronomy (chapters 6 and 8). He remembers the hard-won faithfulness of the Israelites emerging through the wilderness, and draws upon

What Lenten practice will you hold?

confirms Jesus’ identity and implores us to “listen to him”.

them for his own struggles as his public ministry begins.

The Way of the Cross is indeed confusing and at times a struggle. But it is not ours alone. We belong to a much larger story, and join with a multitude yearning to see Jesus.

The invitation to journey through Lent is to mimic, in our own small way, a wilderness journey. These wilderness journeys may be strange and unsettling, but in scripture they are always led by the power of the Spirit. Giving something up; letting something go; taking up a new practice; are all ways we can learn again to lean on God, not on our own strength.

What encounters in your life have given you confidence in your faith?

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17 MARCH LUKE 13:31-35

Lent 2

Those with the most invested in the way things are now, are those most challenged by the gospel of Jesus which promises to transform all things in the reconciling love of God. Herod and the Pharisees are shown to be vocal opponents to Jesus and his discipleship community. What is it about your church community that seeks gospel change and thus provokes opposition? Jesus is not deterred though. He has “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), and walks the way of the cross. God’s glory is not fully shown in power politics like Herod’s, but in the faithful, servant nature of the Crucified One. He is probably afraid and definitely angry, but his focus is upon lament for Jerusalem, for Israel, and for the loss of faithful community they represent. He mourns for them all, but now commits himself to go on; not seeing them until they have sung the last song of the Passover Meal (the Last Supper), which included the words of Psalm 118 “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” (verse 26).

24 MARCH PSALM 63:1-8

Lent 3

Traditionally Psalm 63 is said to have been written by David when he was in the wilderness. Possibly when he fled Jerusalem at the uprising led by his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15). Regardless of the exact circumstances, we can hear the twin cries of fear and faith intertwined. The Psalmist yearns for God in both the dry

and parched desert, as well as in the glory of the Temple. Faith springs from cracked, thirsty lips as much as in the full-throated company of the faithful. Do you still yearn for God? Do you still crave the peace of God’s presence? It is all too easy to over intellectualise God and make faith a convenient idea. For a Lenten practice today, find your favourite song, hymn or piece of music. Find 5 minutes, give yourself over to the music. Sometimes joy is a Lenten discipline.

31 MARCH LUKE 15:1-2, 11B-32

Lent 4

The parable of the Prodigal Son is quite possibly the best known of all parables. Some of us will take heart from reading as the Younger Son, finding grace and welcome after dark days and shameful mistakes. There is no distance too great for God’s love to find us. Some will see ourselves in the rigid self of the Elder Son. We need the gentle rebuke and loving reconciliation of the Father reminding us that we belong, and have always belonged. Whichever way we read, it all comes back to that powerful reminder; that we need to learn how to love again, and again, and again. To love ourselves; those who’ve hurt us; those we’ve failed; and those who we take for granted. Who do you usually associate with in this story?

L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

APRIL

Easter: What do you hope for? even an explanation of what it is that has taken place.

This Easter, what do you hope for?

7 APRIL

JOHN 12:1-8

Lent 4

A coalition of Jewish authorities have begun to openly plot Jesus’ murder (11:53). Jesus himself has spoken of giving up his flesh for the sake of the world (6:51). Lazarus has been raised from the grave (chapter 11). The way of the cross never flinches from the realities of the world; though truthfully, we often prefer to avoid them. In the passage today Mary confronts these truths in a moment of liturgical poetry. She understands the trajectory of Jesus’ ministry, and expresses her faithfulness and grief by preparing his body for burial, even as he is alive and present in her home. Just as Mary has washed Jesus’ feet – so too Jesus will soon wash the disciple’s feet (John 13). Following Jesus requires us to be present to the brokenness of the world within us and before us. Death will not have the final word, but we still grieve its wounds. What grief or pain do you find hardest to face?

14 APRIL

21 APRIL

LUKE 19:28-40

JOHN 20:1-18

The public liturgy and spectacle of Jesus riding towards Jerusalem is comedy, critique, tragedy and triumph all wrapped up in one.

To Mary, it must have felt like an ending, awash in failure. Even her grief was being denied as the body was now gone. She stands as witness in her tears. She stands faithful and willing to grieve even in her emptiness.

Palm Sunday

Like so many other royal aspirants before him, Jesus rides into Jerusalem with public fanfare, the crowds calling out traditional Hebrew scriptures of praise. Yet even as he mimics the royal power play, Jesus is mocking the Roman and Jewish authorities who look on in suspicion. He will soon overthrow tables in the Temple; question the Roman taxes; accuse the wealthy Jerusalem hypocrites; and proclaim the hour of the Son of Man. All of these actions proclaim a transformation of the social order and a renewing of faith in God. At the same time, all of this happens as the hour of the cross draws near. Jesus is not looking to seize power, but to unmask its lies and show the glory of God. The scandal of the cross and our hope in God’s kingdom are inextricably linked. To shout “Hosanna!” is at once to sing for joy in Jesus, to proclaim judgement on the brokenness of the world, and hope for the renewal of all things in God.

Easter Day

And it is there that the Resurrection will find her. She is met, not by avenging angels seeking retribution on those who had perpetrated this violence, nor by trumpeted glory pronouncing the new powers that be and the opening of heaven’s gates. She is met much more simply by a road reopened and hope renewed. This crucified man is before her, present and still bloodied, life transformed rather than denied. The resurrection hope is, like this man Jesus himself, a scandalous and surprising thing. Not at all what we expected, and a hope that continues to confound our ideas and plans. Even as it has become clear (ish) that God in Jesus has conquered death itself, there is no sudden lurch towards preparing for the afterlife, no doctrinal outline to ensure heavenly membership, not

Instead, Jesus speaks her name. “Mary!” And she recognises him (teacher!). Relationship is restored. Not otherworldly distance, but intimacy and acknowledgement. The first act of the resurrected Christ is reconciliation with the one who grieves. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

28 APRIL JOHN 20:19-31

If the first act of the Resurrection is to meet Mary in her grief, the second act is to offer the terrified and traumatised disciples the peace of God.

No doubt they were in hiding, fearful that they would be arrested and executed next. Quite likely they were beginning to bicker and fight amongst themselves for how it had come to this. Underlying it all would have be the rising tide of shame and guilt at their own betrayals of Jesus. “Who am I, now that I have seen the truth of my convictions?” Into that cauldron of fear and grief, the resurrected Jesus appears. With arms outstretched, still bearing the marks of his crucifixion, he breathes the Holy Spirit onto them and renews their call. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (v21). For both Mary and the other disciples, the resurrection brings reconciliation, healing and above all a renewed calling to follow Jesus. This Easter, what do you hope for?

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L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

MAY

Compassion and Reconcilition 5 MAY JOHN 21:1-19

a foot hold in our cultural lexicon.

To Mary, the Resurrected “Even though I walk through Jesus has offered compassion the valley of the shadow of and reconciliation. To the death, I fear no evil; for you fearful disciples, he has are with me.” (verse 4). offered peace and the Holy Our desire to be Spirit. Next he appears to the acknowledged, to be disciples and then to over accompanied, and to be one hundred and fifty other journeyed with remains followers. central for everyone. Finally, Jesus confronts Especially in a culture that Simon Peter at daybreak on avoids speaking of death and a beach. Simon Peter who dying. Regardless of people’s was the most determined, language around God or the most passionate, the relationship with the church, most certain of all disciples. we all need companions on Simon Peter who, when the the way. Just as we sing these time came, denied ever even words of comfort, may we knowing Jesus. And Jesus, also sing them as a charge to reaches out to acknowledge live by. Peter’s threefold denial with Who have been those a threefold question “do you people who walked with you love me?”. through the darkest vales of Jesus’ questions are asked your life? with the agape form of love (divine, self-giving) while Peter 19 MAY JOHN 13:31-35 can only respond with the phile or brotherly/friendly love. As Jesus nears the end of his earthly ministry, he offers the This poignant scene shows church some deceptively hard that Simon Peter’s failures are acknowledged, he is loved truths. “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one and reconciled with Jesus another.” even though he still fails to understand fully. Here at the What could be more allend of all things, Peter (and encompassing and more we) are still broken; and yet natural than seeking to love we are still loved and sent in one another? Except that mission. Jesus asks us to do so in the same way that he has. Love We are called into mission is not what we feel, it is what and into our vocation as we have seen in Jesus. And followers of Jesus, even as what we have just seen is we remain works in progress. Jesus washing the feet of the Love never ends. disciples. Jesus offering this 12 MAY intimate symbol of service PSALM 23 even in the face of betrayal Even in our rapidly changing and denial. Love, even when culture, the words of this it doesn’t feel good or reap us psalm hold a strong place in many people’s lives. At almost reward. every funeral that I have To be the church is to be conducted for non-regular in community with a wide church goers, this psalm has range of people, some of who been requested. For whatever we like and some who we reason, these words retain struggle to be with.

insights

Who have been those people who walked with you through the darkest vales of your life? It is not enough to tolerate one another. How do you seek to be church even with people who you do not like?

26 MAY JOHN 14:23-29

“My peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you” I suspect I use the phrase “peace” far too often – liturgically, as an email sign off, and as a catch all wish ‘peace be with you’. Even more so when I read passages like this one and John 20. Here in his farewell speech, and then again in his first resurrection encounter with the disciples, Jesus gifts them with “my peace be with you”. It rolls off the tongue so easily. And yet the more I

ponder the peace of Christ, the more I am drawn to the challenge and terror that it brings. The peace of Christ overthrows my expectations, calls me into new life, and will not let me rest easily in the comfortable ways of the world. Throughout Easter we have seen where this “peace of Christ” led Jesus. And yet it is the peace that reconciles the world, even as it overthrows it; comforts us in love as it asks us to leave behind our old ways. These lectionary reflections were prepared by Rev. Andrew Johnson, Hope Uniting Church Maroubra and Uniting Church Chaplain UNSW

N E W S F RO M U N I T I N G C H U R C H A D U LT F E L LOW S H I P ( U CA F )

DEDICATION SERVICE

The annual UCAF NSW/ACT Synod Dedication Service was held recently. Rev Bronwyn Murphy inspired with a reflection “Seeing Hearing the Glory of God” and the sacrament of Holy Communion was shared. Part of the Dedication also acknowledged the long and faithful service of those who have served, and still serve, for over 15 years

BRING A PLATE

Following last year’s “Think Tank” the recipe book “Bring a Plate” is being prepared by Janice Willis with recipes coming from the Committee and friends. It is intended that the booklet will launch at the Macquarie Darling Rally in Parkes on 30 March 2019. It costs $10 and will be available on the Sales Table and can be ordered. The Year Book has been distributed electronically for the first time. Some hard copies were also made available.

Fellowship news

Items available are listed in the year book.

Appreciation Certificates are also being prepared for groups to present to their dedicated helpers and members over the age of 80 and another for over 90. They can be presented at Rallies and Gatherings and will be available from the secretary Laraine.

JOAN STOTT BURSARY

RETIRED MINISTERS’ LUNCH

There is still opportunity to apply for the “Joan Stott Bursary”. Those applying need to be under 35 and studying or working in Leadership or Theological Studies. Two Bursaries worth $1500 can be awarded each year to assist those already studying. Contact Janice Willis for details. (Applications close 31 May) The 2019 Project for groups to support this year is with Uniting World, titled “Transforming lives through Leadership”. It supports Theological Training for women in in the Pacific. Donations can be sent to Treasurer Geoff Hicks. UCAF Sales table items can now be obtained from Judy and Geoff Hicks.

UCAF Synod Committee will again cater for the Moderator’s Retired Ministers’ Lunch. This event is on Thursday 21 March and is always a great time of fellowship and catching up.

RALLIES AND GATHERINGS

Macquarie Darling 30 March at Parkes Illawarra 23 May at Albion Park

Mid North Coast 29 May at Coffs Harbour Paramatta Nepean 27 July at St Marys. If you would like to share your fellowship news or have any questions, please contact: Judy Hicks on judyh_rnh@hotmail.com

SECURE COMMUNICATION ANONYMOUS

When in doubt - Speak out! It’s simple with SpeakOut - an online tool to help you reach out in confidence.

1800 951 145 qrs.ly/UCASpeakOut

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C U LT U R E WAT C H

insights

n 2016, Disney released Rogue One, a Star Wars prequel. The film was well-received, praised by critics and fans for its tense depiction of what it takes to be a hero and the concept of martyrdom. The subject of death was also the source of controversy, however, as Lucasfilm’s used the likeness of an actor who passed away decades ago. With the permission of his estate, the film used the voice and image of Peter Cushing, who died in 1994. Rogue One’s CGI, closely captured the actor’s likeness, but was remarkable for what Japanese roboticist Mashahiro Mori called The ‘Uncanny valley’, where a piece of artificial intelligence looks close to the real thing, but is unsettling.

they each will have collected zettabytes [1 trillion gigabytes] of data, which is just what is needed to create a digital version of yourself,” Rahnama said. While this might allow people to grieve and process the loss of a loved one, Rahmana argues that an individual’s privacy must be paramount when it comes to passing on virtual profiles.

Holding the ability to converse with someone who is gone might help the grieving process. In a Quartz article, Toronto-based grief counsellor Andrea Warnick is quoted as saying that she sees potential value in digital afterlife technology. “In modern society, many people are hesitant to talk about someone who has died for fear of upsetting those who are grieving— so perhaps the importance of continuing to share stories and advice from someone who has died is something that we humans can learn from chatbot,” she said.

CAN DIGITAL AFTERLIFE TECHNOLOGY HELP US GRIEVE?

This is a new problem that the biblical writers could not have foreseen. And yet, the church must deal with issues that are not directly addressed in scripture all of the time (Douglas John Hall cites same-sex marriage as an issue that is not explicitly dealt with in scripture, but is the subject of debate that draws on broader scriptural principles). As services that record the dead’s voice and likeness become available, this issue may be one the church finds itself wrestling with in the future.

Research into AI promises to give us the chance to ‘talk’ to those who have passed away. But should we?

This case is one of a few that bring up the question, “Is it OK to bring back the dead?” Or at least, is it ethical to use their voice and likeness to recreate what they were like when they were alive?

The idea of making a digital surrogate of the deceased has a wider cache in the popular imagination. Bioshock 2: Minerva’s Den and an episode of Black Mirror called ‘Be Right Back’ are two examples of it in entertainment. Both feature the stories of people who try to resurrect their loved ones by way of recordings of their voices and memories, drawing on these to have conversations with them as though they were still around and able to answer questions. Both stories end with the protagonist regretting their decision to try to resurrect their loved one. As technology continues to progress, these kinds of fictional examples seem closer to reality, and there have been some early experiments into making digital surrogates of the dead. Hossein Rahnama of Ryerson University and the MIT Media Lab is currently working on making chatbots crafted from personal data, including emails, texts, tweets, and snapchats. The idea here is that, much like in the Black Mirror episode, someone could type messages to the deceased person and receive a reply from an AI. “Fifty or sixty years from now, [people] will have reached a point in their lives where

“You should be able to own your data and only pass it along to people you trust, so allowing people to engage with their own ancestors would be likely.”

In modern society, many people are hesitant to talk about someone who has died for fear of upsetting those who are grieving

Slightly different to Rahnama’s experiment is another project, launched by a Russian AI company, Luka. Eugenia Kuyda, the company’s co-founder, aimed to make a chatbot that would resemble her late best friend, Roman Mazurenko, who was killed in a car accident in 2015. Users of the Luka app can chat to the ‘Roman’ chatbot. While Kuyda is happy that the chatbot captures much of her friend’s wit, it is not a substitute. “It’s more like a shadow of a person,” she said.

It should also be noted that seeing and hearing a deceased loved one is nothing altogether new, and that these illusory experiences are relatively common among widowed people and are often considered to be a healthy coping mechanism. One Welsh study found that 13 percent of elderly widows and widowers had heard their dead loved one’s voice. As Dr Simon McCarthy-Jones writes, “people should think twice about judging these experiences harshly.”

Jonathan Foye

What do you think? Do you think AI technology can help us grieve? Comment on our Facebook or the Insights website For more information on the ‘Roman’ chatbot project, go to bit.ly/RomanChatbotProject

insights

REVIEWS

Entertain me REA D THIS

SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

One challenge faced by Christians is that much of our lives have moved into online spaces.

BIG SCREEN

DESTROYER (MA)

Destroyer is a film that deserves acclaim. Nicole Kidman gives what might be the strongest performance of her career.

We spend a lot of time interacting with material online, but there isn’t a way to have meaningful conversations online without them devolving into stone throwing and with many shying away from social media, many Christians avoid online dialogue.

Destroyer focuses on detective Erin Bell, who went undercover on a bank heist that went horribly wrong. Over the course of the film, we see her fight to track down the twisted Silas, a man with a cultleader like ability to manipulate people. She also clashes with her estranged daughter Shelby.

The Barna Group, in association with Lutheran Hour Ministries have surveyed and commissioned a study into the why and how of our digital interactions which has now been published.

The film cuts between segments that show Erin undercover and the main story seventeen years later. These segments are distinguished by the way that she looks in each segment.

Spiritual Conversations contains interviews and case studies and offers helpful insight into online groups and their success and/or failure. The book contains Q&A sections with thought leaders both working, developing and planning online spaces.

Nicole Kidman’s performance is the driving force behind Destroyer. The film essentially sees Kidman shed the type of roles she has tended to portray over her career, transforming into a character who is herself both destroyed and well… destroyer.

“The way we communicate has evolved— and, inevitably, so has the way we communicate about faith,” states Barna’s 2018 report.

Destroyer is no mediation on the subject of grace and forgiveness. Its flawed protagonist’s quest for this revenge pushes the narrative. Everything hinges on Erin finding Silas so she can kill him. Even so, the film touches on the corrosive effect of hanging on to grudges and the need for forgiveness in relationships (especially in the arc between Erin and Shelby).

As well, it takes a deep dive into issues such as the shifting definitions and practices of evangelism over the last 25 years, with a emphasis on the impact social media has had. It also looks at perceptions of faith sharing and its possibilities. How much we share of ourselves and our faith remains an ever-present reality for churches moving into complex digital ecosystems, and this book provides a wealth of information about how to be more effective. Adrian Drayton

insights

Destroyer is a hard-hitting piece. During the screening Insights attended, there were several points when audience members audibly gasped. Watching it is a uniquely disturbing experience, similar to the likes of No Country For Old Men. Destroyer is in cinemas from 21 March Jonathan Foye

REA D THIS

THE MUSEUM OF LOST ART Noah Charney has moved from writing about art that isn’t what it’s claimed to be to writing about art that simply isn’t. The author of The Art of Forgery’s latest book is The Museum of Lost Art, about art that was lost, is lost or is assumed to be lost but might never have existed. In doing so he’s carving out a niche for himself as a historian of the darker side of the art world, exploring fraud, decay and destruction. But this, he says, is the history of art in totality. Charney ranges widely, and his definition of art is beyond the traditional painting and sculpture realms, including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which may or may not have existed. More mundanely, ‘lost’ art is sometimes discovered simply by the careful scrutiny by art historians. Cleaning and X-rays reveal the whereabouts of formerly lost paintings under newer paintings. . Fire, flood and earthquakes take their toll. Art is also destroyed by iconoclasts, owners destroy artwork, and artworks are deliberately created not to last. In our modern age of conservation, some artists are, conversely, interested in the challenge of creating art that remains only in memory. Charney also describes the great lengths to save artworks that were nearly lost. Charney notes how people risk life and limb to rescue art, such is the hold of human cultural objects on us, even though we are simply staving off the inevitable effects of rust and moth. Nick Mattiske

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