Opinion

Introducing “Mind the Gap”, a column by Trinity College Queensland lecturer Simon Gomersall exploring issues around young adults, church and managing transitions from one generation to the next. Two women stood on the bow of a ship on a crisp, clear moonlight night. One surveyed the brilliance of the moon and stars reflected on the still water and, in a ...

Flip through the Book of John and you’ll find numerous times Jesus states, “I am …”, but what was he really getting at with these proclamations. Journey highlights five key times Jesus told us what he was and what he really meant by his statements. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life”, not “I am the triple bypass” ...

There’s no escaping the reality that the church needs an injection of youth in its demographic makeup but what can be done to kickstart the generational transition? Trinity College Queensland’s Gap Year and Leadership Programs project officer Simon Gomersall offers his thoughts on the matter. The stats are in and they’re not good. The 2016 National Church Life Survey confirmed ...

A couple of days after the birth of our first child, Joan and I were travelling with him from the hospital back to Toogoolawah. We had to stop at a chemist for something, and the realisation came to me (belatedly, some may say) that life would never be the same. I was particularly immersed in the dawning awareness that I ...

The Old Testament makes up around 75 per cent of the Bible but is often seen as harsh, confusing and downright problematic in light of current thinking on women, sexuality and violence. Dr Paul Jones explains why embracing the Old is just as vital as the New. Christians affirm the Old Testament as sacred scripture, right? Don’t we? Hmm, sometimes ...

At time of writing, I’m sitting on the veranda of the Mornington Island manse with the sound of carpentry tools in the background. The carpentry work is the complete renovation of the Mornington Island church. The renovations are costing approximately $700 000. Most of this comes from funds the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in Queensland—the Calvary Presbytery—has accumulated over ...

Synod in Session is coming up later this month (20–24 October) when 400 or so members of the Uniting Church in Queensland will gather for five days. Whether you’re attending or not, here are five ways to keep informed about what’s happening and even join the conversation. Read the reports Synod reports are available online and provide a succinct overview ...

A small, precious and fragile object of God’s love: the Uniting Church after 40 years: Rev Dr Julia Pitman, St Paul’s and Armitage Uniting Churches, Mackay suggests a roadmap for the future of the Uniting Church. The Uniting Church has survived despite considerable external and internal threats to its life. Its existence is a triumph of good over evil in ...

I was listening to Sammy Thaiday, the popular Queensland rugby league player describe a State of Origin training camp. “Oh, they’re great times,” said Sammy, “we train a bit, we plan a bit, and we have some fun.” As I listened, I thought, wow, sounds like that’s what a Synod in Session could be like. Now a Synod is a ...

The expression “Space for Grace” may have pricked your ears recently in the context of our church’s continuing discernment about marriage. Uniting Church president Stuart McMillan reflects on what it actually means as the nation participates in a postal survey on legalising same-sex marriage.  Space for Grace is a process that we’re using to build community for Spirit-led decision-making within ...