Opinion

When the Uniting Church formed in 1977 three distinct denominations came together but the focus has largely been on the Presbyterian and Methodist perspectives due to their larger sizes and influence at the time of union. Rev Dr Bruce Upham—one of the Congregationalist Church’s representatives on the commission which drew up the Basis of Union—reflects on his experiences leading up ...

The word might be in the church’s name but “uniting” carries a profound sense that there is still work to go before a “united” destination. Should we still be uniting with other denominations? Rev Janet Staines offers her perspective. When the Uniting Church inaugurated in 1977 there were great aspirations to continue the work of “uniting” with other denominations as ...

Blow up the balloons, crack open the champagne (or a non-alcoholic alternative!) and light the candles: the Uniting Church celebrates its 40th birthday this month. Journey offers five great ways your congregation can celebrate the milestone. Throw a party The Queensland Synod will be sending congregations, presbyteries and schools complimentary celebration packs including a large outdoor banner, balloons, cake toppers ...

The conviction last month of Jakarta’s outgoing Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja “Ahok” Purnama, on charges of blasphemy has caused considerable soul-searching in Indonesia. John Harrison reports. Ironically, the conviction, which is still subject to appeal, came one week after Indonesia’s leadership proclaimed their support for freedom of expression in the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) held this year in ...

Imagine filling out the most important form of your life in a language not your own, knowing that time is running out and a mistake may end in deportation. Dianne Jensen visits Indooroopilly Uniting Church where people seeking asylum are being given a warm welcome and a helping hand. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s announcement in late May that asylum seekers ...

The number 40 is mentioned in Holy Scripture over 100 times and its use seems to have less to do with an actual number and more to do with signalling a time of completion and fulfilment, or trial and testing. The following seven stories from the Old and New Testaments where the number 40 is prominent illustrate ways in which ...

It may have been a common phrase in days gone by but talk of “converting the heathen” is now loaded with problematic connotations in a world scarred by western cultural hegemony and interfaith insensitivity. Who is left to convert today and should we be active in that mission? Duncan Barlow, pastor at Toowong Uniting Church who served in Indonesia for ...

On 27 May 1967, Australia approved two amendments to the Constitution relating to the ability of the Federal Parliament to legislate specifically for Indigenous Australians and for their inclusion in determinations of population. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Referendum, Brooke Prentis reflects on the historic occasion and what it means for First Peoples today. The 50th anniversary of ...

In the past few weeks, I’ve had a couple of encounters that once again reminded me of the grace that surrounds us and how that grace can play out in our lives. I was reflecting with a minister on a congregation he was in that was tremendously generous in many ways. When he asked one lay leader why he was ...

Your church archives may be filled with priceless historical documents and photos but preserving them for future generations is a serious challenge. Journey offers seven tips for ensuring your memories don’t disappear. Seek out treasure Locate historical material onsite and ask members to search through their collections for photos, scrapbooks and so on. The Synod Congregation Document Preservation Policy spells ...