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In Philip Jenkins’ latest book Climate, Catastrophe and Faith, the linkages between climate change and religious faith are placed under the microscope to explore just how much the environmental impacts the religious, whether in Buddhist Japan, Christian Europe or Islamic Africa. Nick Mattiske reviews. Climate change is used to explain many things these days, perhaps over-extended, so it’s tempting to ...

Journey book reviewer Nick Mattiske recently illustrated a book for children, Thoughts That Feel So Big, written by Michelle Abel. Here, he tells Journey about the creation of the book and the big questions it asks. Journey: Your book shows a young girl in her home and community, wondering about the world and how it all works, thinking big thoughts ...

There’s no doubt Martin Luther is a major historical figure in Christendom in the west but beyond the hagiographical books and Luther-themed merchandise, what do we really know about the complexities of Luther’s life and the darker aspects to his personality? Lyndal Roper’s latest book Living I Was Your Plague explores the man, the myth and the legacy. Nick Mattiske ...

With the world turned upside down by the global pandemic, people of faith aligned to the kingdom of God are asking, how do we sing the Lord’s song in our troubled lands? How do we now live, worship, and serve amid such upheaval, insecurity, fear, grief, and social isolation? Are most of our energies focused on enduring the worst of ...

Recently, my first hymns concert at Bayside Uniting Church in October was well-received. There were 71 attendees that Sunday afternoon and I was deeply encouraged by the positive feedback from many who came along. The attendees were appreciative of my passion for music as I offered this educational/musical event to the wider church; they expressed their appreciation and thanks for ...

“Can there be a shadow side—a risk—in developing a sharper focus on discipleship as core business for the church?” asks Presbytery Minister for the South Moreton Presbytery Rev David Busch. Absolutely. Two immediately come to mind. One is an exaggerated sense of effort. How easily does discipleship become all about us, what we should do, how we should live, what ...

Japanese-American painter Makoto Fujimura’s latest treatise explores the connections between art and faith, “making” in the creative sense and “making” the New Kingdom. Nick Mattiske reviews Art and Faith: A Theology of Making. Makoto Fujimura is a Japanese-American painter who thinks deeply about his vocation of artist and how this intersects with and enlivens his Christian faith. He argues that ...

The power to dream has driven the great minds throughout the ages to create and innovate but in the context of the church what can dreaming dreams provide for the next chapter in the Uniting Church and its place in the community? UnitingCare Queensland’s Connect 100 Coordinator Scott Guyatt considers dreaming past, present and future for the church. “I have ...

Morningside Uniting Church Minister Rev David Kim reflects on the theme of “Uniting in Diversity”, coinciding with Queensland Multicultural Month. The word “unity” is generally translated into a Korean word 연합 (yearn harp, in Chinese 联合). Its literal meaning is to achieve a common goal together. Partnership through MoU would be a good example. So, depending on what the common ...

The Evangelical Church of Timor’s first female Moderator, Rev Dr Mery Kolimon, has a vision for the church to be fully immersed in society and ensure the good news transforms the lives of those in the country. UnitingWorld’s Cath Taylor profiles Rev Dr Mery Kolimon and explores the important work being done by the church in response to cyclones, COVID-19 ...