Tag Archives: moderator

32nd Synod members have today elected Rev David Baker for a second term as Queensland Synod moderator. Ashley Thompson catches up with David to reflect back on the first 18 months of his first term. Ashley: Why did you put your hand up to be moderator again? David: I was nominated by Bremer Brisbane Presbytery because they thought I still had ...

During his report to the 32nd Synod, moderator Rev David Baker highlighted the importance of relationships, leadership and vision as the church seeks to respond to the challenges of the last 40 years. He called the church to return to those ways of being “that have been life-giving since the church was formed”, quoting Jesus’ instruction to Peter to “feed ...

The first full day of business at the 32nd Synod was full of meaty reports and proposals. General secretary Robert Packer and Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee chairperson Andrew McBryde presented the Synod Standing Committee’s proposal that the Synod allow the current moderator’s name to go forward in the ballot for moderator-elect. It was noted by many that this proposal ...

Later this month some 350 people of the Uniting Church in this state will gather at Alexandra Park Conference Centre for the 32nd Synod in Session. The word “synod” comes from the Greek language: “syn”, meaning together, and “hodos”, meaning a way, a road. So a synod really is about “together on the way”. Archbishop Mark Coleridge, in talking about ...

“Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12 “Pioneer” is a bit of an ambivalent descriptor these days. As a nation, we still have not come to terms with the British Empire’s arrival, even though the intent at first was probably just to find a place to dump cast-offs from society and develop a base to ...

As part of the Queensland Synod’s commitment to being a prayerful listening church, a new program has been launched to encourage intercessory prayer among Christians. Rohan Salmond reports. One of the first things you notice upon visiting the Queensland Synod moderator’s office are the dozens of photographs scattered on the wall. Religious and political leaders are depicted as reminders to ...

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” 1 Corinthians 15:20 If there’s one word that encapsulates the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, it is, for me, the word “solidarity”. The seasons of this time in the Christian year emphasise solidarity: Christmas, the season of “Emmanuel”—God with us; Epiphany, ...

Greetings for the new year; I trust and pray that you will know God’s leading and blessing in it. There are some articles on leadership in this month’s Journey. Leadership is one of those constant, big buzzwords. It seems, in the West, everyone is crying out for it, yet those who are in positions of authority across many of the ...

I remember over the years hearing older folk, being confronted with new challenges and disturbing news, saying, “Would you bring a child into this world?” At this time of year we move into Advent on the journey to Christmas, and the readings of the lectionary for our worship and devotion may evoke the same response. The gospel readings are about ...

The members of the last Synod in Session asked the church to prioritise ministry with children, youth and families. While my journey of faith was marked by a conscious decision to commit my life to Christ in my early 20s, the experience of Christian community as a child and a youth was profound and life changing. I look back on ...