The Justice Conference Australia Podcast: Recent Episodes
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We explore what it means to be Jesus followers, living out justice and compassion amidst the broken realities of our world.
In a world bent on guaranteeing security and shielding people from pain, God's Spirit into the world sends us in the opposite direction, not as masochists nor as messiahs, but simply as friends of Jesus and, consequently, of others.
Ruth yearns to see peace and justice embrace in the beautiful and broken world we call home. A wife of one and mother of many, theologian, missiologist, educator, and story-teller, she has been involved in leadership development and theological education for integral mission in her native Latin America for several decades. She lives with her husband, James, in Costa Rica as a member of Casa Adobe, an intentional Christian Community with deep concern for right living in relation to the whole of creation (www.casaadobe.org). Her studies include a Bachelors in Education (Argentina), an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Wheaton College), and a PhD in Theology (Boston University).
Find out more about The Justice Conference Australia here: www.thejusticeconference.com.au
Western culture tell us that we need to amass personal power and influence. In Jesus, we see an example of someone who shared his power with others and who calls his followers to live differently to the world. Join Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Brooke Prentis and Joel McKerrow as they discuss how we can follow Jesus by relinquishing power in our own lives and how we can recognise and build healthy ways of sharing and shifting power in our every day.
Brooke Prentis is an Aboriginal Christian Leader from the Wakka Wakka peoples, the CEO of Common Grace, Coordinator of the Grasstree Gathering, also a scholar, writer and much sought after voice on indigenenous and justice issues impacting Australia. Find a list of Theological Resources from Common Grace, including Brooke's papers here.
Ruth Padilla De Borst is a theologian, missioligest, educator and storyteller. She's been involved in leadership development and theological education for Integral Mission in her native Latin America for several decades.
Joel McKerrow is an award winning writer, speaker, educator, creativity specialist and one of Australia’s most successful, internationally touring, performance poets. He is also the Artist Ambassador for Tearfund Australia and launched his lasted book "Woven, a faith for the dissatisfied" at the 2019 Justice Conference.
Elise is joined by Stephen Kerr the Executive Director of CMA Standards Council and Karen Naylor, Board Member of CMA, to talk about the importance of good governance, leadership and management in building trust and efficiency in Christian organisations.
Find out more about The Justice Conference Australia here
This interview was recorded early in December 2019
Jo Herbert James has a MA from Kings College London focused on the impact of consumerism and individualism on the western church, on the planet and on the environment. She is one of the most compelling voices on why that's important to us as Christians and the Church to address waste. She speaks at the Melbourne 2019 conference on the importance of lament.
For further resources mentioned in this episode please refer to Tearfund rubbish campaign.
You'll find more information on The Justice Conference Australia here.
Sojourner's Rev. Adam Taylor speaks on the importance of public discipleship, advocacy rooted in faith and community organisation for transforming systems towards justice.
Welcome to the podcast where we're looking at what it means to be Christians living out a life of justice and compassion in this broken world. Today we're bringing you the closing talk from The Justice Conference Australia 2019.
Rev Carolyn Francis been a pastoral leader in the Baptist Union of Victoria for 15 years. She was the Senior Pastor at St Kilda Baptist Church and is currently the Pastor for Teaching and Worship at Collins St Baptist Church. Carolyn is a passionate advocate for social justice with a particular interest in women's issues and homelessness. She believes the gospel needs to be good news for everyone, particularly those at the margins.
Welcome to the podcast where we're looking at what it means to be Christians living out a life of justice in these COVID19 times. Today we're bringing you a new voice the The Justice Conference Australia community.
Natasha Michaels is a Belardung woman and Director and Program Manager of Moorditj Keila, an Aboriginal Community Group based in Manning, South Perth about a 20 min drive from the city. For more information on their work please visit their website, you will also find their mission statement below.
The podcast is hosted by Elise Mason and bought to you by The Justice Conference Australia.
Moorditj Keila Vision and Mission Statement
Moorditj Keila (Happy Healthy Dolphin) was given its name by traditional owners for the area. The dolphin is significant to Aboriginal people for the Canning and Swan River areas adjacent to the City of South Perth. Moorditj Keila runs programs for the benefit of the Community.
Moorditj Keila (MK) is an Aboriginal organisation underpinned by Christian values including justice, compassion, generosity, charity, inclusion, honesty and love.
Moorditj Keila acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the traditional owners of the land on which our buildings stand and recognises Elders, both past and present.
Background
Moorditj Keila was established in 2002 and incorporated in 2012. Founded by a Noongar Yorga Dena Gower and her husband Garry Gower, Moorditj Keila Inc has been the focus of their years since, to where we are now.
We are governed by a voluntary Board of passionate, committed and skilled individuals and we operate mainly through the efforts of our volunteers and supporters at present.
Our Vision
Is to provide support and opportunity to Aboriginal people in the greater South Perth area. To develop the capacity of the Aboriginal community in partnership with the broader community, to empower individuals and families to build a community of trust, engagement and participation, for the mutual benefit of all.
Our Mission
- To relieve the poverty, misfortune, helplessness, distress or disadvantage of Indigenous persons living within the regions of the Association’s activities.
- To provide relevant programs in Indigenous sports, health, education, housing, employment and training, and to close the gap in Indigenous social and economic disadvantage via grassroots community capacity building and coordination.
- To provide caring and supportive services based on Christian Biblical principles as modelled in the life of Jesus. To provide a safe haven and to transform lives and build family capacity, working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.
Welcome to the podcast where we're looking at what it means to be Christians living out a life of justice in these COVID19 times. Today we're bringing you a new voice to The Justice Conference Australia community.
Christine Sine is the founder and facilitator of Godspace, which grew out of her passion for creative spirituality, gardening and sustainability. She also co-founded Mustard Seed Associates, with her husband Tom Sine, from which they have now retired and is the author of The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God. Christine is sharing her wisdom on ways in which we can relax, refocus and regain our trust in God.
For more information on The Justice Conference Australia, head to our website.
In this series we're looking at what it means to be Christians living out a life of justice in these COVID19 times. Today we're joined by Andrew Gardener, pastor at The Vine church in Hong Kong.
In this episode Andrew references this article by NT Wright.
Go to our website to find out more about The Justice Conference Australia.
Welcome back to our limited edition COVID19 series where we discuss what it means to be Christians living out a life of justice in these times.
In Australia it's been another week of self isolating wherever possible. While the virus hasn't taken hold here in the same way it has other nations our communities are reeling from significant job and income losses across multiple sectors.
That's why we're stoked bring you insights from Rosie Kendall today. Rosie is passionate about the Church and justice. She's worked at Christians Against Poverty (CAP) both in Australia and the UK since 2007 and has been serving as the CEO of CAP Australia for nearly 3 years. She has a practical understanding of what financial hardship means for our communities but also a deep hope and faith in the church and it's ability to speak life amongst the current realities.
As one would expect, Rosie is coming to us from her own isolation and you'll hear the comforting sounds of family life going on around her.
Find more info on The Justice Conference Australia here
'When All You Can Do Is Pray' Brooke Prentis brings an insightful teaching on prayer with action in the midst of suffering and injustice.
In this episode Brooke references the following:
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV version)
Luke 11:1-11 (NIV version)
Matthew 6 (NIV version)
Common Grace Article: The Only Thing I Could Do Was Pray
The Common Grace website is a great resource for other ways to take action for Aboriginal justice https://www.commongrace.org.au/aboriginal_campaigns
You can watch further teaching from Brooke on Rethinking Reconciliation (with reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14) on youtube
and read Prayers written by Brooke here:
commongrace.org.au/an_aboriginal_prayer_for_truth_and_hope
commongrace.org.au/aboriginal_blessing
Follow Brooke
Twitter handle @bprentis
Facebook and Instagram @brookeprentisgrasstree
Common Grace on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @commongraceaus Website www.commongrace.org.au
Find out more about Grasstree Gathering here or watch their 2018 video on youtube
Dr Krish Kandiah was keynote speaker at our 2018 conference. You can find our all about his books, podcasts and speaking engagements here
How can you rise to the challenge of showing hospitality while social distancing?
There are so many creative idea's out there, here's just a few. Be sure to always check the current social distancing regulations for your area first.
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Drop a note with your phone number off to neighbours (with very clean hands), introduce yourself if you haven't met yet and let them know they can text or call if they need help.
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Call those in your network you think might be struggling. While social media is very active right now that's not the same as a phone call from a friend or relative.
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If you have access to extra supplies leave a care package at the door of a friend or a neighbour, some flowers from your garden or a bar of soap. It will make people smile.
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Remember those isolating alone, set up a time to call and have a virtual cup of tea together. Maybe you'd like to both read the same book and compare notes.
While many individuals are self isolating to limit the spread and pressure on our health care systems there are still organisations and volunteers working to support those most vulnerable. Like many sectors, the not-for-profit sector will be dramatically impacted by the coronavirus. If you are able to provide financial assistance, however small or large, it will be greatly appreciated as it is now, more than ever, we need these organisations to assist the most vulnerable among us. Here's just a few of the organisations you may want to consider supporting.
Conference host TEAR Australia continues to support local organisations abroad as they face particularly challenging circumstances in fighting this battle.
Conference partners, The Salvation Army are adapting to meet the growing needs of our community and we'll be hearing from CAP(Christians Against Poverty) in a few episodes as they continue their work assisting individuals and families fighting debt. ADRA is yet another conference partner serving communities through meals, counselling and care packages.
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre also continues to provide an essential service to our vulnerable refugee community.
At The Justice Conference we've paused our anticipated scheduled release of last year's conference talks to bring your reflections on a Christian response to the current pandemic.
Joel McKerrow, well renown performance poet, educator and friend of the conference kicks us off with the first episode of this mini season with personal stories on how the virus has impacted him, and how it is causing him to continue to engage with his privileged position in society. He leads us to a place of hope and calls us to continue caring for our communities.
The episode concludes with a Prayer for a Pandemic by Cameron Bellm
May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close Remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all. May we who settle in for a quarantine at home Remember those who have no home. As fear grips our country, let us choose love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen.
By popular demand we're bringing you a bonus episode from the 2019 Melbourne conference.
This collaboration between guest artists Joel McKerrow and Fatai closed the conference, summarising some of our learnings in a beautiful spoken word and musical performance.
Dr Michael Frost is one of the leading voice in the missional church movement. His books are required reading in colleges and seminaries around the world. He is the author or editor of sixteen theological books including The Shaping of Things to Come, Exiles, The Road to Missional and Surprise the World. Michael is a co-founder to the Forge Mission Training Network and the founder of the missional Christian community, smallboardbigsea, based in Manly in Sydney's north.
Get your 2019 tickets here: www.thejusticeconference.com.au
The Justice Conference Australia's co-creators SEED talk to Julie Somerville about the intersection of faith and vocation and her personal journey to bring justice to her work in the legal space.
Julie is principal mediator at R3 Resolutions’, a Nationally Accredited Mediator with 25 years’ experience as a litigator and negotiator. She has helped hundreds of people resolve disputes. Julie is well recognised for her ability to provide clarity to complex situations but with a level of empathy and warmth that is unique
SEED is a community of redemptive change makers - designers, entrepreneurs, innovators and cultural creatives. People and organisations seeking tangible positive change in the communities, workplaces and cultures where God has placed us. Check out their website to see the courses, events and training they offer to both individuals and organisations to help develop and implement your ideas.
Remember to get your 2019 Melbourne conference tickets here
Joel McKerrow interviews Jo Herbert-James, an upcoming speaker for The Justice Conference 2019, on how justice has shaped her theology and Christian life.
Buy tickets to The Justice Conference Australia 2019
Sign the Rubbish Campaign
Jo Herbert-James works for Tearfund in the UK as their Theology and Networks Manager, focused on Environmental & Economic Sustainability. She is also Director of The Justice Conference, UK. She has an MA in Theology in Ministry from King's College London and has focused her studies on the impact of consumerism and individualism on the western church, the planet and the lives of people in poverty. She is passionate about a holistic & practical approach to faith and theology and seeks to live it out in her own life, including journeying towards a zero waste lifestyle. After their zero waste wedding in April, Jo and her husband Pete live in central London.
We're excited to announce a new partnership between The Justice Conference and Alphacrucis College in which we will be offering a Graduate Certificate of Arts with a focus on justice. It's a great opportunity to develop a theology of justice to underpin thoughtfully engagement in public life. The course is set to kick off in Semester 1, 2020. Jump on The Justice Conference study page to learn more.
Saver tickets for The Justice Conference 2019, Melbourne end this month (September) so be sure to get your tickets now.
Jacqueline Service is a Lecturer in Theology at Alphacrucis College, Sydney, Australia. She completed her doctoral research on the award of a full scholarship through the Centre for Public and Contextual Theology (PaCT), Charles Sturt University (CSU), Canberra. For her thesis, she received one of the highest academic honours - the Higher Degree by Research University Medal. She is currently a Trustee for the International Anglican Order of the Cross and has been actively involved various Board memberships and church ministries over many years. Alongside these undertakings, she worked as a lawyer in Commercial and Government Legal Practice, and, for over a decade, at the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) managing, reviewing and designing aid programs across the Pacific and South West Asia. During her time with AusAID she worked in Suva as the First Secretary for Development Cooperation, responsible for implementing the Australian Government’s bilateral aid program in Fiji. Her work involved managing key partnerships with the Fiji Government, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and various United Nations agencies. Jacqueline has a B.A. Intercultural Studies (Missiology); Bachelor of Laws (with Honors); Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice; a Master of Theology (with Distinction), and a PhD specialising in the intersection of trinitarian theology and international aid and development. Dr Service’s most recent publication is entitled, “Divine Self-Enrichment and Human Well-Being: A Systematic Theological Inquiry, with Special Reference to Development and Humanitarian Aid”. She is passionate about bringing the transformative reality of the gospel into practical expression for the realisation of the divine good for creation. She is also a parent of three beautiful children and a enjoys a good red, gooey cheeses, hazelnut chocolate and high-heeled shoes.
This week we bring you a section of the most recent Justice Conference Australia event, in partnership with Micah Australia, we presented Living Justice in Sydney in July 2019. Following an inspiring talk by Christine Cain, Micah’s Beck Wilesmith sat down with Christine and Nick Caine, Tim Costello and Richenda Vermeulen to discuss some practicalities of being a change maker.
Please note: This episode includes general references to human trafficking, which may be distressing for some. Please seek help if needed, talk to a trusted friend or family member or call LifeLine on 13 11 14.
Christine and Nick Caine are founders of the global anti-trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign.
Tim Costello is executive director of Micah Australia
Richenda Vermeulen is CEO and founder of Ntegrity
Buy Tickets to The Justice Conference 2019
See the The Justice Conference 2019 Lineup
'Confronting our Consumerism' is a popular workshop led by Gershon Nimbalker at the 2017 Melbourne conference. He delves into some of the driving forces behind financial decisions and how those decisions impact the world's poor.
This episode also celebrates the launch of TEAR Australia's Rubbish Campaign. A new report 'No Time to Waste' has found one person dies every 30 seconds in developing countries from diseases caused by plastic pollution and rubbish.
This internationally coordinated call to action requires us to work together asking Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever to take responsibility for their plastic waste in poorer countries. TEAR Australia are asking for the following commitments to transform the lives of millions of people living in poverty.
Report - by 2020 on the number of units of single use items you sell. Reduce - commit to halve the number of these products by 2025. Recycle - by 2022, ensure one single-use plastic item is collected for everyone you sell. Restore - work with waste pickets to provide employment with dignity.
About Gershon At the time of recording Gershon was the Advocacy Manager at Baptist World Aid Australia and chair of Stop the Traffik's Australian working group. Working as project coordinator and one of the lead authors of the Australian Fashion Report and Electronics Industry Trends reports, world-leading research that examines the practices of corporations around the world to mitigate the risk of slavery and exploitation, he is well qualified to talk to this topic. Gershon also has degrees in Business and Commerce and a Masters in Social Change and Development with merit from Newcastle University. He is passionate about working with the Church to live out its call to Justice.
The Justice Conference Australia podcast where we explore what it means to be Jesus followers living out both justice and compassion in a modern day world. This episode we jump into an all time conference favourite, Lisa Sharon Harper, speaking at the 2017 conference on how everything wrong can be made right.
Buy tickets to the 2019 conference
Read the blog
From Ferguson to New York to Germany and South Africa, Ms Harper leads training and helps mobilise clergy and community leaders around shared values for the common good. A prolific speaker, writer and activist, Ms Harper is the founder and president of FreedomRoad.us, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap in the USA by convening forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment, and common action towards a just world. Ms Harper is the author of several books, including The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong can be Made Right. The Very Good Gospel, recognised as the "2016 Book of the Year" by Englewood Review of Books, explores God's intent for the wholeness of all relationships in light of today's headlines.
Anna Jane Joyner, Dr Mick Pope and Jo Knight speak at the 2018 workshop Activating Your Church on Climate Change.
Buy tickets to the 2019 conference
For further information and encouragement please join the Renew Our World Movement www.Renewourworld.org.au
Additional Links
Renew our world song lyrics
All Things New by Dr Mick Pope
No Place Like Home podcast
Today on the podcast we hear from Anna Jane Joyner, an American based Climate Activist. Anna is passionate about crafting stories and strategies that inspire non-traditional audiences to care about climate change. Her work has been featured by Rolling Stone, Glamour, MTV, The Associated Press, and more. Anna Jane's efforts to engage American evangelicals - including her own father (a prominent pastor), was featured in Years of Living Dangerously, an Emmy-award winning Showtime series on the climate crisis.
Sign up for The Justice Conference Australia blog and buy your tickets to the November conference at www.thejusticeconference.com.au.
Check out the Renew Our World Movement, www.Renewourworld.org.au and join their mailing list for further resources direct to your inbox.
Krish Kandiah, speaking at the 2018 conference, challenges the Australian Church to protect and champion the vulnerable children in our society.
Buy tickets to the 2019 conference
Read more about Dr Krish here; https://www.tear.org.au/stories/restoration-and-hospitality
Dr Krish Kandiah is the founding director of Home for Good. He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and seven children. He is an award winning author, an adopter, foster carer, activist for refugee resettlement and a theologian. If his talk has inspired you to look into becoming a foster parent or providing relief support it is important to note that these services are provided on a state by state basis in Australia. Please seek information via your state government.
Victoria: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/foster-care http://www.fosteringconnections.com.au/
New South Wales: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/carers/foster-care/about/chapters/how-to-become-a-foster-carer
South Australia: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/foster-care/become-a-foster-carer
Tasmania: http://www.fostercare.tas.gov.au/
Northern Territory: https://nt.gov.au/community/child-protection-and-care/become-a-foster-or-kinship-carer
ACT: https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/ocyfs/children/child-and-youth-protection-services/foster_care
Western Australia: http://www.dcp.wa.gov.au/FosteringandAdoption/Interestedinfostercaring/Pages/InterestedInFosterCaring.aspx
Today on the podcast we’re following up on last week’s talk from Jenny Yang on speaking up, bringing you a bonus episode directly from the workshop stream at The Justice Conference 2018.
Three modern-day prophets from the Australian and Global Church recall their diverse political encounters, whilst providing both tips and sound theological grounding for the crucial task of speaking to politicians and governing bodies.
Your Panel consists of Tim Costello, featured on episode 1 of this podcast, also Joel Edwards - Who, again, featured previously on the podcast. They are joined by Jo Knight who has a background in human rights law and is TEAR Australia’s advocacy coordinator. With a view to the bigger picture of injustice systems, Jo helps churches and individuals work together in powerful and impactful ways towards the changes that are needed.
Hosted by Matt Darvis – The Campaign Director at Micah Australia having previously work with World Vision and in Nepal with International Nepal Fellowship.
Further information for the programs and events mentioned in the podcast head here
Renew Our World
Micah Australia
Buy your tickets for The Justice Conference 2019 Australia here
Jenny Yang brings a powerful message challenging the Australian Church to use their voice in the democratic system to speak up for those with little or no voice of their own.
Buy tickets to the 2019 conference https://www.thejusticeconference.com.au/
Jenny Yang is Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief where she provides oversight for all advocacy initiatives and policy positions, representing the organization before the U.S. government and mobilizing churches on advocacy initiatives. She has worked in the refugee resettlement section of World Relief as the Senior Case Manager and East Asia Program Officer, where she focused on advocacy for refugees in the East Asia region and managed the entire refugee caseload for World Relief. Prior to World Relief, she worked at one of the largest political fundraising firms in Maryland managing fundraising and campaigning for local politicians. She is co-author of Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate and contributing author to three other books on faith, human dignity and migration. Jenny is an Assistant Professor at Kilns College in Bend, OR and serves as a Catalyst for the Freedom and Justice Network for the Lausanne Movement. She was named one of the “50 Women to Watch” by Christianity Today.
Rev Joel Edwards brings us hope in the brokenness of the world. Remind us that there is a great power and a great story. The restoration of the world does not depend solely on you.
Buy tickets to the 2019 conference https://www.thejusticeconference.com.au/
Rev Joel Edwards is a freelance broadcaster with the BBC, a writer, coach and international speaker on a wide range of areas including bible teaching, issues of justice, leadership, faith and society. He is also currently a doctoral student with St John’s College, Durham where he is also visiting fellow.
Joel’s wide range of experiences includes 11 years as general director of the Evangelical Alliance UK and 10 years leadership in Micah Challenge International - a global faith based response to extreme poverty.
Currently, he is an honorary Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral, and Visiting Fellow at Spurgeon’s College. Joel has been awarded three honorary doctorates including St Andrews University.
Tim Costello speaks at the 2018 conference on the current political climate of retribalization and how this is impacting the marginalised and the Christian Church. He calls us to go beyond partisan politics and search for a deeper biblical theology and truth. He challenges us to work in unity for the good of all society. That we can bring both salt and light to the world we know.
Buy tickets to the 2019 conference https://www.thejusticeconference.com.au/
Rev Tim Costello is one of Australia’s most respected community leaders and a sought after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics.
For 13 years until October 2016, Tim was Chief Executive of World Vision Australia (WVA). In his current role as WVA’s Chief Advocate, Tim continues to place the challenges of global poverty on the national agenda. Concurrently this year, Tim is the Executive Director of Micah Australia (http://www.micahaustralia.org/)