Author Archives: meganpdt

A Celebration of Neurodiversity among Ministry Workers by Sam Wan & Nick*

Photo by Peter Burdon on Unsplash Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians that Jesus, “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:1–12). Some of the people given for building us up areContinue reading “A Celebration of Neurodiversity among Ministry Workers by Sam Wan & Nick*”

The Quiet Exodus: Why Young Women Are Drifting from the Church by Christine Jolly

As senior staff with the University Fellowship of Christians at the University of Tasmania, I have the unique privilege of walking alongside Gen Z women and men as they navigate faith, purpose, and community during a formative time in their lives. The recent data from sources like the 2022 Australian Community Survey, hinting at a divergence in church engagement between young men and women, sparks vital conversations. While young men may increasingly claim Christian identity, we are seeing a nuanced, often silent shift among young women: a quiet quitting of the church.

What’s Going on in Tasmania? By Chris Shaw

On 19th July, Tasmanians will head to the polls once again. This will be the third early election in a row, this time just over a year since the previous election in March 2024. For those of us on the north island, it can be a bit confusing to understand what is going on. So in this article, we’ll take a brief dive into how Tasmania has ended up with another early election, and what is likely to happen next.

Reflecting on the Work and Words of Walter Brueggemann (1933-2025) by Melinda Cousins

For many years, one of the opening slides for my church’s Sunday gatherings has been a Walter Brueggemann quote: “The church meets to imagine what our lives can be like if the gospel were true.” A scholar and a poet, a professor, pastor and pray-er, an author and a prophet, Brueggemann’s death at 92 this week has left many reflecting on the impact and legacy of this remarkable man and the words he leaves with us.

Pentecost is about Jesus by Chris Seglenieks

It’s a provocative title, I know. Pentecost in the Christian tradition, celebrated on 8 June this year, commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples as recorded in Acts 2. And in some Christian circles, the Spirit seems to get so little mention already that I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to write this. But at the same time, perhaps it might be a helpful reminder that in all God does, all of God is involved.

Young, Black and Female: the Face of World Christianity by Tamie Davis

In 2005, missiologist Stephen Bevans observed that the average Christian in the world was female, and likely to be found in an African village or a Brazilian favela. A shorthand description of the same reality is that World Christianity is “young, black and female”. So, what’s behind that moniker and why does it matter?

2025 Election: The View from the Lounge by Lyn Kidson

During the coverage there was a lot of talk about values. The Liberal pundits on the ABC election panel kept saying that the Liberal party had to go back and reconsider their values. Similarly, in his victory speech Anthony Albanese said, “today the Australian people have voted for Australian values” and that Australians had voted for “fairness, aspiration, and opportunity for all” and for “strength in adversity and kindness to those in need.”

Pope Leo XIV: what can we expect? By Neil Ormerod

Papal elections often produce surprises. John Paul II was a surprise, coming after the sudden death of the ever-smiling John Paul I; Benedict XVI was less a surprise. Francis was a total surprise and a delight for many of us. Now we have a new pope, Leo XIV, the first American pope, a member of the Augustinian order, who has worked for a substantial part of his ministry in Peru and has dual American and Peruvian citizenship. What can we expect?