Theological Interpretations and Perspectives on the Conference

Ministry and Mission in the Asian Century

The Asian Century

• “the projected 21st Century dominance of Asian politics and culture, assuming certain demographic and economic trends persist”

Changing Circumstances

• Asian Diaspora• Economic Prosperity of Asians• Shifting economic, cultural and political

influence• The growth of the Church in Asia

Theological Reflection

• What does the gospel mean here?• What does faithfulness look like?

Asian Diaspora

• What might faithfulness look like?– Build bridges• Student Diaspora

– Welcome fellowship (25% identify as Christian)• Ethnic congregations

– Remove barriers to the gospel• Language

– Be intrepid

Economic Prosperity of Asia

• What might faithfulness look like– Learn– Adapt– Go with the cultural changes

The decline of the West coincident with the rise of Asia

As a nation we have changed dramatically over the past 60 years, and so, in many ways, has the Church.Our message may be the same, but the context and the mediums for the message have undergone immense change. On a warm Saturday in 1966, the Sunday School of the Parish of St Augustine’s Moreland in Melbourne boarded an electric train for their annual Sunday School picnic to Brighton Beach. Parents and children clamoured on board, numbering over 650. Now there is no Sunday School and a small congregation at St Augustine’s. The area has undergone massive sociological, demographic and economic change that has typified most of our large capital cities over the past 40years.

• What does the gospel mean?• What does faithfulness look like?

Theologian Stanley Hauerwas said:“Australia is definitely one of the most secular countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean the Church and its ministry cannot make a significant contribution.”

Ephesians 3:101 Thessalonians 5:24

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• What can we personally do to make a difference?

• What can our parish do? (Some ministry implications)

• What can our Diocese do?