I am an organiser, speaker and panel coordinator for this conference. So excited!

A three-day research conference in Sydney this July will consider the issues of how Christian faith impacts on everyday work. It is the first time such issues have been considered so intensively in Australia, and one of a handful of such conferences in the world.

 “We are excited at this opportunity of bringing together theologians, thoughtful work practitioners and church leaders to consider issues of vocation, work, and equipping workplace Christians,” explained conference organiser Andrew Sloane from Morling College.

More than 30 papers will be presented at the conference canvassing issues as diverse as rest, leisure, what churches are doing to integrate faith and work, ethics, the role of the Holy Spirit in our working, leadership and the future of work.

“We are thrilled that we have at least one teacher, nurse, pastor, youth worker, economist, lecturer, parachurch worker, communication specialist, statistician, climate scientist and IT worker presenting on issues relevant to their vocations,” said Dr Sloane. “The breadth is really pleasing. For some, this will be the first time they have reflected so deeply on their own work, and for those coming along it promises to be really stimulating, perhaps even revelatory.”

The keynote speaker will be Mark Greene from the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity. “Mark has been at the forefront of getting Christians to reflect thoughtfully on their work for more than 20 years,” said Dr Sloane. “His books include Thank God It’s Monday, Supporting Christians at Work, Pocket Prayers for Work, and Fruitfulness on the Frontline.

“Many have been trying for years to bring him to Australia, and it will mark a strategic moment in the local development of the faith and work movement.”

The conference will be held at Morling College which teaches courses in theology, counselling, chaplaincy and education. “We recognise that 50% of students studying theology in Australia are not doing so for paid church or parachurch roles. We need to ensure we are preparing them for their everyday work and other frontlines,” said Dr Sloane.

For more information and tickets click here.