Workshop 1: A Clear and Present Word From God To Our Leaders

"A Clear and Present Word From God To Our Leaders"

Preaching prophetically to reach world and church leaders in a time of conflict

The workshop will begin with a presentation in three parts, each followed by a short period of specific questions and discussion:

1. sketching the biblical evidence in its context, with special attention to the role of Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Deutero-Isaiah, Paul (Romans, Ephesians), & the author of Revelation;
2. discerning the main features of the current global scene - 'the signs of the times', attempting to assess the nature and limits of American/Western political and cultural dominance and the impact of local/regional political and religious circumstances;
3. examining briefly case studies of preaching God's Word to civic or church leaders and the consequences:
   1. in Britain,
   2. in Singapore,
   3. in Australia.

The workshop will rely not only on the presentation input but the active involvement of all participants to frame some sort of checklist of the content and method of approach to preaching that aims to touch and support or challenge those entrusted with political leadership at any level of world society.

Presenter: Fr James Minchin, Australia

Fr James Minchin has served in rural and urban Victoria, Singapore and the UK, in parish, university and hospital ministry. A graduate in classical languages, politics and theology, he writes, teaches and broadcasts on a variety of topics. He serves on the board of several Anglican or ecumenical bodies concerned with welfare and social justice at home and abroad. He is currently Vicar of Christ Church, St Kilda, Diocese of Melbourne, where a large community centre is being built to increase the Church's local mission outreach and presence. His time in Singapore from 1968 to 1971 was particularly formative, and after his return he undertook postgraduate studies on the people and politics responsible for such total social engineering. His thesis became a book "No Man is an Island: a study of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew" (Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1986/1990).