Cross-Cultural Conference – May 2023
Over 2 days, on 5-6 May, people from all walks of life met at the Cross Cultural Ministry Conference. It was a wonderful day of getting to know many different ethnic contexts.
Central to the event was the question: Would you like to consider how to better reflect the diversity of your Neighbourhood in your congregation?
We heard from: African- and South Sudanese-Australians, Finnish and Tamil Lutherans, ABC’s (Australian Born Chinese), thoughts from the perspectives of 2nd Gen’s, and iterations of Multicultural Church.
Most inspiring of all was the inspirational worship and the news that Australia’s population is on track to increase by record amounts – with two of the fastest growing suburbs right here in Melbourne. What an opportunity for to join in with God in mission to the stranger and new-comer in our midst.
What did you miss!? LOTS!! Ask someone who went!
But here is a taster…
Getting to Know different ethnic contexts:
Adam (African Australians) and Pastor James (South Sudanese Australians)
Finnish Lutherans: How Pastor Tommi went from being the most conservative Finnish pastor to the most radical Australian pastor in one 24 hour flight.
Meeting Maha from the Tamil Lutheran partnership in Geelong.
Hearing from different ABCs (AustralianBornChinese)
2nd Gen’s :
- We find refuge with others who are also in between cultures (with other 2nd Gens)
- Being chameleon – learning how to code switch, depending on our contexts
- Internalised racism (‘I don’t want to be Filipino’)
- Seeing own culture or western culture as inferior/superior
and iterations of Multicultural Church!
- Monocultural: a biological family
- Friendship: a shared house
- Partnership: an intercultural engagement
- Integrated: a blended family
Thank you to the many people who presented, shared on a panel, sung, led worship, led as we Dwelt in the Word, contributed to table discussions and agreed to wear those funny hair nets and spectacular chef’s hats.
A special thank you to our MC Brett, our organisers Tania, Craig and Erin, our PowerPoint and logistics guru Olivia, and the Committee for Cross-Cultural Ministry for making it all possible.
See you in the neighbourhood!
Read the full report HERE.
