I have had the privilege of being a guest at the 17th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia. Some of my friends ask why I accept these invitations. Some assume that the meetings have little interest or relevance to NCCA and others are content to know that the NCCA is there. 

Those attending gave time and courage to together explore new ways of expressing the Uniting Church's identity and calling in Australia. Their commitment to Australia’s First Peoples runs deep, as does their multicultural identity.

What has remained with me is the courage of the questions being asked. The themes of the Assembly explored the link between identity and purpose. It is not enough to be confident in who we are, we also need to be engaged in the ‘what’ of the task and the ‘why’ of its importance.

These three concepts are challenging… Being clear about who we are, and out of this clarity having insight as to what we have been gathered for and how it all builds meaning. 

As these questions were being explored, I found myself reflecting on the recent National Forum of the NCCA and the questions being asked about the future of the NCCA. 

In my thinking I found myself reflecting on Isaiah 43:19 that was a recurring Scriptural reference during the Forum’s discernment sessions: 

I am about to do a new thing;

    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert. 

At the Forum, discernment was around NCCA holding our churches in relationship and how these could be strengthened in love and support – reaffirming our faith, supporting ministry, seeking out the voices not yet in the room. 

Open questions included:

After 30 years our churches can be together but how are we now going to thrive together?

We have an abundance through our diversity so how can we share, listen, learn and engage with each other that will bring forth life in our churches?

What is better to do together that shows that the unity of churches and Christian communities can be a source of unity in our world, for all of humanity and for creation?

How do we cooperate not compete so that churches in Australia can sustain and build hope – serving and speaking in witness to express the love of Christ to the world – as helping hands to the helpless and a voice for the voiceless?

How do we experience and express community and how can we help people to belong and believe?

The questions and conversations of our National Forum resonate across all of our churches in Australia today, as was heard in the Uniting Church Assembly’s deliberations.  

Rev John Gilmore

NCCA President 

Let us pray: