Are you reconciled? TEAR WA Conference in Sorrento

Do you know about the great work which TEAR does? The letters stand for Transformation Empowerment Advocacy and Relief, and its motto is ‘engaging Christians in Australia in God’s work of justice and compassion.’ Amongst many thing, they support agency work for justice and mercy amongst many poor and disadvantaged people around the world.

Every two years, TEAR WA holds a conference, and the next one is coming up 18-20 September 2009 at the Ern Halliday Conference Centre in Sorrento. The theme is ‘Reconciliation’, and that’s reconciliation in its broadest sense:

2009 is the international year of reconciliation – what does it mean to be reconciled with God, neighbour, self and the land – to experience and work for what the Scriptures describe as Shalom?

These are the issues we will be exploring over the course of the weekend through speakers, workshops, discussion times and various creative mediums.

This year we are pleased to be partnering with Forge WA – an organisation that seeks to equip Christian leaders for mission in our local, Australian context. Their sessions will be running concurrently with TEAR’s on Saturday and conference delegates are welcome to attend either.

One of the organisers is our old friend and former member, Andrew Broadbent. Topics include reconciliation with the environment, with time, with family and with wealth. I (Nathan) will be presenting a paper on Reconciliation and church. I’m going to be focusing on the idea that a diverse church of different races and different classes is actually part of the good news. It is an example to the world and a taste of life in the kingdom, where all nations are brought under one king, Jesus.

You can register online and get more details – http://www.tear.org.au/education/conferences/wa/reconciliation/

- Nathan Hobby