Discernment Summit 3 hears from young leaders

The third Discernment Summit commenced on 2 August with robust discussions on the "Placements for a Just Church" proposal, introduced at the 2023 Synod in Session.

Day one focused on key areas of the proposal: team-based ministry, ministry pathways, Phase 2 formation, and the challenges and opportunities of rural and regional ministry. On day two, the Presbytery Resource Fund Working Group delved into the rationale for restructuring Presbyteries and identified potential roles for those that align with these changes. This groundwork will inform proposals for the 2025 Synod.

A highlight of the summit was a panel discussion featuring young leaders from across the Synod.

Facilitated by Pulse, the panel explored their roles, aspirations for the Church, and answered questions from Presbytery leaders. The event fostered lively dialogue about supporting and collaborating within local communities.

Here are some snippets from the Pulse panel:

"The body of Christ which involves a unity, without diving walls, without an us an them mentality. " - Luke Keenan (Kippax UC)

"We struggle to find how to verbalise what we stand for … how do we find a way to communicate what stand for meaningfully, without describing what we are not. I feel like my church has handed the keys to us and supported us in the things we want to do." - Will Giacometti (Turramurra UC)

"We should be brave to let God lead. Courage is really important in the church going forward." - Sophie van Ede (Roseville UC)

"Church doesn’t just mean what happens in our buildings or our congregations, we shouldn’t be just looking in, we should be looking beyond our walls. Not shying away from change because it is challenging, or hard." - Somerset Drayton (Willoughby UC)

"The Synod theme of the Transforming Spirit is important. Where are we seeing the Transforming Spirit across the Church? Using the parables that involve plants, where are we nourishing and watering the areas of the Church that are growing?"- Malia Puna (Newington/Auburn)

"I’m a pastor and I still feel left out of organisational conversations. It could be a by- product of the culture of the Church. How might current church leadership be responsible for that exclusion?" - Jonty Cornford (Uniting Heart and Soul)

The Moderator asked the panel what types of formation and resourcing, did they have to keep them in the Church to which the panel had the following responses:

“I find it hard in my leadership context I am that mentor for a few people and a few people older than me have moved on. In spaces I know how to do things, but having someone to talk it all through with time management, ‘concerns and worries’ and less the formal stuff. Everybody having a somebody is important.” – Sophie van Ede

“The best resource that the church can offer is community. Good community where people are comfortable and safe to try things. It’s not a hand me down but a reciprocal relationship.” – Luke Keenan

“Faithful service in people like you. I think about the principle, the jersey is not theirs they put it on, but it’s stewarding for the next generation. Seeing you all committing behind the scenes and seeing the work you do and what you leave for us in good condition. How do we prepare for a Church we cannot see?” – Malia Puna

‘We struggle to find how to verbalise what we stand for … how do we find a way to communicate what stand for meaningfully, without describing what we are not. I feel like my church has handed the keys to us and supported us in the things we want to do.’

‘We should be brave to let God lead. Courage is really important in the church going forward.’