We call on Churches to:

2.1       Encourage their congregations to be a prophetic voice and effectively and actively pray for:

2.1a     Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their leaders.

2.1b     Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Churches and Ministries.

2.1c     Injustices and Human Rights.

2.1.1    We encourage the Churches to increase the effectiveness of their prayer by developing a deeper understanding of the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. One way in which this can be achieved is by inviting local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Peoples or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Church leaders to speak. We also encourage Churches and their congregations to put their money and feet (actions) where their prayers (mouths) are.

2.2       Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, churches and ministries to create a platform for engagement and to facilitate the education of congregations to increase their understanding and awareness about the real issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as well as suggested solutions and directions.

2.3       Actively promote positive and successful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples at all levels of Churches.

2.4       Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to link and integrate all aspects of ministries and services within, and between, denominations to maximise the effectiveness of all arms of the Churches' ministries and agencies.

2.5       Be accountable to any covenants, policies or partnerships that have been agreed to with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and ensure ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of such initiatives.

2.6       Make a commitment to provide national support and resources for Northern Territory Churches. The resource burden of adequately addressing the issues in the Northern Territory should be shared by other States and Territories. Practical support in funding now will go towards rectifying the lack of adequate funding over the past forty years.

2.7       Increase support for existing bodies such as NATSIEC and NATSICA to enable them to continue to build their capacity and ability to respond to matters of importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as well as to continue and strengthen their ability to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from all denominations together to work with a common purpose and voice.

2.8       Work with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative Church structures to appoint a national coordinator to monitor the NTER on behalf of all Churches. Also encourage each congregation to support a person or group to monitor the NT Intervention and to liaise with the national monitoring coordinator.

2.9       Work with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative Church structures to use Church resources to effectively influence media to tell true stories and to also highlight the positives. Use all available means and networks, both national and local, including radio, newspapers, newsletters, internet etc.

2.10     Work with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative Church structures to develop and fund a Church forum in the NT with the aim of bringing together Church leaders, Aboriginal people and their Church leaders and representatives, from all denominations, to develop a united commitment to work towards National and State policy changes.

2.11     Request the World Council of Churches to organise a "Living Letters" visit to the Northern Territory.

Endorsed by the members of:

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Alliance.

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