CHRIST AND CULTURE CONFERENCE

CHRIST THROUGH CULTURE

16th - 20th February 2009

Ballina Beach Resort

Ballina, NSW

Greetings,

We are pleased to announce the second NATSIEC Christ and Culture Conference. The theme for this conference is Christ through Culture. The Christ and Culture conference is a national Indigenous theology and spirituality conference organized by NATSIEC. In keeping with the aims of the NATSIEC theology project the conference program will seek to celebrate and encourage further development of Indigenous theology and spirituality.

A highlight of the conference will be the keynote addresses and workshops by a number of leading Indigenous Christian thinkers. Together we will experience a wide range of stimulating workshops and other activities which will provide a thought provoking and reflective experience for all.

Jesus the Christ was a man of his culture. His stories and life were wrapped up around who he was and where he came from. He used descriptions of those things around him to give meaning to his parables. He used the images and symbols in his environment to help him teach about common human beliefs; about life and about the Being which created us. Jesus knew about oppression as he lived under Roman rule. He saw many of the hardships created through poverty and injustice which existed in his community. This was how the Father placed him on this earth and, like him, God did the same to us Indigenous Peoples. Like Jesus, we too draw inspiration from our culture, our environment and our relationships to make sense of our world and to explore our relationship to Jesus the Christ and our Creator Being.

This conference will explore where Christ’s story can, and does, shine through our cultures just as the Father shined through His Son over 2,000 years ago in the Middle East.

We are looking forward to an interesting and varied program with topics ranging from:

 · Exploring a framework of Indigenous Theology

· Understanding God through Indigenous culture

· Indigenous interpretations of the Bible

· Cultural expressions of preaching and teaching

· Developing Networks of Support 

As always, we invite people to share their stories of ministry. Our first conference was rated as a great success by the attendees so this year we have added a whole extra day to ensure that we make the most of our time together. We have invited excellent key note speakers and look forward to another successful and inspiring Christ and Culture Conference. You can stay up to date with the program at our website http://www.ncca.org.au/natsiec/conference2009.

We look forward to seeing you in Ballina in 2009.

Graeme Mundine

Executive Secretary NATSIEC

Keynote Speakers Announced

We are very excited to confirm our three key note speakers who together represent a wealth of experience and wisdom in Indigenous Theology.

Dr. Wati Longchar

Dean of Extension Programs of the Senate of Serampore University, India.

Dr Longchar is an Ao from Nagaland in North East India and is a renowned Indigenous Theologian. He has more than two decades experience in ministry and teaching theology. Dr Longchar has published books on Indigenous Theology in both English and Regional languages. Dr Longchar has held numerous representative positions in various church and ecumenical organizations including the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Plenary Commission. Dr Longchar is also a leader in the field of theological education and has held various academic positions at the Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam. Prior to taking up his current position at Serampore University Dr Longchar wa a consultant on Theological Education for Asia and Pacific, for the World Council of Churches and The Christian Conference of Asia. Dr Longchar is married to Dr Longkumer and they have three sons.

Dr Limatula Longkumer

Vice Principal, Eastern Theological College, India.

Dr Longkumer is an Indigenous Feminist Theologian from Nagaland.  Her academic expertise is in the area of Christian Ministry and Feminist Theology. She is an Ao woman from Nagaland. Currently she is the Vice Principal of the Eastern Theological College (Jorhat, India) and has many years experience in theological education. Also, Dr Longkumer is active in Indigenous and Women’s issues in India and the region. Dr Longkumer holds many positions including General Secretary of the Association of Theologically Trained Women of India (ATTWI) and Core Committee Member of the Indigenous Women’s Alternative Leadership Development program (IWALT) of the Christian Conference of Asia. As well, Dr Longkumer is a published author. Her most recent book is called No More Sorrow: Tribal Women Doing Theology (2007). Dr Longchar is married to Dr Longkumer and has three sons.

Dr Longkumer and Dr Longchar will speak on "Doing Theology from Indigenous People's Perspective". In particular they will look at:

·          Indigenous People in Today's World

·          The Uniqueness of Indigenous People's Spirituality

·          Theology of Indigenous People

Ms. Evelyn Parkin

Theology Teacher Wontulp-Bi-Buya College

Ms Parkin was born and raised on Stradbroke Island in Queensland. She is married to Alan and has four adult children and six grandchildren. Ms Parkin says one very important aspect of her life was being raised in the Catholic Church and learning about the love of Jesus Christ. At the same time co-existing within the natural environment of the smell of the sea, the silence of the bush and the flow of the fresh water creek that meandered its way past her home.
 
With this as her background she became very passionate about her Aboriginal Spirituality and Christianity. Later, she went on to further study, gaining a Masters of Theology (Australian Catholic University) and a Diploma of Theology. Ms Parkin is now teaching Theology at Wontulp-Bi-Buya College for Indigenous Church Leaders.

For registration details - click here

For accommodation and transport - click here

For information on the conference venue - click here

To submit an expression of interest in facilitating a workshop - click here

Artwork: Jubal Cross by Graeme Mundine

The centre spiral shows how we are all are drawn into the mystery of Christ. The white dots are those first believers. The witchetty grubs symbolize us as Aboriginal People who are drawn into this mystery. Jubal is the Bundjalung word for Witchetty Grub.