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The power of mentoring: when friendship snowballs into community
Article by Linda Jordan. For many years now the question of what can and should be done for globally displaced people has been asked and largely unanswered. The causes of displacement are complex. But whose responsibility is it to do something for these people? Is it ours? And what can we do anyway? No single one of us is ever going to solve the problem. But we are certainly not powerless. Georgie Tucker, a young occupational therapist, was inspired by a colleague to volunteer supporting new arrivals through Baptist Care’s Fuse Mentoring...
read moreThe Healing Power of Forgiveness
Article by Annette Spurr. Carolann’s life began on the devastated, post World War II streets of London, when Londoners still shook with fear at every loud noise, believing that war could reignite at any given moment. In fact, the government of the day encouraged Londoners to take up cigarettes and alcohol to self-medicate. It was into this environment that Carolann was born. The result of a failed abortion, as her mother reminded her daily. In her book ‘The King’s Daughter,’ Carolann Kelleher documents her true life story. Unwanted,...
read moreYour teenager needs to know that you like them!
Article by Sharon Witt. In my first two years of teaching High School students, I will happily admit now that I had little idea how to relate to teenagers, let alone those with bad attitudes, negative self-image and distaste for being in school and having to learn. Talk about a steep learning curve! As you would expect of a young, naïve twenty two year old graduate, I made many mistakes in those early days when dealing with the attitudes of my students. They should listen when I was speaking and shouldn’t misbehave. Boy! Did I have a great...
read moreInnovative faith based project helps the homeless
Article supplied. Homeless or homed, we’re part of one community In 1913, South Australian Baptists served hot food and cared for children whose fathers were deployed during the First World War, and whose mothers had entered the workforce. For over one hundred years the site in Adelaide’s inner city, has continued to be dedicated to the service of South Australians in need. Today, Baptist Care SA’s homelessness services provide 35,000 nutritious meals and close to 5000 bed nights each year. Homelessness in our state remains a prevalent issue....
read moreWhat is religious freedom?
Article by Chelsea Pietsch. Chelsea explores what religious freedom – a term commonly used but often misunderstood – actually entails. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right recognised by international human rights documents, and one which is integral to our human dignity. It enables people to live in accordance with deeply held views about what it means to be human. The right is safe-guarded by placing certain limits on government with regard to interference in the public and private exercise of religious freedom, and by ensuring...
read moreSomalia’s Hope
Article by Levi McGrath. ‘The children here…they need milk’, were the words echoing in my mind after talking with a village elder outside his makeshift home. Surrounded by the driest of deserts, with huts made from sticks and torn clothing, no running water, power or even a useable toilet; for him this was the most important thing. Milk. I had visited the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) settlement just days into a two-week trip to Somalia, visiting World Vision projects in the country’s famine-affected northern region. Years of prolonged...
read moreSexual integrity in a sexualised world
Article by medical doctor and sexologist, Patricia Weerakoon. We live in a culture soaked in sex. From sexy clothes for children, medicalisation of sexual desire, genital reconstructive surgery and pornography, we have sexualised, objectified and commodifies our bodies and our sex lives, and some would say our very souls. The very tools that provide us with information and relaxation feed our brains with a diet of varied, perverse and outright dangerous sexual mores and values. Our brains pick up the world’s seductive siren call and allow it...
read moreThe Bible ‘not on Gen Z’s radar’
Article by Adrian Blenkinsop. Is the Bible relevant to Australian young people anymore? Gen Z is the generation born since the mid-1990s, often called ‘the Net’ generation. According to social researcher Mark McCrindle, Gen Z is “the most digitally supplied, globally connected, and formally educated generation in history.” Adrian Blenkinsop, author of ‘The Bible According to Gen Z’ writes about his resource for youth leaders that aims to connect Gen Z with God’s story. Once upon a time in a large church hall, located in a small country...
read moreSex is more than “skin on skin”
RISE managing editor Wendy Rush talks to LWC19 keynote speaker Renee Yam. This year’s LifeWell Conference theme is ‘DEEP’ – getting real about the deep issues impacting our churches, communities and individual lives and finding restoration in Jesus’ name. This theme resonates strongly with Christian sexologist and counsellor Renee Yam. “What a great theme! I love talking about the real and deep issues of our lives and sexuality is definitely one of them. “Our sexuality is complex. There are many experiences in our lives that contribute to...
read moreJesus versus the Bullies
Article by Dr John Dickson. CHRISTIANS CANNOT POSSIBLY HOPE TO CONVINCE WESTERNERS THAT JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SERVE, SUFFER, AND SAVE THEM, IF THEY ARE THOUGHT OF AS BULLYING, GRUMBLING, AND GRASPING FOR CULTURAL GROUND? UNDERSTANDING JESUS’ CLAIM—AND DENIAL—THAT HE WAS THE MESSIAH CHANGES EVERYTHING. _______________ In the first century, worldwide devotion to a Jewish teacher was not what the Jews hoped for when they looked at their ancient prophecies. Many (not all) longed for a military messiah, one who would crush Israel’s enemies by...
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