In the wake of the #MeToo movement, terrible domestic violence statistics, and enormous cultural shifts of recent decades, there are significant and legitimate questions about masculinity today. What should we be aiming for in the rearing of our sons? What aspects of masculinity should we be seeking to reframe?

In his new book The End of Men? Simon Smart argues that boys won’t simply know how to be good men. They will have to be shown.

So, how do we go about creating spaces that increase the likelihood of boys growing into men you’d want to be around if you were a child, a teenager, a woman, or another man. What are the lessons, the rituals, the wisdom that can be imparted to foster an environment whereby boys can become their best selves and be a gift to those around them?

This workshop will address these questions, asking what the Bible might have to tell us about this urgent issue.

Simon Smart is Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. A former English and History teacher, Simon has a Masters in Christian Studies from Regent College, Vancouver. He is the host of the Life & Faith podcast. He is the co-author of For God's Sake: An Atheist, a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim Debate Religion, and was co-presenter and co-writer of the historical documentary For the Love of God: How the church is better and worse than you ever imagined. Simon’s writing has appeared in such places as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the ABC, The Australian, and The Guardian. He lives on Sydney’s northern beaches and is an increasingly inept but enthusiastic surfer.

Retirement is not a Christian concept. This workshop will explore appropriate ways that, as we age and our capacities decline, we can keep on serving the Lord while he gives us the strength to do so, and at the same time have space in our lives for grandchildren, travel and leisure activities. And we will explore how church leaders can encourage older members to continue to serve in ways commensurate with their gifts and abilities.

Anne and Greg Foot have been married for 57 years.

They have 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandson, and they serve in the parish of Kingston.

Anne has extensive work experience in the childcare, education and welfare sectors, while Greg worked for 30 years in state secondary schools, then later at World Vision and at Scripture Union in school chaplaincy.

Anne has served the Diocese as Director of Professional Standards and has been closely involved in a number of child abuse enquiries.

Greg has been on the ministry team at St Clements Kingston since 2011.

As we look ahead to Hope25 this elective will cover how to prepare and encourage your congregation to pray , plan and invite a friend, neighbour, family member or colleague to an evangelistic course whether that be for one person or twenty. We will cover some practicalities about prayer, invitation, hospitality, building a team and follow up.

Anita Booker attends St Mark's Anglican Church in Bellerive and is passionate about seeing people explore faith and the hope we have in Jesus. She came to faith while studying nursing in London thanks to two faithful Christian friends and the work of the Holy Spirit in her heart. More recently Anita has had the privilege of working for Alpha Australia and hearing of many people coming to believe in Jesus and of churches growing as they reach out to those in their local community.

In this session we will look at the idea of Gospel partnership in the New Testament, as well as consider practical ways that Parishes, big and small, rural and city, can partner with others in sharing the Gospel.

Josh Skeat is both the Rector of the Parish of Ulverstone, and serves as the Tasmanian Regional Officer for Bush Church Aid. He is passionate about people having the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus and loves to support local churches as they partner with others in Mission. Josh has served in a variety of ministry contexts throughout Tasmania, including Launceston (Riverlinks) and Deloraine.