Bishop's Training Event 2025

The Bishop’s Training Event is an annual event for all Anglicans from around Tasmania to gather together to learn and grow and be encouraged.

The 2025 Bishop's Training Event will run over two Saturdays in October: in Hobart on Saturday 18 October and in Launceston on Saturday 25 October.

The Hobart Bishop's Training Event will be held at St Clements Anglican Church, 100 Beach Rd, Kingston.

The Launceston Bishop's Training Event will be held at Worldview College for Intercultural Studies, 41 Station Rd, St Leonards.

The 2025 Guest Speaker is Stephanie Judd, Director of Ministry at City on a Hill Melbourne.

ONLINE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED - ADULTS CAN STILL REGISTER ON THE DAY AT THE EVENT

2025 Program

9-10am – Registration, resource fair and morning tea

10 - 11am – Main Session 1 (Stephanie Judd)

11-11:15am - Short Break

11.15-12.15pm - Workshops Session 1

12.15-1.15pm – Lunch

1.15-2:15pm – Workshops Session 2

2:15-2:30 - Short Break

2.30-3:30pm – Main Session 2 (Bishop Richard Condie)

Children and Young People at the Bishop's Training Event

HOBART

A creche for toddlers through to Kindergarten age will be running from 10am-12.15pm. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Primary (Prep-Grade 6): A great day of activities, music, learning, discussion, fun and friendship is planned for children in grades Prep-6. The Primary Program runs from 10am-3:30pm on-site (starting in the main session with the grown ups). All food is provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Youth (Grades 7-12): The youth program runs from 11:15am-2:15pm, and includes lunch. In Hobart, the Youth program will be held offsite at the Kingston Reformed Church (a 10 minute walk away). Alternatively, Grade 7 -12s can remain in the main program with their responsible adult.

LAUNCESTON

Primary (Prep - Grade 6) – A great day of activities, music, learning, discussion, fun and friendship is planned for children in grades Prep-6. The Primary Program runs from 10am-3:30pm on-site (starting in the main session with the grown ups). All food is provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Youth (Grades 7-12): Grade 7 -12s will remain in the main program with their responsible adult. There will be an organised lunchtime gathering over food to meet other youth and talk about the day.

ONLINE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED - ADULTS CAN STILL REGISTER ON THE DAY AT THE EVENT

Morning Tea and Lunch

This is a nut free event.

HOBART

Morning tea will be provided before the first session. A coffee van will be available onsite to purchase coffees.

Lunch - Anglican Camping will be running a BBQ onsite as a fundraiser. There are also many food shops within close walking distance. Alternatively you can BYO lunch but please do not bring any nuts.

LAUNCESTON

Morning tea will be provided before the first session.

Lunch - Anglican Camping will be running a BBQ onsite as a fundraiser and there will also be a soup and bread lunch option for purchase onsite which will also benefit Anglican Camping. Alternatively you can BYO lunch but please do not bring any nuts.

Keynote Talk - Stephanie Judd

Living for Jesus in an ethically challenged world

We are living in an age of profound ethical complexity. From the deepening polarisation of political discourse around environmental responsibility and the cost of living to contested views on identity, sexuality, and human rights, today's Christian faces no shortage of challenging decisions as we seek to live for Jesus. Stephanie will unpack how followers of Jesus can navigate such complexity not with fear or despair, but with gospel-shaped confidence, clarity, and hope. We will explore how to live distinctively and courageously for Jesus—honouring him in our decisions, bearing witness to his love, and stepping into our calling with wisdom, resilience, and joy.

Workshops

The workshops run for an hour and are more interactive than the main sessions.

When registering for the Bishop's Training Event you will get to choose which workshops you would like to attend. You can select up to one workshop per session. Please note that there are attendance limits on some workshops, and spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you do not select a workshop, you will be allocated to the one running in the largest space.

Session 1

Facing decisions with gospel courage - Stephanie Judd

In a culture that prizes safety, shrinks back, and often misunderstands confidence, how can Christians make hard decisions with boldness and clarity? This workshop will explore what it means to face life’s tough decisions not with self-confidence, but with gospel confidence. Rooted in God’s unshakable presence and promises, we’ll learn how to walk forward in faith even when the way ahead feels daunting. Through Scripture, story, and spiritual encouragement, come be equipped to trust in the God who is with you, who goes before you, and who is building his kingdom—through you.

Stephanie Judd is an ordained Anglican minister and serves as the Senior Associate Minister at City on a Hill Melbourne. Stephanie is passionate about helping people encounter the life and joy found in Jesus and to live with courage and conviction for Him.

Stephanie has a first-class honours degree in theology from Moore Theological College in Sydney. She brings both theological depth and pastoral warmth to her ministry. She is a visionary and strategic leader, playing a key role in shaping City on a Hill’s mission to reach ten cities with the beauty, truth, and relevance of Jesus through the planting of fifty churches.

Alongside her leadership at City on a Hill, Stephanie is a sought-after Bible teacher, regularly speaking at conferences and events across Australia, and is currently writing a book for women, exploring five lies women believe—and why Jesus is better. Stephanie also serves as a preaching mentor with the Centre for Biblical Preaching where she works closely with preachers, equipping them to proclaim the Word with greater clarity, conviction, and colour.

Stephanie is married to Andrew, and together they have three children: Joshua (8), Chloe (6), and Eden (1).

What's next after Hope25? - Richard Condie

Lots of people and parishes in Tasmania took some big steps during Hope25 in sharing their faith in Jesus. How can we build on that? This workshop will hear from a few people who shared their faith or invited someone, perhaps for the first time! We will think through the roadblocks to doing this that we found as well as the things that helped the most. We will also hear some ideas about what could come next so that we keep sharing our hope.

Richard Condie is the Bishop of Tasmania and led the Commission of the National Anglican Church which developed the Hope25 campaign. He is very encouraged by how people took up the challenge to proclaim the Hope we have in Jesus right across Australia.

What churches can do about the epidemic of loneliness - Patrick Parkinson

Chronic loneliness is one of the great problems of our time, affecting all age groups, but especially those aged 18-24, separated and divorced men, and the very elderly. Loneliness harms both mental and physical health, shortening people’s lives and robbing them of the enjoyment of life. What then can churches do? Plenty, if we are motivated to do so and see the relevance of this work to the Kingdom of God.

Prof. Patrick Parkinson AM is the Executive Director of Publica (www.publica.org.au). Publica’s mission is to strengthen the social fabric by good research and innovative thinking about how to strengthen families and communities. Much of its work has been on loneliness. Patrick is an Emeritus Professor of Law and an expert on family law and child protection. He has held senior positions advising both the NSW government and the Federal government on these issues. In 2004, he was instrumental in persuading the Howard Government to establish Family Relationship Centres across the country. He also chaired a review of the Child Support system which led to the enactment of major changes to the Child Support Scheme.

Session 2

Five Lies women tell themselves and how Jesus is better - Stephanie Judd

Ever since the Garden of Eden, a dark voice has whispered lies into the hearts of women and men—distorting identity, redefining worth, and crippling our joy. In this workshop, we’ll expose five of the most common lies women believe about themselves. Through Scripture, story, cultural insight, and pastoral wisdom, we will explore how Jesus not only speaks truth to these lies, but offers something far better. Whether you're a woman who wants to embrace God's life-giving call and vision for your life, or a man seeking to better understand and support the women in your life and encourage them with truth, this session will equip you to live in the truth that sets us free.

Becoming a Welcoming Church - Nick Overton

It’s so easy for Christians to stay in their comfort zone and for churches to become inward-focussed. How can we create a culture of welcome for the newcomer? This workshop will encourage us to reflect on our own heart towards others in light of God’s heart for all people. From the moment people arrive, to their experience of our Sunday service or ministry activity, we will look at practical steps we can take to become a more welcoming and hospitable church community, especially towards those exploring faith. We will see how everyone has a role to play in nurturing a welcoming culture.

Nick Overton is the Pastor for the 4:30pm service, and Pastor for Discipleship at St Clements in Kingston. In 2020 he and his team planted a new congregation with a vision to be a place where everyone is welcome to ‘connect, explore and grow’, wherever they’re at in their journey of life and faith. Nick is married to Natalie and they have four children. He enjoys watching the cricket, and loves summer at the beach including waterskiing and jetskiing.

Instruments in the Redeemer’s hands - Lee Shirvill (LAUNCESTON ONLY)

‘Accountability’ might not possibly be in your top ten of must do workshops, perhaps even up there with ‘evangelism’ as the proverbial short straw! But the New Testament suggests accountability can play an important role in our church communities.

The reality is that life can often rob us of ‘Joy’. In our individualistic culture our relationships at church can often be impacted - they remain friendly, but superficial all the same. But what if Jesus’ design for the church was for more? More community, more engagement, more personal and spiritual growth… more, well…JOY! Though we may have chosen another way - by God’s grace, he calls people who themselves need help, to help others to become the church or gathering of Christians who are pursuing God’s agenda for the world. As we seek to live in an ever changing world, how might God use us to help one another become more rooted in Christ and bearing much fruit for his glory? What place does accountability have in the body of Christ? Come along and discover some simple steps that will help us be more faithful and effective for Christ in this area.

Lee Shirvill was ordained in the Anglican Church of Australia, and has returned after a 10 year spell in the Church of England to take up the role of Rector for the Parish of Holy Trinity Launceston here in the Diocese of Tasmania. Lee is passionate about seeing the church become all that it is called to be as the ‘body of Christ’, a place where individuals, ‘united’ in Christ, can find a place of belonging and spur one another on to love and good works. In the final throes of a Masters in Applied Theology at Moorlands College, his dissertation around ‘being’ church is taking up most of his spare time. However, Lee, with his wife Rachel, is currently enjoying walking and exploring Launceston (and indeed Tasmania) - finding ‘joy’ in God’s creation and getting to know his new church family.

Accountability in churches - Samuel Green (HOBART ONLY)

In our struggle against sin, the world & the devil, Scripture encourages us to journey alongside our fellow believers. How can developing accountability deepen our relationships with our fellow believers and help us prepare for the life to come with purpose, joy and faith? What does such accountability look like? In this seminar we will consider how accountability at church is one of the ways we stay safe, stay on mission, and grow as disciples.

Samuel Green is part of Wellspring Anglican Church. Samuel works with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students and is the UTAS Anglican chaplain. He also serves at the Mayfield Anglican youth camp. He has many years of ministry leadership experience.

Building a Foundation: Navigating faith challenges for tweens and teens - Elizabeth Poland

Many of our churches across the Diocese have either started ministry to children, or they are well established. What happens next as children become ‘tweenagers’? and then teens? The challenges are real - and the statistics of kids staying Christian speak of drift if not an exodus. As a church are you ready to build on what you have, to best cater for the children in your church now?

Elizabeth Poland is the Youth Ministry Development Coordinator, and Executive Officer for Anglican Camping. Elizabeth became a Christian as a young teenager, on a camp! She is passionate about seeing ministry done well to children and youth, making disciples of Jesus and deepening the faith of young people so that they remain followers of Jesus for their whole lives. Elizabeth has lived in Tasmania for 23 years. Having lived in Launceston for a good portion of that she now calls Hobart home.

ONLINE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED - ADULTS CAN STILL REGISTER ON THE DAY AT THE EVENT

About the Bishop's Training Event

The Bishop's Training Event provides both theological and practical teaching, grounding us in God’s word and also providing us the opportunity to learn some new skills with practical workshops, for example, in evangelism and discipleship, ministry to all ages, prayer, mission, leadership, and public worship.

At the heart of our Vision to be a church for Tasmania, making disciples of Jesus, is developing a network of flourishing parish centres across our Diocese working together with our other Anglican ministries, schools and agencies. It is hoped that people leave the training event encouraged, with greater knowledge of God, and some practical skills and ideas to grow a flourishing parish and to serve God in the community and with their whole life.

Contact Us

This Diocese is committed to training people for ministry and partnering with our parishes, chaplaincies, schools and agencies to see this happen. If you require further information about training please contact the Director of Ministry Development.