Work has moved from a means of material production in the West, to a means of identity production. The best of our work is satisfying and provides a level of meaning as well as financial security. But what happens when work wants more? More, not just of your time and your effort, but your allegiances and values? How does the Christian navigate the increasingly complex world of the modern workforce and its agenda?

Stephen McAlpine is the Director for Cultural Engagement at City To City Australia, and has three decades of experience working in and planting churches in Perth. He has a background in Journalism and a keen interest in helping Christians navigate our cultural moment faithfully and fearlessly. With extensive Christian Schools' board experience, Stephen is aware of the challenges facing our Christian institutions, and the discipleship pressures on Christian families. His book Being The Bad Guys: How To Live For Jesus In a World That Says You Shouldn't, was Australian Christian Book of the Year 2021.

Children and adults attending our churches, youth groups, camps and other programs may have experienced trauma and broken attachments. This may present as big emotions, unhealthy attachments, and harmful behaviours and leave us unsure how to support the individual, their family, and others in our churches. In this workshop you will gain an understanding of simple, complex, and developmental trauma and how these impact children and adults. With understanding, the workshop will explore strategies to create safe spaces for those who experienced trauma and broken attachments and others.

Mary Blake is the Executive Officer of Fostering Hope, a Christian organisation that exists to reflect Christ’s love by supporting at-risk children, and those who care for them. Mary is a mum to five sons, two biological sons and three sons who entered her home through care. Mary is also involved in her community, Chairing the school association, coaching her kids sports, and in the local community association.

Peter’s image of believers as foreigners and exiles in 1 Peter 2 is a beautifully appropriate one for what life is increasingly like for Christians today.  But, is being different to the world around us - knowing that you won’t fit in, an attractive reality for our young people?  To top it off, what if the Christian faith makes you the “bad guy”?  Is following Jesus really worth all of that??  Our workshop is not promising all the answers, but it’s going to address how we can help our children and young people answer ‘yes’ to this question.

Beck Gough enjoys her dream job as the Assistant Chaplain at St Michael’s Collegiate - teaching Faith and Life and running Chapel for 200 students each week.  Since graduating from UTAS with an Arts Psychology degree, she has done a ministry apprenticeship, studied Preaching & a Master of Divinity at Sydney Missionary & Bible College, and completed an Education degree.  Beck is married to Sam, and mum to two spirited children – Henry and Phoebe, and two even more energetic labradoodles.  She enjoys coffee, audiobooks and walking along the beach.

Kate Boughton is in awe of Beck Gough and has the privilege of working alongside her as Chaplain at St Michael’s Collegiate. For a longtime now Kate has worked with children and young people in a number of different contexts, in different roles and in a couple of different states of Australia. Even after all these years she still thinks that it is a privilege to share Jesus with young people and their families, to work with and alongside them, and those who care for them, as they navigate life and faith, praying always that they will find life to full in Jesus.

Could it be that making time for some of the things you love might actually serve God's gospel purposes? What might that look like in your life? You are invited to a workshop and conversation exploring the connection between your interests and God's great gospel purposes.

Kim Beales is the minister at St Mark's Anglican Church Bellerive. He's married to Kate, and father to Amelie, Zac & Jeremy. He loves song-writing, reading, food, conversation and getting out for a run. He's also a cricket enthusiast who dabbles in over 40's cricket! Kim is likely to be seen most mornings reading, writing and reflecting at a café on Hobart's eastern shore. His heart is for helping people meet Jesus and discover the treasures that can be found through faith in Him.

The Voice to Parliament is topical within the Australian media as of late, with polarising perspectives being presented by various activists, academics, community members, and politicians. Amongst this plethora of perspectives it can be difficult to know how to approach the topic. This workshop will offer a Christian perspective for our decision making on this matter.

Mike Guerzoni (PhD, University of Tasmania) is a criminologist at the School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania. He coordinates the unit ‘Indigenous Justice Issues’ within the Bachelor of Justice Studies, and is involved in research on the wellbeing and educational success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Drawing on their experience working with university students, Mikey and Christine will share advice and underlying values for families and churches to help emerging adults become established in Christian faith, life and ministry.