Future Dimensions Conference
Eco-Faith: Nurturing The Earth
23-25 May 2014
Nature of the Conference
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Many make the claim that the Christian faith, through it being understood as calling for dominion over the Earth, has given rise to a philosophy of progress. It may also be to blame for driving climate change.
Christians have for too long disregarded the Earth, seeing their home as being elsewhere. Some Christians believe that the evangelistic role is limited to saving souls from a dying earth. In centering on this idea Christians have often ignored the doctrines of creation, renewal and re-creation of the Earth as a whole.
The Future Dimensions Eco-Faith conference considers our role on Earth as dominions or custodians. A number of Australia’s most prominent eco-faith spearheaders will lead us in a discussion about this dichotomy.
In the face of an ecological crisis we are charged to develop a more holistic theology that will enable us to respond to global climate change.
Come join our team of speakers as we workshop such ideas.
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Many make the claim that the Christian faith, through it being understood as calling for dominion over the Earth, has given rise to a philosophy of progress. It may also be to blame for driving climate change.
Christians have for too long disregarded the Earth, seeing their home as being elsewhere. Some Christians believe that the evangelistic role is limited to saving souls from a dying earth. In centering on this idea Christians have often ignored the doctrines of creation, renewal and re-creation of the Earth as a whole.
The Future Dimensions Eco-Faith conference considers our role on Earth as dominions or custodians. A number of Australia’s most prominent eco-faith spearheaders will lead us in a discussion about this dichotomy.
In the face of an ecological crisis we are charged to develop a more holistic theology that will enable us to respond to global climate change.
Come join our team of speakers as we workshop such ideas.
Peter Ellyard
(keynote speaker) Peter is one of Australia’s most prominent futurist and strategists. He was Chief of Staff to an Environment Minister in Canberra, CEO of Australia’s Commission for the Future and Senior Advisor to the United Nations for 30 years. He has written 3 books on sustainability and future-makers. |
Paul Collins
Paul is a historian and writer. A Catholic priest for 33 years, he resigned from the ministry after a dispute with the Vatican over his book Papal Power (1997). Since then he has written 13 other books. He has a Masters in theology from Harvard University and a PhD in history from the Australian National University. |
Anne Elvey
Anne Elvey received a PhD in Women’s Studies from Monash University for her research on an ecological feminist reading of the Gospel of Luke. Her most recent book is Climate Change—Cultural Change: Religious Responses and Responsibilities (a collection of essays coedited with David Gormley O’Brien). |
Jason John
Jason’s exploration into what it means to be an informed Christian on the stories of creation in the context of evolution, ecology and cosmology led him to write his PhD. Jason is a part-time minister in the Mid North Coast Presbytery of the Uniting Church. |
Thea Omerod
Thea is a grandmother of six and a social worker. She is also the President of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. Thea will speak on the drivers behind the current climate crisis and divestment from fossil fuels as a solution. |
Clive Pearson
Clive was a minister in Christchurch prior to becoming Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox College and University of Otago. His primary academic interests are in cross-cultural, diasporic, ecological and public theologies. |
Miriam Pepper
Miriam is a founding member of Uniting Earthweb, a management committee member of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) and a researcher with the National Life Survey. Her PhD was entitled Christianity and Sustainable Consumption. |
Mick Pope
Mick is a Melbourne based writer with a PhD in tropical climatology and undergraduate studies in theology. He is currently co-authoring a book on climate change for Urban Neighbours of Hope. |
Noel Preston
Noel was a founding director of UnitingCare Centre for Social Justice and held senior academic positions at QUT and Griffith University in Applied & Professional Ethics. He is currently researching eco-theology and eco-spirituality. |
John Queripel
John is the minister at Chapel by the Sea. He works to integrate theology with contemporary social issues. |
Jacqui Remond
Jacqui is the National Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia. Among other things, Jacqui is developing partnerships and ecological conversation programs to enable the Catholic Church to become a leader for ecological sustainability through the ASSISI Initiative and the NEEN Project. |
Charles Rue
Charles was a former farmer before joining the Columban Missionary Society. He has worked in parishes in South Korea and Jamaica and recently completed a Masters in Environmental Planning. |