Thought Still Matters
Seventy delegates from the Australia Territory, Papua New Guinea Territory and Solomon Islands and the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory gathered at Eva Burrows College in Melbourne over the weekend of 10 to 12 October for this year’s Thought Matters conference. Eighteen delegates made the journey across the Tasman, including five who presented papers. Jules Badger was one of four first-time presenters and she offers some reflections on a significant weekend.
As someone who has spent the last decade uncoupling my identity from constantly doing, I knew I had a contribution to make to this year’s theme of ‘Theologies of Work, Rest and Play’. I was far from alone in my response, with the South Pacific Theological Forum (SPTF) selecting 14 papers for presentation.
Theology within reach
Major Sandy MacDonald, SPTF convenor, was excited to offer such an accessible topic.
‘“Work, rest and play” is not a topic that is theologically, biblically or academically restrictive in a way that puts it beyond the reach and interest of the everyday Salvationist,’ she explains. ‘There is scope to go deep or approach the topic from an unexpected angle, which we found in some of the papers presented. The theme also lends itself very well to lived experience, which was evident in programmed testimonies and interviews as well as woven into several papers.’
Presenters from this territory included Major Susan Goldsack, who offered an important paper titled ‘Living an Integrated Life’, which addressed the illusion of work–life balance. Dynamic duo Major Sue Hay and Lieutenant Tammy Mohi presented a very practical paper called, ‘A Māori Guide to Wellbeing: Harmonising Work, Rest and Play’ that unpacked Te Whiti Ra, a model that both women have found supports abundant life. Lavinia Cope (Mt Albert Corps) humbly presented a powerful paper that explored the harm of purity culture titled, ‘The Work of Becoming Visible: Rage, Rest and Reclamation’. My paper was titled, ‘Rest Assured’ and included a reframing of the question: ‘Have I worked hard enough to deserve rest?’ to the alternative ‘Have I rested enough to offer my most loving and meaningful work?’
Preparing and presenting a paper is no easy task, but I was reminded early in the process that the definition of theology in its simplest form is ‘thinking about God’. And that’s something we can all do regardless of education, qualification, culture, gender, age or rank. Having attended a previous conference, I was also very aware that I would be presenting to a group of supportive people eager to explore new ideas. A willingness to listen with curiosity to different perspectives, all while remaining respectful of others’ life experiences, is key to the culture and ethos of the Thought Matters community.
Art and culture
Papers from Australian presenters included ‘Sabbath: A Call to Rest and Rebellion’; ‘O Boundless Work, Deep Ocean of Stress’; ‘The Role of Fun in Youth Ministry’; ‘I Lay Down my Arms: A Feminist Reimagining of Rest and Resistance’; ‘Followers of the Way: Reclaiming Logos as the Pattern of Sacred Living’; ‘Revisiting Play and Games as Adults’; ‘Park Running Together: Theologies of Belonging and Authenticity’; ‘Recognition, Relaxation, Recreation, Rest, Recovery: A Testimony’; and finally, a poignant paper for our times with an ecological focus titled ‘Ironbark Cathedrals’.
‘Māori and Aboriginal Australian perspectives were included,’ affirms Sandy, ‘as well as a viewpoint from Papua New Guinea through our newest South Pacific Theological Forum member Major Flora Pala.’
A special feature of this year’s conference was the inclusion of an art exhibition, facilitated by ‘artist in residence’ Juanita McMillan. Delegates were able to admire and reflect on visual pieces created by Juanita and others, as well as engage in tactile ways with various woolcraft, weaving, painting and more. The conference also featured a beautiful prayer space where delegates could take a deep breath and reflect.
What now?
While my brain was thoroughly exercised and stretched by the end of the weekend, my spirit was nourished. I left with a lot to ponder and be thankful for. SPTF member Lt-Col Ian Gainsford offered a reflection during Sunday worship that helped draw the threads of the weekend together:
‘Work is good, but work in service of only itself, or obligation, or the possibility of worldly gain is futile. Thought may matter, but thought that remains only an idea, a principle, another weapon with which to oppress ourselves or those around us is wasted work. Thought that becomes the practices of inclusion and participation and generous love is thought that matters. What will we do because of what we have heard? What will we lay down? What will we laugh over, cry over, play with, rebel against, lean into and abandon to work, play and rest more authentically?’
