Rev Tanya Walker, Chris Barnett and Rev Duncan Macleod are part of the Faithful Futures Steering Committee.
The Faithful Futures Project is a collaboration across Victoria and Tasmania’s Synod, presbyteries and congregations to discern priorities, direct resources and ensure the Church is equipped for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The project is guided by five shared goals: Respecting Country, Coordinated Ministries, Intercultural Leadership, All-age Growth and New Communities of Faith. Each goal has a corresponding Goal Group that will help to shape the implementation of the goal through exploration, discussion and action.
Crosslight spoke with three members of the Faithful Futures Steering Committee to learn about their aspirations for the project.
Rev Tanya Walker hopes Faithful Futures will enhance connection to the wider vision and purpose of the whole Uniting Church.
REV TANYA WALKER
Tanya is the appointed member from the Presbytery of North East Victoria on the Steering Committee.
What are you enjoying about being part of the Faithful Futures Steering Committee?
I am enjoying getting together with people representing different parts of our Synod and presbyteries to be able to work together on the important parts of what makes up our diverse church.
What are you looking forward to with Goal Groups commencing?
I hope that we have some committed people who will be able to work on enacting this vision that has been stated. The Goal Groups will do the real work to enable our congregations to be able to be sustaining, transformative communities of worship, witness and service in their local context.
What do you believe is at stake if we don’t engage in Faithful Futures?
What is at stake for congregations if we don’t engage in Faithful Futures is that there will be a loss of connection to the wider vision and purpose of the whole Uniting Church. Congregations are local expressions of communities of faith, but to be connected to the whole body of the church means they can be supported, resourced and enabled to live out their ministry and mission in their local community.
What is Faithful Futures and what is it not?
Faithful Futures is a strategic direction of the Synod and presbyteries and therefore is a way of giving vision and hope to the whole church of a shared way forward into the future that is sustaining and transforming. Faithful Futures is not the whole answer. It is not the fix it all or the magic solution to all the challenges that may exist across the breadth of the church.
Finish this sentence: Faithful Futures is our way of …
… creating opportunities to move forward as a church who are a pilgrim people on the way to a promised goal.
“Faithful Futures is an attempt to align the councils of the Uniting Church around a coherent pathway toward a more faithful future,” says Chris Barnett.
CHRIS BARNETT
Chris is the appointed member from the Presbytery of Yarra Yarra on the Steering Committee.
What are you enjoying about being part of the Faithful Futures Steering Committee?
I’m enjoying the sense of collegiality, collaboration and shared excitement as we engage together.
What are you looking forward to with Goal Groups commencing?
I’m looking forward to more people being intentionally engaged and whole-heartedly committing to the Faithful Futures process.
What do you believe is at stake if we don’t engage in Faithful Futures?
If we don’t engage enthusiastically and creatively with Faithful Futures, we miss an opportunity to be part of a new and exciting future for the Uniting Church across Victoria and Tasmania.
What is Faithful Futures and what is it not?
Faithful Futures is an attempt to align the councils of the Uniting Church around a coherent pathway toward a more faithful future. It is not a panacea for all the challenges facing congregations, presbyteries and the Synod.
Finish this sentence: Faithful Futures is our way of …
… working toward flourishing ministry and mission that is lifegiving for all those serving and being served.
“Faithful Futures is about learning and leading together in the call of God for the Church,” says Rev Duncan Macleod.
REV DUNCAN MACLEOD
Duncan is on the Steering Committee as the eLM Executive Officer from the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
What are you enjoying about being part of the Faithful Futures Steering Committee?
I’m enjoying the opportunity to see connections between people who brought the Faithful Futures goals to the Synod meeting in 2025, and a new set of people who come with fresh eyes.
What are you looking forward to with Goal Groups commencing?
The development of strategy and implementation that grows out of on-the-ground experience.
What do you believe is at stake if we don’t engage in Faithful Futures?
Taking part in Faithful Futures at a local level increases our chances at encouraging innovation and learning, in small and large congregations.
What is Faithful Futures and what is it not?
Faithful Futures is about learning and leading together in the call of God for the Church. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach or a bid to maintain the institutions of the Church.
Finish this sentence: Faithful Futures is our way of …
… breathing life into the Uniting Church movement, listening and responding to the work of the Spirit of God.
You will meet other members of the Faithful Futures Steering Committee in future editions of Crosslight.
Visit the Faithful Futures website here
Expressions of Interest are now open for people interested in joining the Goal Groups for All-age Growth or New Communities of Faith. Read the Terms of Reference here and apply here
