🎙️ S3E14 — The Alf Stanway Lecture in Mission 2025Australian Churches and Intercultural Communities: At Arms-length or Embraced? Guest Speaker: Dr Enqi Weng & Revd Associate Professor Darrell Jackson Episode DescriptionAre Australian churches part of, set apart from, or a form of resistance to their cultural context? What does multiculturalism mean in Australian churches today, given global polarisation and rising ethno-nationalism? This public lecture engages with these pressing questions as contemporary churches face multiple challenges, including building disciples and communities amidst cultural diversity. Dr Enqi Weng will draw on her postdoctoral research findings to present key findings on the state of multiculturalism in Australia today to consider some of these opportunities and challenges. These findings are based on two Australian Research Council projects on which she worked as a Research Fellow, that examined social service provision to multicultural communities and how religiously and culturally diverse communities thrive across differences. Rev. Associate Professor Darrell Jackson will offer a missiological response, exploring how churches might reimagine their theological framing of, and pastoral engagement with, increasing cultural diversity. We aim for this lecture to be dialogical, so that we may collectively propose ways to live well together across differences. SpeakerDr Enqi Weng Dr Enqi Weng is a Teaching Fellow at the School of Communication and Creative Arts, and a Research Fellow at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University; and an Honorary Research Associate at Whitley College, University of Divinity. She has 12 years of research experience working on government- and industry-funded projects. Her research interest lies in intercultural relationships and communications, especially how discourses and narratives shape the way we perceive and relate to each other. Born in Singapore and prior to academia, she was a communications practitioner with experience in marketing communications, branding and stakeholder relations. She is the Managing Editor of the Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture, and was Vice President of the Australian Academic Association for the Study of Religion. More: www.enqiweng.com Revd Associate Professor Darrell Jackson Darrell has been the Principal of Whitley College, University of Divinity, since August 2024. Darrell grew up in the Isle of Man, came to faith there in 1972, and was baptised in 1979. He gained a BA at London School of Theology, was ordained as a Baptist pastor in 1989, and graduated with a Th.D. from the University of Birmingham in 2009. A former pastor, denominational leader, and missionary, he has been a full-time missiological educator since 2007, moving to Australia in 2012 to take up a role at Morling College. He has served on the Boards of various mission-related organisations including the Lausanne movement, the World Evangelical Alliance, and Missions Interlink. He is currently chair of the Baptist Doctrine and Christian Unity Commission of the Baptist World Alliance, and vice-chair of European Christian Mission International. His most recent publications include chapters on ‘Theology’ in Edinburgh University Press’s Companions to Global Christianity Series, Christianity in Oceania, and ‘Diaspora and the Redefinition of European Christianity in the Twenty-First Century’ in Entangling Web: The Fractious Story of Christianity in Europe (2024). 📥 Download the PowerPoint slidesYou can access the presentation slides here:[Download Slides] Ridley College x CMS Victoria The Alf Stanway Lecture in Mission is presented in partnership between Ridley College and CMS Victoria. Recognising long historical links and common gospel vision, Ridley College and CMS Victoria are committed to sharing resources and to working together to see a world that knows Jesus. Study With RidleyIf you are interested in finding out more about studying at Ridley College or have any questions regarding any courses or units, we invite you to contact us via this link: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/ Ridley Chapel PodcastBe sure to check out our Ridley Chapel Sermons Podcast through this link: https://ridleychapel.transistor.fm/ DonateThis podcast is made possible through the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. We welcome your partnership with us in our mission of equipping men and women for God’s mission in our rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. If you’d like to contribute to our work, you can donate by clicking this link if you wish to donate: https://www.ridley.edu.au/donate/ Connect with Ridley CollegeWebsite: https://www.ridley.edu.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collegeridleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridleycollegemelbourne/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollegeRidleyEnquire to Study: https://www.ridley.edu.au/study/
