The 2016 Press Service International young writers' conference in Sydney saw young people come from across Australia, New Zealand and other international locations.
Andrew Sinclair opened on ways we stay 'connected' to Jesus, the true vine; the program's focus developed this with young writer's 'connecting' perspectives in writing goals.
John Sandeman, editor of Eternity and a 25 year veteran of the Sydney Morning Herald, addressed the nuance of the audience and acquiring skills to broaden readership. Filmmaker Charis Joy Jackson encouraged the writers to make 'connections' through storytelling, and Auckland's Tash McGill challenged on the art of robust critique.
During the 'One Afternoon in Sydney' additional mission and media people joined the group to hear from Josh Reid on influencing the culture, artist Justin Monaghan on prophetic creativity, followed by a 90 minute panel discussion featuring Tash, Josh, Justin and Charis, joined by Thomas Devenish—a television motion creator. There was insightful panel and audience participation.
Not the end – rather the start
The end of the conference found the young writers with so much inspiration and reference that their hearts are brimming with excellence.
Rosie Timmins from Melbourne handled the scribe task (as did Rosie at the 'One Day in Melbourne' event). Rosie was able to get the presentations from most of the speakers before the conference and then topped it up on the day.
Likewise, Bridget Brenton was on top of the video production having filmed much of the conference and editing it down to a one minute punchy outcome.
Sophia Sinclair, Sam Gillespie and Russell Modlin put the 2016 conference together and were overwhelmed with the response. The venue was superb—Salvation Army's Stanmore House—the facilities and food ideal and the staff so very accommodating.
Program Summary
Andrew Sinclair's emphasis on 'connection'—highlighting dryness as a lack of connection or being out of touch with Jesus—which is harder to see than being out of touch with culture.
In John 15 Jesus speaks to his disciples about being connected with him. God's family is connected to the vine, where there is life and fruitfulness. Outside is dryness. The young writers were encouraged to consider that dryness can come from a reliance on things outside of him—worldly possessions or worldly success. Friendship cannot thrive without time spent together. Therefore an investment in our relationship with Jesus –connection—and on this theme the other speakers built.
Summary of main workshops
Each session proved to be a highlight with luminaries such as John Sandeman – who challenged the young writers to think up their own avatar: i.e. describe the audience that you are targeting your articles.
John Sandeman pointed to a Created Avatar example:
Young professional, struggling to make valuable time for their relationship with the Lord. Have a strong church-going background, but attendance has recently fallen away. Reformed theology. Large internet/social media consumer. Most of their news is gathered through social media. Do not consume large amounts of traditional media. John Sandeman's presentation, as too the other speakers, will be published later but it illustrates a taste of what was to come for these young writers.
Tash McGill was summed up by one of the young writers who wrote: Tash talked about pride and ego, about how if we really need to be "right" we will argue our point with anyone who critiques us and we won't learn. If our ego is invested in our writing we will struggle. We need to remove our ego from the audience response. Some people will love what we say, some will hate it. We can't control their response. The hour presentation went so quickly, and lastly, if we are still uncomfortable with criticism or critique –call it feedback instead.
Charis Jackson, filmmaker, inspired with one comment as follows: Awaken other people's imaginations. Taking ordinary objects and finding a sense of wonder in that. Looking at the mediocrity of our own lives and finding what is wonderful about them. Stir the soul of others. Get people excited about life; find how to invoke wonder in others, helping them to step out their door and to live life to the fullest. Challenge yourself to always step outside of your comfort zone, to push yourself further and to live more fully.
Justin Monaghan, artist, utilised the big screen to illustrate and noted how we need to take back the creative spaces which are filled with fallen man and death and bring God and his love and wonder in. His art work was inspiring and told many stories how when viewing it, people responded and initiated conversations which led to somewhere for them totally unexpected.
Josh Reid, corporate media identity, focused on culture with one young writer summarising part of his presentation:
There were 5 typologies of how the Church has interacted with culture:
1. Christ against culture—complete separation from the world's culture.
2. Christ of culture—relevance to culture of today sought, often ends with compromise of values and beliefs to fit into culture.
3. Christ above culture—in a dictatorial sort of way, the Church in charge of books, movies, government etc. Ends in Spanish inquisition.
4. Christ and culture in paradox—the world is so sinful it's beyond redemption, a complete split of secular and sacred with no cross over.
5. Christ transforming culture—wooing culture into choosing Jesus, invitation not coercion.
As the young writer observed: 'obviously the fifth one seems right but we still fall into the trap of thinking it is us (Christians or the Church) doing the wooing, trying to "trick" people into wanting God. We need to remember we do no transforming, that Jesus is the transformer and it's not our job to fight culture.
'One Afternoon in Sydney'
After lunch the 'One Afternoon in Sydney' event combined with the young writers, including a panel. This article is featured on today's Christian News on the home page. One Afternoon in Sydney was hosted by Rev. Bob Thomas, Editor New Life; John Sandeman, Editor of Eternity; and Dr Mark Tronson, Christian Today daily columnist.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html