Queensland gathers for its 39th Synod meeting
October 26, 2026
How can the Uniting Church embrace renewal, strengthen local ministry and empower the next generations of leaders? These questions shaped three days of worship, conversation and discernment at the 39th Queensland Synod held last weekend.
Gathering under the theme ‘Renewal: Praying Without Ceasing’, members from across Queensland explored the challenges and opportunities facing the Church, guided by daily reflections on listening, perceiving and abiding in prayer.
Moderator Rev Bruce Moore set the tone, reminding members that their shared task was to “listen deeply and prayerfully and discern God’s will together”.
Among the key issues were proposals to restructure Queensland’s seven presbyteries into three and strengthen the resources available to support them. Both proposals sought to build capacity to better support congregations, faith communities and ministry leaders.
Through Yarning Circles, members discussed the proposals, raising questions about regional support, local ministry relationships, governance and accountability. Conversations also acknowledged the uncertainty that can accompany structural change and the importance of ensuring members understood what was being proposed.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in ministry and mission was another focus. Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) representatives Austin Mann and Josh Lane presented a proposal for a diverse task group to develop guidance for the Church’s use of AI.
Members welcomed the opportunity to consider how the rapidly evolving technology might be used responsibly, while raising concerns about cultural responsibility, environmental impacts, intellectual property and integrity. They also highlighted the importance of building on existing work within the Uniting Church and its ecumenical partners.
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The future of the Church was also explored through a panel discussion hosted by Amelia Guyatt, featuring Mitch Guyatt, Rach Hanson, TJ Scanlan and Lachlan Whybird-Capern.
The conversation challenged members to think beyond simply welcoming young people into church, towards intentionally forming, including and empowering them in its life and leadership.
The 2026 Young Community Leader Awards recognised the contributions of Austin Mann and Lysani Palley. Members also heard the Younger Generations Report, reflecting on how listening to younger people could translate into practical changes in discipleship, mentoring, leadership pathways and congregational life.
Prayer and spiritual renewal remained central to the gathering, with Rev Toby Thomas delivering the Norman and Mary Millar Lecture, ‘Learning to See Again: Prayer, Presence, and Renewal of the Church’. His address invited members to reflect on how prayer could shape the life and renewal of the Church.
Drawing on his church revitalisation experiences in London and Australia, Rev Thomas encouraged congregations to recognise what God was already doing in their communities. He highlighted curiosity, courage and compassion as essential to mission, urging churches to look beyond programs and growth strategies to listen to local communities, recognise people’s gifts and make their traditions more accessible.
He also emphasised the importance of honest self-reflection, reconciliation and collaboration in supporting meaningful renewal.
The Synod later heard reports from presbyteries, church agencies and Uniting Church Assembly leaders, covering formation and community services to ministry with First Peoples.
As members considered the way forward, discussions recognised that renewal could bring both new possibilities and a sense of loss. Embracing change would require careful discernment, openness to new approaches and a willingness to let go of familiar ways of working.
The gathering concluded with a night of prayer featuring youth voices, bringing members back to the spiritual foundations of their shared work.
Across the three days, prayer provided more than a theme for the Synod. It offered a way to approach difficult questions, listen to different perspectives and discern how the Church might faithfully serve its communities in the years ahead.
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