Listening to the Household of God

At the same time, there was honesty about the strains on this household – the pressures already borne by communities across the Pacific. Leaders spoke of forced and climate-induced migration, the realities faced by seasonal workers, the growing impact of drug use within communities, the ongoing climate crisis, and the weight of the global economic situation. These are not abstract issues – they are lived daily within the life of the Church.

Yet even within these realities, the Pacific Church is marked by clarity and courage. These challenges were named without hesitation, but they were not met with despair. Instead, there was a deep commitment to staying together, to holding unity even in disagreement, and to listening for the Spirit.

This spirit of discernment is shaping what comes next. Leaders spoke of strengthening regional collaboration, deepening theological reflection, and preparing collectively for the 2027 PCC General Assembly. The Pacific Church is not waiting to be heard – it is already leading.

As I listened and shared with others, I found myself reflecting on our story in Australia. The voices of the Pacific resonated deeply with those of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, reminding us again that long before the Church arrived, God was already present in this land, revealing truth through culture, law, and story. This is not only something we affirm; it is something we are called to embody.

For this reason, the PCC is a gift to the Uniting Church in Australia. This is not a conversation at the margins; it speaks directly to who we are called to be. If we are serious about being an intercultural church – a church that truly shares life across cultures – we must also be a listening church. If we are serious about justice, we must be willing to be changed. This will require us to listen differently, to share power more honestly with one another, and to act with greater courage.

The question before us is clear: where are we in the life of the Pacific Church? Are we present – listening, learning and walking together – or standing at a distance?

This season, we are being called to be a Church that weaves – to take our place in God’s work of holding people, cultures, and communities together in love. The Pacific is already weaving. The question is not whether we agree – the question is whether we will move.

I invite the Uniting Church to respond, not only with words but also with presence, partnership and humility.

And I invite us to pray. Pray for the leadership of the Pacific Conference of Churches – for the General Secretary and all staff who carry out this work. Pray for wisdom, courage, and strength in complex and demanding contexts. Pray for those leading in places where the impacts of climate change are not theoretical but are lived each day. Pray that we, too, may be faithful partners in the work God is already doing across the Pacific.

The invitation before us is simple, but not easy: to listen deeply, to act courageously, and to walk more faithfully with our Pacific neighbours and with First Nations peoples here in Australia.

Because this will shape who we become – and who we are willing to become – as the Uniting Church in Australia.