Marking 40 years of being a Multicultural Church
Four decades after declaring itself a Multicultural Church, members of the Uniting Church gathered to celebrate, reflect and reimagine
June 26, 2025
On 15 June 1985, a Spirit-led declaration was made at the Uniting Church in Australia’s 4th National Assembly: “The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church”.
These seven words have become far more than a statement in the decades that have followed. They have become a vision, a calling and a commitment that has shaped the Church’s identity.
Two weeks ago, the Church came together once more to honour that vision and reimagine its future. To mark the 40th anniversary of the declaration, a three-day theological consultation was held in Sydney’s west, on the lands of the Burramattagal people of the Dharug nation. Hosted collaboratively by the Assembly, the NSW/ACT Synod Intercultural Ministry and the United Theological College, the gathering brought together more than 80 participants in person, along with many others online across Australia and the world.
The theme of the first day, ‘Being a Multicultural Church: 40 years on’ set the tone for deep reflection. In her opening address and devotion, UCA President Rev Charissa Suli grounded her message in the Pentecost story from Acts 2, highlighting the radical truth that God’s Spirit speaks through all cultures and languages. “Multiculturalism in the Church is not a strategy,” she said, “It’s a Spirit-filled reality of the Kingdom”.
Rev Suli shared her own story, encountering the declaration as a young Pacific woman in 2007. The words “You belong here” not only affirmed her identity but also inspired her ministry. She reminded the gathering that the 1985 declaration was more than policy – it was a prophetic act of faith affirming that diversity is central to the Body of Christ. But she also acknowledged the painful truth: inclusion has not always been lived out. “Some have been welcomed but not truly included,” she shared. “Some have served, but never been invited to lead.”
“Let us be the mat – the fala – woven together with love, grace and care. The Spirit has not finished with us yet.”
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Her challenge was clear: the Church must now move from being merely multicultural in description to becoming intercultural in practice.
“Let us be the mat – the fala* – woven together with love, grace and care,” she urged. “The Spirit has not finished with us yet.”
Throughout the day, voices of those who witnessed the original declaration and those continuing the journey offered reflections. Rev Dr John Brown, who drafted the 1985 statement, spoke alongside Seongja Crowe, the first National Director of Multicultural Ministries, and international guest The Right Rev Dr Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of the United Church of Canada. In total, 25 presenters shared insights from across generations and cultures.
In his keynote address, President-elect Rev Dr Paul Goh honoured the pioneers who helped form a theological foundation where cultural and linguistic diversity is celebrated as a divine gift. He celebrated the Church’s growth – more than 200 culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) congregations worshipping in over 40 languages, 14 National Conferences, expanded cross-cultural training and increasingly diverse leadership. “We are no longer just dreaming,” he said, “We are living parts of the vision”.
Yet Rev Dr Goh was clear about the work still ahead. We remain a Church predominantly filled with Australian-born members of British descent, lagging behind other areas of society in reflecting Australia’s rich cultural diversity.
Rev Dr Goh proposed that we declare a “Decade of Intercultural Transformation” from 2026 to 2035. “This transformation must be deeply rooted in a robust theological foundation and imagination, and guided by the principles of inclusion, mutual reciprocity, interculturality, just hospitality, and partnership.”
He added that this bold vision invites the Church to deepen its covenant with First Peoples and seek a more inclusive, reconciled community.
The second day shifted to theological reflection on the current direction of the Church, particularly the NSW/ACT Synod’s sixth direction: ‘Living Cross-Culturally as a Multicultural, Intercultural Church’.
Four academic and practitioner papers were presented, exploring this direction through biblical, theological, historical, and practical lenses. Through conversation and challenge, participants explored how living cross-culturally must become more than theory – it must shape the Church’s daily life, leadership, worship, and mission.
The final day focused on the theme ‘Being a Multicultural Church: 40 Years On and Beyond!’ Six papers were presented by voices from across the country, delving into themes like intercultural theology and education, second-generation youth, anti-racism, and reconciliation. A common thread emerged – transformation must involve intentional structures, deep listening and power-sharing with both CALD communities and First Peoples.
As the consultation closed, participants left with renewed purpose. The Spirit continues to call the Uniting Church to be a community where all are woven together in Christ’s love, justice and the hope of God’s Kingdom – diverse, yet united.
* A fala in Tongan refers to a woven mat diverse in texture and colour. The fala signifies family, grounding and safety.
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