Every follower of Jesus has a role to play in the building up of Christ’s Church.

This one-day conference is for everyone, whether you are currently a member of a team or just interested in exploring different areas of ministry. We’re delighted that Tim Johnson (from Ridley College Melbourne) and Jo Knight (from Anglican Overseas Aid) will also be joining us.

Program & Cost

The day will commence at 8.15AM with tea and coffee, followed by opening worship and our keynote. You can choose three electives from a total of twelve that aim to practically equip people. There is also opportunity to connect with others as we share morning tea and lunch (provided).

This event is ideal for leaders of parishes, those involved in specialist roles, or anyone who serves in the life of their local church. Everyone is welcome.

• Adults $40
• Concessions $30
• Youth (High School Aged): $10

Register soon to get the early bird discount (20%) - ends March 8! Registrations close Monday 16 March.

Electives

We have a range of electives to choose from (each is 65 minutes long) in four streams presented by a range of speakers. You can select electives from any stream but must choose one from each time slot. See below for more detailed descriptions of each elective.

Guest Speaker: The Rev'd Dr Tim Johnston

Tim brings a wealth of experience in pastoral ministry, theological education, and strategic leadership. He has served as Senior Minister at St John’s Anglican Church, Diamond Creek, since 2013, overseeing a vibrant multi-congregational parish and leading a diverse ministry team. Since 2021, he has also held the role of Archdeacon of the Yarra in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, where he has contributed significantly to diocesan leadership, mission strategy, and clergy development. In 2026 he has begun a new role at Ridley College as Lecturer in Preaching and Pastoral Theology and Dean of the Anglican Institute.

Tim will be leading an elective on "Exploring Vocational Ministry".

Elective Presenter & Author: Jo Knight

Jo is passionate about creative collaborations that lead to social change. As CEO of Anglican Overseas Aid, she draws on two decades of championing Christian responses to poverty and climate justice across the Australian and global Church, committed to advocacy that transforms both people and planet. Jo has been instrumental in forging the Church's response through global movements like Renew Our World and the Australian Micah coalition, where she continues to serve in governance. A lawyer by training, Jo built her foundation working with refugees and supporting people-powered responses to poverty. Jo lives in the inner north of Melbourne with her husband, Peter Carolane - a church planter leading Merri Creek Anglican - and their two boys.

Jo will also be launching her new book "Called to Care". There will be an opportunity to hear more about her book and purchase a copy.

Other elective presenters include:

• The Rev'd Adam Lowe: Adam has served as the Senior Minister of St Bart’s for over 12 years. His role focuses on: teaching, vision, and leadership. Adam is passionate about biblical preaching, growing leaders, serving the local church, making disciple-making disciples, and multiplying church-planting communities.
• ‍Amy Norman: Amy is the Director of Discipleship and Training at St Bart’s. Her role focuses on helping people to take a next step in following Jesus, especially through our newcomer and discipleship pathways. She’s passionate about equipping people for all of their frontlines.
• Bettrys Lowe: Bettrys is Director of Children, Youth, and Families at St Bart's. Her role focuses on curriculum development (0-18 years), leading SBK, reaching families, and being part of the Chapel team at TAS. Bettrys is a qualified teacher and loves finding creative ways to help children know and love Jesus.
• Hannah Le Dilly: Hannah is the Early Childhood Coordinator here at St Bart’s. Hannah is married to Matt with their two beautiful children. Hannah has a passion for little people to know Jesus and will often be seen on a Sunday morning surrounded by the youngest members of the congregation.
• Scott Adamson: Scott is the Director of Digital Ministry with Power to Change, and has spent the majority of his working life pointing young people to Jesus. Scott is a member of St Bart's, and serves as part of the CHARGE Youth team, pointing teenagers to Jesus each Friday night.
• John & Anne Strachan: John & Anne have a very active retirement, spending much of their time pointing people to Jesus in Aged Care through pastoral visiting and leading services. For many years, they have been serving the people of Symes Thorpe.
• Jacqueline Wang: Jacqueline has been volunteering for many years in cross cultural ministry (particularly in a University context), and has a heart for those who come from different cultures to hear the gospel. Jacqueline grew up in Shanghai and moved to Australia for university.

What you can expect for each Elective

Session 1 (choose between):

• Reaching People: How to Connect with People from Other Cultures with Jacqueline Wang. Practical skills to connect with people from other cultures.
• Nurturing Community: How to Welcome & Connect with New People with Amy Norman. Practical skills in welcoming people, and connecting people beyond a first visit.
• Connecting Generations: Teaching the Bible to Children and Youth with Bettrys Lowe. Practical skills in teaching the Bible to groups of children and youth, primarily in the context of a church or group setting.
• Serving the Lord: Called to Care: Planning for Purposeful Living with Jo Knight (Anglican Overseas Aid). Ready to turn your convictions around caring for people and planet into daily action? This hands-on session will help you identify where God is calling you to make changes in your everyday life, set achievable milestones, and build the support network you need to sustain meaningful change.

Session 2 (choose between):

• Reaching People: Pointing People to Jesus in Aged Care with Anne & John Strachan. Identify opportunities and develop practical skills in pointing people to Jesus in aged care.
• Nurturing Community: How to Develop Lay Leaders in the Local Church with Adam Lowe. Identify where to begin in developing lay leaders, your next step, and be equipped with practical tools (e.g., leadership.local).
• Connecting Generations: Why Early Childhood ministry is not Babysitting with Hannah LeDilly. Vision for early childhood ministry, and be equipped with practical ministry skills for the youngest disciples.
• Serving the Lord: Exploring Vocational Ministry with Tim Johnson (Ridley College). Come along to get a clearer picture of what is vocational ministry and identify your next step.

Session 3 (choose between):

• Reaching People: Gen Z & Jesus - Bridging the Gap with Scott Adamson (Power to Change). Equip yourself to share the Gospel authentically with the next generation. Join us to reach young adults' hearts for Christ!
• Nurturing Community: Rhythms that Help People Engage in the Local Church with Adam Lowe. Overview of five gospel-shaped rhythms, and how they can be used to intentionally nurture and connect people into the life of the local church.
• Connecting Generations: How to Start or Multiply a Small Group with Amy Norman. Practical steps on how to begin a new small group, or multiply your current small group.
• Serving the Lord: Called to Care - Planning for Change in our World with Jo Knight (Anglican Overseas Aid). Feeling called to change systems and respond to a climate challenge, but unsure where to start? This practical workshop will help you identify a vision for change, break down the problems, and create concrete action steps to make a real difference in your community and beyond.

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