School of Discipleship 2009
Friday July 10 - Monday July 13, 2009 at Greenhills Conference Centre
Keynote Speaker - Deborah Storie
Most of us take our daily survival and safety for granted. We are rarely touched by the political, economic and cultural violence which many biblical communities of faith experienced. Daily bread, freedom from debt, and political safety were things Jesus’ disciples prayed for and often did not enjoy. Millions of people today dream of these things, too few people experience them.
Deborah lived in an Afghan village for several years. As she watched and learnt from her village neighbours, Deborah began to read the Bible differently. The boundaries between the Bible and the world began to blur, and the Bible came to life in unexpected, confronting ways. She discovered, almost by accident, ways of engaging the Bible, or being engaged by it, that help rich young rulers follow Jesus more responsibly.
If we dare apprentice ourselves to the poor, if we invite their stories and experiences to stretch our imaginations, we are drawn deeper into discipleship, deeper into life. Once we read the Bible and see the world as if through their eyes, following Jesus becomes an even bigger adventure. The Bible, the Living Word of the Living God, is Spirit-inspired. Its stories, poems and letters are not meant to defend us against the world, but to inspire us to participate with God in transforming the world God loves.
Deborah Storie studies and teaches theology, facilitates community development training and evaluations, and works as a vet at the RSPCA. She is Deputy Chair of TEAR Australia’s Board and a PhD candidate at Whitley College.