A Handbook of Cross-Cultural Ministry, by Philip Hughes and Sharon Bond

ISBN: 0-85910-990-9.

From the very beginning of the church, cross-cultural ministry has been part of its charter. With the great flow of people into Australia from all over the world – every second person in Australia is either a first- or second-generation immigrant – the challenge of ministering cross-culturally is on the doorsteps of many Australian congregations.

A Handbook for Cross-Cultural Ministry explores how to raise awareness of cross-cultural ministry. It examines how people from different cultural backgrounds may be fully included in church life, appreciate that cultural diversity can enrich the whole community. It suggests how support may be given to faith communities of people from different cultural backgrounds.

Far from taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach, A Handbook for Cross-Cultural Ministry describes the emergence of several patterns, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. The book reflects on the current status of cross-cultural ministry within our churches and the role of such ministry in the context of the changing nature of Australian society.

This book shares ideas and stories that emerge from a survey of more than 300 local church leaders and interviews with ministry coordinators in eight denominations. Each section contains questions to facilitate discussion about cross-cultural ministry by church leadership teams. We believe this book will inspire churches to think through the potential for cross-cultural ministry and provide leaders with some ideas, practical possibilities and insights.

The book was written by Philip Hughes and Sharon Bond, and commissioned by the Victorian Council of Churches.

Associate Members (Individuals)

Associate Members receive Pointers: the Quarterly Bulletin of the Christian Research Association, plus occasional papers, books, CDs and all other publications of the CRA.

Associate Members (Organisations)

Associate Members receive Pointers: the Quarterly Bulletin of the Christian Research Association, plus all occasional papers, books and CDs which the Christian Research Association produces.

Australia’s Religious Communities (3rd Edition)

Just fully revised, including data from 2009 and 2010.

This superb encyclopaedia of Australian religion contains detailed materials on the history, beliefs and practices, and organisation on each of the major religious groups in Australia. It also contains detailed up-to-date statistics, biographies of significant people, references and pop-up glossaries.  Videos show worship in most of these groups.

Less detailed materials are available for every small religious group. In all, this CD-Rom covers about 174 religious groups in Australia.

The CD also contains extensive materials about other aspects of religion. It looks at the history of religion of religion in Australia overall, religious dialogue, immigration, ethics and the impact of religion on values.

The CD has extensive hperlinks to allow students to follow themes as well as an internal fast search-engine.

It is full of colour photos and graphic elements.

It runs in a web-browser and functions on PCs, Mac and Linux computers. Site licences are available from the CRA for schools, libraries and wherever multiple copies are needed.

Building Stronger Communities, by Philip Hughes, Alan Black, Peter Kaldor, John Bellamy and Keith Castle.

ISBN: 978-08684-0-814-9.

This is a practical book that looks at ways Australian communities can be made stronger. Written in an accessible style for a wide audience, it offers useful principles and pointers for students, community workers, community leaders, policy makers and ordinary citizens.

The book is underpinned by recent Australian research, including two major surveys, as well as the authors’ many years of experience working with different types of communities in a variety of settings, including directly with community groups and social agencies as well as in academia. It is distinguished from comparable volumes by its extensive consideration of communities of interest and not just communities based on locality.

Christian Faith and the Economy in a Globalised World, by Philip Hughes

ISBN: 978-1-875223-70-1

With increasing debt levels, ageing populations, climate change and deepening divisions between rich and poor, the world is staggering economically. Some Christian bodies have called for profound economic changes for the flourishing of human life in a more equitable and sustainable world. However, survey data shows that, while Christians have a compassion for the poor, many find it difficult to know how to apply the principles of the Christian faith to economic matters.

In summarising some of the viewpoints, this paper aims to promote consideration of these issues, as human beings seek new, just and sustainable ways of living in a globalised world.

Exploring What Australians Value, by Philip Hughes and Sharon Bond, with John Bellamy and Alan Black

ISBN: 0-85910-975-5

This research paper draws on data from the Australian Community Survey. The research used a value instrument based on the work of Salom Schwartz’ revision of Milton Rokeach pioneering work in the sociology of values.

It finds that the most strongly affirmed values among Australians are ‘a world at peace’, ‘honesty’, ‘true friendship’ and ‘equality’. The results demonstrate that the overriding concern among Australians is for the depth and authenticity of their relationships.

Research identifies four major value orientatiions. There are those for whom order is the predominant concern, as seen in their affirmation of the importance of national security, politeness and cleanliness. For others, the dominant pattern revolves around the social environment: equality, freedom, social justice, broadmindedness and helpfulness. A third orientation revolves around self-enhancement: excitement, enjoyment, wealth and success. The fourth group emphasise spiritual values and the importance of a spiritual life.

The paper identifies how values vary across the different sectors of society and gives some valuable insights into the origins and consequences of value orientations.

Managing Religious Diversity: From Threat to Promise (edited by Gary Bouma)

ISBN: 0-908083-20-3

Managing Religious Diversity is a collection of essays edited by Prof. Gary Bouma. One group of papers looks at the issues of religious diversity in social theory and philosophy. Another group considers how the management of diversity is occuring in specific cases. A third group explores practical research into religious diversity in society, school and university.

Authors of the papers include many notable scholars of religion in Australia including:

• Max Charlesworth
• Paul Rule
• Rowan Ireland
• Adam Possamai
• Philip Hughes
• Alan Black
• Kath Engebretson.

Many Religions, All Australian: Religious Settlement, Identity and Cultural Diversity, edited by Gary Bouma.

ISBN: 1-875223-14-2

Quietly, with comparatively little drama, a large number of very different religious groups came and settled in Australia, becoming part of the landscape, part of Australian life and society. As these groups have settled in they have come to be accepted such that now Australian society can be described as having many religions, all Australian. Hence the title, Many Religions, All Australian.

We know something of the process through which individual immigrants come to be Australians, but how do religions become Australian? This question is addressed by the concept of religious settlement as developed in this book. Not only does Australia have many religions, but these religions have become or are becoming Australian.

One of the unintended consequences of post-war immigration to Australia has been a dramatic alteration in the religious profile of this society as several religious groups have settled in substantial numbers. Part of becoming multicultural has involved becoming religiously plural. Coping with, adjusting to and finally celebrating this religious diversity has involved a great deal of quiet effort on the part of many Australians in religious organisations, in social agencies and governmental departments. The result has been a peaceful transition from a time in which one religious group dominated the religious culture of Australia to a time in which power, legitimacy and influence are shared among a wide variety of Christian and other religious groups. In this process religious groups have come to see themselves as part of Australia, indeed as Australian.

Australia is a success story of religious settlement involving highly diverse religious groups. Other nations have been less successful in achieving as peaceable, productive and cooperative a religious environment. This is not because Australia has become increasingly secular, because in many ways religion is more important, more on the agenda now than before. Reasons for this successful transition include the Australian institution of giving others a ‘fair go’, Australian experiences in the 19th century with religious sectarianism, 20th century ecumenism, the Australian pattern of funding primary and secondary education, and a history of resolving conflict by reference to courts of law. The framework provided by Australia’s civic values of tolerance, equality, and freedom of speech and religion together with the structures of constitutional parliamentary democracy and the rule of law have worked together to enable this transition.

The newly emergent religious diversity in Australia presents challenges including justice and equity issues related to religion-based harassment, and discrimination. A cautionary note is sounded regarding the excesses of some religious groups. The book concludes with a set of recommendations from the team of contributors. While Australia is well on its way to a productive and cooperative religiously plural society, more effort and continued watchfulness is required to ensure that this trend continues and is not wound back by misguided majoritarianism.

Many Religions, All Australian is published by the Christian Research Association assisted by a grant from Monash University. It is the result of a research project conducted by the World Conference on Religion and Peace supported by a grant from the Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research.

Models of Leadership and Organisation in Anglican Churches in Rural Australia, by Philip Hughes and Audra Kunciunas.

ISBN: 978-1-875223-68-8

This research paper focusses on some quite different models operating in various dioceses, including:

• Ecumenical cooperation
• Enabler supported ministry
• Full-time stipended priest or minister
• Large area team ministry operating over multiple parishes
• Ministry leadership team.

Five case-studies seek to capture the stories of individual churches and examine at depth the factors operating in each situation. At the heart of the study is the question: what are the preferred options in rural situations where the resources are few and the numbers of people small?