Thought Matters a gathering ‘all Christians’ would benefit from
- kirranicolle
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
The 2025 Thought Matters Conference was a “beautiful weaving together” of the three key themes of work, play and rest, according to the conference organiser.
The event, which this year was held at Eva Burrows College in Ringwood, Melbourne, attracted long-term attendees as well as several attendees who had never been to the conference before. About 70 people attended, with more joining online via Zoom.
Auxiliary-Lieutenant Renata Davies, Corps Officer at Rockdale (NSW), said she was first drawn by the graphics advertising this year’s event and was sold when she realised that the theme would be ‘work, play and rest’.
“My co-leader, Matt Cairns, has told me every year that I would enjoy Thought Matters, and I always hesitated, because it sounded like something that would go right over my head,” she said. “However, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from authentic people who write and present in a way that I understand! I will definitely be going back!
“I believe all Salvationists (and actually, all Christians) would benefit greatly from the many and unique ‘thoughts’ presented at Thought Matters. There is a curiosity to questions, a longing to learn and see from another perspective, and an unspoken agreement to be quick to listen deeply with a truly open mind and heart. This is all with the purpose of knowing and being immersed in God more and more, and sharing the light and love of Jesus with all.”
Conference organiser Major Sandy MacDonald said the conference featured Aboriginal Australian and Māori perspectives as well as a voice from Papua New Guinea through the newest South Pacific Theological Forum member, Major Flora Pala.
She said the idea of work, rest and play had been “bubbling under the surface” as a potential conference theme for a couple of years, and what was exciting to her about the topic was that it was not a strictly academic, theological or Biblical topic, and it readily applied to everyone.
“I believe all Salvationists (and actually, all Christians) would benefit greatly from the many and unique ‘thoughts’ presented at Thought Matters.”
“It is quite difficult to speak about one element of work, play, or rest without reference to at least one of the other two, especially when approaching them in a healthy or holistic way,” Sandy said. “There was a beautiful weaving together of the theme’s components throughout the various papers presented, and they were not pitted against each other in binary ways.
“A particular personal highlight for me was the amazing art exhibition that allowed us to consider the theme in visual and tactile ways, particularly the weaving that represented the seven days of creation. It’s also a joy to see and hear people from such a variety of backgrounds, qualifications and level of engagement with TSA creating a community of thinkers.
“We were all challenged to think more holistically about the way we embody work, play, and rest in our own lives as well as how these are evident in the character and activity of God. For me, whenever I now encounter the concept of work, play, or rest in a song (or even Scripture!), I play around with substituting the other two words to see how that impacts my thinking.”
Sandra said her hope moving forward was that there would be first-time presenters and attendees at Thought Matters each year alongside seasoned academics and committed attendees, and that the conference would continue to draw in broader cultural perspectives.
“The excitement that comes with first-time-attendees and second-time-returnees brings energy and joy,” Sandra said. “Sometimes it can be hard for people to realise just how meaningful Thought Matters can be for them personally or for their ministry until they’ve experienced it for the first time, especially when there are so many other events to choose from. Yes, it is a bit of a niche community but it’s incredibly valid within TSA to provide space where people can explore and think deeply about theological ideas, not restricting this kind of activity to the academics or professionals.”
Other attendees reported back after the conference that it was “so good to be connected to theological thinking and practice in our part of the world” and that they really appreciated “this space to be with others who are keen to think critically and allow our God-given minds to help us shape a more elective, Jesus-following life, church and movement”.
Another attendee said, “I need to continue to question assumptions I make. God has made us whole beings and delights when we delight – play and rest are not optional, nor frivolous, but just as important as any mission works”.
The South Pacific Theological Forum is looking into ways to share papers and recordings from the conference in new ways over the coming year, culminating in the publication of the journal of conference proceedings. Edition 11 of the Thought Matters Journal, arising out of the 2024 Conference (To serve the present age: Ekklesia for the 21st Century) is now available. Copies may be borrowed from Eva Burrows College library, where the full back catalogue is also available.
