What’s a good Baptist like you doing in the Uniting Church?

Graham Joseph Hill – has been a leader among Aussie Baptists, being a former Vice Principal of Morling College – the Baptist Theological College with campuses Sydney and Perth. But now he has taken up a challenge to serve in the Uniting Church. The Other Cheek thought of some good questions to ask.

1) What is a good Baptist like you – you have held very senior positions, including at Morling College – doing in. The United Church?

Reflecting on my journey from a senior Baptist leader to my current engagement within the Uniting Church of Australia (UCA), I am moved by the profound theological and missional congruences that resonate with my spiritual convictions and ministerial aspirations. My decision to work within the UCA was not made lightly but was the culmination of prayerful consideration of where I could best serve the body of Christ in its breadth and diversity.

Central to my transition was the UCA’s Basis of Union, which I’ll refer to in this conversation. I was drawn to its emphasis on being “Built upon the one Lord Jesus Christ,” where Christ’s sovereignty in ruling and renewing the church is unequivocally affirmed. This foundational belief in Christ as the cornerstone is a shared conviction between my Baptist heritage and the UCA, encouraging a collective reliance on the biblical witness to inform our faith and practice. The Basis of Union’s commitment to “The Biblical witnesses,” “Creeds,” and “Reformation witnesses” underscores a robust theological framework that is biblically and historically grounded and ecumenically oriented, offering a broad canopy under which diverse Christian traditions can converge and dialogue.

The ecumenical and interdenominational spirit of the UCA, particularly highlighted in the section “Of the whole church,” profoundly influenced my decision to join its ranks. This commitment to unity within the body of Christ, transcending denominational divides, is a testament to the UCA’s vision of a church that reflects the multifaceted nature of God’s kingdom. It speaks to a desire for doctrinal engagement and mutual learning and a lived expression of unity in diversity, which I deeply resonate with.

Moreover, the UCA’s engagement with scholarship, culture, and interdisciplinary learning, as outlined in the section on “Scholarly interpreters,” aligns with my conviction that the church must be conversant with and relevant to the world it seeks to serve. This commitment to intellectual rigor and cultural engagement ensures that our faith is not a relic of the past but a living, breathing testimony to Christ’s lordship in every sphere of life.

The UCA’s emphasis on releasing the whole body of Christ into ministry, particularly through its acknowledgment of diverse “Gifts and ministries,” including “Ministers, elders, deaconesses, and lay preachers,” also drew me in. This vision of ministry aligns with my belief in the priesthood of all believers, where every Christian is called to participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. It affirms that ministry is not confined to a select few but is the collective responsibility and privilege of the entire church.

The notion of being “pilgrims on the way,” as the UCA describes its understanding of the Christian journey, resonates with my own sense of calling. It encapsulates the dynamic and provisional nature of our faith journey, always pressing forward, ever reforming and adapting in response to God’s leading.

The Future Directions of the UCA, with its vision for engaging rural and regional areas, empowering young people, walking together with First Peoples, embracing multiculturalism, advocating for climate justice, and stimulating congregational growth, are thrilling. These directions align with my passions and represent the forward-thinking, mission-driven initiatives crucial for the church’s relevance and impact in today’s world.

My choice to work within the Uniting Church of Australia reflects my commitment to a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, ecumenically minded, culturally engaged, and missionally active expression of the Christian faith. In this vibrant and diverse community, I find a compelling vision for what it means to be the church in the world today. 

Do I agree with everything in the Uniting Church? No. But that was also the case when I was a part of the Baptist Churches of Australia. If I agreed with everything in either tradition, there’d be something wrong with my ability to think critically, biblically, theologically, historically, and self-reflectively. Thankfully, neither the Uniting Church nor the Baptist Churches required me to agree with every belief and practice within those Christian traditions.

Will I stay within the Uniting Church for the rest of my ministry? I cannot know. I’m dedicated to keeping in step with the Spirit and following Jesus Christ wherever he may lead me. God may keep me within the Uniting Church or may lead me elsewhere. My role is to be faithful to Jesus Christ and follow where he leads.

2) Your Title, “Mission Catalyst for Church Planting and Missional Renewal” sounds as though you are meant to make things happen. What’s going on?

The vision of a blended ecology within the Uniting Church in Australia deeply excites me, for it embodies a dynamic and holistic approach to being church in today’s world. This framework, aimed at fostering missional innovation and church planting, champions a cooperative spirit across the diverse councils of the church, emphasizing the creation of Faith Communities, New Congregations, and Parish Missions. This vision resonates with my convictions and inspires me with its potential for facilitating the church’s engagement in God’s mission of reconciliation and renewal.

The rationale behind this proposal is profoundly theological, rooted in the understanding that the church exists by God’s initiative and is called to participate in God’s mission. This understanding calls us to humility and reliance on the Holy Spirit, reminding us that our endeavors in missional innovation and church planting are ultimately directed toward serving God’s purpose for the whole creation. This grounding in the mission of God makes the vision of a blended ecology not just a strategy but a theological imperative.

What thrills me most about the blended ecology is its commitment to celebrating and supporting diverse expressions of Christian community. From Faith Communities that could range from Fresh Expressions and House churches to Missional communities, this vision encourages creativity and experimentation that is essential for the church to respond effectively to the changing landscape of our society. It acknowledges the Spirit-led nature of our pilgrim journey, urging us to embrace innovative forms of worship, witness, and service.

The proposal to develop Strategic New Congregations through a team-based cohort approach is particularly exciting. It signals a bold step towards cultivating a church-planting culture within the Synod, leveraging collective wisdom and shared resources to establish vibrant new faith communities. This approach aims to catalyze a significant cultural shift within the church and offers a practical pathway for developing the church’s capacity in areas where we have traditionally struggled.

Furthermore, including Parish Missions in this framework highlights a commitment to nurturing the unique gifts these missions bring to the church’s ministry and mission. It opens up opportunities for intentional collaboration and partnership, aiming to form new communities of Christian disciples who join with Jesus Christ as his gospel and Spirit transform the world.

At its heart, the blended ecology vision invites the whole church to engage in a journey of learning, experimentation, and faithful witness. It challenges us to think beyond traditional church models and imagine what it means to be a community of believers in this complex and ever-changing world. This vision not only aligns with my hopes for the church’s future but also fills me with a sense of anticipation and excitement for what we, as the Uniting Church in Australia, can achieve together as we seek to live into being the church in a way that faithfully serves God’s mission of reconciliation and renewal.

3) You told FB you love your job. What do you love, and what is challenging?

As the Mission Catalyst for Church Planting and Missional Renewal within the Uniting Church Synod of NSW & ACT, Australia, the vision for planting and establishing at least five new strategic congregations by 2030 within a blended ecology resonates deeply with my calling and ministry. That’s five new strategic congregations plus many micro churches and Fresh Expressions. This bold initiative is not just an exciting opportunity for growth and renewal; it’s a profound responsibility that aligns with my passion for fostering vibrant, inclusive, and service-oriented communities embodying the gospel’s essence in action.

This vision excites me because it captures what it means to be church today: dynamic, adaptive, and deeply engaged with the communities we serve. The emphasis on creating a harmonious union of Faith Communities, New Congregations, and Parish Missions within a blended ecology speaks to a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of faith expression and community needs in our contemporary society.

My role as a Mission Catalyst involves facilitating and enabling this vision by drawing together diverse talents, resources, and spiritual gifts to foster these new church plants. It’s about nurturing an environment where traditional practices are woven together with innovative expressions of faith, creating a rich tapestry of Christian community responsive to the needs, cultures, and aspirations of the people we are called to serve.

Collaborative leadership is central to this vision, and as a Mission Catalyst, I am committed to empowering a diverse team of leaders for each church plant. These teams will embody a shared vision for the church’s role in the world, combining lay, ordained, experienced, and emerging leaders in a robust support system that encourages learning, mutual enrichment, and spiritual growth.

Moreover, these strategic church plants will be centers of innovation, experimenting with new forms of worship, community engagement, and discipleship. My role involves ensuring that these communities are guided by the Holy Spirit’s movement, always listening to and serving their local contexts. This vision is not just about adding to the church’s physical presence but significantly enhancing its spiritual and communal impact, advancing Jesus Christ’s mission in contemporary society.

4) If I come back to you in five years what might have happened?

The ultimate goal of this strategic church planting initiative is to create vibrant, self-sustaining communities of faith that are deeply integrated into their local contexts, exemplifying a blended ecology approach. Ideally, these church plants will be accompanied by numerous new micro churches and Fresh Expressions, which will dedicate themselves to multiplying and planting churches, micro churches, and Fresh Expressions. As a Mission Catalyst, I am thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformative journey, working collaboratively across the Uniting Church and the broader church in Australia to bring this vision to life. It’s a privilege to contribute to the formation of thriving church communities that will serve as beacons of hope, love, and service, embodying the mission of reconciliation and renewal at the heart of our calling as the Uniting Church in Australia.

5) You are also an author. Care to do a plug?

I have a significant book coming out in 2024 titled “World Christianity: An Introduction.” Christianity is in decline in the West. But many churches in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other parts of the Majority World are multiplying. Western Christianity can no longer claim to be the center of the global church. Before long, two-thirds of Christians will live in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. What does this mean for local and global Christian missions? What does it mean for worship, theology, faith, and renewal in the West? “World Christianity: An Introduction” provides an accessible introduction to the discipline, methodology, and field of world Christianity. In this book, I engage with more than one hundred high-profile Majority World and First Nations Christian leaders to learn what they can teach the West about mission, leadership, hospitality, creation care, education, worship, and more. Graham challenges the Western church to move away from a Eurocentric and Americentric view of church and mission, and he calls for the church to engage with crucial paradigm shifts in world Christianity. The future of the global church—including the churches of the West—exists in these global exchanges. World Christianity is an indispensable guide for the church as it navigates the unique global experiences of the twenty-first century.

I’m also writing devotional books on every book of the Bible. The series is called “Daily Devotions with Jesus.” My publisher released the devotional books on Genesis and Matthew in 2024, and Mark, Exodus, and Leviticus will also come out this year. Eventually, there will be fifty books in this devotional series, covering every book of the Bible. See: https://grahamjosephhill.com/devotions/