In the final episode of the HOPE 25 podcast, hosts Michael Calder and Christy Capper speak with Archbishop Geoffrey Smith, reflecting on the journey of HOPE 25 and discussing key highlights, community engagement, and the importance of prayer and discipleship. They emphasise the need for ongoing encouragement in evangelism and the significance of hope in uncertain times. The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts of churches across Australia and the positive impact of shared faith experiences. As they conclude, they express gratitude for the journey and the community that has been built through HOPE 25.

In this episode of the HOPE25 podcast, host Christy Capper and guest Kimbalee Hodges discuss the critical importance of follow-up in church settings. They explore various strategies for engaging newcomers, balancing enthusiasm, and utilising technology to enhance communication. The conversation emphasises the need for discernment in understanding visitor dynamics and the role of personal connections in fostering community. They also share innovative approaches to church events and the power of invitation in ministry.

In this episode of the Hope25 podcast, Christy Capper speaks with Bishop Hans Christensen about his journey as a bishop and school chaplain, his passion for pilgrimage, and the upcoming Pilgrimage of Hope. They discuss the significance of walking with intent, the importance of hope in today's world, and practical ways to share hope within schools and communities. Bishop Hans emphasises the need for connection, action, and the transformative power of community engagement in fostering hope among youth.

To find out more about the Walk of Hope, you can head to www.anglischools.edu.au/walkofhope

In this episode of the Hope 25 podcast, hosts Michael Calder and Christy Capper welcome Marlee Knight to discuss the significance of one-to-one Bible reading as a method for sharing faith. They explore Marlee's background in university ministry, the impact of personal Bible reading on faith growth, and practical tips for inviting others to engage with the Bible. The conversation emphasises the accessibility of sharing Jesus in everyday settings, the importance of understanding individual needs, and the role of community in faith journeys. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to utilise the resources available through HOPE 25.

In this episode of the HOPE 25 podcast, hosts Michael Calder and Christy Capper engage with guests Dane Courtney, Rhys Bezzant, and Elizabeth Smith to explore the significance of liturgy in church services, particularly during the Easter season. They discuss the role of liturgy in worship, its emotional impact, and how it can enhance the church's mission. The conversation also covers practical advice for creating services for HOPE 25, the importance of seasonal variations in liturgy, and resources available for church leaders.

General Synod Liturgy and Worship page: https://anglican.org.au/our-work/liturgy-worship/

In this conversation, Reverend Dr. Graeme Goldsworthy discusses the concept of biblical theology, focusing on the theme of hope throughout the Bible. He explores how hope is defined in a biblical context, contrasting it with secular interpretations. The discussion covers the historical narrative from the fall of humanity to the promises made to Abraham, the experiences of the Israelites in exile, and the fulfillment of hope through Jesus Christ. Goldsworthy emphasizes that Christian hope is rooted in God's promises and is a certainty for believers, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Personal reflections on the lived experience of hope are also shared, highlighting the transformative power of faith.

In this episode of the HOPE25 podcast, hosts Christy Capper and Michael Calder discuss the essential steps for churches to engage in outreach during the HOPE25 initiative effectively. This is an episode to use in a small group or parish council planning session for Hope25. Listen to the episode and pause after each step to consider the discussion questions below.

1. Establish a Working Group

· Who should be in this group?

· What kind of gifts and demographics would behelpful?

· Who do you want to ask within your parish?

2. Pray for Renewal

· How can we encourage people in our parish topray?

· How can we incorporate prayers for Hope25 in ourintercessions?

· Is a special prayer meeting something that wouldwork well for your parish?

3. Discern who you’re trying to reach

· Who are the people who may be on the fringes ofour church?

· Who are those that God is laying on our heartsto reach?

· Who are the people around us in our localcommunity?

4. Building Relationships with those you’retrying to reach

· Who has God already brought into our lives?

· How can we build relationships with our community?

· How can we practice hospitality as a church andas individuals?

5. Refocus the welcoming lens of your church

· How is the virtual front door of your churchdoing? Do you need to update your website?

· Can visitors easily find their way into thechurch? Is parking and church entry straightforward, accessible and signposted?

· Are your physical notice boards up to date andattractive to the eye?

· Is your church clean and well cared for?

· Do your welcomers need some training?

· Is it easy to find the toilets if they areneeded during the service?

· Can people easily find morning tea (do they knowit is on)?

· Are there people at morning tea that visitorscan easily talk to, or do people only talk to those they know?

· How easily can a visitor break into groups andbecome part of the church?

6. Invest in training for evangelism

· Have a look through the training options on theHope25 website. What might work for your parish?

· If you don’t have much time, what conversationscould you encourage or one-off discussions could you have to help people feelequipped?

7. Practice Compelling Invitations

· How do you feel about the idea that one in threeAussies would say yes to an invitation to church?

· How can you encourage people to practiceinviting people to church?

· What would it look like for your church tobecome more invitational?

· Can you make flyers for church events so that youhave something to give to those you invite?

8. Plan your event

· Do any ideas from the How-to guides on theHope25 website appeal to you for your parish context?

· What type of thing might you be able to adaptfor your context?

· Use the How-to guides to help you think throughsome of the troubleshooting for planning events.

In this episode of the Hope25 podcast, host Christy Capper speaks with Kimberly Hodges, a minister in the Diocese of Newcastle. They discuss Kimberly's journey into ministry, her experiences with faith and spirituality, and the impact of personal loss on her beliefs. The conversation also explores the Hope 25 initiative, focusing on community engagement and innovative approaches to evangelism. Kimberly shares her hopes for the future of Hope 25 and the importance of authentic faith sharing within the community.