The Justice Conference is a global movement where Christian scholars, speakers and artists engage in conversation in pursuit of biblical justice. Fred McElrea gives a report on this year's conference: we have imbedded some extra videos to inspire you as well...

"On Saturday last (31 Oct) I took part in a YouTube conference on Social Justice organised by a reputable Christian charity, TEAR Fund, along with more than 70 other hosts from around NZ and some from Australia. I did this as a member of the Social Justice Committee of The Anglican Diocese of Dunedin (which covers Otago and Southland), as a Wanaka member of the Upper Clutha Anglican Parish, and as a long-time supporter of TEAR Fund. The whole conference was well worth watching but I had some hard choices to make, especially for the breakout sessions.

The whole conference was book-ended by some amazing key-note speakers, including the TEAR Fund theologian, Sean du Toit, who spoke about justice and the Lord’s Prayer, especially the first half of it. He made the point that Jesus wanted people to live under the Kingdom of God, and that his whole message was centred round justice, mercy and faithfulness. This got me thinking that Biblical justice is usually about social justice, not criminal justice. It’s about embodying the kingdom of God. Hence “justice” and “righteousness” are usually synonymous. 

The second early keynote speaker was Jay Ruka; all I will say is that he gave an excellent historical presentation about advocacy for aboriginal peoples, concluding that the core justice issue in A-NZ is about the ownership of land (above is a video of an earlier presentation for Waikato-Taranaki Anglicans - Ed). 

And near the end of the conference we had a wonderful presentation by the Anglican Bishop of Wellington, Justin Duckworth. His topic, “Christian Unity and the pursuit of justice”, had 3 key points: 1 and 3. We should not demonise others but see them as made in the image of God. The real enemy are the “principalities and powers” that Jesus fought against. On his way to the cross he even asked God to forgive those who were about to kill him, for “they know not what they do”. 2. Jesus changed the world by redemptive suffering, not by bringing the other down - and he should be our model.

Of the breakout sessions, I got a lot out of one on Racial Injustice and Christian Witness, given by Jennie Ekigbo, a Nigerian now living in Tamaki Makaurau – Auckland, and a member of Be the Bridge, New Zealand. She belongs to the Hillsborough Baptist Church. 

The first part of her address was showing that what happens elsewhere IS relevant - using the All Black’s refusal to send an all-white team to South Africa as an example that led to change. More recently, the death of George Floyd led to the Black Lives Matter movement which has spread all around the world (including this country); and she mentioned the global setting for modern slavery in the clothing industry and manufacturing, which people everywhere are hearing about. But to change these things is costly – it is easier just to brush over them and be nice to each other. As Jesus said, we have to let go of life if we want to save it. 

In answer to some questions, she gave examples from land and health issues - of how the past can influence the present – to which I could add legal issues, in terms of very old precedents, and of the adversary system – exported to all English-speaking countries via colonisation, and still a major problem for those seeking legal reform.

Another break-out session that I attended was led by Annie Newton-Jones, on Ethical Fashion and the clothing industry. Like some other speakers she pulled no punches – saying for example that the Church is often just as consumption-driven as the rest of society – but she did trace our love-affair with consumption back to the end of WWII and the desire to get the economy moving again. (Does that sound familiar in these COVID-19 times?)."

Thanks for the report Fred - if anyone else attends anything worth reporting on, feel free to drop us a line or two...