Rev Dr Andrew Callander
I spent the first part of my life as a lecturer in Economics and Finance, then in my 40’s returned to Otago University to study theology. Following the Global Financial Crisis, Marie and I moved to New Plymouth where she practiced law and I was called to minister to St James Presbyterian Church. During this time, I was invited to be the convenor of the PCANZ Theology of Property and Money Work Group.In 2016, I attended a workshop with Rose Luxford. I was especially struck by a reading they gave us by Rob Voyle, “An Appreciative Inquiry Paradigm for Transitional Ministry”. Appreciative Inquiry is a strengths-based idea—that focusing on what is working for people empowers them to imagine and incarnate life-giving ways of being and doing, whereas focusing on what is wrong locks them into unproductive cycles of failure and shame. My immediate thought was, “Is this what we are doing when we address people as “sinners” (either explicitly or by implication) in our traditional presentations of the Gospel?” A number of people have responded positively to my speaking and writing on this theme—including Rose. I am deeply honoured to be asked by her to be keynote speaker at General Assembly 2023. My two addresses are titled: “Authentic and Hopeful in Christ—beginning with what is wrong”, and “Authentic and Hopeful in Christ—beginning with what is life-giving”.