Rev Dr Francis Macnab

Presenter/Workshop Leader

Rev Dr Francis Macnab, OA, is the Executive Minister at St Michael’s Uniting Church, Melbourne, and has been since 1971.

Presentation

The 'New Faith' That's Needed and the 'New Faith' That's Not Wanted

In September 2008, Francis Macnab launched what the media called 'a new faith for the 21^st century' - a faith beyond orthodox Christianity. And the congregation (St Michael's) put up $120,000 to hit the air waves, the internet, billboards and street banners to advertise it all.

When some church leaders and conservatives heard about it and started getting phone calls, Pastoral Letters, supported by a conservative theologian's views, all bolstering so-called 'orthodoxy' were sent out. And calls were made for St Michael's to withdraw its advertising on the grounds that 'it gave offense to Jews, Muslims [but without providing any evidence that offence had been taken] and many Christians'. This is that story.

About Rev Dr Francis Macnab

Rev Dr Francis Macnab, OA, is the Executive Minister at St Michael's Uniting Church, Melbourne, and has been since 1971. He has published more that 25 books (three translated into foreign languages) and is the founding Executive Director of the Cairnmillar Institute (1961-) - a unique centre in Australia for the psychological treatment and prevention of emotional and psychological difficulties.

In 1990 he co-founded the Australian Foundation for Aftermath Relations, a foundation concerned with the treatment of people who suffer long-term aftermath reactions to severe trauma. He is also a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar and was awarded The Jesus Seminar Order of Merit (2003), which honours clergy and lay leaders who have pioneered new forms of faith.

Other awards include: the Sir James Darling Medal for outstanding contribution to education (1995) and the PSI CHI Certificate of the National Honor Society in Psychology of the American Psychological Association. He is also a Visiting guest lecturer in psychotherapy and human relations in many overseas countries, including America, Britain, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Turkey and Germany. And has been appointed by the World Council of Churches to lead two conferences for 13 nations and islands off the Pacific on marriage and the family.