Since January 20105 John has been Professor of Theology and Director of Research at the University of Divinity, Melbourne. Prior to that He spent 6 years as Morpeth professor of Theology and Religious Studies at The University of Newcastle NSW (2009-14), and before that Director of Undergraduate Studies and Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Systematic Theology at New College in the University of Edinburgh (2000-8).

 

John is also the Associate Editor and Books Review Editor of the Theological journal Coloquium, and an Executive Board member of Pacifica: Journal of Theological Studies. 

 

Currently, John is writing a book exploring the links between theology and film. It will be from within this space that John will present at the symposium. We are very much looking forward to welcoming John back to the diocese in this capacity. 

The Reverend Chris Bedding is a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Perth who serves as the Rector of Darlington-Bellevue, a parish in the Perth hills with a strong progressive culture. He has been in professional ministry for twenty years in a range of roles.

Alongside Paul ‘Werzel’ Montague, Chris is half of the comedy duo ‘Pirate Church’. Seven years ago, Pirate Church was conceived as a loving satire of religion, created by practicing Christians with a love for the church. Since that time, Pirate Church has appeared at Fringe World Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Beyond Festival and the National Christian Youth Convention. Chris is a regular media commentator on ABC local and national radio and also offers media training for clergy and church leaders. He trained in dramatic improvisation at the Second City Training Centre and iO Improv Theatre in Chicago, funded by the Robert Juniper Award for the Arts. Chris has on several occasions represented WA at the Theatresports National Championships and is a RAW Comedy State Finalist.

In 2014, Chris was the first priest arrested in a sit-in as part of the Love Makes A Way movement and he continues to facilitate nonviolent direct action in support of refugees and people seeking asylum. He directed the WA campaign for Australian Christians for Marriage Equality and is currently working to develop the Faith Workers Alliance, a national interfaith union for faith workers

Dorothy Lee is a New Testament scholar with a particular interest in the four canonical Gospels. She reads them from a literary and theological perspective, with attention to their context in the ancient world. Dorothy has many years experience of lecturing in this area, with a special focus on the Gospel of John as narrative and theology. As a consequence of her work on symbolism, Dorothy is interested in the intersection between New Testament exegesis, theology and the arts.

She has also written and taught in the areas of feminist theology and spirituality. Dorothy is an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Melbourne associated with St Mary’s North Melbourne, a Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne and of Holy Trinity Cathedral Wangaratta, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

Rev Dr Rod Pattenden is an artist, art historian, and theologian interested in the connection between spirituality and the arts. He was for many years currently chair of the Blake Prize for Religious Art as well as Co-founder of InterPlay Australia.He has particular strengths in the areas of the visual arts, performance skills, movement and exploring the processes of creativity. 

He has written widely on the arts, contributing to key publications on the work of a number of leading Australian artists as well as curating a number of innovative exhibitions and installation projects. He has just completed a series of innovative installations at Adamstown Uniting Church and is now working on an exhibition of the war artist George Gittoes to open in 2020 at Newcastle Art Gallery. He has also been involved as a consultant to business and community organisations in the area of innovation, change and leadership development.