When mercy crosses the road

A biblical response to Ross Clifford on conversion practices By Rod Benson What is required of faithful Christian ministry when someone seeks pastoral help in relation to their sexual identity? Sydney Baptist leader Ross Cliffordโ€™s recent reflection on Tasmaniaโ€™s proposed conversion practices legislation highlights the principle of religious freedom. I share his concern for freedom …

Morning prayer for Wednesday 14 October 2026

Invocation + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his faithful love endures for ever (Ps 106:1). Pause for reflection Good morning, heavenly Father.We worship you, the creator and sustainer of the universe. Good morning, Lord …

On sympathy and empathy

Jon Cattapan, Sister, 1984 (oil on canvas), University of Melbourne Art Collection. Understanding two forms of human concern Rod Benson Human concern takes many forms, from the quiet acknowledgement of another personโ€™s loss to the sustained effort to understand an unfamiliar experience. Sympathy and empathy name two important dimensions of this concern. Although frequently used …