Ever been to a Christian conference with a seminar given by a secular phonecard company? 40 chaplains did at the Mission to Seafarers' national conference in August.
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest phonecard sellers in Australia.
Their customers are seafarers from countries all around the world who jump at the opportunity to call their families at the Mission’s Sussex Street centre as soon as their ships come in to port.
However Sydney's principal chaplain Ian Porter says the most important function of the Mission to Seafarers is to tell the gospel and show God's love to seafarers who are far from home.
For this reason, and in response to a desire expressed among chaplains at last year's international conference in England, Mr Porter incorporated Bible studies and a focus on training in sharing the gospel for this year's national conference, which is held every two years.
"I hope everyone was heartened to have a renewed focus and confidence in the gospel," he says.
The conference, held at Merroo Conference Centre, attracted chaplains from ports around Australia, as well as representatives from New Zealand, the UK and Bangkok.
Training for ministry was the main focus of this year's conference, a different course to national conferences held in the past.
Bishop Rob Forsyth gave two studies on 2 Timothy and led two communion services, while Canon Jim Ramsay gave seminars on evangelism.
Mr Porter hopes these initiatives will be a part of the program for national conferences in the future.
"It is my hope that these things we included will become fixtures in future conferences," he says.
"My goal was to for chaplains to go back to their places more enthused and better equipped for their ministries."
Canon David Claydon also gave talks on cross-cultural communication, including insights on Islam, Hindusim, Buddhism and other Chinese religions.
Representatives from the secular shipping industry were also present to let chaplains in on current shipping trends.
"The conference is the only time all our chaplains have the opportunity to meet together," he says.
"We had a lot of new chaplains this time, so for them it was helpful to put faces to names, like a new clergyman going to their first regional conference."
