Are you coming to the National Training Event (NTE)? 

Have you had a chance to think about it yet? Sometimes it's hard to take in information about what we might do at the end of semester, when we're still being bombarded with so much in our uni classes. But now is a good time to look at the AFES website (www.afes.org.au/nte) – it's even got a black background so you'll probably be saving energy...

People from the Christian Union groups all over Australia will be heading to Canberra. Some drive, some fly...some walk. What do we do? Talks on Living for the King by interesting people like John Dickson and Andrew Reid; training in small groups for how to understand and teach the Bible; electives; food (I find mealtimes away from home quite exciting); getting to know people from our uni and from others; singing together to God... 

After the five days in Canberra, Melbourne Uni students will get into three teams for a five days involved in Christian ministry. You can go to a church in Warragul (with Andy), or Greensborough (Erica, Angas, Julie-anne) or on a camp for international students with Cross Cultures (Bei-En, Claire). The mission is an opportunity to put into practise what we learn in Canberra. It's also just good fun hanging out together.  

If you're interested in coming but can't work out the details ... How to pay? How to get there? Where to stay? How to join a mission group? ... just contact Julie-anne (julie-anne@..., 0425 751 607). Registration closes November 15! 

Here are some final thoughts from CU people. I asked them which talk series elective they have chosen and why... 

Nonie: Kingdom & Missions

I couldn't say I would go to the end of the world if God wanted me to. But I'm intrigued by people who can and do! And how do missionaries balance the need to tell people about Jesus with the need for social justice? It's taken me three years to sign up for NTE, but finally I'm prepared to go as far as Canberra! 

Mike: Kingdom & Culture

I've been thinking a bit about how our culture influences our understanding of God, and particularly of what a Christian life is. I hope that this stream will give me some tools for analysing our culture, working out what's not so great about it, and how to challenge it. 

Matthew: Kingdom & the Historical Jesus

The entirety of Christian belief rests on the rather outrageous claim that Jesus rose from the dead almost 2000 years ago. If we are to consider Christianity seriously, then we must test this claim. NTE offers an amazing opportunity to hear John Dickson, historian and author of The Christ Files, speak on the Historical Jesus.

Unfortunately you can only choose one elective and I'm doing culture, but I do not hesitate to recommend this elective to you, particularly if you've never thought about this, or if you're thinking hard about it.

Richie: Kingdom & Ethics

What is right? Sometimes what's right and wrong is clear cut, but other times the line between the two seems a bit blurry. And how does living as part of God's kingdom affect the way we behave? To find out more, I've chose the ethics elective for this year's NTE. You should come to NTE too, because it's a good thing to do. Or is it? Come along and find out.