Ride the Wild Water – Summer Spirit 2025
In the 1990s, surf wear giant Billabong launched a memorable advertising campaign with the slogan, “Only a surfer knows the feeling.” Even as a somewhat average surfer, I can attest to the truth of that statement—riding a wave is an indescribable thrill! The sensation of gliding over the water is incredible, and it’s this exhilarating feeling that keeps you coming back for more. But it requires work to get there. No one simply paddles out and catches a wave; you need the right gear, patience and plenty of practice.
Even once you’ve mastered catching a wave, there’s still more to learn. Courage is needed. You might question whether you can handle the size of the waves or if they’re even rideable. There’s a lot of paddling and plenty of false starts— those moments when you think you’re ready, but the wave doesn’t break as expected or you realise too late that you’ve chosen poorly. And yes, there will be wipeouts, where you find yourself tumbling in white water, desperate for your next breath. But it’s all worth it because when it comes together it’s a feeling of total exhilaration and a very real sense that there’s no place you’d rather be.
Our upcoming Summer Spirit theme is “Ride the Wild Water” centering on our participation in God’s mission in the world. Much like surfing, sharing God’s love in word and deed can be an exciting and unpredictable adventure. It calls for planning, patience, courage, and a willingness to take risks. Our keynote speakers, Michael Frost and Alexandra Sangster will guide us in exploring these themes and help us identify what opportunities exist for our churches. Where can we find fertile grounds or good waves to ride in our local context? Are we prepared to embrace a few wipeouts before we catch the right wave? I hope so, because there’s nothing quite like the thrill of “riding the wild water,” following God’s call, and witnessing transformative experiences in others.
When I first started surfing, it was mostly a young person’s sport, with many giving it up by middle age. Thankfully, these days, you’ll find plenty of grey hair in the lineup at surf breaks. As we age, our abilities may change—I now ride longer boards and smaller waves than I used to—but I continue to embrace every moment. Instead of focusing on limitations, I concentrate on what’s still possible, and surfing continues to bring me great joy.
I often wonder if, as a church with more grey hair than before, we sometimes focus too much on what’s no longer possible. Let’s steer clear of that mindset. Our church community still has plenty of wild water to ride! It may look different from what we’ve done in the past, but God is still inviting us to dive in and join in God’s transformative work in the world. Let’s challenge ourselves to embrace the journey ahead and discover new ways to ride those waves together.
Summer Spirit 2025 is taking place on the evening of Friday 21 February 2025 with a dinner and keynote speaker at the Cambridge Bowling Club, Floreat, and then all day on Saturday 22 February 2025 at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church.
Summer Spirit 2025 is being planned as an intergenerational event, with all ages welcome. There will be intergenerational time together and some focused activities for primary aged children attending with family.
To find out more and to register go to our Summer Spirit 2025 event page.
Meet the Summer Spirit 2025 Keynote Speakers
Michael Frost
Mike Frost is an internationally recognised Australian missiologist and one of the leading voices in the missional church movement. His books are required reading in colleges and seminaries around the world and he is much sought after as an international conference speaker.
He is the author or editor of nineteen theological books, his most recent being (2024 Christian Shortlist Book of the Year) Mission is the Shape of Water (2023). Mike’s presentations at Summer Spirit 2025 will draw upon his work in this book.
Mike is also well known for his protests against Australia’s treatment of refugees, some of which have resulted in his arrest by the NSW police, as well as his advocacy for racial reconciliation, foreign aid, and gender equality.
Alexandra Sangster
Alex Sangster is a writer, actor, mother, and minister with the St Kilda Southport Uniting Church. She has spent the last twenty years working with families in crisis, older folk, youth, refugees, and those experiencing homelessness. She is active in several spheres within the church and beyond including on justice and environmental issues.
Alex is currently working with people experiencing mental health and housing vulnerabilities. She is an actor and facilitator with Melbourne Playback and is known for her creative worship in church circles. Alex will use her creativity to help us integrate our learning from the weekend.
In Alex’s recent book, ‘Do they make coffins that small?: Ministry in an age of uncertainty’, she shares her passion to discover ways that liberate, inspire and awaken; and suggests how the emerging church can connect with those who are spiritually hungry but culturally anti-institution.
Article by Rev Andy Broadbent, Education and Resources Coordinator with the Uniting Centre for Education and Formation, Uniting Church WA. Originally published in the December 2024 edition of Revive magazine.
