The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is to hold a major conference in October that will discuss society’s approach to the economy and a just society.

Entitled ‘Economic Hope: A biblical road map for a just society,’ the 9th October event is part of the Church in the Public Square series and is organised in association with the Jubilee Centre, the Cambridge–based Christian social reform think tank.

Encouraging those with an interest in economics, business ethics and social and political economy to attend, the Church’s Convener of its Council for Church in Society, Very Rev. Dr. Norman Hamilton said, “All of us are still living with the consequences of the financial crisis that began in 2008, as the recent budget, the Welfare Reform impasse and the ongoing situation in Greece testifies to. For every one of us, these issues raise profound moral questions about our economy and society.

“Jesus had much to say about money, materialism and caring for the poor, and His teachings are not only relevant to our personal finances, but also to how we do business and manage national budgets. The conference should prove to be stimulating and thought–provoking, as our speakers will help us to rethink our approach to money, the economy and wider vision for society.” 

The speakers will include Dr. Michael Schluter CBE, founder of the Jubilee Centre who led the Keep Sunday Special Campaign. Michael trained as an economist before working as a research fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute, and consultant with the World Bank in East Africa.

Dr. Paul Mills speaks to international audiences on the Bible and finance. A former UK Treasury official, he is an elder at a Baptist church in Fulham, London and has worked as a Financial Economist both in the UK and the United States. Panel discussions will also involve local business and public sector leaders.

“As Christians who believe in the Trinity, we understand that relationships preceded the material universe. Ultimate reality is therefore not material, nor only spiritual, but relational. So we should not find it surprising that relational issues lie at the root of all economic and environmental policies and crises. This conference will provide a biblical framework for leaders in church and business, as well as Christians in public leadership, to identify the relational dimension of the issues we face today. We will explore the language for understanding these issues and then strategies for tackling them in a way that reflects God’s intentions for national life,” said Dr. Schluter.

The Church in the Public Square series brings together leading thinkers in the UK and Ireland to consider how the Church can work together with others in the wider community for the common good. The conferences are organised by PCI’s Council for Church in Society and the Church’s Union Theological College.

‘Economic Hope: A biblical roadmap for a just society’ will be held in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Friday, 9th October from 9.30am to 3.30pm. To register and for more details, see www.presbyterianireland.org/publicsquare.