Obeying God or the Government? NSW Conversion Practices Law with Neil Foster, Michael Stead & Simon Swadling
04/22/25 • 38 min
New South Wales’ Conversion Practices Ban Act has just come into effect — along with guidelines from Anti-Discrimination NSW that many Christian leaders believe overstep the legal boundaries and impact ordinary pastoral ministry.
We are joined by legal expert Associate Professor Neil Foster, South Sydney Bishop Michael Stead, and Summer Hill Anglican Assistant Minister Simon Swadling.
Together, we unpack the implications of the new law for Christian preaching, prayer, counselling, and discipleship — especially in matters of sexuality, marriage, and gender.
We discuss:
- The difference between the legislation and the government’s explanatory materials
- The implications for pastors, parents, and churches
- The tone and posture of faithful gospel ministry in a hostile legal environment
- Why some pastors are calling for civil disobedience — and others for restraint
Reach Australia National Conference
Reach Australia’s National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year’s theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.
Anglican Aid
Anglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid.
The Church Co
A website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com
Dominic Steele's preaching at Village
Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website.
--
Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
New South Wales’ Conversion Practices Ban Act has just come into effect — along with guidelines from Anti-Discrimination NSW that many Christian leaders believe overstep the legal boundaries and impact ordinary pastoral ministry.
We are joined by legal expert Associate Professor Neil Foster, South Sydney Bishop Michael Stead, and Summer Hill Anglican Assistant Minister Simon Swadling.
Together, we unpack the implications of the new law for Christian preaching, prayer, counselling, and discipleship — especially in matters of sexuality, marriage, and gender.
We discuss:
- The difference between the legislation and the government’s explanatory materials
- The implications for pastors, parents, and churches
- The tone and posture of faithful gospel ministry in a hostile legal environment
- Why some pastors are calling for civil disobedience — and others for restraint
Reach Australia National Conference
Reach Australia’s National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year’s theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.
Anglican Aid
Anglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid.
The Church Co
A website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com
Dominic Steele's preaching at Village
Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website.
--
Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
Previous Episode
A new openness to searching for purpose and meaning. Are we post Christian or post secular? - with Mark McCrindle
The new McCrindle report ‘An undercurrent of faith’ says:
- Those turning to Christian faith are not who we might expect - it’s especially older people, the recently widowed and recently separated or divorced.
- The move is most on away from Christian identity in outer suburbia and regional areas.
- Australians are still turning to Christianity in large numbers, despite a decline in Christian affiliation.
- While 85,000 15-24 year olds have moved towards Christianity in the last five years, that’s dramatically down on a decade ago
Founder and Principle of McCrindle research, Mark McCrinde, says his report shows a new search for purpose and meaning and asks is “Australia Post Christian or are we now Post Secular?”
Plus we compare the findings of the national McCrindle report with the recent Sydney Anglican report on Church attendance.
Reach Australia National Conference
Reach Australia’s National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year’s theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.
Anglican Aid
Anglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid.
The Church Co
A website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com
Dominic Steele's preaching at Village
Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website.
--
Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
Next Episode
SPECIAL: Will the Pope go to heaven? Protestants understanding Roman Catholicism in a Post-Francis world
The death of Pope Francis marks a pivotal moment for Roman Catholics.
What does this transition mean for the future of Catholicism and how should Protestants respond?
From Vatican City, Leonardo Di Chirico offers a firsthand perspective on reactions in Rome, while Rachel Ciano provides historical context from Sydney.
Many Protestant leaders have referred to Francis as a "brother in Christ," but Francis's final public act—granting indulgences during Easter—epitomizes the theological chasm between Catholic and Protestant understandings of salvation.
His distinctive Marian devotion and frequent requests for prayers further highlight fundamental differences in how salvation is understood.
The contrast between Benedict XVI's emphasis on Roman doctrine and Francis's focus on Catholic universality reveals a pendulum swing in Roman Catholicism that will likely now swing back.
Leonardo di Chirico is pastor of the Church Brecca di Roma and director of the Reformanda Initiative.
Rachel Ciano lectures in Christianity and History at sydney missionary and bible college, and is part of the faculty at the Rome scholars and leaders network, hosted by The Reformanda Initiative.
Reach Australia National Conference
Reach Australia’s National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year’s theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.
Anglican Aid
Anglican Aid - To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid.
The Church Co
A website and app platform built specifically for churches: http://www.thechurchco.com
Dominic Steele's preaching at Village
Subscribe to Dominic Steele's weekly sermons from the Village Church website.
--
Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.
The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele - Obeying God or the Government? NSW Conversion Practices Law with Neil Foster, Michael Stead & Simon Swadling
Transcript
it is the pastor's heart and dominic steel . And what should the christian pastor do about the new conversion therapy legislation just coming to force ? Here in new south wales ? Neil foster , simon swaddling and michael stead are with us . The message of sy's Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Rafel to Sydney ministers , teach confidently God's plan for sexuality , marriage and gender . We s
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