The overarching theme for Progressive Christianity Forum 2025 is Challenges, Questions and Values we face in engaging with the Church and the World.

Kym Bills will start the 2025 series off with his discussion of how we can live in a time of poly-crisis and hyperconnectivity.

‘Poly-crisis’ is a label for the simultaneous major and potentially existential threats we face as a result, among other things, of: global warming and climate change; pollution, environmental degradation and loss of species; pandemics, plagues and resistance to antibiotics; the rise of autocrats, despots and challenges to democracy and the rule of law; wars and nuclear, biological, chemical, space and cyber weapons of mass destruction; population growth to over 10 billion and uncontrolled migration; rising inequality and lack of access to food, water and shelter; and misuse of artificial intelligence and robotics.

‘Hyper-connectivity’ is a label that emphasises the close linkages between crisis-causing factors and many others factors around the world including nationalism, ideology, consumerism, and religious fundamentalism and extremism. This is magnified by the internet, and both traditional and social media that promote alt-truth and alt-facts using chatbots or other cyber tools that apply almost instantly. Hyper-connectivity can lead to social unrest and financial crisis nationally and internationally.

Poly-crisis and hyper-connectivity cannot be wished away, so the question arises as to how we can and perhaps should live in such a perilous time. In the past, we have relied on the sciences to help understand individual problems and address their components. But complex interconnected systems need to be considered holistically. Systems Thinking is necessary but not sufficient. Tipping points are likely to be reached within relatively short timescales and are hard to reverse given the environmental and politico-economic factors involved. Acclaimed Progressive Christian writer, Brian McLaren, offers sombre, ethical and realistic suggestions for ‘Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart’. Kym will introduce these themes and encourage attendee questions and discussion.

Kym Bills, B.A. (Hons), B.Ec., B.Litt., M.Sc., M.Min., is the retired foundation head of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and a former CEO of a CSIRO-led Perth-based research joint venture. He is currently completing a PhD on aviation accident investigation analysis methodologies that involves Systems Thinking and includes new data from ATSB peers in 12 countries. Kym and his wife Anne are members of Christ Church, Wayville where Kym is on the worship leading and preaching rosters and Anne regularly fills in on piano. Kym is a member of the PCNet SA Task Group and his three most recent book reviews are relevant to the 6 February topic, see: https://pcnetsa.org/book-reviews/

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