Medics focus on mercy
Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship
Hobart doctors Helen and Richard Lord and medical students Carly Armstrong and Joel Van Der Niet were among 280 medical professionals (many of them Anglican) attending the biennial Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia (CMDFA) conference, held in Geelong in July.
Christian doctors from all fields of medicine and students from all years of medical schools around Australia met at Geelong Grammar School to focus on the conference theme of Mercy, seeking to live out the injunction of Micah in their personal and professional lives:
‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Richard said keynote speaker Tim Costello was able to illustrate from recent personal experience the similarities between the large social inequities of Micah’s time and our current world crisis of inequality between rich and poor. Costello called the message of Justice and Mercy ‘great news for the poor’ and challenged all Christians to ask, ‘What am I called to do?’ in response.
Mercy at the end of life was explored by palliative care expert Prof Peter Ravenscroft. Mercy at the beginning of life, in drug addiction, in psychiatry, and in relationships both professional and personal, were all explored by speakers and in workshops.
- Austrian Theologian Dr Andrzej Turkanik explored God’s mercy as shown through His dealings with Moses, Leah, and Elijah in the Old Testament.
- A dozen mission organisations with medical programs had six minutes each to inspire delegates in a Global Health Exhibition.
- Students met together and with graduates, planning activities to support Christian medical students in their faith and studies.
- And the social highlight was a Dinner marking the 60th anniversary of CMDFA as an organisation serving and supporting Christian doctors, dentists and students in Australia.
Impressed
Helen said she was impressed by both the breadth and depth of medical experience represented at the conference, and the enthusiasm shown by students in living and sharing their faith. The conference had been a great way to fellowship with Christian colleagues from around Australia.
Go to the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship website for more information.