“David Rietveld steers us through the profound sociological changes that are leading to a post-Christian view of the world in a way that is clear, accessible, warm and good-humoured.”
- David Williams, director of training and development, Church Missionary Society of Australia.
The 20th-century leading theologian Karl Barth once said,
“Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.”
We might not read newspapers this century, but to make sense of the stuff in our newsfeed is complicated. Then to interpret the news from a biblical perspective – that can be next level.
God, in his wisdom, has placed you and me in this time and place to be his witnesses to this generation.
Join me as we explore God, his world, and his mission together.
Rev David Rietveld
David is an experienced leader who has led large and medium-sized churches through seasons of change, mergers, re-visioning, and property redevelopment. The churches David has led have been multi-faceted organisations, with preschools, cafes, incorporated caring NFP, and other associated business activities.
David also works part-time for City to City as a lead consultant. He walks alongside churches through a process of research and analysis, makes recommendations, and is available to coach leaders to implement the findings.
David is also an author. His book 'Being Christian After Christendom: Where are we? How did we get where? What went wrong? What is the solution?' is an interdisciplinary analysis of the recent cultural shifts and how they impact the church's mission and discipleship.
David is, in his element, an interdisciplinary thinker. He has a rare ability to bring together insights from psychology, sociology, philosophy, history and theology – and then apply them to contemporary dilemmas in an insightful and compelling way.
David has also spoken at various conferences, including the Morling College Preaching Conference, NSW Baptist Pastor's retreat, CMS Tasmanian convention, and Ridley College's youth ministry conference, and he is booked to speak at CEN Christian Schools national training event in August 2023.
On more than one occasion, David's appointment has followed a season of unsafe and dysfunctional ministry. His experience includes bringing healing and regeneration to such churches. David has completed a Master Unit in Conflict Management with the Alban Institute, and is trained in leading Interim, and Intentional Interim Ministry with Transitional Ministry Association of Australia. David is accredited to debrief 360 degree leadership surveys using the Christian Leadership Framework, and uses the GROW model when coaching.
David has also defended the faith in public forums, including debating the chair of the Atheists Foundation of Australia – Ian Robinson, at the University of Tasmania; debating with Greens Senator Nick McKim, and with Jason Tuazon-McCheyne – the leader of the Australian Equality Party.
David’s current focus is on how to contextualise the gospel so that it speaks to people who hold to post-Christian worldview assumptions. David has a number of talks or workshops he presents in this space: How evangelism works in the 21st Century? How discipleship works in the 21st Century? How did our worldview change, and to what? Evangelism and Discipleship with Gen Z. Please use the contact page to register enquiries regarding David’s availability.
