Creeds and Confessions
for Today

24th May 2025

Sydney, Australia

About Canon & Creed

Canon & Creed is a Confessional Reformed Conference in Australia dedicated to cultivating a robust and reverent expression of classical Reformed theology. Rooted in the unchanging authority of Canon (Holy Scripture) and the historic Creeds and Confessions of the Church, our aim is to encourage theological clarity, spiritual vitality, and practical godliness among believers today.

We affirm the unity and diversity of the Reformed tradition—welcoming Presbyterian, Particular Baptist, Congregational, and Continental Reformed (Dutch) expressions—under the banner of Reformed Catholicity. Our goal is not merely doctrinal precision, but holistic transformation: head, heart, and hands.

In a time when the Reformed tradition is being challenged both by theological drift and unbalanced innovation, it is the hope that Canon & Creed can serve as a rallying point for churches and believers who long to be rooted in confessional fidelity. We seek to equip the Church not only to think rightly, but to live faithfully.

Join us as we confess the old paths afresh—for our churches, our communities, and for the glory of Christ.

Conference Speakers

Peter Barnes

Rev Dr Peter Barnes is a pastor, theologian, and historian with a deep love for Church history and the Reformed tradition. He served as Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia (2019–2023) and has pastored churches in both Sydney and regional NSW, including over 20 years at Revesby Presbyterian Church. A former missionary in Vanuatu, Peter has also played a significant role in Christian education, including lecturing in Church History at Christ College Sydney for over 30 years. He is currently Dean of Emmanuel College Sydney and a member of Revesby Presbyterian Church. His academic interests include the rise of liberal evangelicalism in 19th-century Australia and the history of the global Church. Peter is editor of Australian Presbyterian, has authored several books—including a biography of Athanasius. He is married to Lyn, and they have six children.

David Robertson

Rev David Robertson is a Scottish Presbyterian minister, author, and cultural commentator, now serving at Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church in Newcastle, Australia. Formerly the minister of the historic St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, Scotland (home of Robert Murray McCheyne), David served there for 27 years and was Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland (2015–2016). He co-founded Solas: Centre for Public Christianity and has engaged widely in apologetics and public theology. A prolific writer, David is the author of several books including The Dawkins Letters, Awakening, and Engaging with Atheists. He also writes at his well-known blog, The Wee Flea. David is passionate about evangelism, church renewal, and engaging secular culture with biblical truth. He is married to Annabel, and they have three children and several grandchildren.

Schedule

Our first conference is intended on being a smaller event, to help give a foretaste of what will be planned for 2026.

Welcome

1:00pm

Session 1

1:10 – 2:00pm

1,700 Years On: The Role and Relevance of Nicaea for Christians Today
Peter Barnes

Special Session

2:15 – 2:30pm

A special session, very hush-hush.

Session 2

2:30 – 3:20pm

Creeds and Confessions for Christians Today
David Robertson

Panel

3:35 – 4:05pm

A panel discussion tackling a variety of questions regarding the intersection of Reformed Theology and culture.

4:15pm

Register

We’ve intentionally left costs low (probably too low!) so that everyone can make this inaugural conference!

For only $20.00 AUD, you’ll get:

Great talks from Peter Barnes and David Robertson!
Afternoon tea
A copy of Tulip Publishing’s best-seller Five: The Solas of the Reformation by S. D. Ellison (RRP $16.99)
A copy of Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity by Carl Trueman (RRP $39.99) **
(A special thanks to our friends at Crossway!)