Matters of State

Conscience in Action – the experience of conscientious objection in Australia.

Conscience in Action is an AACE publication that outlines the ways  in which Australian brothers, sisters and young people, and their families, demonstrated an active conscientious objection to military service and related activities during the twentieth century. The publication consists of a book of approximately 230 pages and an audio CD that contains oral accounts of experiences.

For more detailed information and how to order a hard copy, please click here: Conscience in Action 

If you wish to download the complete text in two sections, click here:

Conscience in Action pp.1-110 and Conscience in Action pp.111-234

The following Powerpoint files have been kindly offered to ecclesias by Bro Laurence Lepherd (author of Conscience in Action) to assist in preparing our members for possible military service call-up:

Conscience in Action in Australia – Then and Conscience in Action in Australia – Now

Jury Service in Australia

In 1981, the Australian Christadelphian Committee requested Bro Kevin Dawes to prepare a booklet outlining our reasons for seeking exemption from Jury Service. This booklet can be read on this link – Jury Service by Kevin Dawes 1981 (PDF 67Kb).

In 2014 the AACE also produced a document on jury duty and the believer’s personal conscience as a citizen of God’s Kingdom. This document can be read on this link – Jury duty article.

To obtain information on the current provisions for exemption from jury service in your State, please check the document at this link  Jury Duty 2023

The AACE welcomes any new information on jury service. Send it to secretary@aace.info.

Politics and Voting

The Christadelphian community has from its origins held the view that participation in politics and military service should be avoided. This short paper gives an explanation of the Scriptural reasons for our position. Click on this link –  Participation in Civil Political Elections  (pdf, 129kb)

To view original 1873 Christadelphian document referred to in the above link, click here – R.Roberts, Political Elections 1873  (pdf 1.9Mb).

Marriage Celebrants

Information about marriage regulations and marriage ceremonies and the role of Christadelphian celebrants can be accessed in the following document: Marriage Celebrants Guidelines 2022

Looking for a Marriage Celebrant?

Click on this link Marriage Celebrants to see a table contains a list of brothers who are currently registered marriage celebrants by State. Couples wishing their marriage to be solemnised by a Christadelphian celebrant should email the Recorder/Secretary of the celebrant’s ecclesia in the first instance for contact details. Of course, if the celebrant is well-known to the couple or belongs to the same ecclesia, then an approach can be made directly. Please be guided by the celebrant in all matters pertaining to the legalities of the marriage and be aware that they must abide by the legal restraints placed on them as Christadelphian marriage celebrants.