The Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, will leave his cathedral ministry at the end of the year.

The Dean made the announcement to Cathedral congregations today (Sunday 6th July). 

Writing his ‘From the Dean’ column, he said “One of the abiding problems for pastors is keeping the balance between the time and energy spent in administering the affairs of the congregation with the time and energy available to teach and preach the gospel. Over time as the church grows, and/or the energy level of the pastor diminishes, the balance shifts and adjustments need to be made either to how the pastor does his work or how the congregational life is organised. I believe we have reached that stage of development at the Cathedral and it is time for me to resign as Dean.”

“During the last decade the Cathedral has undergone many changes, possibly even more changes than during the last century. I wish to thank you for bearing with the alterations I brought, which I believe are now yielding fruit.” Mr Jensen said. “All this growth and development requires a new younger Dean with fresh energy to take us forward from here as he keeps us moving in different ways to reach the city and have a longer ministry in which to establish better patterns of church life for the future.”

The Dean took up the position in 2003 and in the column he cited numerical and financial growth since that time but “more importantly, the welcoming nature of the congregation, the seriousness of listening to God’s word, the concern for outsiders and the quality of our relationships have been significantly transformed.” 

Archbishop Glenn Davies paid tribute to the Dean, saying “Phillip Jensen has exercised an extraordinary ministry in the Diocese of Sydney for more than 40 years, most notably as Chaplain of the University of New South Wales and rector of St Matthias, Centennial Park.”

“Phillip has indicated to me his intention to resign however he is not retiring as he will continue to exercise a teaching ministry both nationally and internationally.”

The Dean’s statement says he will take up a position with “Two Ways Ministries” in 2015, which will involve the recruiting and training of 'the next generation in preaching the gospel by teaching the Bible’. 

“Being freed from the varied responsibilities of Dean will allow me to serve God’s people outside the confines of one church and without the weight and distractions of being a church pastor.” Mr Jensen wrote.

“The Dean’s preaching has been much appreciated in the Cathedral as has his training of student ministers over the last decade. I look forward to working with the Cathedral chapter as I seek to find the right man to appoint as the next Dean of Sydney.” the Archbishop said.

Feature photo: Dean Phillip Jensen preaching at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney.  Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos