The people of the parish of Woodville Road have been without a rector a rector since September 2002. Eighteen months of a leadership void can wreak havoc on a parish, but this has been far from the case at the thriving church in Sydney's west.

Wayne Billington has been a victim of burnout. A few years ago while working in a high pressure role as a financial analyst in the CBD, Wayne decided to give more time to help the ministry at St Paul's, Castle Hill.

Burnout? Who, me? Never! BRUCE BALLANTINE-JONES looks at a new book that tackles the unique pressures of Christian ministry.

with Paul Perini.

Stuart P. Robinson interviews Paul Perini, rector, St Hilary's, Kew.

It is encouraging to see in many of the churches of the Northern Region the words of the Diocesan Mission displayed prominently in the foyer or on the notice board: ‘To glorify God by proclaiming our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, so that everyone will hear his call to repent, trust and serve Christ in love, and be established in the fellowship of his disciples while they await his return.'

It is encouraging to see in many of the churches of the Northern Region the words of the Diocesan Mission displayed prominently in the foyer or on the notice board: ‘To glorify God by proclaiming our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, so that everyone will hear his call to repent, trust and serve Christ in love, and be established in the fellowship of his disciples while they await his return.'

The Northern Region recently appointed its first ever full-time Chinese pastor, Mr Hooi Wan Cheng. Mr Cheng previously lived in Auckland for 16 years where he oversaw a Chinese church that grew from 30 people into two churches with more than 500 people.