Archbishop Jensen announces the new Bishop of Wollongong

Last evening Archbishop Peter Jensen brought to the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney the name of the person he seeks to appoint as Assistant Bishop to be the next Bishop of Wollongong. The clergyman is the Rev Alan Stewart, presently CEO of Anglican Youthworks in the Diocese of Sydney.

The Standing Committee overwhelmingly supported the Archbishop’s nomination of Alan Stewart as Regional Bishop in Wollongong.

Dr Jensen's statement to the Standing Committee runs as follows:

ALAN JAMES STEWART

"Having given you the necessary 25 days' notice of my intention, I wish to bring before the Standing Committee the name of the person I would like to appoint as an Assistant Bishop, to be the next Bishop of Wollongong.  I have consulted widely and over a long period, and believe that I have an eminently suitable candidate.

"Alan James Stewart is well known to you all.  He is 47 years of age.  He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Theology and Diploma of Arts in Theology.  He studied at Moore College, and served in the parishes of Tregear and Centennial Park.  In both parishes he had significant pastoral and administrative responsibilities, including a stint of 18 months as acting minister in charge in Tregear, and the charge of church plants for the parish of Centennial Park.  In fact he has considerable experience with the whole business of church planting.

"Since 2002 he has been CEO of Anglican Youthworks, and has exercised a strategic and effective ministry there, being in charge of an organisation with a turnover of over $11 million, and supervision of some 140 persons.  He is a well-known and effective platform speaker, and his leadership gifts have recently been recognised by his appointment as chairman of the Katoomba Christian Convention.

"Alan Stewart is a man of great wisdom and godliness.  He is full of energy and enthusiasm, and is passionate about the spread of the gospel.  He has exhibited skill in the area of strategic planning, and will bring energetic leadership to continue and expand the work of Bishop Piper.  I believe that he has the abilities and qualities needed to serve as Bishop of Wollongong, and I recommend him warmly to you, and seek your approval of this appointment.

"He is married to Kathy, and they have four children, Amy, Beth, Gareth and Jo, who are both adult and teenagers. Kathy Stewart is a supportive ministry co-worker with her husband. She has been a member of Council of St Catherine's School for Girls since 2004 and was a member of the Women's Ministry Leadership Teams when they were at both St Matthias and Wild Street congregations. She is noted for her welcoming Christian hospitality and I am certain she will be a valuable pastor and friend to clergy wives in the Wollongong region.

“After an outstanding and significant ministry, Bishop Reg Piper will retire from the position of Bishop of Wollongong in February 2007 to become the rector of Gymea parish. At this stage it is anticipated that the Rev Alan Stewart will become Bishop of Wollongong in early April after his consecration in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.

"As required before this appointment is made, the majority of the Metropolitans, as required by the Ordinance, have certified that a sufficient stipend will be provided.

"The new Bishop would be paid the usual stipend and allowances for an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese, as previously agreed by resolution of Standing Committee."
ENDS

Contact: Margaret Rodgers (w) 02 9265 1507