There was cause for celebration recently, when a 57-year-old former IT executive was ordained a deacon at St Alban’s, Epping. More than 400 people witnessed Cliff Stratton’s ordination at Epping in August. Mr Stratton is now assistant minister at St Alban’s.

Mr Stratton, a self-confessed ‘high-church person’, made headlines last year over his decision to leave a high-flying career in IT, including 15 years in business management, to take up full-time theological study in Sydney with the aim of going into parish ministry in the Diocese. He says his years in the secular workforce has given him the ‘life experience’ he hopes will be beneficial to the people of Epping.

Mr Stratton completed his Moore College studies this year. He has a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Santa Clara University, California, and is about to complete a Masters in Theology from Oxford University. Mr Stratton also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New England.

He committed his life to Christ at age 11 and thought about becoming a minister ever since, but his life took a different direction until 1996 when he became active in ministry in an Episcopal Church when he was working in California’s Silicon Valley.

It might be said that the ordination service was a fitting conclusion to his theological study. But Mr Stratton says it is only the beginning. “My goal is to serve the people of Epping. It’s only the start. My aim is to use my life experiences in sharing the gospel.”

“Cliff had a very successful career in the IT industry,” said the Rev John Cornish of St Alban’s.  “The ordination service … allowed Cliff to finally answer the special call that God had upon his life.”