The Rev David Mansfield, Director of Evangelism Ministries (EM) has resigned after 12 years to become the rector of St Phillip’s, York Street.
David says he made the decision to leave EM because ‘the cut and thrust of gospel ministry in local church and community life is where the action is’.
He will begin this new phase of ministry at Sydney’s oldest church in September.
“When I took on this itinerant work, I saw it as an important but temporary role,” he said.
“I had a gut feeling it would be 10 years. It has been 12 wonderfully stretching, stimulating and exhausting years in serving local churches but now it’s time to get back to the grass roots of gospelling and training people with hopefully a little wisdom and certainly truckloads of ideas.”
Formerly known as the Anglican Department of Evangelism and the Board of Diocesan Missions, EM has an 80 year history in the Diocese.
After graduating from Moore College in 1977, David and his wife Helen ministered in North-West Australia and Miranda. David then became rector of Fairy Meadow Anglican Church from 1982 to 1987 and Christ Church, Kiama until 1992.
David says the organisation will continue its work of preaching and training while it continues to develop its resource of coaching/consulting to church leaders and congregations.
“This is a vital work as we seek to work together in the Diocesan Mission,” he said. David will continue in a minor role with EM in his new ministry.
He recalls enduring memories of his time with EM. “Working with a fantastic bunch of people…and observing brothers and sisters in Christ busting their gut to introduce their friends and family to Jesus thrills, melts and breaks my heart.”