By Sarita England
It’s a long way from a small settlement in outback Tanzania, where people struggle daily with the reality of poverty, disease and death, to the glitzy Eastern Suburbs and the parish of Vaucluse right in the middle of the ‘insular peninsular’.
But it is a move the Rev Michael Palmer, a recently returned CMS missionary, has made with his wife and young family saying, “[No] matter where people live, they still need to hear the gospel. People in Vaucluse are needy just like anywhere else.”
The fact that some have questioned his decision, Michael accepts with a smile. “Ten years ago when we went to Tanzania, people said ‘Why are you going there? It’s so difficult and dangerous’. Then when we accepted St Michael’s, Vaucluse, people said much the same – ‘Why are you going there? It will be such hard work.’ I guess we like a challenge.”
For nine years Michael worked at the Kagera Technical and Christian Training Centre (KTCTC) in the isolated Diocese of Kagera, western Tanzania. He was providing ministry training for men and women who, despite a great passion for Christ, often had little schooling and minimal theological education.
Tanzanians live in a country where life expectancy is 44 years compared to Australia’s 80 years, where every family has been touched by HIV/AIDS, and where a couple expect that at least one child will die in infancy. Lay pastors are ministering under extremely difficult conditions, bringing a message of hope to communities living well below the poverty line. Theological training is vital if these pastors are to be effective in their gospel ministry.
However, Michael said that many Tanzanians lived inspiring Christian lives despite the physical difficulties. “Their focus is heaven. The material world is recognised as unreliable and so held lightly – important but not our ultimate goal. This spirit often results in incredible acts of generosity as the brevity of life makes a mockery of a self-centred life. Men and women, so focused, and encouraged with good biblical teaching are the dynamic force behind the growth of the Church in Tanzania. Their training ought to be seen as a strategic priority as we look to use our resources and theological expertise wisely.”
A strong sense of community is also apparent in Tanzania. “People feel they belong to one another and have a role and purpose in their society,” Michael said. “In Sydney this feeling of belonging can sometimes be missing, leaving feelings of isolation and disconnectedness.”
“One of the biggest complaints about the church in Australia,” Michael said, “is that we preach without living out what we say. But at St Michael’s we are striving to be a church where people can belong, whether they are old or young, poor or rich. A church where we can relate generously both to one another and to others in the wider community, whether in Australia or overseas.”
St Michael’s warden, Andrew Keene, said that the church is already reaping the benefits of a new style of leadership. “It has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. Michael has rejected the stereotypes of Vaucluse that many people cannot see beyond, and has picked up our traditions and given them new life.”
Michael said, “Yes, I believe that my role with CMS teaching theological truths to church leaders in an emerging church was a very strategic ministry but I was both teacher and student! The big insight, which I have gained from the Tanzanian Church concerns our responsibility to one another. Sure, many parishioners at St Michael’s are wealthy, but their real wealth is not in their houses or nice cars but in their relationships and their ongoing willingness to encourage one another in service to the Lord Jesus.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Overseas Ministry Fund is raising money to send graduates from KTCTC to undertake a Diploma of Theology in Swahili at the Bible College in Dodoma.