In this article:
- Young blood to bring fresh approach
- Are Christians the barrier to finding the lost?
Young blood to bring fresh approach
Three years as chaplain at the University of Wollongong have provided an intense school of ministry for the Rev Richard Blight. As he prepares to take up his new role as rector of St John’s, Padstow in early 2003, he will leave both the University campus and his part-time role as assistant minister at St Mark’s, West Wollongong.
But Mr Blight, 36, says his time on the South Coast has given him a unique opportunity “to be constantly stretched, to think about current issues, to reach people from a range of cultural backgrounds, and to pastor people through a variety of life’s ups-and-downs.”
With this range of experience behind them, MrBlight and his wife Michelle will take up the appointment at Padstow in mid-January.
Located in the Bankstown area, Padstow is one part of the most multicultural areas in Sydney. While around half of the district’s 165,000 speak languages other than English at home, Mr Blight describes Padstow as more ‘old Australian’ than the rest of the area. However Padstow is expected to become more multi-cultural over the next decade, as more medium-density housing goes up and a diversity of young families moves in.
With a young family of his own, Mr Blight said he is particularly looking forward to reaching that section of the local community. “The church has had very few young families recently, and they were keen to have us there so we could focus on that aspect of ministry,” he said.
St John’s already has a number of young adults and a strong senior youth group, Mr Blight hopes to consolidate these strengths. “The challenge will be to grow the church in all areas, and also to build up the youth and young adults,” he said. “We will also be continuing to reach out to the older generation, who have formed the backbone of the parish for some time.”
While he admitted that the details of the ministry would have to wait until after his induction, he said it will be ‘based around the teaching of God’s word and seeking to care for people’. Mr Blight’s aim is to see St John’s develop from being a smaller church, to the point where they can have an impact in the community and reach out to those around them.
Are Christians the barrier to finding the lost?
by Geoff Huard
The Christmas season is a huge time of opportunity. Consider the openness of people in this time of ‘good will’. Consider also the community’s hunger for spiritual refreshment. Consider the search for hope in a time of despair, as well as fear of terrorism. People are crying out in spiritual need for peace and purpose. They are ready to listen.
Our community is like the blind beggar of Luke 18 desperately searching for food for survival.
The beggar’s keenly developed sense of hearing told him a commotion was not far away and it was something he needed to know about. News that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by triggered in him a cry for help.
However those who should have brought him forward to meet the Saviour told him to be quiet. Thankfully his persistence paid off and he met the Saviour. Jesus’ personal touch in enquiring into his needs led to restoration of sight and the commendation of faith. There was widespread praising of God who in mercy had done all things well. But notice the barriers erected by those who should have known the Saviour’s heart better.
Do we see this Christmas season as a wonderful opportunity to introduce people to the Saviour? Certainly the traditional carol services will draw those who already feel comfortable in our churches and schools.
But what about those searching desperately for survival in this fearful, confusing and unsafe world? Where are they? How can we seek them out?
We may find their cries for help somewhat unconventional and a real nuisance, but we must not block their access to the Saviour and prevent them hearing His message of peace, joy and hope.
As we reflect on our Diocesan mission, let us seize this annual opportunity to introduce the Saviour and His message to those calling out. Let’s put the mission into action.
