After six years in the growing suburbs of South West Sydney, church planter Stefan Bull is moving to the Sutherland Shire.
"I am leaving my beloved Harrington Park congregation to lead the ministry team at St Philip's, Caringbah," says the 36-year-old.
Stefan says the parish nominators were looking for someone keen to lead them in reaching more people for the gospel.
"They approached us to see if we would consider a move."
Stefan, who is finishing as the curate-in-charge of South Creek parish and has been heavily involved in church planting is keen to take up the challenge of leading an established church.
"Caringbah has a great tradition of evangelistic ministry. It is one of the keen Shire churches that are looking for a way of engaging the Diocesan mission."
Although it may seem strange for a church planter to move to a more established church, Stefan sees it as a perfect fit.
"There is much overlap in the skills needed to reach the lost and mobilise the church to mission thinking," he says.
"I am someone who likes to think outside the square. In coming to a well established church I hope to champion those things that promote the mission and to establish new ministries and fellowships that see newcomers integrated into the church."
New ‘church’ reaches retirees
One such fellowship started earlier this year is a new Sunday afternoon congregation at the recently built Anglican Retirement Village, Woolooware Shores.
Stefan hopes to see this ministry grow and is delighted by the work already being accomplished there by two St Philip's staff members.
"There is a higher than average number of retirees and seniors in the Caringbah parish compared to the rest of the Sydney," Stefan says.
"St Philip's continues to have a vibrant ministry to this age group and the partnership with Woolooware Shores will only enhance this. The ministry to this age group excites me. It is a wonderful opportunity for the gospel."
However, Stefan says it is a mistake to think that St Philip's is only concerned for seniors' ministry.
The church has active and growing ministries to families and children as well as a growing ministry to the local youth.
Stefan has already commenced working with his new parish, meeting with the staff two days a week to develop plans for 2007.
"This will help to ensure that we hit the ground running before I start officially as rector on December 8."
Stefan says he and his wife Helen are very excited by the opportunity to work in a well-resourced church.
"We have already been overwhelmed by the welcome of the congregation," he says.
"Yet we are sad to be leaving Harrington Park and all our friends there. It is great news that wherever we may serve, Christ continues to build his church."
