Since 1995, Margaret Powell has served on the staff at St Paul's, Castle Hill. So why, after more than 12 years of full-time ministry, has she now been ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church?
Margaret is one of 46 new deacons in the Diocese of Sydney, ordained on Saturday at St Andrew's Cathedral. But almost half of that near-record group will continue in ministry positions they have filled for years, or even decades.
The trend is part of ongoing changes to the structures of ministry in Sydney Diocese. In keeping with the diocesan Mission, a new role of "permanent diaconate' has been introduced, allowing the Diocese to recognise and support people in full-time ministry who don't plan to become senior ministers of parishes.
"It's a formal affirmation by the Diocese of the work I have been doing and will continue to do," Margaret says. "It shows that you don't have to be the leader of a church to be valued or for your work to be important."
The Rev Rob Smith, who oversees and coordinates ordination processes for the Diocese, says that previously the assumption had been that the diaconate was simply a "stepping stone' to being ordained as presbyter " a role normally associated with leading a parish.
"There are all kinds of people doing all kinds of ministry in the Diocese, and those people should be recognised, even though they may not plan on going into the presbyterate," he said.
Mr Smith says the permanent diaconate will aid the spread of the gospel. "In order for the church to grow and the Mission to move forward, we need all kinds of ministry going on " not just more rectors of parishes."
Previously, men ordained as deacons progressed almost automatically to being presbyters, often within a year. Under the new structures, men wishing to become senior ministers must specifically apply and take deliberate steps before being ordained presbyters.
The process takes at least 22 months, and training is targeted specifically at helping them to meet the challenges of leading a parish.
As one of five women ordained on Saturday " along with Juliette Antoon, commissioned as Diocesan Lay Worker for St Michael's, Wollongong " Margaret Powell hopes the step will encourage other women to see the opportunities for full-time ministry.
"It's important for women to see that it's legitimate to work in ministry, and that it is encouraged and affirmed by the Diocese for them to do so," she says.
After joining St Paul's as the young adults' worker in 1995, Margaret is now responsible for overseeing the parish's discipleship ministries, including small groups, care ministries and supporting "global ministry'.
She is excited about staying at St Paul's "for the long haul' " and is still delighted by her favourite part of the job: "When I am reading the Bible with people and they see how it impacts directly on their lives. I love seeing the lights go one when people understand what God is saying."
At the other end of the spectrum, Adam Clark is one of 26 ordinands to have just completed studies at Moore College. Adam is now assistant minister at St Paul's, South Coogee, where he will be responsible for ministry to youth, young adults and young families.
Adam says the new system has helped him think carefully about his future. "I'm happy to be a long-term deacon, but a few years down the track I will have another think about things," he says.
"If it becomes obvious to me and to others that I'm the sort of person who should take responsibility for leading a parish, I will probably pursue it. If people tap me on the shoulder, I will listen to that."
Adam says the changes have been welcomed by those now entering the system.
"People are happy not to be pushed into being presbyters too quickly " to have a slower road, to get more of a taste of what it is to be in full-time ministry and leadership, and what are the gifts and the skill sets they need."
Archbishop Peter Jensen described the bumper crop of ordinands as "a sign of God's blessing on our Diocesan Mission, in that he is giving us more workers committed to preaching and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to our community today."
"It is a wonderful encouragement, and a tremendous gift from God, to see so many people, both men and women, coming forward for theological training prior to bring ordained for ministry in the Diocese of Sydney and in the wider church," he said.
Photos courtesy Ramon Williams
