Philip Gerber, the inaugural director of Sydney Diocese's Professional Standards Unit (PSU), is resigning in July to work with the Diocese of Northern Territory.
Last night CMS' NSW General Committee formally accepted Philip, and his wife Deanne, as missionaries in training.
The plan is for Mr Gerber to work in a senior administration role supporting Northern Territory's Bishop, Greg Thompson.
Mr Gerber describes the role, which he will take up in 2010, as "administrative and field work for the Bishop'.
"God worked this out," says Philip. "We have been aware there are gospel needs in the Northern Territory, as it's a very under resourced place. We were challenged at the last Summer School to think seriously about the missionfield. We approached CMS and doors kept on opening."
"We were in a position to explore other avenues and we did. That's always a dangerous thing to do!"
Mr Gerber says he is "very excited' by the new challenge, and enthusiastically showed off his new Kriol skills to Sydneyanglicans.net quoting John 3:16 in full.
"That's all I know, " he later admitted with a laugh.
"I am in my mid 50s, so it was time to think whether I should stay in this [PSU] position for the rest of my working life. My plan is to give it a real go in Darwin for the next decade."
Philip’s wife, Deanne, has a background in teaching, writing children’s books and hospital chaplaincy.
"There is plenty of work for her to do in these fields in Darwin," says Mr Gerber.
Critical moment in NT history
Although the Diocese of the Northern Territory will benefit from Mr Gerber's vast experience helping tackle clergy abuse across the Anglican Church of Australia, his new role will only relate to this issue in a "peripheral' way.
"They have already appointed someone specifically to do "safe ministry' training," Mr Gerber said.
A bigger issue, says Mr Gerber, will be helping the diocese rethink ministry in the light of the Federal Government's radical new approach to remote Indigenous communities.
"They are at a critical moment in history. Someone has commented we have the most assimilationist Federal Minister in decades. The decision to focus all Government services on 20 remote hubs is a significant change in policy. It does have the potential to strengthen the Aboriginal ministry because it could make it more stable."
Mr Gerber will finish up as Sydney Diocese's Professional Standards Director on July 3.
"It been a great privilege to be Sydney's inaugural director and have the opportunity to shape policy. But it will be good for the Diocese, after 9 years, to have someone new come in and look at it freshly."
Philip and his wife Deanne will spend the rest of the year at St Andrew Hall, the CMS training facility in Melbourne before moving to Darwin next year.
"St Andrew's Hall is going to be fun and a real challenge. You are never too old to learn."
The Gerbers two biggest worries are leaving family, especially their "five and a half grandchildren in Sydney", and leaving their church.
"It is sad to leave Quakers Hill [Anglican Church]. We have been there nineteen years now. But the church are being very supportive of our decision."
Search for new PSU director
Sydney Diocese has begun the search for a new director for the Professional Standards Unit and an appointment will be made "as soon as practicable".
Archbishop Perter Jensen has wished Mr Gerber well in his new position.
He says: “As the first director of the PSU, Philip Gerber has worked very hard to establish godly and workable guidelines and policies. This is a vital work for the church both now and for the future. I’m sure he will bring that energy and commitment to his new role and I pray God’s blessing will be on his work in the Northern Territory.”
