Bishop Ian Lambert has returned to the Royal Military College Duntroon, from where he graduated in 1976, to be officially commissioned as the new Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force.

During a ceremony on July 5th in St Paul’s Chapel, Bishop Lambert was installed as the chief minister and pastor within the Defence community. 

Before entering the ministry in the 1990’s, Bishop Lambert was a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. 

He well knows the value of armed forces ministry, having been converted and discipled by his local padre, Chaplain Royce Thompson. 

After theological college, a series of parish ministries led to his appointment as Archdeacon for the South Coast and Monaro in 2009, and then as an Assistant Bishop in Canberra-Goulburn in 2012. 

The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, the Chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force and members of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services, as well as representatives of the Defence community from many religious denominations.

During his sermon, the bishop spoke of his conversion at a leadership course in 1988. “I discovered the answer to the questions ‘Who am I, and Whose am I.’ The two most important questions for each us – whether we be bishops, admirals, politicians, lay folk, ambassadors, chaplains, …whomever …the answer to these two questions will shape our character, and our confidence in life, in work, and in ministry.  And will determine our destiny” Bishop Lambert said. “Each of us here are so important to God, that his sent His Son to die for us ….to put us right again with the God who lovingly created us” he said.

The bishop takes up his role immediately.

“I look forward to my new ministry in support of those that serve their country so selflessly,” Bishop Lambert said.

Feature photo: Leading Seaman Helen Frank, Defence News