Redfern's new Anglican minister won't come with "pre-packaged ideas on church growth' but will bring his heart for listening to the tough streets of the inner city.
The Rev Paul Dew, currently NSW Regional Officer for the Bush Church Aid Society, is keen to "get alongside' the community and learn the ropes.
"I hope Ray [Ray Minniecon, the parish's Aboriginal pastor] will take me under his wing," Mr Dew says.
"I haven't got it all together in the sense that I'm a guru. I've got to learn how to do [ministry] in Redfern " how to relate to people and communicate to people."
South Sydney parish " often referred to simply as Redfern " includes St Saviour's, Redfern and St James', Beaconsfield, as well as the Crossroads Aboriginal Church.
Redfern is one of Sydney's most disadvantaged suburbs. The Anglican Church there is noted for its evangelical witness and strong concern for social justice, particularly for the local Indigenous population.
The parish has been without a senior minister after former Rector, John McIntyre became Bishop of Gippsland in Victoria in January.
The Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen made the appointment, which was announced to the parish yesterday.
The Bishop of South Sydney Robert Forsyth says it required a lot of thought to find the right kind of person for ministry in Redfern's extremes of poverty and wealth.
"Many guys are intimidated; it seems like a hard task. But Paul is unfazed," Bishop Forsyth says.
He believes Mr Dew won't arrive with "pre-packaged ideas on church growth' but will be keen to listen and learn.
"He has big shoes to fill, but he is a quiet, experienced, humble man who loves people and I believe over the years will win a very great following in the area and lead a flourishing church," Bishop Forsyth says.
Mr Dew said God was calling him to make a change in his life, and sees his new role as an opportunity to grow.
"This is a great challenge. I'm not frightened by inner city ministry but excited by the opportunities," Mr Dew says.
"There are not a lot of churches in Sydney where the church door is open, [but] St Saviour's is. The community cares about the church and the church cares about the community.
"Christ has broken down the walls of hostility " it's a foretaste of the kingdom to come.
"I want to build upon the work of the previous and existing ministries and come alongside the congregation so as to promote the gospel to see all presented mature in Christ."
A country boy takes on his first inner-city parish
Paul Dew grew up on a farm situated some 50 miles west of Kempsey and has lived and worked with Aboriginal people for much of his life.
Married to Heather with three adult children, he previously held appointments in the Dioceses of Grafton and Armidale, in the centres of Ballina, Quirindi, Werris Creek and Narrabri.
Mr Dew, while Rector of Narrabri, was the President of the local Community Aid Society, an umbrella body that operated a wide range of schemes to meet various local needs for individuals and the wider community.
South Sydney will be his first inner city parish.
Mr Dew gained a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics degree and Dip. Ed from the University of New England.
He entered Moore College in Sydney for theological training, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Theology and an MA.
He was ordained Deacon in 1982 in the Diocese of Grafton and the following year he was ordained a presbyter in that same diocese.
