The founding CEO of Sydney's Anglican Youthworks, the Rev Dr Lindsay Stoddart, has been appointed as the new Dean of Hobart.
Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, is delighted at this new appointment, describing Dr Stoddart as "a significant new leader in the Anglican Church in Tasmania'.
In turn, Dr Stoddart says he is looking forward to being part of Bishop Harrower's vision "of a growing missionary Diocese'.
"In the selection process I was challenged by a Cathedral selector. When I asked, “What is the Cathedral’s challenge and vision” - I was quickly advised - “We want to grow.”
Dr Stoddart admits there are challenges in ministering in a traditional Cathedral context.
"I am an Anglican Christian committed to the Bible and the prayer book," he says.
"Cathedral life will be more conservative than much of my prior ministry, yet the futurists tell us that "Gen Xers' and the generations following are swayed by symbol and security. Their world is chaotic, unsure and diverse.
“The Gospel is God-made for this diversity - the God of Abraham calls people of all nations. The good news found in the death and resurrection of Jesus offers a safe hope that releases young and old to a fathomless liberty. The challenge is changeless."
Dr Stoddart has had a wide variety of church leadership experiences, including Archdeacon of Wollongong from 1994 to 1998, rector of Gymea Anglican Church from 1990 to 1994, as well as planting St Mark’s Oakhurst in 1987.
Dr Stoddart is also a qualified lawyer and most recently has been a senior consultant at Wollongong law firm, Kells.
Dr Stoddart is asking Sydney Anglicans to pray for the mission of Tasmania's churches.
"Pray that the as the Bible is lived and taught that Christians will be equipped and encouraged," he says.
"Pray for families in the congregation and the children and young people of Hobart that we can show them Christ. Pray for Tasmania that all churches will be revived by the Spirit and resourced for an even more effective ministry."
Asked what he will miss most about Wollongong, Dr Stoddart nominated "my beautiful Austinmer beach' and "sermons from my daughter at All Saints Austinmer that touch my heart and my intellect and feed my soul'.
Dr Stoddart, with wife Jan, have four children and three grandchildren.
"We leave Jan’s elderly mother and my father who model Christ to us," he says.
"We will miss them greatly. But Jetstar is low cost."
Dr Stoddart will take up his appointment in March 2006.
