Lay pastor Allan Starr offered help to a stranger in need, but this act of grace led to him being assaulted, tied up, and threatened with death.
In April this year, Allan Starr experienced a terror that few ministers would expect to encounter in the course of their ministry.
After chatting with a visitor for an hour one Saturday morning, the man turned on Allan " tying him up on the floor, blindfolding him and leaving with Allan's cash, a camera and ATM cards.
It all started a week earlier when Allan, a stipendiary lay worker at Riverwood-Punchbowl Anglican Church, received a knock at the door of his home " the St Saviour's, Punchbowl rectory " from Steven Phillips.
"He needed money, so I gave him a small amount. He seemed happy and went off," Allan says.
Mr Phillips returned the following Saturday morning, and Allan thought he'd make the most of what he saw as a pre-evangelistic opportunity.
"Since I had met him previously I felt comfortable inviting him in," Allan says.
After chatting for an hour it became apparent Mr Phillips wanted more money. Allan told him he could not assist in that way. As the pair moved to the door, Mr Phillips pulled a knife on Allan, demanding to know where the safe was.
"I did feel that I might be killed. When I didn't tell the man where the safe was, he threatened to stab me," Allan says. "There is no safe in my house, but it took a while to convince him of the fact. I gave him a bit of cash, a camera and my ATM cards."
Mr Phillips " holding a knife and having a much larger physical presence than Allan " proceeded to tied Allan up with items of clothing and cords from a blind.
"He took my glasses off, blindfolded me, put a shirt over my head and tied it around my neck. I gave him the pin numbers for my cards, then he turned the radio up full blast and shut the door, leaving me tied up in my study."
Thankfully, Allan was able to free himself within one minute of Mr Phillips escaping. Despite the telephone line being cut, Allan was able to use his mobile phone to call the police. Mr Phillips was caught by the police within 48 hours of the incident.
"I remember praying briefly " but truth be told, there was no opportunity to pray much because he was talking to me the entire time. When someone says they are willing to kill you, it's all you're really thinking about."
The Rector of Riverwood-Punchbowl, the Rev Neil Mayhew, was on leave at the time, but parish councillors and wardens were on hand to assist Allan immediately.
"One warden visited me and another made enquiries to track down counselling. I felt supported by the wardens and I couldn't have asked for more," he says.
Since a month after the incident, Allan has been seeing an Anglicare counsellor, which he finds very helpful.
"One of the counsellor's concerns was why I seemed to be managing okay, which led the counsellor to probe and uncover other unrelated issues I had. The counselling has actually helped me work through other stuff and develop as a Christian," Allan says.
Living on busy Canterbury Road, Punchbowl, Allan is situated in what is commonly regarded as one of the more unsafe areas in Sydney.
"I don't want act like I'm a martyr by staying out here. I was offered the job and it seemed like a good opportunity. I am happy to remain here as long as I can serve the parish effectively," Allan says.
Regarding the question of forgiveness, Allan says: "I told the police they could tell the man that I was praying for him and I have prayed that he would repent, realise the wrong he has done and somehow become a Christian.
"But if the man is acquitted or gets off lightly, then I might realise whether or not I really have forgiven him."
At the time of printing, Steven Phillips has pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident involving Allan Starr. However, Mr Phillips' lawyers are disputing certain specifics of the charges. Riverwood police say Mr Phillips will be sentenced in the coming months.
Allan is working part time with Riverwood-Punchbowl parish in 2007 while completing part-time studies in a Diploma of Education with Wesley Institute.
