Saturday, October 31, 2009

An odd situation in Christchurch

My life is in a bit of upheaval at the moment. Through this year I have been keenly desiring a change in ministry work. Some doors have had the handles turned on them, but they have remained shut. One has opened, and Wednesday just past it was announced in the Diocese of Christchurch (NZ) that I will be its new Director of Education*, working on the staff of Bishop Victoria Matthews, beginning late January 2010. It is with much regret and mixed feelings that I leave my current role in the Diocese of Nelson - it has been a great and wonderful journey these last sixteen years, nine of which in my role as Ministry Educator - peopled by colleagues who have been friends and friends who have been colleagues. But when it is time to go, it is time to go.

Anyway, months ago, before it was at all clear that I would seek this appointment, let alone that I would be successful with my application, I agreed to lead a workshop on Preaching Luke's Gospel in Christchurch. As it began yesterday I became aware of the irony of the situation: within 48 hours of being appointed to the Education role those appointing me would have opportunity to regret the appointment!

Thanks be to God the workshop went well. The sun even shone warmly today (it does not do so as frequently there as up here in Nelson). All will be well.

*The Director of Education role will include responsibilities for theological education of lay and ordained (co-ordinating some courses, leading others), oversight of the Diocesan Ordination Training and Post Ordination Training programmes, in service training, and being part of the Bishop's executive staff team. For those knowledgeable of the "NZ scene" the role incorporates and extends the previous role of Director of Theology House. See also here.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Peter

Congratulations! Bummer for Nelson, but awesome for CHCH! Hope the move goes well for you and your family and you get to grow heaps through some great new challenges.

Look forward as always to the updates and musings.

God Bless

Ben Johnson-Frow

Gene Packwood said...

Congratulations. Say hello to Bishop Victoria from me.

Peter Carrell said...

Thank you, both of you, and I will pass your greetings on, Gene!

Doug Chaplin said...

Congratulations Peter. What exactly does the job entail? In England this would mean working with schools and colleges and the like. I'm guessing from your interests that it may mean something more ministerial in your country

Peter Carrell said...

Thanks, Doug.
Good point: it is a ministerial role (as now explained in a PS in the post).

Howard Pilgrim said...

Congratulations, Peter. I look forward to further inter-diocesan collegiality, oops doing some stuff together...

Peter Carrell said...

Excellent, Howard!

Paul Fromont said...

Well done Peter and congratulations. That'll be a big change - T and you have been at the top of the South Island for quite some time...

Hope that all goes well.

Paul

Peter Carrell said...

Thanks Paul
Yes, a long time at the Top!!
But Chch is not that far away

Stephen G said...

All the best, Peter. Hope it works out well.