As rector of a large and complex parish Father Rod enjoys working with his team of highly motivated professionals with whom he can exercise his gifts of leadership, vision and strategic planning. He encourages colleagues to explore unchartered territory by permission giving and enabling support, while his excellent communication skills serve well in complex negotiations. Father Rod has served the Diocese of Newcastle in numerous senior appointments, including Archdeacon of the Central Coast, Area Dean and member of Diocesan Council. Serving on boards such as the Samaritans Foundation and The Anglican Saving and Development Fund has given him experience negotiating with government agencies and special interest groups. Father Rod has oversight of a large parish budget, which can exceed $1 million. The parish is fiscally sound and its complex budget is administered with strong economic management, including the supervision of large investments.

Project Manager/Builder

Father Rod has transformed the Gosford parish site since his arrival. The previous rectory is now a vibrant ministry centre housing staff and community offices 5 days per week. The heritage sandstone church, St Mary’s, has been restored to its former glory at a cost of $500,000, mostly raised by sponsorship from local businesses, and provides the parish with an important wedding ministry. A modern off- site rectory was completed in 2004, built without debt to the parish. Conceptual plans for an innovative $500,000 refurbishment of the main church building, Christ Church, are complete and will transform it into a cutting edge 21st century multi-purpose worship space. Negotiations are underway to enter into partnership with a local non-profit organization to build community offices and a multi-disciplinary centre on the site. However, the site will retain green space, including open areas, a proposed reflection garden and labyrinth.

Visionary

Father Rod has always held a deep desire for both interfaith and ecumenical partnerships. In 2005 he worked to bring the Abrahamic interfaith concept Project Abraham to the Central Coast. This dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims was so successful he took it to Newcastle the following year. In 2008 he pioneered a local ecumenical partnership with the Catholic and Uniting churches. This model has since been adopted at Diocesan level. In 2007 a contemporary art space was opened within Christ Church, hosting regular and significant exhibitions, some of which have travelled the world. Christ Church, with its amazing space and excellent acoustics, has also become a renowned concert space for local and visiting orchestras and choirs. These innovations have given the Christ Church community an in-road to connect with, and minister within the secular world.

Kingdom focus

Father Rod believes passionately in the work of the Kingdom, and a life lived desiring to walk in the Gospels. This may be reflected in worship, issues of social justice, environmental responsibility and sustainability, interfaith dialogue and a corporate modeling that is inclusive and tolerant. He has established a strong contemporary worship congregation.

In his desire to continue to effectively minister in the broader context, Father Rod is currently undertaking his Master of Arts (Public and Contextual Theology). This will enable him to gain an in-depth understanding of, and critically reflect upon, contemporary issues in society. In this context this includes such issues as social justice, welfare, the environment, the political sphere and the place of people from minority cultures within Australian society.

Civic Leader

Father Rod has built deep and abiding relationships within the city of Gosford, an unofficial chaplain to the city. He has strong and respectful relationships within local Council, the media, the RSL, community groups, local government and non-profit agencies and local health services.

Author

In 2006 Father Rod published his book Plan B Attitudes. This humble and gentle book, based on the Beatitudes, is intertwined with his own story and reflections. It is a powerful message of peace, love and forgiveness; a call to join our hearts to the Divine and to one another. The book describes a radical way of spiritual living and thinking in a world obsessed with status and possessions. Following the success of his book, Father Rod wrote and facilitated a series of Plan B Workshops.

On a personal note, Father Rod is married to Kerry and they have 2 married adult children, Kate and John. The arrival of their first grandchild, Isabella Rose, in April this year has delighted Father Rod and Kerry in ways they could not have imagined. He enjoys a good coffee in a quiet café, and restoring classic cars.