End-of-year gathering - Reflecting on the passing year and looking ahead
Members of Victorian Anglicans Together participated in a lively conversation about ministry in the year about to close and in the future at VAT’s end-of-year gathering at St George’s Malvern last Thursday.
Leading the conversation, the Revd Dr Alex Ross, vicar of St John’s East Malvern and St Agnes’ Glen Huntly, responding to questions from Archdeacon Colleen O’Reilly, spoke warmly of some pleasing aspects of 2025 in his parishes. With a gradual growth in numbers in both churches, some new services had been introduced, reflecting a deepening sense of devotion. Alluding to the teaching that the prime Christian duty is to worship God, he said that worship was always the highlight for him: “We need to take worship very seriously”. He added that we need to remember that the Gospel and pastoral care change people’s lives. “We can take it for granted, but we can see profound changes in people’s lives”.
The conversation widened into a general discussion about the changing pattern of those seeking ordination, and the role of examining chaplains. Those offering in recent times were older than in previous years, were coming much later in their studies, and had often had a previous career. Some, coming at the end of their theological studies, simply expected they’d be ordained. It was the examining chaplains’ role to discern whether they really had a call to the ordained ministry.
Some potential ordinands were already lay ministers in their parishes, and stayed on in the same parish once ordained, and so missed the opportunity to experience the fullness of Melbourne Anglicanism. Concern was also expressed that some recently ordained clergy lacked a clear understanding of Anglican polity. This was a formation issue, Archdeacon O’Reilly said.
With increasing numbers of ordinands coming from Ridley College and City on a Hill churches, there was a clear need for more ordinands from the catholic wing of the church through Trinity College Theological School. This needed to turn around to fully reflect the diversity of Melbourne Diocese, but there was no “magic wand”.
Given we no longer have General Synod or diocesan lay education programs as were provided in the past, a program offering intentional education for parishioners is needed. It would not just deepen parishioners’ theological understanding and spirituality but would also foster vocations. If modest funding can be identified, perhaps such a program might become a component of diocesan plans for parish revitalisation.
Dr Muriel Porter OAM
Muriel Porter is a Melbourne-based Anglican journalist, author, historian and commentator who has written widely on the life and challenges of the Australian Church and society. A long-serving lay member of the Anglican Church of Australia’s General Synod, she has been a key advocate for the full equality of women and LGBTQ+ people in all aspects of church life. Her many books and articles bring informed, courageous insight to conversations about faith, justice and the future of Anglicanism.