What St Philips needs...

Firstly, thankyou to the people who have fed back their thoughts about St Philips getting an Associate Minister in the near future.The overwhelming response has been positive; sometimes to the point of, "Its about time!" All in all that is encouraging.Feedback suggests three main reasons why an Associate is seen as a good idea; firstly,it is generally accepted that there is just too much to do for one person to do well and stay healthy. Secondly, it is generally accepted that partnership is good, it adds diversity of gifts, styles and resources and thirdly, as churches change to be community or outwardly focused with the gospel, there is a need for leaders who are spending time encouraging other leaders in what they are doing - the fabulous people who are leading play groups (x2), authoring centenary books, resourcing and running Alpha Courses, doing quiz nights, growing Connect groups (x4), persisting in prayer ministry (at least 6), let alone home groups that meet for teaching, prayer and encouragement, city gatherings and a whole overseas cornucopia of ministries as well as carols at Christmas and Summer Stillpoint..... All the men and women who take responsibility for these adventures need and deserve care and encouragement. We need an Associate gifted in care, encouragement and resourcing to build up other generous leaders who are giving their hearts and lives, often with way too little support.To me the Parish Council, staff and ministry team and those of you who have shared with me see it is a "no brainer".The challenge is to find the right person. Would you pray to this end?We have decided to trust God for the financial resources; I would ask that you consider this prayerfully too.Over the coming weeks we will be sharing from the front some of the characteristics we think our Associate needs to be a joyful contributor to St Phils. We are aware that when combined our best human efforts to identify characteristics mean nothing if God is not central to all we do to realise our objective. This is where we need you. We need you to pray privately; to come to prayer meetings at church when we hold them; to pray during the week in our regular morning prayer meetings.I would prefer - God willing - to find this person in Perth. I am told that they don't exist in Perth. None of us are experienced clergy recruiters, so do please pray for God to lead and guide us.In the spirit of new adventures please hold Richard and Roberta in your prayers as they marry on Rotto on Grand final day. May God bless them and their Brady Bunch richly.Also, Di Hooley is off to serve the poorest of the poor in Nepal with the boys from Christ Church Grammar- she'd appreciate your prayers as well.Blessings to AllMalcolm