ACR Journal

Australian Church Record – Issue December 2006

The Australian Church Record, number 1891, December 2006, has been released.

A passion for fitness, Sydney-wide parish experience, country-born, proven record in youth-ministry, good-humoured, an interesting and compelling preacher, likes swimming (but not with sharks), excellent public evangelist, loves a good bit of meat, long-standing contributor to team ministry, winning smile (but no hair), able leader and administrator. The list could go on of the things that Wollongong is receiving in the appointment of her new Bishop, Alan Stewart.

But beyond those personal characteristics endorsing him for this position, Alan also holds much promise for the future because of his ‘demographic’. Even though he might still qualify for a place amongst the Baby Boomers—irrespective of whether the period ends with 1961, 1964, or 1965—he is certainly a ‘baby, baby boomer’, part of its second cohort (1955+). Born in 1959, and with a clear interest in youth which has made him look to the next generation for some time, the new Bishop of Wollongong may not break the baby boomer barrier, but he gives it a good bruising.

“I think the world has changed in the last generation. Institutional authority means much less to most people under 40. Leadership and influence has to come from winning people’s hearts and minds— influence through vision and nurture. In order to lead we should be able to see where it is that we need to go and people need to know that you…

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