ACR Journal

Australian Church Record – Issue June 2010

The Australian Church Record, number 1899, June 2010, has been released.

O n Tuesday 13th April, Peter Hayward was consecrated as the new Bishop of Wollongong. In the current church-planting environment, Peter brings a great deal of experience to his new role. While Assistant Minister at Penrith Anglican Church (1992–96), Peter had primary responsibility for establishing a church in what was then the very new suburb of Glenmore Park. Through Archbishop Robinson’s Vision for Growth scheme, he was able to give his full-time efforts to this work, which has now become a thriving congregation.

In 1996 Peter left Australia to become the founding pastor of Christ the Redeemer in Spokane, Washington (300 miles inland from Seattle). This was an independent Anglican church that was initially comprised of people who, for very good reasons, had separated from the Episcopal Church in Spokane. The ministry opportunity came through a connection to Sydney Diocese through Bishop Donald Robinson who had visited the church in 1994. While in Spokane, Peter gave regular reports to the Record. Most of the early days were given to establishing the right foundations, and Peter rejoices at God’s blessing of the Church during his five years and since that time.

After returning to Sydney in 2001, Peter has served as Rector of Beverly Hills Anglican Church. This Church had been established for some time, but the time had come to shape the ministry not by what the church and area once was but by what this area of Sydney was now becoming. The last 8 years have involved reconfiguring existing ministries, amalgamating a few congregations, and planting six churches with varying degrees of success. The Parish has now become a network of congregations partnering together in mission to the area.

With several clear growth areas steadily expanding its population, Wollongong can thank God that her new bishop is no mere theorist. As he moves south, Bishop Hayward brings eighteen years of proven and varied church planting experience.

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