Many will know that there are three types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Bishop Mark Calder, 11th Bishop of Bathurst, retiring on 19 September 2026, has been a bishop who, under God, has made things happen.
With all the enthusiasm of a God-ordained Energizer Bunny, and a determination to see Jesus shared clearly, concisely, and engagingly, Bishop Calder took hold of his episcopal pastoral staff with alacrity in late 2019 and instigated a new era for the saints and regional communities of Central and Western NSW.
It soon became clear that the bishop’s initial objective was to unite the people of the diocese by pointing us to Jesus. His first words after accepting the invitation were in a video message to the Synod from Romans 15:5-6 (NIV); “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Mark was no stranger to long-distance ministry, having been born in Broken Hill to a family committed to the work of Bush Church Aid. So the large size of his new diocese was no challenge compared to the country of his birth further west. The bishop’s adept use of Facebook and frequent creation of videos for YouTube brought unity quickly to a diocese stretching from Oberon and the Bathurst Plains to the banks of the Darling River and everywhere in between.
A. B. “Banjo” Paterson, born in the diocese (near Orange) wrote, “Clancy’s gone to Queensland droving, and we don’t know where he are”. Having served in Noosa prior to coming to us, Mark Calder came from Queensland ministering and we have always known where he is! The bishop posted early and posted often to his trusty Facebook feed. As a result, we could follow his extensive progress and see sights of churches and people that many of us had never seen before. His use of technology was enlightening and inspiring.
His informal shirt-wearing attire in leading church services was pioneering for our diocese, aided in large measure by the fact that he brought the latest fashions from Noosa. He has been the very model of the modern regional bishop. Yet, he has also been a master of versatility, being just as comfortable wearing the bishop’s mitre and carrying his pastoral staff while enthusiastically encouraging the traditional aspects of Anglicanism.
Diocesan Chancellor Adrian Ahern said, “When he took on the role of bishop, Mark knew he faced many challenges including the need to lead a spiritual renewal in the diocese. He knew he would need prayerful support and great patience, knowing God would work a spiritual renewal in God’s good time. And then witnessing a spiritual renewal over the past six years has been a joy [for] which we must give great thanks to God.”
One by one, new ministers were appointed. This task was aided by the bishop informing the wider church via Facebook of the great need for ministers, and his highly prioritised visits to Bible and theological colleges to elaborate on why Bathurst Diocese was the place to be. Ray Haigh, lay minister in the Parish of Narromine and Trangie remarked, “If you have been in one of the training colleges and don’t know Bishop Mark, you might have been in hospital in a coma!”
As time marched forward with a friendly step, parishes began to think more intentionally about their ministry priorities and came to adopt the mission statement for the diocese, “Sharing Jesus for Life.” In God’s goodness, people started coming to church. Some congregations experienced significant increases. Introductory courses and Bible studies were introduced. Gospel partnerships were further developed beyond the diocese. Conversions, baptisms, and renewed worship experience unfolded. Children’s and youth ministry emerged. The Revd Bob Cameron, Rector of the Parish of East Orange for much of Bishop Mark’s tenure, also said that there was “an increasing consciousness of our calling to make Christ known in the community, and to help others come to faith in him.”
The emerging ministry was supported by the diocesan administration. This brought increasing financial transparency, discovery of building conditions and maintenance needs, cost savings, increasing compliance with safe ministry standards, and new parish and ministry standards ordinances to ensure best practice. These initiatives were driven in very large measure by the toil and proficiency of our Registrar and Business Manager, Dr Warwick Baines.
There have been many wonderful stories of people coming to new life in Jesus. Perhaps the conversions that have been most moving are those such as Chancellor Ahern described in one instance:
“I recall… (mid-2022) sitting with Mark one Saturday afternoon at his house in Bathurst. The phone rang and after a few minutes on the call I could see Mark becoming teary. I was concerned that there may have been an issue with a family member. When the call finished, I asked Mark if he was ok. He replied, yes, indeed, praise the Lord, all was ok – he then said on the call one of the ministers in the diocese had rung to say that someone locally who had been coming to their local church for 40+ years had only that day at a prayer meeting put their faith in Jesus. A renewal was underway!”
Bishop Calder has preached Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the word of God. He has faithfully shepherded the flock in his care. He has equipped the clergy and people to live for Jesus by his example, speech and leadership style. Mr Haigh said, “his example, his conversations, his leadership style has encouraged me to be a better disciple of Jesus and in Sharing Jesus for Life.”
We are grateful for God’s grace and mercy to the Bathurst Diocese, not least of all in raising up Bishop Calder to serve us. There is no mistaking it: we received the sacrificial service of three bishops in one.
Bishop Calder made things happen. Some have watched what happened, and it could be the case that some are wondering what happened!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)
This article was first published in the ACR’s 2026 Synod Journal.
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