‘Not necessarily a job that you choose’
Q What jobs did you do before this one?
Painter and decorator, intermediate youth worker, Christian children’s worker.
Q Why did you choose this job?
Ministry is not necessarily a job that you choose, rather it is a vocation that God chooses you for. After acknowledging this calling in my life, this was then confirmed through others’ assessment of my sense of calling. Fundamentally, I enjoy working alongside people.
Q How did you get into it and when?
In many ways it started when I attended the Presbyterian Church as a child and my mum was the Sunday School teacher.
Towards the end of my painting and decorating apprenticeship I was starting to consider my options. Having had a sense of call for some years to Christian ministry, I started two parttime jobs in ministry, working with youth and children. During this time, I started studying part time a degree in theology. In 2012 I applied to the Church for a process called National Assessment. This starts firstly in your own church, is confirmed at a regional and finally at a national level.
Q What qualifications and training do you need?
Usually to have completed part or all of another tertiary or vocation award, a bachelor of theology or equivalent degree. This is then followed once accepted by the Church for training through a 22month internshipbased diploma in ministry.
Q What personal skills do you need?
Solid and living personal faith, flexibility, empathy, listening skills, agile leadership, communication skills including public speaking, selfcare and selfmanagement, respect and ability to work constructively with difference, emotional maturity.
Q Any physical requirements?
Being fit and healthy both physically and mentally is helpful for the job.
Q Are there any particular health and safety issues?
Selfcare is vitally important, as working with people pastorally is demanding emotionally and spiritually. All Presbyterian Church Aotearoa New Zealand ministers are required to attend professional supervision.
Q What do you do on a daily basis?
While there is a weekly rhythm working towards Sunday worship, every day is different, and often interrupted by life. It includes: preparing sermons and prayers; meeting with all sorts of people from different backgrounds; assisting families with significant family events; weddings; funerals; assisting regionally (OtagoSouthland) with property and finance issues; carrying out the sacraments of the Church: baptism and communion; meeting with other colleagues within and across the denomination; participating in regional decisionmaking processes; leading the local Church vision alongside members of the local
Church; serving on the national executive of Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New Zealand; participating in the life of the local community; spending time in prayer and reflection.
Q What is the best thing about your job?
Working with people who volunteer generously to serve the Church and care for others in the world. Learning the life stories of people who have persevered in the faith despite the challenges that life can throw all of us.
Q What is the most interesting thing you’ve done in your job?
Starting the Alexandra Community Christmas Day barbecue lunch with two friends, with about three weeks to pull it off. Our last meal attracted almost 140 people from around the world, some who were celebrating Christmas for the first time. It was at this event I met my wife.
Q How has the job changed since you started?
The environment in which the Church finds itself in New Zealand is increasingly hostile to faith.
Q What’s something people generally don’t know
about the job?
The Church, and therefore my position, is funded locally primarily, i.e. there is no government funding, or no ‘‘big pot of money’’ centrally to pay for the Church or its work.
Q What are the highs of the job?
Helping families to celebrate their loved ones’ lives during times of grief.
Q What are the lows of the job?
The most challenging times are leading the funerals of members of the Church, people who I have journeyed with and who I now consider friends.
Q What is the salary range for the job?
First year minister: $51,000; 10plus year minister: $61,000 (gross figures).
Q What would you say to people considering the ministry as a career?
It is a rewarding and challenging job. At times it will put large demands on your time and emotional resources.
Q Where will you be 20 years from now?
Still following God’s call on my life, unlikely to still be in Alexandra, but somewhere either in New Zealand in ministry or overseas in the mission field.