Changes ahead for Wellspring leadership

 

Updated 30th October 2024

It was the end of April when I announced that, after much seeking of God and asking Him to lead, I would be concluding my role as Wellspring’s Senior Pastor/Rector by year’s end. You can find video of that hereThank you to everyone who has honoured me and my family with affirmation, kindness, and ongoing prayer. We’re trusting God for a new adventure and will announce it when we can.

Recent months have seen developments in preparing for new leadership, according to the standard process for all Anglican churches in Tasmania, organised by the Diocesan office and facilitated by Parish Council:

  • A parish-wide consultation took place during July, led by Archdeacon Stephen Savage. This involved two sessions of in-person discussion, with an invitation for written submissions, which were gratefully received. This consultation yielded some answers about who Wellspring is and where we want to go, and thus the type of person needed to lead as the new Rector.
  • A Parish Profile was finalised (click here to view it). It provides a helpful overview of Wellspring and the role of Rector for prospective candidates to consider.
  • Applications closed on October 13th, with interviews and next steps being organised in the weeks following.
  • Pray for your Nomination Committee, who works with the Bishop and Diocesan members, representing Wellspring’s interests and vision in the search for a new Rector. They are the ones who join in on interviews, discern God’s leading, and make recommendations to the Bishop for his eventual appointment. The Nomination Committee members are: Matt Bowditch, Darryl Cook, Gemma Kleywegt, Helen Lord and John Morse - they will continue to serve in this role until the end of the process.
  • The Imbergers’ farewell events, including an afternoon tea and final Sunday was a special and moving time (read here my farewell letter). I am now on annual leave before officially resigning and moving in mid-December.
  • The Wardens have recommended, with the Bishop's approval, that Noel Bowditch serve as Locum (ie. Acting Rector) from November 1st and until a new Rector commences. Noel is known and respected among our church community, and will provide stable and godly leadership during this interval.
  • During this interim period, you're encouraged to participate in "PREPARE", a season of united prayer and fasting. Read more about it here.

I’m so thankful for the life with Jesus that Wellspring has enjoyed in recent years, and grateful to have played a part in it. It’s an encouraging journey that I believe is poised for more depth and Spirit-fruit. As above, what this path ahead provides are clear and decisive steps to ensure Wellspring is well-led. There will definitely be change, some of it difficult, but some of it exciting too, and godly leadership will help navigate our church through both.

Your brother in Christ,
Rob

Welcoming Refugees - Update Dec 2023

Welcoming Refugees - where are things up to?


At August's Annual Meeting, I shared a new and exciting initiative to help us achieve our key priority of Local Outreach. 

Wellspring has been invited to join with other Hobart Anglican churches to assist refugee families settle in for their first 12 months in Tasmania. We have a concrete opportunity to share life with Jesus with some of the most vulnerable and needy.

Here is a summary of what's happened in the past few months:
  • A dozen Wellspring members expressed their support and passion to get behind this, with various networks and resources at their disposal.
  • Two Community Supporter Groups across four churches have formed, including me and three other Wellspring members. We’re called “Welcome to Hobart 1 & 2”, with a hands-on role to assist new arrivals with transitional housing, employment, education, healthcare, and so on.
  • CRSA (the organisation which matches refugee families with local CSGs) requires applications from these teams and its members: this comprehensive process is being completed currently. We will undertake training in February 2024, with UNHCR and CRSA arranging the matching process soon after.
  • With the current demand in refugee camps worldwide, it's likely that refugee families will potentially arrive during the first quarter of next year. How wonderful would it be to show up as a 'Welcome Party' at Hobart airport, meeting them with warmth and love as their first impression of Australia?
  • Finances will be centrally controlled through Anglican Health & Welfare, a Diocesan organisation led by a Board (of which I'm a member). 
  • Wellspring's financial contribution will be drawn from an upcoming grant, to be applied for through the Diocesan New Ministry Development Fund. The two CSGs are considering several fundraising options also.
  • There are multiple ways that a church community can be involved (click here for such a partner organisation).
Please be praying! This is a bold new step for our church and there are many unknowns. But in our life with Jesus, we partner with Him for Spirit-anointed, Luke 4 ministry.
Rob Imberger.

Staffing News Update Mon 3 Nov 2024

Email to congregations - Monday 3 Nov 2024.

At our services yesterday I announced the following staffing changes that are taking place at Wellspring later this year.

  • Josh Lattimore will conclude his two-year ministry internship with us.  Technically this ends on 22 December, but he is taking some leave between now and then so his last working Sunday with us will be 15 December.  Some consideration has already begun about the appointment of a new ministry intern.  
  • Sam Gough is resigning as assistant minister at Wellspring, believing that the time has come for him to explore where God is now calling him.  His final Sunday with us will be 22 December, after which he will be taking accumulated annual leave.

Appropriate farewells will be arranged for both Sam and Josh – details are still to be worked out.  Meanwhile, please give thanks for the ministries they have exercised and pray for God's leading of them as they look to the future.  And of course, continue to pray for Wellspring as we PREPARE for the future.

 

In relation to these changes, I can give you two assurances:

  1. Sam’s resignation does not mean that the 4pm service will cease to continue.  As locum I will continue to work with the leaders in that congregation to ensure its future.
  2. Those who have expressed interest in appointment as our new Senior Minister have been made aware of staffing changes at Wellspring, so the person appointed is not going to walk into a situation that takes them by surprise.

 

If you have any questions about these matters, please do not hesitate to speak to me.

 

Noel Bowditch

Locum (Acting Senior Minister)

0466 720 578

 

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus.

Nomination Form - Parish Councillor and Warden 2023

Nominations for Parish Council 2023-2024 are open. They will close Sunday 20 August. 

 

Download this form and use it to nominate for positions of: 

Parish Councillor, Warden

 

Please return completed forms to the office no later than 20 August 2023.

 

Hard copy forms are available from church.

 

What are these roles?

A suitable Parish Council member represents the wider church, in particular their home congregation, and joins with the Rector in ensuring the affairs of the Parish are properly conducted. More importantly, a Parish Council member is committed to life with Jesus for themselves, as they demonstrate a passion for the vision and welfare of Wellspring.

 

A suitable Warden will fit the above description also, as well as having a greater degree of responsibility in the spiritual discernment and welfare of Wellspring Parish (our people and property).

Sam Green Engaging with Islam May 2022 Newsletter

Find Sam's latest newsletter here: Newsletter.053