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Following Bruce Morrison’s retirement, the process has now begun to appoint a new Senior Canon for St John's Anglican Cathedral, Parramatta.

Unlike most parish appointments, the Senior Canon is not appointed through the ordinary parish nomination process. Instead, the appointment is made by the Archbishop with the concurrence of the Cathedral Chapter.

Over recent weeks, the Chapter has been meeting to assist the Archbishop in this important responsibility. The initial stage has focused on reflecting prayerfully upon the unique character, ministry, and future vision of St John's. This work will form the basis of a position description and a set of questions that will guide the selection process.

Once this preparation is complete, suitable candidates will be identified and invited into the process. Following interviews and careful discernment, the Chapter will present a shortlist to the Archbishop, who will make the final appointment.

Although this process differs from the appointment of a parish rector, the Chapter's desire is to make it as closely aligned to the parish nomination process as possible. To that end, the majority of those serving on the Chapter for this appointment are members of St John's Anglican Cathedral. They include Tony Singh, Ian Grady and Ian Johnston as wardens, Roger Gallagher and Mark Pearce who were elected at the AGM and Maryanne Golding who was appointed by the Bishop. This ensures that the life, ministry and future direction of our Cathedral are well represented.

Above all, we ask you to pray faithfully for everyone involved in this process. Please pray that the Lord, in His wisdom and kindness, will clearly lead us to the man whom He has chosen to shepherd His people at St John's, and that every decision will honour Christ and advance His gospel.

The Right Reverend Gary Koo
Bishop of Western Sydney

 

Pray for the Appointment of a New Senior Canon

Give thanks for the Cathedral Chapter, wardens, and representatives from St John’s who are assisting the Archbishop in the process to appoint a new Senior Canon. Ask God for his wisdom and kindness to guide everyone involved as they reflect prayerfully on the unique character, ministry, and future vision of St John’s. Ask God to clearly lead St John’s to the man whom he has chosen to shepherd his people, and to ensure that every decision honours Christ and advances his gospel.

Questions & Answers

Here are some answers to common questions.

The members on the selection committee of the Chapter are now well into the third stage of the actual selection. Having listened to many sermons online, the members selected a number of rectors of interest. Several members of the committee then attended services led by these ministers in their own parishes on various Sundays over the last six weeks. From that process a smaller number of ministers are being invited to participate in online interviews. We are currently in the middle of that process. 

The selection committee of the Chapter is now at the stage where it is possible to say that they hope to have a very short list of preferred candidates to deliver to the Archbishop by the end of November, in which case we should know the identity of our new Senior Canon before Christmas. Please continue to pray for this process, for those on the selection team and for the new Senior Canon of St John’s.

A Canon is a member of clergy who holds a recognised leadership role within a cathedral. At St John’s, the Senior Canon has particular responsibility for leading the Cathedral’s ministry, preaching and teaching God’s word, caring for the congregation, and helping shape its future direction.

The title “Canon” reflects the Cathedral’s distinctive place within the Anglican Diocese, but the role is similar in many ways to that of a senior minister or parish rector.

The appointment process has begun following the retirement of Bruce Morrison. We are thankful for Bruce’s ministry among us and are now seeking the person who will lead and shepherd St John’s Anglican Cathedral into its next season of ministry.

The Senior Canon is appointed by the Archbishop, with the concurrence of the Cathedral Chapter.

This differs from the usual process for appointing a parish rector, where a parish nomination board plays a formal role in recommending candidates.

The Cathedral Chapter is the body that assists the Archbishop in matters relating to the governance and ministry of the Cathedral.

For this appointment, the Chapter is helping the Archbishop consider the particular character, ministry needs and future direction of St John’s.

The majority of those serving on the Chapter for this appointment are members of St John’s Anglican Cathedral. They are:

  • Tony Singh, Ian Grady and Ian Johnston, who serve as wardens
  • Roger Callager and Mark Pearce, who were elected at the Annual General Meeting
  • Maryanne Golding, who was appointed by the Bishop

Their involvement helps ensure that the life, ministry and future direction of St John’s are well represented throughout the process.

Once the preparation work is complete, suitable candidates will be identified and invited to participate in the process.

Candidates will then be interviewed and considered through a process of careful and prayerful discernment.

Following the interview and discernment process, the Cathedral Chapter will present a shortlist of candidates to the Archbishop.

The Archbishop will then make the final appointment, with the concurrence of the Chapter.

Although this is not an ordinary parish nomination process, the Chapter’s desire is to align the appointment as closely as possible with the usual parish process.

The strong representation of St John’s members on the Chapter means that the Cathedral’s ministry, congregation and future direction will be carefully considered.

Above all, we ask every member of St John’s to pray faithfully for the appointment process.

Please pray:

  • for wisdom, humility and unity for the Archbishop and Cathedral Chapter
  • that the Lord will clearly guide each stage of the process
  • for the candidates who may be invited to participate
  • that God will lead us to the man He has chosen to shepherd His people at St John’s
  • that every decision will honour Christ and advance His gospel

We trust in the Lord’s wisdom and kindness as we seek His provision for the future ministry of St John’s Anglican Cathedral.