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Dear Friends,

It is high time I filled you in on a ministry that is taking shape and will almost certainly be on our site in 2011 — called ‘Cornhill Sydney’.

This is a plan to:
– encourage good preaching among young people who are exploring full-time ministry
– encourage good handling of God’s Word by those doing MTS or in readiness for various ministries.

Back in 2008 when David Peterson returned from being Principal at Oak Hill Theological College in London he began to observe better communication and presentation of God’s Word by English young preachers than Australian young preachers.

This led to a series of lunches with pastors around Sydney concerned about faithful but dull preaching in our Diocese. Out of these discussions has come a plan to:

(i) Adopt the ‘Cornhill’ ministry (that began in London and has offshoots in Belfast, Glasgow, Christchurch) which works specifically on faithful and engaging teaching.

(ii) Draw together some leadership in 2011 (David Peterson and I will provide this) and especially the experience of many able preachers across Sydney to share their wisdom.

(iii) Offer this ‘programme’ over two mornings (Monday and Tuesday) to those able to join us and to the MTS ‘trainers’ in Sydney — of all denominations — who would like to send their apprentices for exposure to such able men.

(iv) Base this at St Thomas’ (since it is reasonably central) and make further use of our property in the middle of the week.

To this end we have put together a small Board to think through the practicalities. We have communicated these ideas to other leaders and educators in Sydney to make sure that we are not seen to be repeating or replacing good work already being done and to work out how this ‘Cornhill Sydney’ can be a service to many and a stepping stone to deeper study.

One of the keys (humanly) will be the gathering of recognised men to help us in 2011 and — God willing — the finding of someone to direct this full-time in 2012 and beyond.

You may read this and be only mildly interested — but ask yourself if the quality of our message is being matched by quality communication across our City and pray for a humble attempt to provoke more care. Many are thrilled by such a plan.

If anyone can give a day for secretarial / admin, please see me or Cam Capel.

Yours in fellowship,
Simon Manchester

P.S. We are delighted that Rev Col (with wife Sally) Adamson will join our staff in 2011. Col has been our music co-ordinator at 7pm during 2007–2009 but his preaching and personal gifts are much appreciated.

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