Rev Dr Ian Tozer was inducted into the historic Fremantle Wesley Mission, which includes Fremantle Wesley and Spearwood Uniting Churches, on Sunday 23 August.
Ian was ordained as a minister of the word in the Uniting Church in 1982. He has served in congregational ministry with Wongan Hills, Goomalling, Claremont, Perth Wesley and Pilgrim Uniting Churches. He has also served as an associate chaplain at Methodist Ladies’ College. In the last decade, with the Presbytery of Western Australia, he has been joint associate general secretary (pastoral) and, most recently, associate general secretary (education).
Rev Geoff Blyth preached during the service on Mark 1:14-18; 16:1-7. Geoff and Ian shared in ministry together at Perth Wesley Uniting Church, now Uniting Church in the City.
Quoting from the Bible, Geoff said, “’The kingdom of God has come near.’ With these words Jesus commences his ministry. With these words, Jesus points away from himself and toward God.
“The announcement of the kingdom is followed by the call to discipleship and the immediate response of Simon and Andrew, James and John,” Geoff continued. “The call today is not just your calling alone, Ian. It is a call to the congregation to enter into a new phase of shared ministry in the new thing that God is doing here.”
“What will be required of you Ian – you and your people here – is a spirit of discernment, a kind of Godly recklessness, and most of all a mood of faithfulness.”
Geoff concluded by reminding the congregation of the words of Isaiah.
“Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.”
Ian responded, looking to the future and his new ministry with Fremantle Wesley Mission.
“Remember the future; don’t just remember the past. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever; however the world changes and we change, so we need to remember the future,” he said.
“God hasn’t finished with any of us. There is more to come, and I thank God for that.”
