Rev Rob Douglas was Inducted into the role of Presbytery Minister (Mission) for the Uniting Church WA, at Kalamunda Uniting Church on Sunday 24 October.
Rob has come to the Uniting Church WA as a Baptist Minister, with experience in regional WA, as well as with Baptistcare.
The service was led by Alison Xamon, Chair of the Presbytery of WA, with Preaching of the Word from Rev Greg Ross, Chair of the Thrive Mission Committee.
“Having Rob join us is transforming us in ways with his gifts and talents as a journalist, a Minister, a champion of Messy Church and with lots of practical mission experience,” Greg said.
“Being part of the Uniting Church is also transforming Rob: opening him up to the good and bad parts of our denomination; to understanding the differences that our history and broad theological base make for us as a denomination and for us to learn from Rob about the rich Baptist tradition in which he has been formed and ordained.”
Greg outlined his hopes and prayers for Rob and for the Thrive Committee as they work with the wider Uniting Church WA.
“That each one of us be blessed with new sight, new hearing and new awareness to experience the Mission of God that is happening already across the landscapes and situations of our lives,” said Greg.
“That each one of us would be brave or wise enough to call out, reach out and welcome God’s gifts of fresh expressions of what is means to be church here in WA.
“That we may face the future to which we are called as pilgrim people who are full of hope in our hearts and willing to put in the hard work required for transformation.
“And that the Wily Wisdom Spirit would continue this good work in us throughout our lives until we all, someday, see face to face.”
Symbols of a Bible, water, bread and wine were presented during the service, as well as symbols from Messy Church, Godly Play, Mission Shaped Ministry and Fresh Expressions.
Rob responded to his induction with joy.
“Those who know me, know that I have had a heart for mission for a long time, so I am delighted that the Uniting Church has been willing to take me on to do something I love,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with congregations to help them discover what God is doing in their neighbourhood and to join God in that mission.”
