Philip and Deanne Gerber are “not really camper/caravan people,” but have come up with an adventurous idea in retirement. They will be grey nomads of a different, not-so-nomadic sort. Instead of touring, they are heading out from Sydney to spend time in Nyngan, population 1953 and home of the “Big Bogan”.
Bathurst Bishop Mark Calder has appointed Philip and Deanne Gerber as “Lay Stipendiary Ministers of Nyngan.”
“Like the BCA Grey Nomads we thought it was another/better option to aimless ‘grey nomad’ wandering,” Phillip Gerber says.
They are “Lay” because they are not ordained. “Stipendiary” because they will be paid something. “Ministers” because they will be doing the work of gospel ministry. “Nyngan” because they are headed to the township 576 km north-west of Sydney by road. But the Gerbers certainly don’t want to be regarded as heroes – and would like others to consider doing the same thing.
“I kept on being challenged by Bishop Calder’s Facebook pleas for support in vacant parishes (a God challenge?), Philip Gerber tells The Other Cheek. “We were wondering how God could use us more at our stage in life, kids all off our hands married, grandchildren all growing up, reasonable health (not that there was not plenty of Christian service to do in Sydney).
“Deanne felt God was preparing us for something else. Our daughter and Dave Piper are stepping out from Gunnedah to Emerald Qld with BCA as Rector. Hearing of Aussie Christian missionary Dr Ken Elliot still serving in Burkina Faso at age 82 after 40 yrs (when he was kidnapped and survived 7 yrs before being released). So we thought ‘why not test it?’ We approached Bathurst and it seems God and Nyngan can use us for a season.”
“Nyngan Anglican is a dozen faithful elderly women (80+) and 1 man aged 67ish” Gerber told the Other cheek. From little things… The locals have been told “It is expected that they will lead Sunday services, undertake pastoral visitation, and help conduct funerals. The Bishop has also asked them to prepare the parish for HOPE25, work with Chruchwarden Will to implement the parish strategic plan, and help arrange the technology which will allow for screening the HOPE25 sermons in the Sundays between Easter and Pentecost.”
Reflecting on those challenges, Philip Gerber tells The Other Cheek, “In multiple ways God has shown us by what has occured to date and His specific provision much more than we epected that we should proceed and answer His call. The rest is up to Him.”
Clarification: a simpler list of Gerber’s tasks has been inserted rather than a longer one in the original.
n.b.: For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [2Cor4:5]