Today I started my new short-term job as Research Fellow in Christian Education for our national UCA Assembly. I have been seconded to undertake a national research project, and will return to the College at the start of 2013. It sounds like a long way off, but its only 22 months. I've cleaned out my office, lost my mailbox, hidden the name slider thingy from my door, and have dozens of boxes from said office all over our house.
The history is that we (former denominations) had a national CE agency, The Joint Board of Christian Education, since early last century. It became a partnership among 7 denominations in Aus and NZ, and was extremely significant in many ways, which I'd love to outline in detail (and possibly will).
I worked there 1991-1998 as an Associate Director and also National Director for Ministry with Young People. David Merritt was then Director and remains one of the remarkable, influential people in my life. For a number of reasons, JBCE became Uniting Education (blame the name on me...), my friend and colleague John Emmett became Director. This was another significant, world-leading agency in many ways (but not really recognised locally). And I had the chance to work with many amazing people - you know who you are...
Then the Assembly folded the agency (finance, priorities...) and replaced it with a National Director role, undertaken with great imagination and integrity by Mark Hills. Yet after 5 years, the Assembly is not sure what to do next. Hence a national research project about the future of Christian Education, to be undertaken by me.
episode 2 tomorrow...