MCC ponders new era

Sydney’s Metropolitan Community Church congregation is set to vote on whether to accept Rev Gavin Ward as its new pastor.

The newly-ordained minister was unanimously nominated by the Petersham-based church’s board in December following an international search for a permanent pastoral leader.

Rev Ward, 28, was formally introduced at MCC Sydney’s services last month and held discussions with congregation members.

However, he was already well known to many in the church, having been a long-standing member prior to undertaking minister training at MCC Good Shepherd in Granville.

It’s a wonderful opportunity that this has come up. I’m coming back to a place I really do love and care about, Rev Ward told Sydney Star Observer.

The meetings I’ve had with the congregation have been very positive. They’re looking for a pastor to help drive the church into the next stage of its life.

His first sermons since the nomination focused on new beginnings and what good the church can bring about in Sydney’s GLBT community and beyond.

I think it will be a period of time for MCC Sydney to find the answers to those questions. If successful, I really want to tap into the skills, ambitions and passions people have. As a congregation it can do great things.

Rev Karl Hand served as the interim pastor following the departure of Rev Greg Smith in 2005, who headed the church for more than a decade.

Los Angeles-based Rev Pat Langlois had originally been selected to replace Rev Smith, but withdrew after she was unable to obtain confirmation from immigration officials one year after applying.

The search began again in October last year when Rev Hand offered his resignation to form the new charismatic-style MCC Crave in Paddington.

All three churches have separate geographical areas, but there is definitely room for all the churches to work together, Rev Ward said.

MCC Sydney and Good Shepherd have already been doing that, and MCC Crave is still settling in. There’s a lot of room to do good work together.