About Me
The Brief
Married since 1988 to Lisa
Three adult children (Ashley, Katelyn, Taylor)
Two grandchildren
Over 25 years of cross-cultural pastoral ministry experience
Education
- DipCouns (counselling)
- BA (church ministries)
- BCouns (counselling)
- Mdiv (pastoral theology)
- Post-grad certificate (professional supervision)
Full Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors
Three adult children (Ashley, Katelyn, Taylor)
Two grandchildren
Over 25 years of cross-cultural pastoral ministry experience
Education
- DipCouns (counselling)
- BA (church ministries)
- BCouns (counselling)
- Mdiv (pastoral theology)
- Post-grad certificate (professional supervision)
Full Member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors
Even as a child I was all about the journey!
The Journey So Far
My upbringing could be characterised by two opposing words: stable and unstable. I was raised in a home where faith was important. Our family was always actively involved in any church we belonged to, and we followed tightly-held spiritual beliefs that governed every area of our lives. However, I was also raised in a military home. That meant I never lived in one place longer than three years. In childhood, friendships developed with the understanding that they would last for a relatively short time so I never really made the attempt to develop any deep friendships. I carried these childhood experiences and beliefs into adulthood where they had various implications for how I lived life.
During my early ministry training I received some strong impressions of what a successful minister is. First, a minister must have all the answers. Second, a minister must have his act together in all areas. Third, a minister must hide the fact that the two previous statements are not true in his life! However, in my youthful exuberance, I entered ministry ready to change the world...
But I eventually grew tired. My childhood experiences combined with my ministry training left me worn out, discouraged, and isolated. In my search to find the newest tips to get me past this hurdle, I came across a number of other men and women in church ministry carrying the same heavy burden. They also still had a flicker of hope at being able to bring a positive message into a world in great need. However, the weight of issues such as personal struggles, expectations of others, and relational isolation was overshadowing their dreams of ministry.
During my early ministry training I received some strong impressions of what a successful minister is. First, a minister must have all the answers. Second, a minister must have his act together in all areas. Third, a minister must hide the fact that the two previous statements are not true in his life! However, in my youthful exuberance, I entered ministry ready to change the world...
But I eventually grew tired. My childhood experiences combined with my ministry training left me worn out, discouraged, and isolated. In my search to find the newest tips to get me past this hurdle, I came across a number of other men and women in church ministry carrying the same heavy burden. They also still had a flicker of hope at being able to bring a positive message into a world in great need. However, the weight of issues such as personal struggles, expectations of others, and relational isolation was overshadowing their dreams of ministry.
It was at this point that I began my journey of renewal. I stepped off the path I was on and took some time to get perspective on where I was and where I wanted to be. I went back to school. I changed my goals. I reformatted the expressions of my spiritual beliefs. And in the process, I began to see things from a vantage point that had been clouded for too long.
It is that journey that has led me to offer a listening ear, a reminding voice, and a kind heart to fellow ministers. We, who take on so much of the struggles of others, also need opportunity to share our struggles, our fears, our questions, our frustrations in a climate of acceptance and understanding. That is what I offer to you through Vantage Point Ministries.
It is that journey that has led me to offer a listening ear, a reminding voice, and a kind heart to fellow ministers. We, who take on so much of the struggles of others, also need opportunity to share our struggles, our fears, our questions, our frustrations in a climate of acceptance and understanding. That is what I offer to you through Vantage Point Ministries.
VANTAGE POINT MINISTRIES
205A Windsor Avenue
Hastings, NZ
CONTACT INFO
Phone or text:
022-402-2114
Email