Saturday, November 19, 2011
I have a new job. A responsible job!
That the Standing Committee:
1. APPOINT Rev Dr Steve Taylor to the position of Principal, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology, for a period of three years commencing 1 July 2012.
The job is becoming vacant because the current Principal, Andrew Dutney, (much loved, big shoes to fill!) is becoming the President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
So a new Principal at the College I work at, Uniting College, was needed. The position was advertised in August and one Sunday I had a sort of God encounter in the midst of a children’s talk. The Moses and the burning bush story was being told and I realised that I was being Moses – that a number of folk had suggested I consider the role of Principal- but that I was simply compiling a list of reasons for wanting to hide. And that God was asking me, like Moses, to simply give what was in my hand, not a literal shepherds staff, but my leadership experiences and gifts.
So I put in an application, still with lots of questions esp re workload(!). And after 3 interviews, the job was offered. And after 4 Team Taylor family conferences, we decided to let my name go forward to the Synod of South Australia Standing Committee. They met during the week past, with the news becoming public Friday, once College staff and Leadership Development Council had been informed.
It’s a responsible job – a staff of 13, offering training from certificate level all the way through to PhD and at distance locally and nationally, training ministers and lay leaders. The College is in a major change process, wanting to train leaders to be more innovative and outward looking and I think the panel thought I could bring some skills and passion in that area.
Uniting College for Leadership and Theology isn’t a repackaged version of what we’ve always done in theological education. It’s a fresh start – a fresh departure. It’s not a comment on what we’ve done in the past. It’s a response to the demands and opportunities of mission today. It’s not the best thing that’s ever happened in theological education. It’s simply the next thing that has to happen for the College to serve this pilgrim people on the journey.
For more, go here.
I’m nervous and scared, but also really excited.
Congratulations Steve!
Thank you Team Taylor Family 🙂
Comment by Naomi — November 19, 2011 @ 5:10 pm
Wow! Congratulations Steve. Thats great news.
Comment by Andrew K — November 19, 2011 @ 10:32 pm
Well done Steve!
Comment by hamo — November 20, 2011 @ 12:09 am
Congrats, Steve. As Hamo said, well done.
Comment by Bill Kinnon — November 20, 2011 @ 5:55 am
Congratulations Steve, look forward to watching the journey between your self and the college
Comment by Geoff — November 20, 2011 @ 5:07 pm
So many Congratulations! 🙂
Comment by Nel — November 20, 2011 @ 11:26 pm
Congratulations indeed! And many prayers that you will fill the big shoes well, and respond to the responsability with both creativity and responsibly 🙂
And (again) all the best to Team Taylor over the coming different but exciting phase.
Comment by Tim Bulkeley — November 21, 2011 @ 6:09 am
That’s the best news I’ve heard in ages! Congrats and wisdom to ya as you move forward.
Comment by Dan Anear — November 22, 2011 @ 12:05 pm
Congratulations on the promotion.
Comment by Jason — November 29, 2011 @ 2:08 am
Not a promotion Jason. Not keen on the suggestion of heirarchy embedded in that word.
Just another way to serve, in a way that links with my charism and the unique chapter in the journey that the College finds itself 🙂
steve
Comment by steve — November 29, 2011 @ 11:11 am
Congrats mate… well done.
Comment by Robert — December 5, 2011 @ 9:10 pm
blessings Moses 🙂 God will go with you and may you raise and mentor many Joshuas and Joshinas 🙂
Comment by stf — July 9, 2012 @ 12:17 am
keep asking all the questions 🙂
Comment by stf — July 9, 2012 @ 12:17 am