Parish in Focus - St James Minto

Eight is not enough

The rector of St James’, Minto, the Rev Chris Hanger has been at the church for two years and seen three new congregations start in his time there.

“We have been promoting the idea among ourselves that we have eight congregations and seeing these as the heart of where our gospel ministry is taking place and growing,” he says.

There is an 8am congregation, which started just two months ago, a 9:30am family service, a Sunday school, a Chinese service, the Chinese young adult congregation, an evening service, the Friday night youth congregation and a monthly Pembroke Aged Care congregation.

Developing ministry to men

Mr Hanger says despite having over 100 men attending St James’, there is no intentional men’s ministry. He wants to change this.

“We are working to begin a network of men meeting together to study the Bible, pray and reach out to unbelievers, as well as organising some larger men’s gatherings,” he says.

“We want to encourage all our men to be taking up the exciting, but not easy challenge of being servant leaders – at home, in the church and at work. A small leadership group has begun to meet regularly.”

The importance of laypeople

According to Mr Hanger, laypeople have a high level of involvement in a range of different ministries that couldn’t happen without them.

“Our school scripture, our youth leadership team, our Sunday school, the op shop, the nursing home ministry are examples,” he says.

“One group of ladies visits the maternity section of the local hospital each Monday to hand out gift packs to the new mums. It is done with a friendly smile in the name of Christ.”

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