Jude Saxon adorned the deacon stole (that diagonal red sash) at his ordination this past Sunday at St Barnabas, Stoke. Following years of dedicated work and ministry, he was welcomed into the diaconate by the beaming Bishop Steve and Simon Martin. Jude graciously answered some questions for us about his journey to this day.
Well, it's something I have been trying to avoid for ages, even before I joined the Anglicans. Even when I was working for New Life Churches International, my wife Megan and I had been approached a few times to lead a church but it never felt quite right. The journey to deaconhood started again about two years ago with that little stirring from God you just can’t ignore. I argued about it with God for at least a year before putting my name forward in early 2022.
It was the Nelson Diocese’s approach to ministry that convinced me – the fact that it doesn’t have to look like leading a church, but simply leading people on the journey of discipleship. The other convincing factors were the network (local and global), support, and accountability that ordination commits you to.
It was all a bit surreal, certainly very ceremonial. I really appreciated how the more traditional elements and their meanings could be integrated into the service. While I’m not a huge fan of the robes, it was quite special wearing them. As for ceremonial sauce… having my feet washed by Bishop Steve was a new experience – I have to say, he has incredibly soft hands.
First and foremost, my most important ministry is to my family, regardless of ordination, so this will still be my focus along with my commitment of ministry to my friends and the communities we occupy. I still feel called to my work at Bishopdale College and count it a huge privilege to be training leaders from a bunch of different churches. For me, this fits the business of a reverend perfectly. After all, our focus is on formation, discipleship, and equipping people with excellent theological skills. Alongside Bishopdale College, I’ll be joining the phenomenal crew at St Barnabas to further my own discipleship and training for ministry. Finally, I’m still slowly chipping away on my post graduate studies with Otago University.
May God bless Jude and his whānau abundantly as he continues in his calling to disciple and equip those placed before him.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Jude Saxon adorned the deacon stole (that diagonal red sash) at his ordination this past Sunday at St Barnabas, Stoke. Following years of dedicated work and ministry, he was welcomed into the diaconate by the beaming Bishop Steve and Simon Martin. Jude graciously answered some questions for us about his journey to this day.
Well, it's something I have been trying to avoid for ages, even before I joined the Anglicans. Even when I was working for New Life Churches International, my wife Megan and I had been approached a few times to lead a church but it never felt quite right. The journey to deaconhood started again about two years ago with that little stirring from God you just can’t ignore. I argued about it with God for at least a year before putting my name forward in early 2022.
It was the Nelson Diocese’s approach to ministry that convinced me – the fact that it doesn’t have to look like leading a church, but simply leading people on the journey of discipleship. The other convincing factors were the network (local and global), support, and accountability that ordination commits you to.
It was all a bit surreal, certainly very ceremonial. I really appreciated how the more traditional elements and their meanings could be integrated into the service. While I’m not a huge fan of the robes, it was quite special wearing them. As for ceremonial sauce… having my feet washed by Bishop Steve was a new experience – I have to say, he has incredibly soft hands.
First and foremost, my most important ministry is to my family, regardless of ordination, so this will still be my focus along with my commitment of ministry to my friends and the communities we occupy. I still feel called to my work at Bishopdale College and count it a huge privilege to be training leaders from a bunch of different churches. For me, this fits the business of a reverend perfectly. After all, our focus is on formation, discipleship, and equipping people with excellent theological skills. Alongside Bishopdale College, I’ll be joining the phenomenal crew at St Barnabas to further my own discipleship and training for ministry. Finally, I’m still slowly chipping away on my post graduate studies with Otago University.
May God bless Jude and his whānau abundantly as he continues in his calling to disciple and equip those placed before him.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
