5 minutes with Janine

Tell us a little about you

I’ve lived in Sydney all my life. I’m the third of three daughters. I’ve had lots of wonderful people influence me towards a lifetime of following Jesus, starting with my grandmother and Sunday School teachers when I was quite young. When I was 8 or 9, there was a mission at my local church, and I went forward in response to the preaching. I don’t think the leaders quite knew what to do with such a youngster! My Sunday School teacher organised Scripture Union notes for me, and they were a valuable help to the life of discipleship for many years.

At university I encountered high quality Bible teaching and learned that Christianity had strong intellectual credentials that could stand up to scrutiny.

In my late 20s, I got to know a group of women with theological qualifications. They loved me and modelled lives of generosity and grace. In my 30s I was enjoying my work in health education, but could see that I could not sustain that work long term without getting bored. At the same time I was growing in my conviction about the truth of the news about Jesus, the importance of ministry, and a sense that I had something to offer in ministry. I had no husband or children to consider. Should I contemplate ministry training?  I took some tentative steps and doors opened. I completed a B.Th. and Dip. Min. as an ordination candidate for the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.

I was the only female ordination candidate in my final year, and the only candidate who was not offered a position. So I got creative! I had heard that Robert Menzies College was wanting a theologically trained woman and managed to raise support for myself (accommodation and meals were provided at the College). I worked as Dean of Women, on the ministry team at Trinity Chapel, and taught some subjects at the School of Christian Studies.

That came to an end after 3 years and I was blessed to be the recipient of some funds set aside by then Archbishop Harry Goodhew for a newly ordained woman to work in a local church. I was actually placed at the church which had been so dear to my praying grandmother.

After 3 years that too came to an end. I was keen to keep working in a local church but there were no opportunities for a woman. Reluctantly I applied for a job as a hospital chaplain, not at all sure I was suited to that ministry. God used that time to grow me in humility and self awareness, and to expose me to a multitude of folks who expressed themselves quite differently to me. I’m very grateful for what I learned and how God used me, with all my limitations. I spent a total of 13 years as a chaplain in two large teaching hospitals.

I then moved into aged care chaplaincy. Someone described it as a cross between hospital chaplaincy and local church ministry, and that’s pretty accurate. I particularly enjoyed returning to a regular preaching ministry, although it took me a while to work out how to make it work for the residents. I found aged care ministry very rewarding, though often very sad. Old people are pretty aware of death and mostly want to be prepared to meet God.

Much to my surprise, I returned to local church ministry at the age of 60. Because my mother was unwell, I wanted to work part time, and I was not able to do that in the aged care setting. At the same time a friend of mine was leaving a parish position and enquired whether I was interested in a part time role there. I had 8 happy years serving in that church.

I had benefited from having a pastoral supervisor for most of my ministry life – a listening ear who helped me, and challenged me, to reflect on what I was doing. So, as I approached retirement, it was a natural thing for me to train as a pastoral supervisor, assisting men and women in a range of ministries and from different denominations, to reflect on their work in order to do it better. See my website https://truenorthpastoralsupervision.au/

Do you have a favourite Bible passage? If so, what is it and why?

Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I love this verse because it reminds me to keep trusting God (rather than my own abilities) and expecting him to guide and protect me.

How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

The first thing that comes to mind is confession, because I fail so often to keep my eyes on him. I get into the Word, whether on my own, with a small group, or under a teacher. I journal or draw in response to a passage, an observation or a problem. I love to spend time with people who fix their eyes on Jesus. I pray, and I am prayed for. I engage in silence and solitude. Sometimes I take on a short-term discipline e.g. praying a daily blessing on a ‘difficult’ person during Lent.

What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?

That Jesus ‘gets’ women. He broke conventions to seek out women. He loves women and wants them to love and serve him with all they have.

What’s one thing that you love about your local church?

I love that my local church includes people who are very different from me in age and stage of life, joys and challenges, gender, culture, and education.

What did you learn about God during a time in your life that you found hard?

I learned that nothing is off-limits to God. He can handle my anger, doubts, frustration and weariness. He invites me to come to him when I am weary and heavy laden.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate that people who serve the Lord receive quality pastoral supervision. It helps them to function better, and it benefits their families and those they serve. Check my website, https://truenorthpastoralsupervision.au/

I’m passionate about good preaching and I’ve worked hard at learning to preach clear, compelling sermons.

What do you enjoy doing when you rest?

I sing in a choir: it’s fabulous to make music with other people. I love theatre and getting into nature.