5 minutes with Sue

Tell us a little about you.

I'm an Aussie Brit who has also lived in South Korea. I'm a missiologist and practical theologian at Eva Burrows College (the Salvos college) at the University of Divinity. My research focus is the Western church and mission. I seek to equip churches for mission wherever they are.

I've been a member of three international mission agencies over the years. I love to keep learning- about anything, but mission and theology in particular. I have raised three children, two of whom have disabilities so I have a lot of empathy for mums raising kids in similar circumstances. I'm married to a Baptist pastor here in Victoria.

I've just had my second book published, Diffusion: Connecting with God, Self and Others for Missional Living. I've written it for everyone in the church. In the book, I encourage deep connection with other people in the church, with God, and with our inner selves, together with the inter-relating skills normally taught to pastoral carers. This forms us into people who "live" rather than "do" mission.

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

My favourite passage changes depending on what's happening in my life. I do love Psalm 91, in which we are told that God shelters us under his wing. There are times when everything feels too hard, and this reminds me that I can always go to God for safety and comfort.

How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

My writing and research challenges me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. I always try to write as a fellow traveller rather than as an expert who has life sorted (which I don't). This requires me to relate what I write about to my own life. I also listen to the Lectio 365 to most days. I love the evening sessions, in which I am reminded of God's love and acceptance of me, and in which I review my day and confess where I have fallen short. I've found that doing this is changing me.

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

As the wife of a pastor, I have had the inside track on the churches in which we have served. This has, at times, been very painful. The church we are in now is different. We are accepted for who we are, and people genuinely love each other and this this includes us. No one is trying to be more important than others. Being in this church is a gift.

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

During some very hard times, I have understood that God is always with me and that he's my number one supporter. I think this knowledge has, at times, kept me from despair.

What are you passionate about?

I love reading. I always try to go to bed early so I can read for a couple of hours. I love reading theological books, but bedtime is strictly for novels.