Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

After more than four years successfully leading Anglicare SA Dr Lynn Arnold will leave his position of Chief Executive Officer on June 30 to begin full-time study of theology and seek ordination.

A previous Premier of South Australia, Dr Arnold has been exploring many areas of faith and spirituality and has for some time been in conversation with Archbishop Driver about moving into ordained ministry.

At the age of 63 Lynn Arnold feels it is now time and will begin a year of full-time study at St Barnabas' Theological College from the beginning of semester two in July.

Reflecting on the values and compassion Lynn Arnold has brought to his role, Archbishop Driver said Anglicare SA had brought hope to thousands of South Australians under Lynn's leadership.

"In recent years Anglicare SA has made enormous strides forward, growing from 800 to 1500 staff and nearly doubling its budget to reach 100 million dollars.

"Lynn Arnold has significantly invested in public advocacy and has been the strong and compassionate face of Anglicare's innovative care and service approach.

"Lynn's time at Anglicare has also been characterised by the development of a much more significant involvement with Indigenous South Australians and he continues as one of South  Australia's Reconciliation Ambassadors."

Anglicare SA supports individuals, families and communities on behalf of the Anglican Church and Lynn Arnold feels that God has taken a hand in his decision to begin the process of ordination.

"Over recent months I have been going through a profound period of discernment and as part of that I committed myself to practising the Great Orthodox Lent this year, a seven week period of rigorous dietary restrictions, combined with prayer and a final week of nightly services in the Greek Orthodox tradition that finished at 3 am this past Sunday,"

Lynn said.

"This brought me to a sense of certainty that moving now towards formal theological studies and subsequent ordination is the right step in my ongoing life's pilgrimage."

Dr Arnold will continue in his position as Chief Executive Officer and the Anglicare SA board will begin the process of selection for a replacement in the near future.

Please contact Katrina McLachlan with any queries or requests on 0414972537 or kmclachlan@adelaide.anglican.com.au