Anglican Communion News Service

[Anglican Media Sydney] The Rev Peter Kurti, was named today as the next rector of St James', King St in Sydney. He follows the Right Rev Richard Hurford, who was recently appointed Bishop of Bathurst.

With annual net receipts of about three quarters of a million dollars, St James' is the second wealthiest parish in Sydney Diocese. St James' is also the leading 'High-Church' parish in a largely Evangelical diocese.

Mr Kurti, 40, has broad ministry experience in the US, Britain and Australia and for the past four years has been rector of St Columba's, Scarborough, in the Diocese of Perth. Scarborough is a beachside suburb of Perth with a diverse community, which includes families, more affluent couples and transitory young people attracted to the surf-culture.

The area is also becoming increasingly ethnically diverse and there is a growing Asian population. St Columba's, Scarborough, is one of the largest Anglican churches in Western Australia, and has been growing under Mr Kurti's ministry. Mr Kurti lists a number of initiatives as keys to this growth.

"We developed a specific youth ministry and employed a dedicated youth minister to develop a new area of ministry focused on mid to late teens. In order to make church services more accessible, we developed a high standard music ministry."

St Columba's now has a varied music program ranging from traditional Anglican hymns to contemporary worship music employing instruments such as the saxophone.

"We have run the Alpha course which has been important in equipping lay people for leadership."

The parish has also developed outreach programs such as a refugee settlement scheme. Many people not connected with the church have become involved in the program and Mr Kurti said that 'spiritual conversion has followed from that involvement'.

Mr Kurti not only sees the importance of supporting traditional missionary agencies but providing opportunities for lay people to gain ministry experience overseas.

"I see mission work as a way to help people in the congregation to learn how to communicate and share the gospel with other cultures," he said. "I'd like to see my ministry at St James' help build the congregation into a warm and welcoming community ready to extend hospitality for the sake of Christ. I will seek to build strong relationships with other parishes in the Diocese of Sydney."

Born in the UK, he served as a curate in England and university chaplain and lecturer in religious studies at the University of Derby. In 1994, he accepted an appointment as Precentor of St George's Cathedral, Perth, and migrated to Australia.

He received his initial theological training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, (University of Oxford) and did further theological study at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, California. He did his Masters of Theology at Kings' College, University of London looking at issues in Anglo-American philosophy of religion. He has also been a long-time member of the University of Western Australia's Human Research Ethics Committee. He is married to Linda, who was born in the US.