Hope Rolleston Pastor - MSB Updates
Update 1 December 2024
As an MSB we are excited to share a significant update regarding our Rolleston site. After a thoughtful and Spirit-led process, we are pleased to announce that Rev Jess Dreadon has been recommended as the new Site Pastor for Hope Rolleston.
This decision comes after prayerful discernment, two in-depth interviews, referee checks, and a deep exploration of Jess’s strengths, vision, and heart for ministry. Throughout this process, it became clear that Jess possesses the qualities we’ve been praying for in a leader at this time. She brings not only a strong leadership and pastoral skill-set but also a deep passion for whole-of life discipleship, which resonates so well with our mission.
What excites us most is Jess’s vision and ability to activate people of all ages to step into God’s purposes. She is collaborative, courageous in addressing challenges, and deeply rooted in her commitment to the Rolleston congregation and the Hope Network. Jess embodies what it means to lead with humility and a genuine love for people, balanced with a clear sense of God’s timing for her and our church.
As we near the end of the MSB process, let us continue to uphold Jess and her family in prayer. This is also a moment for us to lean in together as a church community, continuing to grow our capacity and respond to the opportunities God is opening for us in Rolleston.
The journey ahead is full of promise, and together, we can walk confidently, knowing God is at work among us.
As you are all aware, Rev Stephen Talbot has been appointed as Hope Presbyterian’s Lead Pastor. Alongside this he has continued to have responsibility as the Rolleston Site Pastor. A Ministry Settlement Board (MSB) has now been established by Presbytery to attend to the important matter of appointing the Rolleston Site Pastor as we work towards Steve moving into the role of Lead Pastor full-time.
Alpine Presbytery has appointed Rev Dan Spragg, as convenor, to lead the MSB process, supported by Alison Bishop and Maria Lemalie as Presbytery representatives.
You will find more information on this process on this page, please check back here regularly for updates.
Update 18 October 2024
The role of the Ministry Settlement Board (MSB) is to work as a collaborative group appointed by Alpine Presbytery (regional oversight body) to ‘settle’ a ministry vacancy in a church. The convenor of the MSB is always a Presbytery appointment.
This work of the MSB considers the mission of the local congregation, the particularities of the local congregation and the context with which it exercises its ministry and mission. From there it decides what kind of ministry is best and then proceeds to fill the appointment with the best possible candidate!
The Hope Rolleston MSB began its work in mid september. Due to the well organised nature of the Hope network of churches much of the groundwork had already been done. With a strong sense of identity and mission clearly present as well as a strong sense from the Rolleston Elders of the current ministry challenges the MSB could quickly move to starting its search for possible candidates. It clarified that it was looking for an ordained minister to be appointed up to full time capacity (with final ‘terms of call’ to be negotiated) and has opened up to receive expressions of interest in the role. The cutoff date for expressions of interest has been set for Friday 18 October 2024.
From here the MSB will work with any expressions of interest to identify a preferred candidate. The process will then look to engage in discernment together with the person as to whether there are grounds for a call to this role to be extended.
Rev Dan Spragg
MSB Convenor
Meet the MSB:
Presbytery Representatives:
Dan Spragg: Covenor
Alison Bishop
Maria Lemalie
Hope Council of Elders Representatives:
Ellie Moe
Lionel Graves
Steve Talbot
Hope Congregation Representatives:
Jay Geldard
Eddy Parker
Cindy Holden
Jeremy Willan
Update 7 November 2024
Thank you for the prayer cover. The MSB been meeting this week and the conversation has been heart-felt and Christ-centred. Please keep praying for the team as they follow God’s leading.
Update 23 October 2024
Hi church –
The MSB for the Rolleston Site Pastor has been meeting over the last few weeks. An advert was placed in the Alpine Presbytery newsletter calling for expressions of interest. The MSB is now working with these responses and will provide another update in a few weeks’ time. Please continue to cover this process and the MSB in prayer.
Steve Talbot