Well, the formal offer letter has arrived and I have signed and returned a copy, which finally makes definitive a process that has formed the major aspect of life for me over the past 5 months.
I have been appointed as the Professor of New Testament Studies for the Uniting Church in Australia in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, and within the Uniting Church's Theological College in Melbourne. The appointment begins on January 1st 2009.
Obviously there is a much longer story behind the headline. However, it is important to state that this move is not the result of any unhappiness with my present role at Northern Baptist College, which has been a wonderful, exciting and important place to work over the past 8 years. But a new challenge has come our way and we are excited about the possibility of moving to Melbourne, connecting with our many friends there, making lots of new ones and working in a different cultural and church environment.
Thanks to all those who have made it possible to get this far (you know who you are). Please pray for Katherine, Sophia, Lucy and me as we begin to think our way into the move and spend the next few months working out how to move the whole of life to the other side of the world.
More news and information in due course.
Good grief!! I don't log on here for a month and look what happens!! Thank goodness for blogs so we can follow the next exciting episode down under! Margaretx
Posted by: Margaret | Monday, October 06, 2008 at 04:00 AM
Let me join those offering you a proleptic welcome to the Top of the World http://flourish.org/upsidedownmap/rotatedmap-large.jpg though in the photo it is a shame that the centre of the top of the world is obscured by light (just like God in the old hymn?).
Posted by: Tim Bulkeley | Thursday, October 02, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Melissa Rogers | Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 01:41 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Melissa Rogers | Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 01:40 AM
Major congrats Sean ... although what'll happen to Council now ... heaven only knows!
I am really pleased for you, although like many others we'll miss your many contribtions to life, Baptist and otherwise.
See you before you go
Craig
Posted by: Craig Gardiner | Sunday, September 07, 2008 at 04:02 AM
Congrats, Sean -- it'll be great to have you with us Down Under!
Posted by: Ben Myers | Saturday, September 06, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Well, thanks one and all. Catriona, for proofreading. Chris - we will have to wait until SBL some year for that beer. Mike - I know you aren't really jealous, after all, Im going to work for the ultra-liberal, rapidly declining Uniting Church!. Michael - these things are relative. Steph - thanks. Andy J - no sorry, but see you in a week or so. John Lyons - please, please don't come; Andy A. - see you next Thursday for more commiserations!
Posted by: Sean | Thursday, September 04, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Oh Sean. Frankly, this is gutting. I'll see you before long to do the whole 'wish you well' bit and 'wow! congratulations', but for now my first thought is 'how sad'.
andy.
Posted by: andy amoss | Wednesday, September 03, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Their gain is our loss.
Still there are some gains - more whisky for those of us left behind, for one! :)
As a special treat, Sean, I think I'll come along to hear your paper on Barth in Durham. No pressure, it just should be both perfect AND memorable. I feel sure a man of your capabilities can easily manage that....
Posted by: John Lyons | Wednesday, September 03, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Great opportunity Sean, not only for you but for those you will teach and amongst whom you live the life of the biblical scholar and theological companion. It's a long way to Melbourne where my Auntie Chrissie has lived for nearly 50 years as an early 1960's immigrant. But I could use either of you as the excuse to visit the other! Blessings Sean, and I DO plan on being in Manchester before your house is all packed up!!
Posted by: Jim Gordon | Tuesday, September 02, 2008 at 06:31 AM