5 minutes with Joanna ...
Tell us a little about yourself
I'm an Ordained Minister with the Churches of Christ in South Australia and I also have experience and training in Community Development and Not-For-Profit Management. I'm currently working with Baptist Care SA as Senior Consultant for Church Community Development. I value working with vulnerable and marginalised people groups and have consulted with Churches and Charities both in Australia and internationally in this area. I think in this work especially we need creativity and innovation and I value these a lot. I live in a great community in Edwardstown with a small flock of chickens as well as my husband James, our 2 year old son Daniel and a sibling due around Easter.
What's your favourite bible passage & why?
From the Old Testament Psalm 121 is pretty special to me as it was spoken over me as an infant when I was given only 10% chance of survival.
From the New the passages I probably visit most frequently are the notion in John 1 of the word of God moving into the neighbourhood with people and Paul's description of Christ's humility and humanity in Philippians 2
How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
By trying to create an attitude of looking for the fingerprints of the Holy Spirit in every person and situation I encounter
What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?
They are strong and full of courage and there is a work set before them- but it may not look like traditional ministry… and yet it is their right to reclaim it as ministry.
What's one thing that you love about your local church?
The local Church represents a unique opportunity to develop flourishing local neighbourhoods that are resilient and engaged. God has chosen the Church to partner in this work of bringing about the Kingdom of God in this world… but make no mistake, if we weren’t doing this and when we don’t do this, God is doing this work of reconciling without us.
What did you learn about God at a time in your life you found hard?
That at times it is necessary to trust God for your faith as much as in your faith.
What are you passionate about?
So many things. Two big ones would probably be:
I’m passionate about all people being seen for their gifts and assets rather than their deficits and needs- especially those most vulnerable in our communities.
I’m passionate about us taking better care of this good and beautiful creation even if that means having to live a simpler and less comfortable lives.
What do you enjoy doing when you rest?
Reading fiction, growing things in dirt and learning random new hobbies like blues harmonica and bee keeping.
