He says he’s been lobbied by supporters of seven AFL teams already. The Right Revd Dr Ric Thorpe was installed this week as the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne is going to have to choose one – but here’s the bad news for him – there are nine AFL teams based in his diocese, counting Geelong, so he has some more lobbying to come!
But there’s apparently more to life than AFL in Melbourne. Here’s some of what Thorpe told the packed St Paul’s Cathedral as he was installed, where his wife Louie read the gospel passage of the great commission.
“I love the passage Louie read; the great commission. Matthew tells us the disciples had gathered at Jesus’ direction and they worshipped him, but also they doubted.
“They had a mixture, I believe, of nerves and excitement, wonder and uncertainty. Perhaps that’s where we stand at the start of this new season. And this passage reminds us that we are part of something much bigger that builds on all those who have gone before us in the diocese of Melbourne.
“It’s all about Jesus. Jesus begins here, ‘all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’ So whatever expectations we carry about leadership, direction, or strategy, we must begin here. It’s all about Jesus. He is in charge. This is his church. He is the Lord of all. All authority belongs to him.
“I discovered this personally when I was 19 years old. I believed in God, but he felt distant. I’d built a safe, contained version of him, explaining away anything supernatural, making an argument for him being distant. Then a friend invited me to church, the same friend who later introduced me to Louie. And during the sermon, Jesus met me. It was as though the small structure I had built to keep him at arm’s length simply collapsed.
“And there he was coming towards me, saying, ‘It’s not all about that, Rick. It’s about me.’ And in my mind’s eye, he embraced me. I knew he loved me and accepted me. My life is no longer oriented around me but around him.
“And that moment changed everything…
He discusses his retreat before his installation, which brings up the subject of prayer
“Prayer and dedicated time in his presence are how we abide. It’s how we hear his voice, align with his will, and receive the strength of his love. To walk faithfully in this next season, we all must renew our commitment to prayer. Intentional, expectant, scripture-shaped prayer. When we pray, God reshapes us, and remarkable things begin to happen.
“So from that place of authority and prayer, Jesus sends us. We’re all on a mission from God. He says, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’ This is a summons to join God’s mission, his co-mission, his commission to redeem a people from every tribe and nation.
“We are to go to our neighbours, colleagues, streets, and suburbs, and make disciples, sharing Christ, encouraging faith, helping people grow to maturity.
Today is Advent Sunday. It marks the beginning of the church year, but it is also St. Andrew’s Day. It’s where we mark St. Andrew. Remember, Andrew, after meeting Jesus, he ran to his brother Simon Peter, saying ‘We have found the Messiah.’
“Disciples make disciples. And our diocese sits in a remarkable mission field. Over 5 million people on our doorstep. around 140 cultures, from indigenous communities to newly arrived migrants and international students. The nations have come to Melbourne.
“We must go to the ends of the earth. But God has also brought the ends of the earth here. We are a diverse diocese. Our diversity is a gift. When we look inward, differences can fracture us. But when we obey Jesus’ command to turn outward in mission, our differences become strengths, reaching different people in different ways. Mission unites us.
“I’ve been so inspired by studying some of the bishops who have served here before us. Charles Perry, the first bishop of Melbourne, rode across Victoria preaching, making disciples, training leaders, planting churches, establishing schools, shaping civic life. We are caught up in the same mission.
“Not one that is static, but a people on the move, joining in with what we see God already doing, growing, multiplying, giving ourselves away. Yes, it is costly, complex, and disruptive. Like having children is disruptive, but new life is always worth it.
“And what do we do on this mission? Well, we play our part in seeing the church grow in every dimension. Jesus goes on baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you.
“Baptism welcomes people into the family of God. Teaching forms mature disciples whose lives reflect Jesus’ radical countercultural way.
“Churches that are intentional about evangelism and discipleship are more likely to make new disciples. Around the world, young adults are increasingly more open to faith. Louie and I have been involved with the Alpha course for over 30 years. It’s an opportunity for those outside the church to explore the Christian faith.
“And we’ve seen countless people becoming Christians, being baptised, and flourishing in their newfound faith. Every baptism is a moment for the whole church to celebrate along with all of heaven as those new believers begin that life-fulfilling journey with Jesus.
“Teaching the faith is equally vital. St. Augustine prayed, ‘Lord, help us to know you that we may truly love you. So to love you that we may fully serve you, whose service is perfect freedom.’ Obedience to the radical teaching of Jesus is not restriction. It is freedom.
“We must continue to grow leaders at every level and from every background. We don’t lower expectations. We widen the pipeline. Ethnic ethnically diverse leaders. Leaders from different socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Leaders in churches, schools, and civic life. As John Maxwell puts it, leaders are learners. If we stop learning, we forfeit the right to lead. So leadership formation, lay and ordained, is everyone’s work. It is the college’s work, but it’s also our work, spotting them, raising them up, and developing them.
“We must continue to extend our investment in schools. You know, from the earliest days, Anglicans here understood the power of education, shaping values, imagination, and worldview. As Melbourne and Geelong grow, we need more schools with Christian foundations to serve the future of our cities. When we take the great commission seriously, we see growth in depth of relationship with God and one another, in impact on our communities with the love of God and on the breadth of our church as the Lord adds to our number daily.
“James Moorhouse, the second bishop of Melbourne, understood this instinctively. Planting churches, appointing clergy, enabling this cathedral to be built, founding schools, and making the word of God fully known through public witness.
“And we stand and sit. We stand in that inheritance.
“One thing you told me very clearly, you wanted the next archbishop to be a witness to the resurrection. I love that. I love that priority that you gave. And so, let me state it plainly. I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and risen as long as God gives me breath.
“Because of the cross.
“Because of the cross, our sins are forgiven. Because of the resurrection, new life is possible today. Because he will return. We have hope for the future. I know this to be true because he lives in me and I abide in him.
“There is much work to do in every part of the dasis, from the edges to the very centre, and every one of us has a part to play in that, and we can only do this work because we are empowered by Christ.
“He says, ‘Surely I’m with you always to the very end of the age.’ Jesus does not send us into the world and then stand back. He goes with us by his spirit, empowering, guiding, and strengthening. Without him, we can do nothing. With him, extraordinary things happen. The impossible becomes possible.
“As you pray, he listens and acts. As you make disciples, you yourself will grow. As you celebrate baptism and remember your own, your faith will ignite. As you teach, you will long to follow Jesus more.
“And so, as I joyfully receive this calling to be your archbishop, let me summarise simply and clearly our priorities as I see them.
• Prayer: a renewal of prayer for our churches, for our cities, for our nation, alongside our brothers and sisters in all of God’s church.
• Mission: encouraging every Christian and every church to thrive in proclaiming Christ, who brings unity, restores faith, and awakens new faith.
• Church planting, establishing new congregations. So we play our part in the evangelisation of this diocese.
• Developing leaders, building a strong, diverse pipeline of lay leaders, ordinance, clergy, senior leaders and encouraging Christians to step confidently into civic life.
• Schools laying foundations for new schools shaped by Christian faith for the good of future generations. Let’s not just think about the next five or 10 years. Let’s think about the next 25 years, a generation ahead.
“Above all, my desire is that each of you becomes everything Christ calls you to be. Imagine, imagine what God can do through us, united under his great commission in Melbourne, in Geelong and beyond.
“So, thank you for everything that has brought us to this moment in the history of this diocese. Louie and I have come on an adventure in response to God’s call and to yours. Now that we’re here, we cannot do this alone. Join us in this great adventure. Walk with us. Pray with us. Serve with us. Submit afresh to Jesus Christ, who holds all authority. As you make disciples, play your part in seeing the church grow in depth, in impact, and in breadth, renewed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. At the beginning of this new season, I want to pray using a fifth-century prayer. So let us pray.
“Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favour. And further us with your continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally by your mercy obtain everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”