JO KADLECEK speaks with Rev Stu Cameron, CEO and superintendent of Sydney’s Wesley Mission…
Updated: 8:30am, 16th October, 2023 (AEDT)
Sydney, Australia
Rev Stu Cameron spent six years as the administrative head of the Uniting Church in South Australia and 15 as the senior minister at senior minister at New Life Church in Queensland before taking up his current post as CEO and superintendent at Sydney’s Wesley Mission. In an interview with Sight, he speaks about what a typical day for him looks like, why Wesley is concerned about the impact of gambling in Australia, and what he’s looking forward to…
Wesley Mission has a lot going on in NSW. What’s a typical day like for you?
“The typical day is there is no typical day. We are uniquely shaped in that we’re a church and a community services organisation committed to living out the Gospel in word and deed in 21st century Australia. That provides unique opportunities and unique challenges in our contexts.
“My title is CEO of Wesley Community Services, and superintendent minister (an old Methodist term) of congregational life. The wisdom of those who have gone before me ensures that Wesley Mission stands as an integrated whole, not as two parts. So my role is at the pointy end of that integration and embodies a commitment to what’s most important in integration. As CEO, I’m team leader, with a team of around 2,000 staff, and chief strategist to help plan where, how and when we want to expand our reach. I’m also chief storyteller, always telling our story back to ourselves because we’re at risk of siloing ourselves. I also have the privilege of preaching across one of our nine congregations most weekends.
“Under those three headings, teams, strategy and storytelling, a typical day starts early and finishes around dinner. Recently, I spent a morning with our disabilities team to hear about the challenges and opportunities they’re facing. On another day, I looked at different properties we might develop for Gospel purposes. Anniversaries, invitations, visits mean I can have personal engagement with our front-line staff (in housing, youth work, family preservation, etc) along with our exec team who supports staff doing vital work.”
Rev Stu Cameron. PICTURE: Courtesy of Wesley Mission
What were some of stops along the way to Wesley Mission and how did they prepare you?
“Living in Adelaide in my early 20s, I completed an accounting degree and worked in business, but was always involved in lay leadership the church, with youth in particular. I then went to coordinate a large youth convention, NCYC, for two-years, and a follow up two-years in Tasmania, each with about 2,000 to 3,000 people. I’d had a strong sense of call, quite miraculously during accounting studies. I also had a sense God was calling me to pastoral ministry – that’s a strange combination. When I went back to college and about to complete my ordination studies, I was invited to apply for the role of General Secretary of the Synod, South Australia, the administrative denominational head of the Uniting Church. I thought that was hilarious because that role typically went to older ministers.
“I wasn’t yet ordained, in my early 30s, and led the state office for six years, seeing the church at its best and worst. When I was 39, I became senior minister at New Life Church in Queensland, where I had 15 wonderful years and learned on the fly. They were life-giving, challenging and joyful years. God was very kind to us and the church grew considerably. I planned to stay until I retired. Then Wesley came calling.
“I don’t have prophetic gifts but I like to say I have the spiritual gift of hindsight. I look back and see how God ordered my steps. With each opportunity for leadership, God used that season to develop me for the next. I’ve often been out of my depth, having to rely on God’s strength. The constant in each role has been God’s presence.”
What’s the best and worst advice on leadership you’ve received?
“Best advice has been modelled: servanthood. The worst is that leadership is entitlement. No-one says that but there’s always a danger that the narcissism in each of us will play out in our leadership.”
REV STU CAMERON – IN SHORT
Books by my bed…Biblical Critical Theory by Chris Watkins, Slough House by Mick Heron and Pray First by Chris Hodges
A favourite Bible passage…Romans 8:28, 29 – “For I’m convinced nothing can separate us from the love of God…”
You’ve worked with other Christian leaders to address gambling harm in Australia. Why is Wesley Mission concerned about this issue?
“It’s consistent with our mission and the Biblical mandate we’ve been given, to work for justice and see oppression lifted where we can. Especially where the downtrodden are being taken advantage.
“Gambling harm is a cultural scourge in Australia, a blind spot to so many, with $A25 billion in losses yearly, the largest in the world. God has given Wesley Mission decades of experience seeing first-hand what gambling harm does to individuals, families and communities. We have practitioners who know what works in reducing harm.
“It’s a wicked problem that Australians need to own and address and will take a broad coalition to shift the dial. It’s a spiritual battle, with principalities, powers and systems impacting between 900,000 and 1.7 million residents in NSW. There’s too much pain that’s avoidable.”
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What advice would you give now to yourself in your early career?
“Chillax. Trust God. Don’t be anxious. I come from a long line of worriers. I’ve learned hard lessons about burnout and worry. I’ve gotten better at switching off at the end of the day, realising things are out of my control. God is ever present; when we’re engaged in His mission, He is with us. The presence of God is everything in leadership especially. If I lead from my own strength, it’s destined to fail.”
After 20 years as a Christian leader, three at Wesley Mission, what do you look forward to?
“Our front-line staff are remarkable in the work they do and the change they bring for so many vulnerable families and children. It’s not hard to be motivated to serve them and to consider how I can support, strengthen, equip and empower them. We’re dealing with some tough situations, so I’m reminded daily how challenging it can be.
“I look forward each morning to leading an environment where we’re making such a difference. But I also love being surprised. I’m always collecting and celebrating stories and learning as a leader. I get to dream around big questions and strategies. The day I stop learning is the day I stop leading.”
