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Women’s Ministry Around the World: Interview with Kara Hartley

IMG_3098In June 2015, about 20 women gathered in London for a meeting to discuss women’s ministries in complementarian contexts around the world. Our hope was to learn from one another and encourage each other in our task.

We heard from women in Australia, South Africa, Europe, UAE, and the USA. Led by the Proclamation Trust, we first met at The Evangelical Ministry Assembly (EMA) and enjoyed excellent teaching and fellowship. Afterwards, we traveled to The Oast House Retreat Center to debrief, discuss, and get to know one another.

It was one of those gatherings that left me wanting to share with others the kingdom work being done by women in a variety of settings. I’ve asked these ladies to tell us a bit about their ministries, so that we can all glean from their wisdom and prayerfully support their labors around the world.

Today, we’ll get a glimpse into the ministry work of Kara Hartley. She lives in Sydney, Australia, and for the past three years has ministered in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.

Can you share with us a little about the culture where you live and the work you are doing?

Sydney is like most other Western cities. It’s a city that has turned its back on God and is absorbed by materialism, consumerism, and the need to have the “good life.”

The Anglican Church in Sydney is an evangelical diocese. Under God we have a evangelical bishops and an evangelical training college, which have preserved a rich heritage of commitment to the Bible.

I have the privilege of working among women in our diocese. I meet with women serving in the local church to encourage and support their work. I teach the Bible to women at women’s events and conferences. I’m also involved in recruiting and training women for ministry.

What are some of the challenges of your ministry in Sydney? What are some of the joys?

There is great joy in seeing how God is using women in our context to grow his kingdom. Challenges include how to speak into our multi-cultural, multi-faithIMG_3123 city that continues to seek fulfillment everywhere but with the God of the Bible.

In what ways have you seen the Lord at work?

I love seeing young women give their life to serving the Lord in full-time ministry, knowing that times are changing fast and it will need more and more creativity to fund and serve in ministry. I love seeing how God is using the hundreds of women who serve in variety of ways in our church to grow his kingdom.

How have you been encouraged or supported in your ministry by pastors and elders?

I serve alongside our diocesan bishops, and interact with many pastors. They are very supportive of women in ministry. Recently I was speaking at a women’s retreat for a church, and the pastor rang me the day before letting me know he was praying for the women and me. That was a wonderful encouragement, to know he was that interested in knowing what was going on.

For those reading this today, what are two specific ways we can pray for your work?

  • That I will watch my life and doctrine closely.
  • That I will know how best to serve the women of our diocese, particularly as I plan for the upcoming year.

 

Kara is the archdeacon for Women’s Ministry in the Sydney Diocese. She is involved with teaching the Bible to women at events, conferences and retreats; meeting with and supporting women in ministry as well as recruitment and training women for ministry. Kara is married to Brett, and they live in the southern suburbs of Sydney. She attends St John’s at Sutherland.

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