Our tiny and remote Shark Bay parish was blessed by supporters Australia-wide recently, when Rev Stephen Shearsby was able to locum for one month.
About 100 supporters have joined The 200 Club, designed to boost financial sustainability of the Bishop’s ministry.
Stephen said he and Heather received extra support for their second stint in Shark Bay, thanks to the Bishop’s 200 Club, which funded extra airfares to reduce travel time.
“Getting to Perth is expensive and then we would have to find a car and make the nine hour drive to Shark Bay. Being able to fly made it heaps easier and gave us two extra days in the Parish,” Stephen said.
“This was our second visit and we were very encouraged. It felt like we just picked up where we left off and got to know each other better.”
Stephen preached a series on idolatry, inspired by Tim Keller’s book Counterfeit Gods, looking at Abraham, Isaiah and Jonah.
People responded by wrestling with the reality of what that meant in their own life; and what should be the focus of their heart, their time and their money.
“I believe idolatry is the greatest problem facing our world today. You could also call it sin, but essentially, it’s breaking the first commandment. We are putting something man made in place of where God should be; turning from the creator to the creation and giving this honour beyond what it deserves.”
After the sermon exploring the book of Jonah, one member commented: “I knew the bit about the whale and now I see the whole story!”
Shark Bay is a small and struggling parish. Stephen said he was reminded of the enormous resources that God puts into finding the lost sheep, the lost coin – finding the one which has gone astray.
“It is not economically smart but it’s God’s way. In his economy every person is precious.”