Minister of the Word
Rev. Mark J Dunn
Dip Min (Hons), L Th, Dip RE, Grad Dip M'ment, M Min
Mark came to St John’s in February 2008, bringing with him a range of experiences and skills. Originally from Queensland, he left school at 15 and worked for six years as a Lloyds’ Marine Insurance Broker before studies at the Churches of Christ Ministry College (Glen Iris - 1976-79). He was ordained in November 1979 into his first parish of Mount Clear, Ballarat where healthy growth assisted by the arrival of twin daughters was the outcome of this settlement (1980-82).
New challenges were in store at Knoxfield (1983-87) where Mark fostered ecumenical relationships with a neighbouring Lutheran church, launched a ministry to singles and saw the congregation develop its Neighbourhood Centre and an emergency accommodation house for homeless young people as a compassionate response to justice issues.
A change of focus came next as Mark enriched his pastoral counselling skills with a five year term as an Industrial Chaplain. Client organisations included AMP, SEC and Australia Post. During this period Mark undertook a Graduate Diploma in Management (RMIT) so as to better understand the issues and concerns of those to whom he was ministering.
He was received into the Uniting Church in December 1987 in the Presbytery of Maroondah when he and the family worshipped at the young and dynamic Rowville congregation.
A long held dream to live and work in the UK was fulfilled when the Dunn family took up life in the market town of Ilkeston, Derbyshire where Mark became the United Reformed Church minister. A Master of Ministry and Theology Degree (University of Sheffield) filled in the spare hours! These rewarding experiences (1992-1997) were climaxed with a 8,000 km/six country European tour through which the family made many new friends.
After international negotiations over the Internet, Mark commenced his immediate past ministry at Pilgrim, Doncaster in January 1998 where he concluded a very happy and fruitful 10 years. Married to Jan, (Admin Manager, Scotch College, Hawthorn) they have three adult daughters.
In Presbytery work, Mark has served as convenor of Strategy and Resources and Multicultural Ministry Committees and as a member of the Ministry Committee, guiding prospective candidates as they discern God’s call. He has enjoyed supervising seven student ministers over the years and has a lively interest in celebrating the rich cultural diversity of God's church, keenly welcoming people from all traditions and backgrounds to contribute to local church life. In recent years he has also led the establishment of the Manningham Interfaith Network as its inaugural president.
Mark is active in the wider work of the Church. For five years he chaired the Uniting Care/Share Committee of the Victorian Synod and he has served on the Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee, the Synod Nominations Panel and as a delegate to The Victorian Council of Churches. He fosters a local UCA Collegiate Group and is a keen supporter of the Moonee Valley Ecumenical Clergy Network. Presently Mark is challenging himself by completing the requirements to become a Chaplain in the Australian Army Reserves and so experience a different expression of Ministry outside Parish life.
A team player, Mark is committed to the priority of his local ministry. He is developing a multi-disciplinary ministry team so that St John’s will best be able to meet its objectives and grow a church which inspires people through excellent worship and mobilises them for significant Godly service.
Mark loves people, relaxes at the movies or theatre, walks regularly for fitness, is paid up and passionate about The North Melbourne Kangaroos, enjoys music and keeps bees. "Sweet Justice Honey" is his label, the proceeds of which support the eradication of land mines in Cambodia.
Mark continues to strive for an effective and fruitful ministry at St John’s, advancing God's work in the community within and through the Uniting Church. He is committed to a lifetime of service so that people may come to know the transforming love of God in their lives and the church might be constantly reshaped and moulded to make a distinctive Christian contribution to the wellbeing of individuals and society.
Contact
Work/Home: 9375 1065 (Rest Day - Monday)
Mob: 0409 009 443 Email: mark@dunn.id.au
Minister in Association
Rev. Ian Steer
St John's is delighted to welcome Ian as a Minister in Association in 2009. Ian has had a long and distinguished career in ministry through his work in the following parishes: Norlane 1959-1963, Broadmeadows 1963-1971, Chaplain - Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School 1972-1985, Sunbury-Bulla 1985-1991, Numurkah 1991-1994 and as a Presbytery Minister through 1994 before retiring. As a member of the St John's family, Ian decided to come partly out of retirement in order to give of his considerable experience in helping Mark in his ministerial duties. Earlier in 2009, Ian celebrated 50 years of ordination. A grand achievement indeed!
