19 September, 2009: Friends and supporters will be pleased to know that we have arrived in Durham!
This page contains information for people to consider financial and prayer support for our family as I undertake further study for the sake of long-term theological education in Australia and Malaysia.
This information is for friends and supporters. Perhaps you have benefitted from some of the resources on this site and would like to consider being a supporter! Any help would certainly be greatly appreciated.
NB To indicate your support, you can use this online response form.
NB You can also download a printable (PDF) version of the response form.
What’s the plan?
I (Lionel) am a minister in the Anglican Church of Australia, Diocese of Sydney. I have received strong encouragement from Diocesan leaders, teachers and colleagues to consider developing my specific gifts in theological thinking and education for the sake of training future ministers.
An opportunity has arisen to study for a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University in North-Eastern England. This opportunity carries with it a large number of potential benefits (see below). The PhD begins in October 2009 and would finish in July 2012—almost three years long.
My research involves an in-depth examination of the Apostle Paul’s understanding of his own ministry, especially in the light of the Old Testament.
Afterwards, we intend to return to Australia so that I can teach and train Christian ministers in biblical studies and theology. We also have a strong interest in training ministers in Malaysia for the future; a PhD should provide many opportunities in this area that otherwise would not exist.
Why a PhD?
As a Christian and a Christian minister, I’ve been learning and teaching theology for years. I’ve already completed a 4-year intensive degree course at Moore College. Why should I study for another 3 years on top of all this?
There is currently a great shortage of PhD-trained lecturers and teachers in theological and Bible colleges in Australia (and in Malaysia). This is a pity, because doctoral study can have enormous benefits for the quality of theological education that can be provided to students. A PhD provides unique opportunities for a theological teacher to:
- gain greater breadth and depth of understanding of biblical texts and theological issues
- develop disciplined and insightful approaches to biblical texts and theological subjects
- interact personally with people and ideas that are affecting current and future theological understanding
As a convinced evangelical Christian studying outside the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, I expect to be forced to grapple with unfamiliar concepts and have in-depth discussions with people with whom I disagree theologically. To work out, in more depth, what I do and don’t believe, and why, will (God willing) mould a far better teacher and trainer of future Christian ministers.
Why now?
Everyone says that study is best done when one is young. There are numerous hardships involved in taking a young family with 3 children to England for 3 years—especially in the middle of a global financial crisis! Why now?
There are two reasons. Firstly, an opportunity has arisen and it seems wise for us to take it up now. Secondly, if I am to be involved in long-term theological education, it is important to get on with the task now! We are not getting any younger or fitter, and the gospel of the Lord Jesus is urgent.
Why England?
It is possible to do a PhD in Australia, at much lower cost. So why are we going all the way to England? Study in England promises to provide opportunities to interact with a number of world-class and diverse scholars with whom I would not otherwise come into contact. This adds immensely to the value and potential benefits of PhD study (see above).
Why Durham?
Of course, we are planning to move to Durham from Wollongong because of all that extra sunshine and surf! We’re not going for the weather! —Durham is in the far North-East of England, near the border with Scotland, and is pretty cold by all accounts. So why go there?
Simply because the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University is consistently ranked among the top three leading institutions for the academic study of theology and religion in the UK. A number of its faculty (including my supervisor, Francis Watson) are world leaders in their field. Hence the benefits outlined above would be maximised by study at Durham.
What are the costs?
We estimate that moving to and living in Durham with a family of 3 children could cost (in Australian dollars) up to $70,000 per annum for almost three years. This is because of the cost of living in the UK, which is generally higher than in Sydney. In addition, tuition fees will cost about AUD$23,000 per annum.
We have some personal savings, and I have received the Joan Augusta Mackenzie Travelling Scholarship which will provide us with $30,000 per annum. I may also be able to work part-time whilst in Durham.
However, we are looking for further help from friends and supporters to help pay for the Windsor family to stay in the UK for this period of time! Your help will contribute to food, rent, public transport, school uniforms, etc.
We would like you to consider this as partnering in the future of theological education in Australia and beyond, for the sake of the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
How can I help?
Prayer
Please pray for us. We plan to keep supporters up-to-date via this website.
Financial support
We certainly appreciate any financial support. Any such support would be considered a personal gift to help us get to the UK and to help pay for living expenses for our family during the period of study.
I am committed to ensuring that this process is transparent, and that all appropriate taxation laws are adhered to.
Please let us know of your support
This response form enables you to indicate your support. Our treasurer, Lindsay Dunstan, will keep track of offers of support and donations. Lindsay will inform us about the identity of donors, but not amounts given by specific individuals.
Giving money
The simplest way to give is by depositing money into the following newly-established Westpac account (via a Westpac branch, or by phone or internet banking).
Bank = Westpac (Australia)
Account name = Lionel Windsor
BSB = 732695
Account # = 685328
You can also write cheque(s) payable to “Lionel Windsor” and post to Mr Lindsay Dunstan, Treasurer (address below), who will deposit them into this account.
This dedicated bank account is in my name (“Lionel Windsor”), but I will have no independent access to it. Three independent signatories will all be required to agree on any withdrawals from the account. The first signatory is the treasurer, Mr Lindsay Dunstan. Use this online form if you would like to contact Lindsay directly.
As a safeguard against fraud, the names and details of the other two signatories have not been published here. They are available on request, either from myself or from the treasurer.
The account has been structured so that I (Lionel) can act as one of the three signatories in the event of the (highly regrettable!!) death or incapacitation of one of the other signatories.
The signatories are instructed that the money is only to be used for living and travel expenses for our family to enable me to study in the UK. The signatories are happy to receive a phone call from you to verify these instructions.
Please prayerfully consider how you might partner in this gospel work.
If you’d like to receive prayer updates, please contact me.
With love,
Lionel & (Leonie) Bronwyn and kids.
