With a love of fishing, hunting and hiking, Reverend Sage Burke couldn’t be happier to now be a minister in rural Mid Canterbury.
He is the first rural minister for the Anglican church in the district.
Burke 36, his wife Laura and their children moved to Methven in November last year to start his ministry.
He may not fit the image many have of ‘‘a man of the cloth’’, with his enjoyment of martial arts, sailing and a yarn over a cold beer.
He is based at All Saints’ church in Methven and is also responsible for the Anglican parishes in Mayfield-Mt Somers, and Rakaia.
Burke said it sort of sounds complex but in other ways it’s simple.
‘‘My role is to be here for the people of rural Mid Canterbury, that involves some churchy stuff but it’s mostly about supporting the communities and people, whether you’re a church person or not,’’ he said.
Before becoming a vicar Burke has worked as landscaper, a truck driver, bouncer and social worker/ counsellor.
He has a degree in science from Canterbury University and a post graduate one in theology from Otago University.
This isn’t his first time caring and providing spiritual guidance to a congregation but it is his first long term appointment with two previous roles being transitional roles.
These were followed by a seven-year position at Otago University as a student support worker.
His call to serve in the new position in Mid Canterbury came through a chance encounter with the Bishop of Christchurch who offered him the role.
Among the many facets of the job is to work alongside the rural parishes to help them engage and work together more.
‘‘Ministry to the rural community is different from ministering to urban congregations. They have different needs and work different hours,’’ Burke said.
‘‘I want to build on what is already happening in our churches and find more opportunities to engage spiritually with the community,’’ Burke said.
‘‘I see my role as getting to know the people and the community and provide pastoral care to anyone,’’ he said.
‘‘I hope people will pop along to church and not wait for a christening, wedding or funeral to come to church because church isn’t a scary place,’’ Burke said.
He is encouraged by the many programmes offered by the churches in his responsibility.
‘‘We are already planning for Easter with services and looking at some fun community activities.’’
