The Dean of Hobart
The Very Reverend Dr Lindsay Stoddart is the Dean of Hobart.
Lindsay and Jan Stoddart
Can the Cathedral Church of St David and its Dean meet the needs of the Gen X's (under 40 year olds) and Gen Y's (under 28 year olds) for a spiritual home?
The central purpose of the Cathedral Church of Saint David is to proclaim the love of God in Christ to the City of Hobart and all Tasmanians. The late David Bosch put it - 'Our God is a missionary God. God's people are a missionary people.'
Here at St David's Cathedral we long to
- Live in the love of God
- Share the love of God in Christ in our actions, and
- Proclaim the love of God in Christ.
Dean Lindsay Stoddart teaches that the key to life is found in following Jesus Christ. The life of a disciple is one of failure and brokenness redefined in the forgiving love of God in Christ. Lindsay committed his own life to Christ as a teenager, after being nurtured in a Christian family, but grasped more deeply the grace of God as a young lawyer. Professionally his life journey includes time as
- Senior partner in a NSW legal practice
- Church planter in a blue collar community in Sydney's west
- Parish priest at Gymea and acting priest at Shellharbour, Helensburgh and Austinmer
- Archdeacon of Wollongong and member of Archbishop Goodhew's executive team
- Founding CEO of Anglican Youthworks and Youthworks College
- Chair of St Andrew's Cathedral School and the Macarthur Anglican School
- Co-author of Sunday Services
- Co-author of Growing up without God?
- Member of the National Liturgical Commission.
His non-lawyer qualifications include
- B Th. (Hons 1 - Australian College of Theology)
- M Phil. (Sheffield UK - Israel in Matthean thought)
- D. Min. (Fuller USA - Good News liturgy for gospel growth).
Israel in Matthean thought examines Matthew's editing of the Jesus traditions with a particular focus on the parable of the wicked tenants (Matt. Chapter 21:33-46). Lindsay's ongoing work has theological ramifications for exploring the current problems surrounding Israel and its neighbours. His findings stand in stark contrast to Zionist and 'return to the land' readings of the Bible.
Good News liturgy for gospel growth has influenced the Dean's love for contemporary and classic Anglican worship.
The family tree
The family tree has Scottish roots. (Why is he an Anglican?) Lindsay's father Herbert was born in Scotland, as were his four grandparents.
Lindsay is married to Jan who is a teacher librarian, currently employed at The Friends' School (Hobart's Quaker school).
Lindsay and Jan have two adult sons and two adult daughters and two grandsons and two granddaughters (at last count.) They all reside on the Mainland.
This Dean dreams
That all Hobart will not only hear the good news of Christ, but, turn to him. The Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaims, promises justice, the recreation of our earth to all its perfection (as in Genesis) and the release of humanity from oppression, poverty, illness and despair.
In Christ lies hope for today and eternity assured for tomorrow.
The doors of St David's are open to all, to believers and doubters alike. From the Word of God we declare this hope in Christ and share our spiritual pilgrimage.