After 7 years serving the Presbyterian Church of NSW as our inaugral Women's Ministry Facilitator, Anna Moss has decided it's time to move on to other things. We sat down with her and asked her to reflect on her time serving the denomination, and what's coming next.

1.Looking back on your time as Women’s Ministry Facilitator, what are you most thankful for?

I began serving as the Women’s Ministry Facilitator for the PCNSW in March 2018, after ten years as the Women’s Pastor at Drummoyne Presbyterian. I was particularly drawn to this role because, having experienced both the joys and challenges of vocational ministry as a woman, I wanted to support and encourage others serving Jesus in this space.

As the first person to hold this position, everything began from the ground up. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to help establish and shape the role and its priorities. Throughout my time, I’ve been so grateful for the many gifted and compassionate women and men in ministry whom I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working alongside. It is an extraordinary privilege to witness the ways God is at work in people’s lives. I remain deeply humbled and profoundly thankful for the ways His remarkable, life-giving grace leaks out of people. I’m thankful for their quiet, consistent, thoughtful service. They may not be widely known or publicly acknowledged but I know that Jesus sees them and Heaven applauds them.

I’m also grateful that during my time in this role, we’ve seen some small but significant steps forward in how the PCNSW is thinking about the participation of women in decision-making forums. These may be small steps, but they are steps I pray will continue to last and grow.

2. What has been one of the most significant lessons or encouragements you’ve taken from this role?

The role of women in the church continues to be a topic that stirs a wide range of opinions and emotions. Through these conversations and experiences, I’ve learned the importance of staying connected with people and approaching differences with curiosity rather than judgment. I’ve also been reminded time and again to hold fast to grace, remembering that we are all fellow sinners who stand together in the kindness of God.

I have been deeply encouraged by the many female ministry workers and ministry wives who have shared their tenacious hope and joy in Jesus, and their desire to love and serve His people — even when the path is hard. Their faith, perseverance, and love for the Lord are a powerful testimony to God’s goodness at work in His church.

3. Can you share a moment or story that captures what you’ve loved about supporting women in ministry across NSW?

There are so many delightful stories but one that comes to mind is being part of the Spiritual Renewal Group for women in ministry which I led with Christine Mao. I will always treasure the incredible privilege of hearing these women’s life stories. Seeing Jesus actively working in and through each one of us was very special. I loved that we could share deeply together; that we could pray, sing and cry together, but also could share many laughs and enjoy some dancing to Taylor Swift along the way.

Another moment that sticks with me is being at Assembly this year and singing “O Breath of Life”. It was profound to join the heart cry of that song; asking God’s Spirit to revive His church; to renew our thoughts and will and hearts; to bend us and break us until we humbly confess our need of Him. Wow.

4. As you step out of this position, what hopes or prayers do you have for women’s ministry in our churches going forward?

I have become increasingly convinced that if the church is to truly reflect Christ to the world, we must work diligently and thoughtfully at nurturing our relationships with one another. The kingdom Jesus came to establish is an upside-down kingdom — one that leaves no room for exclusion, judgmentalism, or arrogance.

Sadly, the question of how men and women serve together in Christ’s church has too often become a test of orthodoxy, rather than an opportunity to live out our salvation with humility and genuine love. For the first time in many decades, statistics show that women — particularly younger women — are leaving our churches. This should stir us to reflect prayerfully and honestly about what is happening and what can be done about it.

My hope and prayer is that the PCNSW will continue to image Jesus faithfully, reflecting on what is going well, where there are gaps, and how we might better embody the love and unity of Christ in all we do. My prayer echoes Paul’s words to the Ephesians:

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all…..Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (chapter 4:6, 15-16)

5. What’s next for you, and how can we be praying for you in this next season?

Since beginning my role with the PCNSW, I have also been working part-time at The Family Systems Practice, where I’m involved in counselling, family therapy, and ministry supervision. After much prayer and reflection, I’ve come to realise that I no longer have the capacity to give both roles the time and energy they each deserve.

I also want to create more time and head space to care for my aging parents and to be present for our kids. My husband is also in ministry and we are both curious to see how God may lead us to serve Him together in the years ahead.