God as neighbour

By Emelia Haskey

Max Kowalick wasn’t planning on becoming a Christian – let alone a Minister like his father, but after a long period of study and thought, it just clicked.

‘I was the son of a Minister, but God was never central in my adolescence. I went to the Philippines with a friend on a whim, and there was a little Catholic church in the mountains full of happy people … and when I asked why they were happy they said King Jesus,’ said Max.

‘I had never heard that expression before, so when I came back I read the Bible as if it were a worldview, like all the worldviews I had studied before, and found Christianity the most true and appealing one.’ Reflecting back on his own experiences of growing up in a religious family but not being religious himself, he has had a unique experience which makes it easier for him to connect with secular young people.

‘God was like a neighbour in the backyard who every now and then you felt the presence of but didn’t want to engage with,’ said Max.

‘We like to put a clear definition on things, but it was a slow process of reading and that slowly trickling from my head to my heart.’

Max became a Christian in 2020, and was baptised a year later at Malvern Uniting Church. He started a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology; completed his Period of Discernment; and is now applying for candidacy within the Church.

That’s not to say it’s been a smooth journey however, as he struggled with secular study and isn’t naturally comfortable with spirituality. But the challenges haven’t swayed him in his pursuit of ordination within the Uniting Church.

‘I don’t have a doubt about ministry … the only thing I have doubts about is the longevity of this, and indeed many current Church institutions, and the material aspect of things and the generational shift,’ said Max.

‘The process that Uniting has for the Period of Discernment, candidacy, ordination and further study is a very good process. I want to see the Uniting Church flourish in this time and actually reach out to people who are considering it and let them know how open ordination is.’