Love as Our Priority: Reflecting on Daz Farrell’s Leadership

25 Jun 2025

By Josh Gibbon

Last month, the network farewelled Daz Farrell as Executive Ministry Director (EMD) of churches of Christ in NSW & ACT, as he concluded four and a half years of leadership.

Conference President, Emily Drough, publicly thanked and honoured Daz for his spiritual leadership in our network. She said, “I want to honour Daz’s leadership of our network as Executive Ministry Director since November 2020 and his role as part of the Network Resource Team over the past decade.

“During his term, Daz has brought incredible energy to his role – leading with dedication and discernment, with spiritual insight and relational authenticity, and by consistently calling our leaders and churches to the highest vision of God’s desire for restoration.”

This sentiment has been echoed across the network, as many wrote to thank Daz for his leadership.

Adam Miller of Penrith Church of Christ said, Daz will be sorely missed in this role as EMD. He was exactly what the network needed in this season: heart-focused, Spirit-led, and relational, rather than process-driven. His impact has left a lasting mark, as he prioritised connection and listening with leaders and communities.”

Daz’s Influence in The Network

While Daz became EMD in November 2020, his service to the network stretches back a decade to when he first joined the team, offering strategic leadership to Churches of Christ Community Care’s welfare arm (then known as Careworks).

Later, Daz transitioned to the Mission & Ministry Team, leading the area of Pioneering under John Crowther. In this role, Daz served, supported, and advised leaders in the network who were seeking to undertake new initiatives in church planting and social enterprise.

Following the conclusion of Andrew Ball’s impactful term as EMD in 2020, Daz sensed an invitation to apply for the role. Even as he did, Daz held this loosely and with some reluctance, being open to serving in this way only if God was leading him into it and would go with him in it.

Reflecting on the sense of invitation he felt as he was appointed, Daz said,

“I was reminded God will use whomever He chooses; sometimes, as in my case, the least likely of people, for His purposes. This calling felt such a privilege, such a huge Kingdom stewardship with and under Jesus on behalf of an amazing group of God’s people, with a rich history and massive potential for the future.”

From the day his appointment was affirmed by Conference Convened in November 2020, Daz led from a sense of God’s leading, identifying in his acceptance message that God had drawn him to key themes – healing, integration, and unity along with teams and regions.

These themes shaped much of his leadership and key initiatives.

In 2021, Daz reoriented the network to engage with its history and DNA as a restoration movement. The result of this was a return to the network’s traditional name, churches of Christ in NSW & ACT, and to articulate the values – Unity, Restoration and Life. As this occurred Daz also led the network to consider what ‘Unity’ means in a network of communities with diverse expressions of faith and mission, which resulted in the network-led and affirmed Ethos Statements. This was a significant work that convened a cross-network Ethos Committee and invited church leadership to engage in articulating what the churches hold in common.

The Ethos Statements are:

Sent with Kingdom Priorities
Anchored in the Scriptures
Empowered by the Spirit
Welcomed into Family
Engaged in Transformation
Adventurous in Restoration
Alongside in Service

Daz championed the health of leaders by introducing grants for ministers’ sabbaticals and worked with ACOM and state leaders towards one national college. He passionately strengthened the role and voice of women through relational support, invitation to contribute to network projects and leadership, and commissioning initiatives such as Belly & Bones. As part of his heart to see those who find themselves at the margins to have higher participation in the network, Daz also sought to honour and engage First Nations peoples connected to the network and advocated for greater voice and influence of multi-ethnic churches.

In 2024, in partnership with Conference Executive and building on the work of the Ethos Committee, Daz led the network to engage with a proposed network vision statement. Intending this to be spacious enough that churches across all regions and expressions could participate in, but explicit enough for the network to proceed into its next season with unified and relevant purpose, Daz released a vision statement for network feedback. Currently known as ‘The Working Vision’, this statement is going through a process of engagement and feedback amongst churches of all regions, which will be concluded later this year. So far, this vision statement has been met with enthusiasm, curiosity, and hopefulness for the way it could direct the network with intention into the future.

The Working Vision Statement as it stands in June 2025:

To be a flourishing network of mature disciples who are formed to be like Jesus and spend their energies on welcoming the lonely and displaced from all cultures and subcultures of the community, making a local impact in the global ‘homing’ crisis by using untapped and underused resources.

Reflecting on the way Daz has led and facilitated the network into a new season in four and half years, Emily Drough said, “Daz’s commitment to unity with the wider body of Christ and his passion and work in championing the flourishing of churches provide a firm foundation for the ongoing work of Conference Executive and the Network Resource Team on behalf of the churches of Christ in NSW & ACT.”

Daz’s Gifts To The Network

Perhaps the best measure of a leader’s impact, is how those around them experienced their leadership and how their gift met the need of their appointed season.

During his last week as EMD, the Network Resource Team invited the network to contribute to a card for Daz, in which 95 leaders from across churches and entities wrote messages and thanked him for the way he had impacted them personally and communally.

In addition to this, the Network Resource Team wrote reflections about how Daz’s leadership had deeply impacted them and invited a further 10 network leaders who had worked closely with Daz over the years to share their own reflections.

As these contributions have poured in, common threads across reflections underlined that God’s gift to the network through Daz has been profound.

One of the frequent reflections about a gift Daz brought, was the way he pursued healing with many in our network through a non-anxious, relational presence with leaders.

Jess Collins of Epping Church of Christ said, “In Daz’s time in his role I saw that he bridged healing from the past in many of our churches and sat and listened to stories, providing understanding and empathy that restored hurt. I am thankful for the way Daz modelled Christlike leadership in a world that likes to elevate personal ego. Daz was what our movement needed for the season we were in.”

Duncan Robinson of Northgate Church, Belrose said: “At just the right time Daz stepped into a role that required profound healing and compassion. With grace and a non-anxious presence, he fostered just the right mix of leadership and pastoral care to bring about change.”

In his pursuit of healing and unity, Daz prioritised connection and listening with leaders and communities. Many noticed this ability to listen deeply as a unique, spiritual gift that Daz offered.

Jason and Kelly Hayduk of Missionheart, ACT said, “We are always taken by the devoted attention Daz gives to anyone who is conversing with him. He is not someone to get distracted but looks to be deeply pondering everything you say. We always walk away feeling listened to, really listened to.”

Those who worked closely with Daz, particularly in the Ethos Committee, spoke of how this posture for listening extended to spaces that a leader might traditionally be expected to ‘take charge’. Seeking instead to be a facilitator that led from the rim of a group, Daz’s humility left an impression.

Ryan Graham of Haven Church of Christ, Campbelltown reflected on his experience of joining the Ethos committee with Daz and other network leaders in 2021. He said, “When I first joined the team, I presumed that Daz would be leading the whole process. I was surprised to find that he had positioned himself as a member of the team rather than the leader of the team. From the very first day he entrusted the process into the hands of the entire group, and it was evident that he had confidence and trust that God would lead and speak through the group and the network as a whole. It was a joy to see Daz lead from rim, bringing out the best in others and for others.”

Alasdair MacDougall of Liberty Church of Christ, Greenacre, who was also on the Ethos Committee said, “I’ve appreciated Daz’s posture towards relationship rather than pragmatism. Whether we were discussing the cofC Ethos statements or the theology of responsible investing, his concern so often was for the people that would be impacted by a decision rather than just the decision itself.”

This theme also emerged in reflections about Daz’s heart to listen to those on the margins, bring them to the centre, and pass them the microphone whenever the chance arose.

Jo Huntington, Pioneering Leadership Development leader on the NRT, who has played a key role in initiating the Belly & Bones cohort of women, a work which Daz commissioned, shared, “I won’t forget when Daz kneeled before a crowd of people in a bright pink t-shirt to receive and pray over the Belly & Bones journal. This act demonstrated his humility in hearing the voices of women, blessing the work of their hands and championing it with a network of people. This was deeply impactful for many women in the room.”

John Park of New Direction Church, Sydney said, “In particular, I am thankful for Daz’s thoughtful and considerate support towards Korean pastors. His sensitivity and encouragement have greatly strengthened our ministry and helped us feel truly valued within the wider church family.”

Many reflected that Daz’s humble posture in leadership and desire to listen emerges from his relationship with God and his desire to seek divine wisdom.

Naomi Giles of NationsHeart Christian Community, Belconnen ACT reflected on the way Daz led a session at Collective 2023, in which he directed the 200 gathered leaders to communally seek and listen to God in 20 minutes of uninterrupted silence. This struck her profoundly. She said, “On that day Daz shut his mouth so that Wisdom could speak in the silence. A profound moment of surrender and trust, which invited us to pay attention to the still, small voice of God. He showed us the importance of making space for deep listening.”

Seeking to put words to Daz’ unique personality and gifting, a number of people comically described Daz having the persona of a sage, monk, or Gandalf-like character, wearing Air Jordan sneakers. Many recalled conversations or sermons of his that lifted listeners up to a cosmic perspective, often leaving them dizzy from their ascent, but challenged. Across these reflections people noted that despite Daz’s lofty outlook, the way he shared his insights revealed an authentic, grounded love of Jesus and His Church.

Ross Stewart, Safe Ministry Practices Leader with the NRT said, “Daz’s posture toward vulnerability and humility, coupled with his tendency toward deep reflection and theological acumen, has impacted me so profoundly. I have always appreciated his ability to draw out deeper truths, in the midst of times of uncertainty, gravity, or frivolity.”

Stephen Cha of The Chapel Sydney, Burwood and Intercultural Engagement leader with the NRT said, “Whilst there are times when I have no idea what language Daz is speaking, you just know that he is walking with God. And as simple as that sounds, it is the most important thing.”

Adam Miller of Penrith Church of Christ said, “Daz led from a deep relationship with Jesus, making decisions that were Spirit-led and Father-focused. He approaches discernment with thoughtful prayer and always ensures that others are heard. This has been evident in his role guiding local church pastors, leading people, and also in his friendship.”

Kelly and Jason Hayduk of Missionheart, ACT said, “Daz has a great brain, so much going on up there, we often have trouble keeping up with the wisdom and knowledge that flows from it. Daz leads with gentle wisdom, not a wisdom that makes you feel small but draws you in and builds you up.”

Alasdair MacDougall of Liberty Church of Christ, Greenacre, said, “I’ve always been impressed by Daz’s eagerness to think deeply about what he’s engaging in. As we’ve talked and walked together on a number of projects, I’ve known Daz to be intentional and purposeful in his approach, yet to also couple that with a deep desire for God’s wisdom.”

A Ministry of Reimagination

From these reflections and many more, it is clear Daz’s gifting hit a note of resonance with the need of our network in this season.

This resonance spoke to our need for healing, for vision, for wisdom, for inclusion, and for humble, intentional leadership from the rim that could activate our churches in ownership of this network, calling us to our original, sacred, unified mission. In this way, Daz has led us to reimagine who we are together, as churches of Christ.

In The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Brueggemann writes,

“It is the vocation of the prophet to keep alive the ministry of imagination, to keep on conjuring and proposing futures alternative to the single one the king (or the predominating culture) wants to urge as the only thinkable one.”

While there are many ways Daz has led the network spiritually that we will never see, his continued call to return to our DNA of restoration, unity, and simple, loving discipleship as churches of Christ rings clear, and resonates with Brueggemann’s description.

Daz has left us with this loving challenge. Will we be known for our love? Will our unity with the Body of Christ reflect His love to our communities? Are we yearning to be like Jesus so much that His love shines through at every level of who we are together, from the maturity we display in our relationships, to the vision and unity we hold together as a network?

Will love be our priority?