Matthew lives in Wellington and works at the Waitangi Tribunal Unit. He and his wife Rebecca serve in the parish of Kelburn and worship at St Michael’s.

Turns out humans are more imitative than we thought. As digital trends, influencers and followers are showing, people copy others even in what they desire. The trouble is, looking to the wrong models leads to distorted identities, mirrored conflicts and rivalries. Too often we look to neighbours and don’t stay in our own lane – but we are hard-wired to imitate, the new science confirms. Everybody follows or worships someone or something. The question is, who should we imitate?

Jesus says, ‘follow me’. So I’m learning to get out of my own way and follow Him. Life has changed completely. After a number of years overseas, having explored mimetic theory and taught English literature in United States universities, I wanted to preach as well as teach.

When the pandemic arrived, I felt the need to come home, to serve in the church and in reconciliation efforts here.

I grew up in a loving family and experienced spiritual awakenings when I was younger. But this recent season, after resigning from my job in America, has felt like a divine transformation. I met my wife, Rebecca, we sensed a call together, and so many things that followed have felt like beautiful gifts from God.

Getting ordained is a kind of equipping for the ministry ahead, which appears to lie partly within the overlap of academia and the church. Questions about imitation, discovering good models, and our tendency to follow are key in education but also in the diocesan mission of making disciples and being a transformative movement.

For the coming year, I’m looking forward to serving at the Anglican chaplaincy at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, at St Michael’s in Kelburn, in the wider Wellington diocese, and beyond.

The ordination service for Matthew Packer is at 1.30 pm on Sunday 17 November at St Michael's, Kelburn.