Missional money man

Brenton Stacey

About the Author

Brenton Stacey

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Brenton is Avondale University’s Public Relations and Philanthropy Officer. He brings to the role experience as a communicator in publishing, media relations, public relations, radio and television, mostly within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific and its entities.

Ian Grice cited for conviction and dedication to church work

A faith conversion experience at 23 years of age led Ian Grice (DipAcc, 1962) to make a big decision: he would spend the rest of his life working for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And he has done so at home in Australia and, for more than 30 years, abroad in southeast Asia.

Roles as treasurer of two church divisions helped Ian develop policy based on using assets as revenue sources to fund expansion in areas of low tithes and offerings. The Parable of the Talents as told by Jesus inspired the concept. On his return to Australia, Ian worked as CEO of Sydney Adventist Hospital until retiring in 2002. Preparing the San for an increasingly competitive market meant a “reengineering of business process” that involved future potential leaders and world experts in healthcare best practice. It is tempting, he says, to see success as something we have done. “I’ve tried to resist that by recognising anything I’ve accomplished is God working through me. He is the potter; I am the clay.”

Ian thanks his Avondale classmates for showing him that making a contribution is more important than making money or climbing the corporate ladder. “Their spirit of dedication to the church was catching, and I was hooked.” He also learnt about being tolerant of different views, which may have served him well in teaching roles—at Spicer Memorial College in India and the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in the Philippines—he held concurrently with those in finance. A lifelong learner, Ian would add further qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration, to his Avondale diploma.

Ian married wife Georgine in 1964 and they welcomed Helen-Maree and Gina to the family over the next few years. In retirement, the couple have travelled overseas in service for church and live in a community where they can demonstrate the benefits of Christian living.

The Class of 1962 honours Ian Grice’s conviction and dedication for improving policy and process to support church mission.